British_Baller

Spurs are just creaking, it's the first time they have been tested in the play offs especially at thw high octaine level which the Thunder bring and they can't cope with pace. Parker especially looks completely off his game which was probably the biggest match up him vs Westbrook.

They are that desperate they have had to bring Manu back into the starting line up and whilst he played well you are desperate if you want Manu back in the starters. They don't have any punch from the bench either (which I thought they would have) whereas Thunder rock out Harden and he is just a fantastic player.

On a seperate note whilst everyone is bigging the Thunder up, over the next season perhaps the one after this team will disband as you already hear rumblings of Westbrook being unhappy being no2 to Durant that and the fact that Harden will come knocking for a big new contract and I doubt they will have the cap room for it. Big year for the Thunder IMO.

LLROCKS

The Thunder showed last night why they should be considered a serious threat for an NBA title. Defense wins titles. The combination of their speed/energy with aggressive defense is lethal. It can create havoc on the opponents offense and throw them out of sync, out of rhythm. This was especially evident with Parker shooting only 5 of 14. This continues, despite being a young team, makes the Thunder very dangerous the rest of the way and a title within reach.

Bogg

Supposedly ownership as already stated they they're going to pay whatever it takes to retain Harden and Ibaka, and Durant's done such a good job of managing Westbrook's ego I don't think those rumblings ever hit critical mass. I doubt that Bennett lets the team break up after going through all the trouble of bringing them in from Seattle and building a winner, because letting an exciting young team disband entirely(Shinn) or refusing to spend the last few million to jump from contender to multiple-champion(Sarver) is a great way to alienate the fan base and hurt yourself financially in the long-term.

British_Baller

Whilst I'm a Heat fan being English and away from it a little I do like to see good teams in the NBA because it makes it a lot more exciting so if the Rhunder can keep a good young team together I would enjoy watching then.

I would prefer the Heat to sort themselves out and move away from the failing big 3 model and become the championship team LeBron deserves but I just cannot see it happening, but then I'm a pessimist

Bogg

I figure Lebron's going to get one or more eventually, because Miami's positioned to at least make the Finals for the next several years, and at some point a favorable matchup or injury on the Western team should break his way. It's not going to be the five or six he envisioned when he signed, but I'd be surprised if he retires with fewer than two rings.

British_Baller

Not to drag this too far off topic but do you think the Heat can progress with the team they have?

Personally I don't think they'll ever win a championship with their current squad. Spolestra isn't a good enough coach but more importantly Bosh is the real problem. He is a great player but he is incapable of being the player Miami need (big presence in the paint) that plus his cap room he is chewing up he needs to go. I would be trading him out for a couple of solid players (either PF, C or PG) who can fill out the roster and compliment Bron/Wade and give the Hear some rotation. That and they need a sixth man who can hit hard from the bench and to make it all happen Bosh needs to go.

Sir Patchwork

Harden may be playing himself into more than OKC can afford. I'd be thrilled if he wanted to stay for less money, but I wouldn't blame him for taking the "promotion" so to speak. I think Ibaka is more important than Harden honestly and if you can't keep both, Ibaka is priority because he will probably be cheaper than Harden (never know though) and fills a big man position while Harden's strengths are the same strengths as our two best players.

Bogg

Honestly, I think their biggest concern right now is whether Wade is going through a slump or if his body is just slowing down from the beating it's taken in the last nine years. Bosh is never going to be David Robinson, it's not his fault that Miami doesn't have a center to hold down the paint, but his midrange game is always going to be there and he can get his own buckets. However, if the Wade we're seeing right now is actually who he is going forward then the Heat may be in real trouble. Bosh is probably their most moveable asset, but you'd have to split him into two genuinely valuable pieces, and I don't know how many workable trades like that there are.

Luke

OKC has grown up. I don't see anyone beating them at this point.

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Formerly VanillaPrice

Hyperion

He's a luxury that they'll have to pay for.

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"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain...."

"The light that burns twice as bright burns for half as long - and you have burned so very, very brightly"

Bogg

Harden's not a luxury, he's very necessary for the Thunder to win titles. If they let him walk it'll be Phoenix handing away Joe Johnson/Igodala/Deng/Rondo/Ibaka all over again.........I just realized Sarver basically sold off an entire playoff-caliber smallball team. Wow.

Hyperion

He also sold off gortat. Then traded for him with our only sg.

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"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain...."

"The light that burns twice as bright burns for half as long - and you have burned so very, very brightly"

Bogg

I was wondering whether you'd point out that Iggy and Deng were technically the same pick or just pile on more. Well done, you chose......wisely.

Hyperion

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"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain...."

"The light that burns twice as bright burns for half as long - and you have burned so very, very brightly"

VBM

Just hope the Spurs can weather the early storm and keep things close going into the latter part of the 4th quarter. I think OKC could turn this into a blowout early though, unfortunately.

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