Why I can't root for the OKC Thunder

[OsirusCeltics]

They are an up and coming team, no doubt championship contenders
But for some reason I can't stand them

Number one is that I hate the way they utilize Durant. He's one of my favorite players, but the offense isn't run well at all. They make Durant basically like a Ray Allen, running off picks like he's a role player. And that annoying iso offense. People can complain about Paul Pierce's iso ball, but that's only for a few times during the game. Durant does it basically the whole game. He is one of the best players in the league, and you utilize him on isos and running off screens? Thats horrible

The other reason, is that they play too pretty. They don't have that gritty toughness and are basically a jumpshooting team. Like game 2 against the Lakers. When they were down, instead of driving the ball to draw fouls or feed the post, they just preceded to shoot jumpshots and contested 3's. Its also annoying that they have Durant and Westbrook just trading isolation plays like its streetball. Yes they are very talented enough to iso, but a great defensive team can always neutralize that

And lastly, its Westbrook. He's just a shooting guard masquerading as a point guard. Its his ego that thinks he's the best player on the floor. He tries to take over the game too much and just leaves Durant waiting on the wing. I honestly think Westbrook should play the 2 and Harden play the 1. Harden is the better playmaker


Does anyone else not like them? Or maybe its just me

[Fafnir]

Durant on of the best players in the league, and you utilize him on isos and running off screens? Thats horrible

How else are they supposed to utilize him?

He's not a pick and roll ball handler type of player.

[indeedproceed]

The only thing I don't like about OKC is Derek Fisher.

[Fafnir]

The only thing I don't like about OKC is Derek Fisher.

I don't understand why he plays so much, when they're having Harden handle the ball as their PG when they go small.

Thabo should be in there! Its really going to hurt them when they don't have Ramon Sessions/Steve Blake/Jason Kidd to hide him on.

[indeedproceed]

The only thing I don't like about OKC is Derek Fisher.

I don't understand why he plays so much, when they're having Harden handle the ball as their PG when they go small.

Thabo should be in there! Its really going to hurt them when they don't have Ramon Sessions/Steve Blake/Jason Kidd to hide him on.

I agree with both these things.

[jacksmedulaoblongata]

They're playing the Lakers, if that's not enough to make you root for them then there's something wrong with you.

[Celtics18]

I don't like them much either.  I like them better than either team from Los Angeles, though.

Go Spurs (until the finals . . .  hopefully)!

[Who]

I like all their individual pieces a great deal but as a collective, as a team, I can't get behind them either.

Not enjoyable to watch (ugly offense, not enough effort defensively for most of the season) + they screwed over Seattle.

[clover]

Against the Lakers or the Heat I love them.

Against the Celtics I hate them.

Against the Pacers?  Meh, I don't really care.

[Roy H.]

The offense may be ugly, but it was the 2nd most efficient offense in the NBA.  It's hard to complain too much about that.

[fairweatherfan06]

I won't root for them until Seattle gets their NBA team back, simple as that.  Also I don't like Russell Westbrook, I think he's very overrated.

[slamtheking]

Against the Lakers or the Heat I love them.

Against the Celtics I hate them.

Against the Pacers?  Meh, I don't really care.

This

[Josh88]

I've loved Durant's game since his Longhorns days and they're the team I'm rooting for out west. Westbrook is a chucker but he's still a very talented player and a huge reason why they've been so successful this season. Harden would be an all-star on almost any other team, he is a very good player in all aspects of the game.

Durant was 3rd in FT attempts during the regular reason, Westbrook 7th and Harden 10th. No other trio in the league is even close to that so I don't see how you can say they're a jump shooting team with no game attacking the paint.

[OsirusCeltics]

I've loved Durant's game since his Longhorns days and they're the team I'm rooting for out west. Westbrook is a chucker but he's still a very talented player and a huge reason why they've been so successful this season. Harden would be an all-star on almost any other team, he is a very good player in all aspects of the game.

Durant was 3rd in FT attempts during the regular reason, Westbrook 7th and Harden 10th. No other trio in the league is even close to that so I don't see how you can say they're a jump shooting team with no game attacking the paint.

FT attempts doesn't necessarily reflect driving to the lane.  Most of those fouls could be handchecking calls or foul calls off of pump fakes. But obviously all of those players are very good at driving the ball

But my point is that their half court offense is horrible. It consists of passing the ball around the perimeter and jacking up shots, or a double iso play of Westbrook and Durant. That type of offense is too elementary. Any great half court defensive team (Spurs, Celtics, Dallas team last year) can stop that. Maybe its the coaches fault, i don't know

[Fafnir]

The offense may be ugly, but it was the 2nd most efficient offense in the NBA.  It's hard to complain too much about that.

3 extremely efficient scorers who all get to the line a lot will do that for you.