» Blog Archive » Game No. 43, live: Thunder (8-34) vs. Warriors (13-29)
  • Jan
    21

    Game No. 43, live: Thunder (8-34) vs. Warriors (13-29)

    Filed under: Commentary;

    FOURTH QUARTER:

    ** And it’s a 7-0 run to put the Thunder back ahead. Golden State just can’t stand prosperity.

    ** Nice burst from Jackson. He had been 5-for-13 with the 5 TOs and in danger of going sour for the rest of the night. Instead, he beats Durant off the dribble for a reverse layup, creates the deflection that leads to a Warriors steal and converts on a 3-pointer in the corner.

    ** Wow, what a stupendous reverse layup from Jeff Green, who draws Maggette’s fifth foul on the play as well.

    ** Maggette still on the court with five fouls: OKC must attack him. And they do.

    ** A one-point lead, 5:26 to go, and you step out of bounds while catching a cross-court pass. Awful.

    ** CC: In the W’s defense re: Green, the Sonics gave up Ray Allen, who’s still better than pretty much everyone on Golden State’s roster, to get Green.

    ** Westbrook slices past Azubuike for the fast-break layup and a three-point lead, possibly four, with 4:34 left. Golden State doesn’t deserve to win, playing like this.

    ** Turiaf has been the key to so much of the Warriors’ ball movement, such as it is, in the second half.

    ** I love it when players clearly extend both arms to give the guy they’re guarding a shove in the back — hello, Corey Maggette — then act like it’s a crime to call them on it.

    ** All credit to C.J. Watson, but Nick Collison couldn’t have telegraphed that pass any more. Why didn’t he get out the semaphore flags while he was at it?

    ** Westbrook with the J for the lead at 120-119, and then getting the lucky break when C.J. Watson fumbles the ball away to give OKC possession again.

    ** That will be NBA game-winner No. 9 for Crawford, if it holds up.

    ** That’s a well-deserved loss for the Warriors. Why Crawford is standing out 28 feet from the hoop, guarding nobody, while Green goes by him to get the ball, is astounding.

    THIRD QUARTER:

    ** Two misses to start the half? Wha’ppen?

    ** Back-to-back 3s for the Thunder. Good to see the norms are restored.

    ** CC: My handle is “geofflepper” at any and all Warriors-related sites. I’m a believer in transperancy in Web journalism. And I’ve been a Steve Nash critic for years. The fact he won even a single MVP award, let alone two consecutively, without playing a lick of defense, is an utter, utter joke.

    ** Things are getting sloppy now. And I will admit that Jackson forced that issue too hard on that possession.

    ** Give the Warriors credit — they’re succeeding at getting in front of people and stopping ball penetration more often this half. It’s not the end-all for Golden State’s defensive problems — they’re still not getting out and covering open shooters on the perimeter — but it’s a step in the right direction.

    ** Maggette with the right-handed tomahawk over Durant to tie the game at 84-all. That should be the type of play that spurs a run. We’ll see what happens.

    ** Azubuike with a block and an end-to-end run-out, followed by a flying Maggette layup. That’s a pretty good job of building on the momentum.

    ** That was a ridicuously poor call against Durant for the shove that wasn’t on Maggette as he flew out of bounds with the offensive rebound.

    HALFTIME:

    ** The only other time Russell Westbrook has shot this well in his NBA career, it was Dec. 29 against Phoenix and the alleged “defense” of Steve Nash.

    Westbrook set a career high with 31 points that night; he only needs 12 to top that this evening, and if the first half is any indication, he should get it in the first 7 minutes or so.

    SECOND QUARTER:

    ** If Don McLean’s was writing “American Pie” while visiting Oracle Arena tonight, the line would go, “The day the defense died.”

    ** SJ Jim: True enough. First team to stop ball penetration wins.

    ** That’s going to be a turnover on Jackson with the fast-break bad pass, but I think if Azubuike had been more cognizant of how the play was developing, he wouldn’t have been caught so off-guard by Jackson’s pass.

