Westbrook done for playoffs. Thunder Done!

[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.

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.

This....

I understand that there are injuries every year, but this year, in particular, is insane.

[Redz]

this is a bummer

though maybe it will pave the way for the Spurs to make it to the Finals...which would at least be fun to see

Kinda like that Lakers team that made it to the Finals against the Jordan Bulls

[CelticConcourse]

By the way he could return by the Finals or even the WCF

[LarBrd33]

Anyone else kind of excited to see what Durant does without Westbrook?  I don't think Durant has played a game during the last few years without him... Durant's one of the most efficient scorers in the league... 50%/40%/90% shooting... Westbrook is alright (43%/32%/80%) ... Clearly losing him will hurt their chances of winning a title.  Clearly Westbrook's play helps alleviate some attention off Durant... I'm just saying... It's going to be exciting to see if Durant drops 50+ now.

[CelticConcourse]

I don't think Durant has played a game during the last few years without him...

Hasn't Westbrook never missed an NBA game?

I guarantee his efficiency goes down. More shots naturally leads to lower percentages. And no co-star to divert defenders to.

[BballTim]

Anyone else kind of excited to see what Durant does without Westbrook?  I don't think Durant has played a game during the last few years without him... Durant's one of the most efficient scorers in the league... 50%/40%/90% shooting... Westbrook is alright (43%/32%/80%) ... Clearly losing him will hurt their chances of winning a title.  Clearly Westbrook's play helps alleviate some attention off Durant... I'm just saying... It's going to be exciting to see if Durant drops 50+ now.

  Isn't Maynor out as well? I'd be a lot more excited if he were out there with KD. Who's the pg? Fisher?

[CelticConcourse]

  Isn't Maynor out as well?

I swear Maynor was traded for a second-round pick at the trade deadline to Portland. 

[BballTim]

  Isn't Maynor out as well?

I swear Maynor was traded for a second-round pick at the trade deadline to Portland. 

  He may have been, all I know is that he was playing for them earlier this year and I haven't seen him for quite a while.

[indeedproceed]

  Isn't Maynor out as well?

I swear Maynor was traded for a second-round pick at the trade deadline to Portland. 

He was traded (but I think its was for more than a 2nd), mostly because of OKC's faith in Reggie Jackson. Who I will parlay my Harrison Barnes win for 'guy who steps up after injury' into Reggie Jackson tonight.

[pearljammer10]

aw poop.

best shot to beat the Heat just got taken down

This right here. The thunder were the only team that could bring down the heat in the finals. The spurs don't match up well with the heat at all.