In case you haven't been tuned on the ongoing Oklahoma City Thunder-Memphis Grizzlies line, you've been missing out.
Not only are anyone missing a slugfest relating to two title contenders, but you're out of the loop as far as most of the postseason's most intriguing storylines. Between one of the game's most underrated level guards, a one man scoring machine and the shooting struggles of a beloved shot-blocker, the side stories are worth using a gander at.
Following your game's most electrifying combo guard transpired with a freak leg injury, arguably the game's the majority of offensively gifted forward had to give it a try all on his lonesome. KD is leading all scorers inside playoffs with a whopping 32. 3 points a game, and considering his team finds itself in a 2-1 hole, it will be needing all the points it could actually get from Durant.
Apart from the short-term issue of melting away Russell Westbrook, the Thunder now realize more than ever just how vital Westbrook is to this squad long period. While his expected profit is unknown, the loss of your dynamic floor leader can be a prime example that no one can go it alone inside NBA.
While the guys Kevin has around him are the furthest thing from scrubs, out in the open if Kevin Martin, there is nobody else who might consistently catch fire enjoy Westbrook. If some Thunder fans didn't appreciate Russell before, it's a safe wager they appreciate him a lot more now.
Does he shoot a tad too much? Yeah, of study course, but any greater scorer runs possibility of overshooting when you experience a score-first mentality.
Whereas whispers of frustrated enthusiasts have alluded to Kevin Durant becoming too passive or not necessarily demanding the ball more than enough times from Westbrook, this series since it stands is his possibility make the biggest mark he will as the undisputed major scoring option.
Will Kevin Durant's scoring prowess single-handedly stave off disaster for the Thunder's months, or will the losing Mr. Westbrook be too significant?
Let's go back in its history for a second and additionally re-examine the 2007 NBA Pen. Lost in the buzz concerning Kevin Durant together with Greg Oden, one of the very most productive members of that class has been as understated now as he was long ago. In an era that will favors flash over chemical, sometimes the quietest guy inside the room gets lost in all of the the noise that far more exciting players make.
Mike Conley's performance is efficient, gimmick-less and embodies complete brand of basketball. They are a competent defender, an awesome ball-handler, a good shooter and additionally he possesses phenomenal dexterity when it comes to finishing around the basket. Plain and simple, the guy deserves a lot more credit for his team's success of late.
No doubt, Memphis provides a solid frontcourt pairing, but let's take into account the guy who is usually feeding them the rock and keeping the complete ship efficiently coasting. In Game 2 from this series, Mike did her best LeBron James effect when he scored 26 points, snatched 10 boards and dished nine assists on the way to a 99-93 enlighten the Thunder. Oh that is why, he also shot a very nice 50 percent from a field—incredible efficiency all around.
Here is a tip: stop sleeping on Mike and grow sure to keep close track of him in the following games. You're missing from a criminally underrated ground general.
We know Kevin Durant is going at it practically by himself, so if your key member of that squad is struggling, it makes their situation even more difficult. Whether it's score, shooting or defense, Serge Ibaka is just struggling nowadays.
The 6'9" Ibaka has become trying with all his might and keep Zach Randolph off that glass, and although this effort is valiant, it's apparent she's physically outmatched as far stopping Z-Bo. Even on their Game 1 victory, Randolph out-tallied him inside the rebound column, and for worst, he broke despite the presence of him. Ibaka is also a combined 11-39 through the field in this series—absolutely atrocious for someone which has a reputation for being a good all round mid-range shooter.
The Grizzlies usually are continuing to pound that ball inside, and for a fellow like Ibaka who's additional at home stepping out and about and knocking down jumpshots, that slow, calculating pace of play doesn't favor his talents being player.
Ibaka absolutely has to begin, and it's more than just putting the ball in the hoop off rebounds or through the free-throw line. For this Thunder's sake, they need him to step out and knock down several shots. If he can trigger whoever his man will happen to be—whether it's Z-Bo or another Memphis big man—to step right out of the lane and contest this shot, it will open the paint up for every individual else.
For a jump-shooting team much like the Thunder to lose their own premier slasher in Westbrook, they can't afford someone like Ibaka to look cold for long intervals as he has these days. If Serge can necessary under some Thunder one solid, significant all-around performance, it could totally shift the dynamic for the series.
More than the particular person storylines, the ultimate storyline is with certainty if we will witness a regression of last year's West Conference Finals champions. Definitely will they escape imminent elimination, or will the wounded Thunder advance on the Western Finals for one other year sans their second-leading scorer?
Sole time will tell, but no matter the result, we're in to get a fantastic finish to what's been a brusing, bare-knuckle sequence.
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