    ** Corey Maggette picks up foul No. 3 and sits next to Marco Belinelli on the bench. While Maggette’s there, hopefully Belinellie will impart some tips on how to flop without getting caught.

    ** That’s one way to deal with Jeff Green: Turiaf lurks and blocks his shot while providing weakside help.

    ** Seriously, somebody call New York and ask the league if we can just organize a game of H-O-R-S-E instead of playing the second half.

    ** Lottery Pick: That’s SOP with Randolph these days — he plays the first few minutes of the first and third quarters, never to be seen again.

    ** Rufus: I hear what you’re saying, but on the other hand, the Warriors have 17 assists on 23 FGs, which has to be a record for this club this season.

    ** How funny that Monta Ellis, the face of And1, is not taking part in this game, because it is pure streetball right now.

    FIRST QUARTER:

    ** Rob Kurz in the starting lineup alongside Anthony Randolph at the 4 with Andris Biedrins
    out. This should be interesting.

    ** Kurz on Nick Collison is fine, and Stephen Jackson on Kevin Durant is the Warriors’ best shot, but Randolph on Jeff Green is going to be a difficult matchup all night.

    ** Ronny Turiaf admitted at shootaround that, with Biedrins out, he will need to let some shots go which he would ordinarily try to block, in order to conserve fouls and energy. That was one of those times.

    ** Anytime prior to this week, that overly long give-and-go pass from Jackson back to Jamal Crawford would have gone out of bounds. This time, however, Crawford saves it to Turiaf, who feeds it back to an open Crawford for the corner 3.

    ** I don’t like Jackson settling for a fadeaway jumper when he’s being guarded by Nenad Kristic on the switch.

    ** A long pass ahead from Azubuike to Maggette turns into a layup off a made basket for the Thunder. That’s another sign of a revitalized Warriors fast break.

    ** This is where Maggette’s effectiveness shoots up — in the bonus at the end of the quarter.

    ** What’s scary is that the Warriors played about as well as they could, offensively, and are still down by three after Maggette’s buzzer-beater didn’t, in fact, beat the buzzer.

    – Geoff

58 Responses to “Game No. 43, live: Thunder (8-34) vs. Warriors (13-29)”

  1. JoeSez January 21st, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    Kurz, “The horror, the horror!”

  2. SJ Jim January 21st, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    Early second quarter, and one thing is clear: Jackson is not (so far) concentrating on defense. He’s concentrating on running the offense… and although he’s had some good moments, he’s also looked out of control at times, trying to pass like Steve Nash.

  3. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 9:19 pm

    Jackson is trash. Ugh.

  4. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 9:19 pm

    We’ve given up ~50 points in ~15 minutes.

    WOW.

  5. SJ Jim January 21st, 2009 at 9:25 pm

    Another turnover by Jackson (and another near-turnover a minute earlier), trying to make difficult passes. Somebody needs to get in his ear. Soon.

  6. rufus January 21st, 2009 at 9:27 pm

    Damn this team has some reluctant passers on it . If someone makes a shot they suddenly become the man and the ball sticks with them only wanting to pass it if they are in trouble .

  7. Lottery Pick January 21st, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    Why did Kurz come in for Maggot? Is Nelson trying to screw with Randolph’s mind again?

  8. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 9:37 pm

    Barnett: Jackson hanging back bitching works for a change on the cherry pick.

  9. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 9:39 pm

    Rob Kurz is a much better defender than Richard Hendrix.

    Clearly a relevant consideration. Nothing at ALL to do with a jump shot.

    Brilliant insights, Sleepy, as always.

  10. 1and2 January 21st, 2009 at 9:44 pm

    Kurz moves really slow on D. Knowing where to be isn’t the same as being able to get there.
    Durant is basically a crap defender as well.

