All Things in Moderation

The Western Conference Championship is of interest to me and Okiegirl.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/19160679/western-conference-finals-preview-san-antonio-spurs-vs-okc-thunder/rss

I have some additional observations about the Spurs.

1]  They are very deep.  They have twelve reliable players, even if they can only play 9 in a given game.

2]  They are flashy when Ginobili and Parker are on the floor at the same time because of the passing game. If you like no-look find the open man, or pick and roll, or give and go, or fast pass-touch pass basketball, this is where to see it.

3]  Ginobili and Duncan will not be on the floor more than 32 of 48 minutes.  Depth allows this.  The two can play as if “young” for 30 minutes, but not for 37.

4]  They do not defend as tenaciously as the Robinson-Duncan era team, or in the same way.  The team defense is good and smart, but neither great nor spectacular.

5]  Parker absolutely abused Westbrook last time these teams played, but I would not expect that to repeat.

6]  This may be the best shooting team in history, and the fast passing provides comfortable looks.

7]  This team is relaxed even when down 24 points, as they were to the Clips in game 3 of that series.  They won by double digits.  No nerves.

8]  No one on this team can stop Durant, or really slow him down, one-on-one.

Okie, what about the Thunder?

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Mark and all, I’m a big basketball fan but not much of an analyst.  I write this without having read any “expert” analyses, but here goes.  [Michi, cover your eyes.]

1]  Thunder are deep too!  After all, we have Harden, the 2012 NBA 6^th Man of the Year.  “Fear the Beard” t-shirts are selling well locally.  That should be a great match-up with Ginobli.  But Collison and Mohammed also get the job done.  I think Collison in particular is underrated.

2]  Thunder aren’t particularly flashy, and I think the pick and roll might be a problem for them defensively.

3]  Hahahahahaha.  There is not a team in the NBA that can hang with the Thunder’s “young” legs.  Rest all ya want; it just means the starters are not on the floor and, subtle as the difference may be, there’s a reason the starters are starters.  Thunder starters can stay on the floor longer.

4]  Kevin Durant will be a problem for the Spurs.  I look for him to have some big games.

5]  This could be a key to the series.  But Westbrook has been on a roll.  We’ll see.

6]  As a Thunder fan, this concerns me.  Offensively, Spurs may pick them apart.  But don’t forget the defensive value of Durant’s speed and 7’5” (or whatever) wingspan.

7]  Ditto for the Thunder.  This actually has been a surprise to me, given their youth.

8]  Bingo.  See number 4.

I have to note how much I love the fact that it is two small market teams in the west finals.  The teams seem to have similar philosophies and values that I find wholesome.  I know someone who came here with the team from Seattle and still works in the Thunder organization, and reportedly the players love being in OKC and the way they are treated both by the organization and by the community.  I have seen nothing locally to indicate otherwise.  Win or lose, you never hear Thunder players blaming teammates a la Kobe.  As far as I know, it’s the same for the Spurs.  Mark, any thoughts on that?

Now for a little local color.  Since it was national news, I suspect all have heard about the shootings that marred the final win over the Lakers (although reportedly having no connection at all to the game).  There is a small plaza in front of the arena where the Thunder play.  There are concessions, bleachers, a jumbotron, etc., and hundreds all this season and in prior years have gathered for pregame festivities (been there myself when I had tickets).  For the first time, for this year’s playoffs they have showed the game in entirety on the jumbotron instead of shutting down at tipoff.  This drew thousands instead of hundreds.  If you watched the Thunder-Laker series you probably saw some cool shots of it on TV.  If not, not as cool but see this or [aarrgghh, cannot get link to work].  Hmmm, 5,000-10,000 people packed into a very small area with no controlled access and where alcohol is sold, what could possibly go wrong?  Due to the recent shootings, the City and the team immediately discontinued Thunder Alley for “public safety reasons” due to the actions of two punks.  Locals are furious.  Hopefully they will find an alternative venue.

Edit by Okie:   My prediction:  Spurs in 7 cause they are playing absurdly well right now.  Reserve the right to change the prediction if Thunder manage to steal one of the first two in SA.

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