Thunder vs Celtics in the NBA Finals....OKC will win the 2017-18 NBA Championship

[DoubleClutch]

offensively melo has stated in the last few weeks he has accepted his role as being mostly just a floor spacer, and is focusing on just doing his best in that role. so they are doing less ISOs for him. melo and PG seem to be more comfortable and confident in where they are getting shots.

russ is being russ, but actually making some shots now. the rotations are little better. i really like that huestis is getting minutes with the starters.

Yea pretty much Russ is shooting better and that changes everything.

Carmelo is taking better shots

Paul George has been Paul George

All 3 started off the season playing pretty bad and they were still almost winning games. Now they're actually closing teams out

 

[UpAndComing]

Yea pretty much Russ is shooting better and that changes everything.

Carmelo is taking better shots

Paul George has been Paul George

All 3 started off the season playing pretty bad and they were still almost winning games. Now they're actually closing teams out

The main thing is that they have now become offensively in sync. That was their main problem. Plus this team is a beast defensively

 

[krazykid18]

Are the Thunder doing anything differently the past couple weeks that caused their turnaround?

They are making shots end of discussion they still play the same way but are making shots

 

[Deep_Black_Conscious]

Bump.

You still think the Thunder can win without Roberson OP? His defense is what makes the Thunder's defense elite. Without him, idk how they will be able to guard the Timberwolves, Rockets, or Warriors wings in the playoffs with just PG alone. Even if they do a trade, no one they get can come close to replacing Roberson's elite defense.

However, if they got someone like Courtney Lee or a 3&D guy with a long wingspan, then they will have a more balanced lineup offensively at the cost of less defense. If they continue to play good team defense and whoever they get in a trade is a solid help defender that can help Adams and PG, then they might have a chance maybe.

 

[camer999]

Bump.

You still think the Thunder can win without Roberson OP? His defense is what makes the Thunder's defense elite. Without him, idk how they will be able to guard the Timberwolves, Rockets, or Warriors wings in the playoffs with just PG alone. Even if they do a trade, no one they get can come close to replacing Roberson's elite defense.

However, if they got someone like Courtney Lee or a 3&D guy with a long wingspan, then they will have a more balanced lineup offensively at the cost of less defense. If they continue to play good team defense and whoever they get in a trade is a solid help defender that can help Adams and PG, then they might have a chance maybe.

Cavs or thunder should go for Avery Bradley. He would be an upgrade from Robertson similar defensive capability, with a decent offensive game?

 

[Deep_Black_Conscious]

Cavs or thunder should go for Avery Bradley. He would be an upgrade from Robertson similar defensive capability, with a decent offensive game?

I don't like his height in OKC's defensive system though. They do a lot of switching and he could fukk that up. But he could wonders for their ability to create turnovers. IDK.

 

[camer999]

I don't like his height in OKC's defensive system though. They do a lot of switching and he could fukk that up.

From what I’ve seen he is capable of defending 1-4(small 4)

 

[Deep_Black_Conscious]

From what I’ve seen he is capable of defending 1-4(small 4)

I see. I honestly haven't watched him much outside of nationally televised games. Like I said before he could wonders for the Thunder's ability to create turnovers. Maybe I am underestimating him because of his height.

 

[ABlackMan]

Why not a stretch four and move Melo to 3

Bump.

You still think the Thunder can win without Roberson OP? His defense is what makes the Thunder's defense elite. Without him, idk how they will be able to guard the Timberwolves, Rockets, or Warriors wings in the playoffs with just PG alone. Even if they do a trade, no one they get can come close to replacing Roberson's elite defense.

However, if they got someone like Courtney Lee or a 3&D guy with a long wingspan, then they will have a more balanced lineup offensively at the cost of less defense. If they continue to play good team defense and whoever they get in a trade is a solid help defender that can help Adams and PG, then they might have a chance maybe.

 

[Kairi Irving]

OKC could pick up Josh Smith

 

[Deep_Black_Conscious]

Why not a stretch four and move Melo to 3

Melo to the 3 is tough because he is not good on the wings defensively at this age and the Thunder lose their matchup advantage at the 4. Maybe when Melo was younger but it would be tough now. However, it could work if the stretch 4 can cover 3s that Melo can't stay in front of?

 

[Jplaya2023]

Sources: Pistons' Bradley available for trade

thunder better do everything to get avery, I been saying they needed him over roberson

anyone except pg, russy, melo and adams for bradley

Sources: Pistons' Bradley available for trade

 

[NormanConnors]

Sources: Pistons' Bradley available for trade

thunder better do everything to get avery, I been saying they needed him over roberson

anyone except pg, russy, melo and adams for bradley

Sources: Pistons' Bradley available for trade

We'll take Ferguson and a pick

 

[tremonthustler1]

Sources: Pistons' Bradley available for trade

thunder better do everything to get avery, I been saying they needed him over roberson

anyone except pg, russy, melo and adams for bradley

Sources: Pistons' Bradley available for trade

Give em Ferguson then

We'll take Ferguson and a pick

They don’t even have picks to give

EDIT: yup, only way it works is Ferg and either Abrines or Patterson for Bradley

 

[Jplaya2023]

Melo to the 3 is tough because he is not good on the wings defensively at this age and the Thunder lose their matchup advantage at the 4. Maybe when Melo was younger but it would be tough now. However, it could work if the stretch 4 can cover 3s that Melo can't stay in front of?

Who are they 3's in the west that carmelo cant stay in front of?

the only 1's i can think of is obviously
KD
Leonard (injured)
Wiggins (Meh)

The other 3s currently in the playoffs now are

Ariza (spot up shooter, melo would have 0 issue guarding him)
Aminu or Turner from portland
dante cunningham, etwa'n moore from the pelicans