Westbrook done for playoffs. Thunder Done!

[ManUp]

I wouldn't count them out. I'd like to see what Durant and potentially Ibaka do with an increased role. This definitely hurts their chances, but Durant could take his game to a whole new level.

[KGs Knee]

Woah, can't believe I missed this.  When was this announced?

Such a crazy season; with so many marquee players going down with serious injuries this year.

I actually don't think this will be that big of a blow to OKC's chances of making it back to the Finals, however. Westbrook is a detriment to that team, IMHO.  I believe they have enough other offensive weapons in Martin, Jackson and Ibaka to make up for the loss of Westbrook.  Plus, this should finally force Durant to take over that team the way he should have already.  I expect to see a more 'dominant' Durant now, and a more efficient offense, overall.

This doesn't change the outlook of the Western Conference.  OKC and SAS will still end up battling it out in the conference finals.

[Boris Badenov]

Maybe I'm deluding myself, but I think this is good news for anyone rooting against the Heat.

I think OKC would have come out of the West, but I actually like how SAS matches up with the Heat better.

Definitely rooting for the Spurs now.

[sed522002]

Maybe I'm deluding myself, but I think this is good news for anyone rooting against the Heat.

I think OKC would have come out of the West, but I actually like how SAS matches up with the Heat better.

Definitely rooting for the Spurs now.

I'm with you...I didn't see OKC winning this year. I know regular season doesn't matter, but it just seem like the Heat had OKC's number. They want to beat the Heat so bad, maybe too bad.

[TA9]

I dont think I have experienced any other season where so many players had to sit out due to a Knee Injury. Rondo, Rose now Westbrook.. Unbelieveable.

[Eddie20]

Makes the matchup I want to see (Spurs-Heat) more likely.

I agree and I think the Spurs could beat them. OKC is a great matchup for Miami because none their bigs has a post game. So this allows Miami to go small without getting punished in the low post defensively. Duncan and Splitter have post games and that would be critical in the series.

[CelticConcourse]

This is a tragedy. Every star is getting injured. I love Russ. Ggreggrgr

[action781]

They've got a rough road ahead of them. People get frustrated with Westbrook shots, but I think they absolutely need his aggressiveness to create.

I still think Kevin Durant isn't assertive enough, and he's still really poor off the ball. We'll see how he reacts to this.

Side note: I wonder if the Thunder would ever considering firing Scotty Brooks. I look at the evolution of the Miami Heat offense, and then I look at a talented team like the Thunder that just remains the same.

Good points. Brooks is very overrated. The contract talks took forever for a reason b/c they're not sold on him.

Durant is not assertive enough. It's the biggest flaw in his game. They will miss Russell a lot.

Meh, they just traded away a key player on their team for a downgrade to Kevin Martin + future pieces and still maintained a 60-22 record (best in West).

They are second in teh nba with an offensive efficiency of 110.2.  That is an incredible number and only 0.1 behind Maimi who is first. 

All that considered, and we're talking about the potential firing of their head coach?

[gpap]

Too bad for OKC. I wonder if they would take Rondo off our hands this summer.

[Who]

I think Miami can stay small against San Antonio.

LeBron can defend Splitter in the post much better than Splitter is going to be able to step out to the three point line to defend Shane Battier or Ray Allen.

[The Rondo Show]

Should be very interesting to see how this affects the West

[action781]

I think Miami can stay small against San Antonio.

LeBron can defend Splitter in the post much better than Splitter is going to be able to step out to the three point line to defend Shane Battier or Ray Allen.

Probably.  Splitter is going to have to make Lebron work and take a physical toll in that case.  I think/hope Pop is smart enought to realize that.  I hope the refs are not aware.

[prov1ml34]

I'm personally putting an asterisk by the Heat's "championship" after this season. Seriously, how freaking lucky can one team get? They are going to end up winning a championship when there are 4 teams with one of their top stars out who could conceivably knock them off.

First, they don't have to play a healthy a Boston squad. We are basically down two of our top 3 with KG looking to be injured.

Second, they don't have to play a healthy Chicago team for the SECOND year in a row without Rose who, like Boston, when healthy can give them a serious run for their money in the East.

Then you move over to the West and if they make the Finals they wouldn't have to meet a healthy Thunder team without their second best player and a guy who would arguably be the best player on most NBA teams.

And finally, and I don't even know if they count but for the sake of argument they are going to be brought up, the Lakers. They were atrocious all year but started to "click" towards the end of the regular season who are without Kobe and for all intents and purposes, Nash.

That is essentially 3 rounds out of a possible 4 on the way to a championship where they don't have to play healthy competition. I understand that there are injuries every year, but this year, in particular, is insane.

Just pitiful. Apparently LeRoid, Baby Wade, Princess Bosh and Judas all sold their souls to the basketball gods.

[indeedproceed]

I'm personally putting an asterisk by the Heat's "championship" after this season. Seriously, how freaking lucky can one team get? They are going to end up winning a championship when there are 4 teams with one of their top stars out who could conceivably knock them off.

First, they don't have to play a healthy a Boston squad. We are basically down two of our top 3 with KG looking to be injured.

Second, they don't have to play a healthy Chicago team for the SECOND year in a row without Rose who, like Boston, when healthy can give them a serious run for their money in the East.

Then you move over to the West and if they make the Finals they wouldn't have to meet a healthy Thunder team without their second best player and a guy who would arguably be the best player on most NBA teams.

And finally, and I don't even know if they count but for the sake of argument they are going to be brought up, the Lakers. They were atrocious all year but started to "click" towards the end of the regular season who are without Kobe and for all intents and purposes, Nash.

That is essentially 3 rounds out of a possible 4 on the way to a championship where they don't have to play healthy competition. I understand that there are injuries every year, but this year, in particular, is insane.

Just pitiful. Apparently LeRoid, Baby Wade, Princess Bosh and Judas all sold their souls to the basketball gods.

Seems like you'd need to put a lot more astericks around than just on Miami's shoulders if they win this year. I imagine you'd be able to find a reason for every year, including the 17 we won.

[scaryjerry]

The thunder weren't beating the heat had they made the finals anyways...lol@asterisks.