NBA 2015/16 thread
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<p>The wrinkle for OKC small ball is that they dont actually get that much smaller.... just change positions and change the mix of skillsets on the court.</p>
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I'm impressed by OKC to date. I expected them to play their usual Durant Westbrook iso ball but since that watershed moment in the Spurs series Westbrook and Durant are getting their team mates involved and everyone is doing their part to share the offensive load. Their match ups have been spot on, OKC finally look like the team with more weapons so coach Donovan should take a bow. Adams, Kanter, Waiters, Roberson along with the reliable Ibaka are playing great, and the three bigs are dominating GS in the paint and on the boards. Great to see Steven Adams of the Rotorua and Wellington massive kicking ass. They look like the team to beat to win it all right now.<br><br>
Oh and Draymond gets the Quade Cooper booing experience, says he thrives on it just like Quade, but the result is the same -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="582486" data-time="1464148297">
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<p>Can someone please explain to me what "OKCSmall ball 5" means? and also what the warriors Death squad or whatever it is, actually is?</p>
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<p>It has been heralded all year (and into last year) as being the best 5 man unit in the league - however Golden State hardly use it because they rarely need it and everyone has to play "up" a position which takes a massive toll on Draymond in particular. We've only caught flashes of it throughout the season - but it has been largely unstoppable in those rare outings.</p>
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<p>There are actually a few similarities between the Death line up and the 2007 All Blacks side without rotation. It was often talked about, much heralded, supposed to be unstoppable but we barely saw it. May not make the finals either.</p>
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<p>I would say it has been fair to say most NBA pundits have believed that the Death Line Up was a switch that Golden State could hit at any time at their leisure. An extra gear, that in all likelihood they wouldn't need anyway. Turns out OKC was is a very bad match up for almost every rotation GSW have.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baron Silas Greenback" data-cid="582626" data-time="1464164374">
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<p>The wrinkle for OKC small ball is that they dont actually get that much smaller.... just change positions and change the mix of skillsets on the court.</p>
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<p>Good point. OKC's small ball unit provides spacing at the offensive end so KD and Westbrook can drive to the hoop, and another ball handler in Waiters. Roberson plays as the post player so needs to be guarded rather than be ignored on the perimeter. That means GSW can't double-team KD or Westbrook. At the moment, Donovan is outcoaching Kerr.</p> -
<p>This assist from Adams was pretty amazing:</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://vine.co/v/i9berhWFHEO'>https://vine.co/v/i9berhWFHEO</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="582741" data-time="1464215293">
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<p>Is that the one where he "Threw the balls out of that pass"?</p>
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<p>Yes</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="582739" data-time="1464215194">
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<p>This assist from Adams was pretty amazing:</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://vine.co/v/i9berhWFHEO'>https://vine.co/v/i9berhWFHEO</a></p>
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<p>Tom Brady would be proud to call that his own</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="582714" data-time="1464208949">
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<p>Good point. OKC's small ball unit provides spacing at the offensive end so KD and Westbrook can drive to the hoop, and another ball handler in Waiters. Roberson plays as the post player so needs to be guarded rather than be ignored on the perimeter. That means GSW can't double-team KD or Westbrook. At the moment, <strong>Donovan is outcoaching Kerr.</strong></p>
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<p>Easy to outcoach the other guy when you have the better team of players. What Donovan is doing is getting them to play to their potential as a team, something that Brooks could not</p> -
<p>Donovan has 3 distinct line ups now.<br><br>
Small ball - KD and Ibaka as his fowards with Westbrook, Roberson and Waiters. - Fast as fuck. Great ball movement and 5 3pt shooters.<br><br>
Big - Adams and Ibaka with KD, Westbrook and Roberson/Waiters. - Standard starting line up. Fantastic in side outside defence set up around KD/Westbrook offence.<br><br>
Long - Kanter and Adams with KD, Westbrook and Roberson. - Muscle line up. Very hard for opposing bigs to handle. Adams becomes a real threat in this specific set up but hes becoming a threat regardless.<br><br>
Brooks was not able to capitalise on the talent he had after a good wicket in charge. Donovan has let them play a bit more and trusted the role players to find their way. He played Singler a whole lot more than he should have and a very good player in Morrow has been left in the locker room for almost the entire season. But thats about all i can fault him on. 3 line ups unearthed and he seems to know exactly when to use them.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="582917" data-time="1464230780">
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<p>Easy to outcoach the other guy when you have the better team of players. </p>
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<p>Remember that this GSW team has the best NBA regular season record ever (73-9) and Kerr won coach of the year. What OKC definitely has is a bigger team and GSW is struggling with their length and athleticism, hence the steals and rebounding advantages.</p>
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<p>What Donovan is doing is getting them to play to their potential as a team, something that Brooks could not</p>
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<p>No argument there. Basketball is all about matchups and mis-matches and Donovan is not afraid to tinker with his rotations to find that edge.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="583035" data-time="1464259147">
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<p>Are the GSWs coping with key injuries, or am I imagining things?</p>
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<p>Everyone is hurt this deep in the playoffs. Curry lit OKC up a couple of games back, Bogut may be slowed slightly but the others look OK. OKC just have too much of everything for GS to handle right now. With a new coach it took them until the 11th hour to finally work it out, and everyone else better watch out</p> -
Have been smashing some excellent ESPN basketball docos recently. One of them is about Christian Laettner. That shot he made has got to be one of the most incredible things you could see in sports. Astonishing:<br><br>
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<p>is that a 30 for 30? Love those, there are some great ones. </p>
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<p>Did you watch the one about Reggie Miller v the Knicks? It's pretty funny. </p>