  11. Lottery Pick January 21st, 2009 at 9:44 pm

    Any thoughts when Wright might be coming back? Nelson is going to fall in love with Kurz’s perimeter game, while the future of the Warriors is sitting on the bench. Hopefully Biedrins is out for awhile and we can play the Maggot/Kurz front court and the Turiaf/Kurz front court for 48 minutes a night.

  12. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 9:46 pm

    Rick Barry would kill Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette with his bare hands.

  13. 1and2 January 21st, 2009 at 9:50 pm

    Coming into tonight, Kurz was shooting 40.7% fron the field. Not very good for a “shooter.”

  14. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm

    Wow Jim Barnett…. Such a shame.

  15. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 9:55 pm

    Hmmm. Nash defense commentary?
    What’s your handle on Adam’s blog?

  16. SJ Jim January 21st, 2009 at 10:01 pm

    Crawford had and easy steal there, and he just stands flatfooted while Westbrook jumps in front of him to collect the ball. Soft, very soft.

  17. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:04 pm

    We’re not making any progress this year.
    Total suck, regardless of the excuses.

  18. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:06 pm

    Agree on the Nash criticism.
    Westbrook is going to be a player though.

  19. SJ Jim January 21st, 2009 at 10:06 pm

    Not only is there too little ball movement, there is almost no passing going on right now. A little two-man game, and a lot of one-man game.

  20. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:06 pm

    The refs are doing their best…

  21. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:06 pm

    Nelson’s best plan: try to foul out their best players.

  22. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:07 pm

    Three supposed core, longterm starters healthy and we can’t put away a bad team rebuilding and starting almost nothing but rooks/sophs.

    The apologists hae something seriously wrong with them.

  23. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:09 pm

    Geoff, I’m Chris Cohan anywhere and everywhere in the blogosphere.
    No one cares.

  24. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:13 pm

    Whither Randolph against the OKC rookie parade?

  25. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:16 pm

    HERO!!!!!

  26. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:26 pm

    First Maggette tried to get the O foul on Green on one end then he gets the foul on Drant…. crap ball. Period. I’d puch Maggette in the face at some point.

  27. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:27 pm

    Morrow >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Belinelli

  28. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:35 pm

    Hot 3s and home court FT advantage against a crap team…. reason for hope, clearly.

  29. Lottery Pick January 21st, 2009 at 10:39 pm

    No reason for hope, the Warriors will win tonight which is fools gold. This team is not very good and these three vets aren’t going to get better.

  30. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:39 pm

    Contenders: You NEEEEEEED Corey MAggete!

  31. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:43 pm

    Green is a second yea rplayer. We’re paying some hack $9 million to be worse and not get better and suck.

  32. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:45 pm

    As this vet core learns to play together…..

    blahblahblahblah.

  33. SJ Jim January 21st, 2009 at 10:48 pm

    Maggette really doesn’t flop very well.

  34. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:50 pm

    They dumped Allen to get away from the old expensive vets who weren;t taking them anywhere as constructed and directed. Seemed pretty good, though that #5 could have netted other players, perhaps….

  35. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:51 pm

    Jackson… wouldn’t trade him for Green? Seriously?!

  36. Lottery Pick January 21st, 2009 at 10:52 pm

    Glad to see our defensive stopper CJ Watson is in, he’s going to make Westbrook like a hall of famer down the stretch.

  37. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:52 pm

    Collison looks like an All Star………………….

  38. SJ Jim January 21st, 2009 at 10:55 pm

    CJ has a couple of steals and a couple of deflections, and is hustling. If you really want to single out a guy for lack of defense, watch the guy with the #6 jersey.

  39. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:55 pm

    Geoff, talking about ball movement right now and Turiaf, who CANNOT GET A REBOUND, is like knocking only ONE Warriors’s DRR…… just silly.

  40. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:56 pm

    Turiaf realy made OKC’s ball movement look great there…

  41. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:56 pm

    Nice block though!

  42. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:58 pm

    Newsflash: Biedrins hates Maggette

  43. SJ Jim January 21st, 2009 at 10:58 pm

    Maggette lets Westbrook go by him, and then shoves him from behind. Good sound thinking.

  44. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 10:59 pm

    Nelson’s gimmick this year isn’t lazy steals and ball bother “defense”… it’s drawing lame fouls.

  45. SJ Jim January 21st, 2009 at 11:00 pm

    There’s another steal for CJ.

  46. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 11:00 pm

    CJ the Hero!

  47. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 11:03 pm

    Um, CJ Watson: Not Hero.

  48. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 11:05 pm

    SUCH a foul on Jackson. Ha. Home court, baby!

  49. SJ Jim January 21st, 2009 at 11:05 pm

    Wow, Durant was kind to Jackson there. He should have been able to get a better look than that.

  50. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 11:06 pm

    Ray Allen who?!

  51. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 11:07 pm

    The idiots will whine about “Lucky OKC” on this one but we’ll all know the truth.

    Injuries, anyone? Chemistry in progress?

    Etc. Latest BS cover for sucking.

  52. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 11:08 pm

    Geoff with the jinx. :-)

  53. Chris Cohan January 21st, 2009 at 11:12 pm

    Crawford really does suck.
    Maggette and Jackson, too.

    We’re back to putting lipstick on this pig and Fitz is immediately on the “No Biedrins” crap.

    We just freaking suck.

  54. SJ Jim January 21st, 2009 at 11:15 pm

    “Why Crawford is standing out 28 feet from the hoop, guarding nobody, while Green goes by him to get the ball, is astonishing.”

    I’m used to seeing that from Crawford. He’s too busy thinking about his next shot.

  55. commish January 22nd, 2009 at 7:25 am

    The draft is looking better every day. Let’s not bring Monta back for another month to make sure he is really ok and we have more time to evaluate our deep bench and current talent.

  56. rufus January 22nd, 2009 at 9:42 am

    Lack of rebounding hurt us all game ..The Thunder love high scoring games but easily get beat when they dont control the boards . Crawford leading us with 7 boards pretty much sums that up .

    The 4th quarters lack of ball movement as I alluded to earlier in the game guys are open but we only make the first pass for a good shot not the second one for a great shot. Case in point the cross court pass to Crawford where he stepped out of bounds had been there all game yet that was the only time we made that pass was when we were in trouble.

    We got enough stops to win this game but iof we dont get the rebounds its all for nothing. Westbrook played well he more jumpshots than he normally would make . 3-three pointers ? plus some long 18-20 ft jumpers those are what you want to give him . Jeff Green shot over 60% from the field and Durant still ran wild and dominated the glass.

    Im gonna check my dvr but I thought we were playing a zone at the end.

    Cj was on the ball(Westbrook) and Durant was in the corner . Crawford was on Collins and Turiaf was on Green .

    Cj slide too far to the corner to try to deny the corner pass and Green curled in from the paint right in from of westbrook and turned and shot ..

    It was bad communication and spacing as Turiaf didnt call out the switch and CJ overplayed too much leaving a gaping hole in the zone .

    Just bad team defense on the final play .

  57. JoeSez January 22nd, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    Teams trade great vets for many reasons but if you have a guy like Allen who wants to win, the risk is losing the Vet to free agency for next to nothing.

    Joe Sez Toronto had best realize Chris Bosh is going to walk out of Canada with high taxes, customs and a hopeless losing team come 2010. Colangelo had best trade Bosh NOW, by 2/19, for youth and picks while he has the talented big-man under contract.

    Warriors might offer Randolph, Wright and Maggette.

    RealGM sez the trade works. Toronto gets great talent and a vet
    Nellie gets a vet to help with wins and Ellis MIGHT stick around to play with Bosh.
    Bosh gets a center to help him play PF.

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