I still fuck with Russell because he's the only player in the NBA who's not sucking or Steph.
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I still fuck with Russell because he's the only player in the NBA who's not sucking or Steph.
I still fuck with Russ he is a rare breed in today's NBA but man he takes some awful shots
It's no mistake my boy AI is a huge fan
Same type of player really just on smaller frame
Elite athletes raw talent and toughness
Not scared of nothing
Not backing down
That's why I'll always respect it
Yea he's a beast. But I don't want him on my team. Makes too many dumb decisions for my taste. Shits frustrating if you're a fan of the team.
Never wanted AI on a team of mine either fwiw.
U only want Tim duncan
Can emotionally worn Thunder rise up to challenge the Warriors?
5:36 PM ET
If anything has been learned from theGolden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder's first two meetings, it's that both teams know how to make things exciting -- and that the Warriors appear just a little bit better.
Both previous meetings were photo finishes. The Thunder tied the game with 3:35 to go on Feb. 6 at Oracle Arena before the Warriors closed out 12-4 to win 116-108. On Feb. 27, The Shot Heard 'Round the Internet byStephen Curry with 0.6 seconds left in overtime lifted the Warriors 121-118.
The third and final (regular season) matchup happens Thursday with the Thunder looking to take something from the trio of games. They've learned they can play with the Warriors. But they haven't proven they can beatthem.
Plus, another wrinkle: The Thunder come into the final meeting reeling. Not just from Saturday's collapse, but instead from an all-new fresher one, Wednesday night in Los Angeles against the Clippers.
ESPN.com writers Ethan Sherwood Strauss and Royce Young take a last look in the third part of a discussion as both teams are dealing with drama and tension, albeit in very different ways.
TrueHoop podcast, the frantic end of regulation sequence was coming directly at us. Steph Curry's game-winner happened right in front of your face (The cameras cut away at that moment, so no official word on whether Steph shimmied at Royce Young).
How can Thursday's game top this? I'm already 10 percent less excited for this one because rookie Kevon Looney has been assigned to the D-League. He wouldn't play anyway in this matchup, but now there's zero chance. Not only that, but we have Curry recovering from Saturday's ankle sprain, with no guarantee that he plays (officially listed as questionable).
Fear not, for this one should still be damned entertaining. I do expect that Curry plays. Andre Iguodala's status is more in doubt, based on what we're hearing from practice. Even if Golden State is down an Iguodala, there's drama to be had. Thursday marks a big threat to Golden State's unbeaten streak at home, all the more so if they lack the Finals MVP.
I know many theorized Saturday's gut punch might have broken Oklahoma City, but this team has come back from worse. What's your sense of how the Thunder regard the Warriors? Do they think they're the better team? Do they think they're about to crack this particular code?
Young: There's no question Saturday's game greatly impacted the Thunder. Kevin Durant tried to brush it aside saying on Wednesday, "I've already played in so many games in this league that I needed to get past quickly. It wasn't the playoffs, it's not the Finals, it's a regular season game. As big as it was, it was a regular season game." But the vibe in the locker room postgame was that of losing a critical playoff game. They not only wanted that one badly, but they had it, and their best player gave it away. It was like a triple gut punch.
One thing the Thunder like to pride themselves on is resiliency. They've experienced plenty of adversity and been through their share of letdowns, in games far bigger and more important than Saturday's. So while that one stung, it also happened on Feb. 27. But there are two ways to look at this if you're the Thunder:
1) You were tied with the Warriors with three minutes to go in their building, and then had them down four with 14 seconds left in the fourth quarter of the game at Oklahoma City. You clearly are good enough to beat them. There isn't a significant matchup issue and in both games, the Thunder played the kind of defense necessary to beating the Warriors. And they still have no answer for Durant.
Or ...
2) They have your number and are building a mental hurdle you're going to have to overcome. It can be easy for something like that to get in your head, especially when you lose the way they just did. Plus there's this: The Warriors haven't lost at home in like six years or something. And if the Thunder are so fortunate to meet them in the Western Conference, barring an unforeseen collapse, they're going to have to beat the Warriors at least once in Oracle to advance. So proving to yourselves it can be done on both fronts is important.
Oh, and Steph was totally shimmying at me. You can't prove otherwise.
You talked about this some on theTrueHoop podcast this week already, but how important was that win for the Warriors not just in the sense it keeps them on track for 73, but in overshadowing Draymond Green's locker room tirade, something that could've become a serious distraction going forward?
Strauss: Hmm, I'm wondering if I should write a bigger article on the Draymond topic (I go with "Draymond" because "Green" sounds so generic), but let's get it kicked off here. Time to be the bad guy and tell you about a 54-5 team's flaw.
The quick summary is that Draymond got comfortable letting the ball fly early in the possession, and Kerr isn't so comfortable with Draymond's comfort. Tension over this topic incited the halftime tirade that garnered mention on the national broadcast.
Some fans responded to my game column by saying such things happen, not a big deal, this is sports, stop causing drama, etc. I flat-out do not subscribe to this diminishing of what Lisa Salters reported. Draymond Green isn't (wisely) submitting a public apology if what happened at halftime was normal and fine.
It speaks to a broader, bigger issue between him, Kerr and his teammates. It's been brewing for some time, and in theory, should be quelled by all the success. That it isn't, is concerning.
To be clear, Draymond Green is a fantastic player, the kind of player everybody should want on their team. He's maniacally devoted to winning and helps the Warriors win in so many different ways. He's also a talented leader, intelligent as he is funny.
All that said, the Warriors would benefit if he smoothes over that temper. It's a difficult task because what fuels that halftime explosion isn't so divorced from what fuels all the great things about Draymond (the Thunder might have a player like that, starting at point guard). He just can't be challenging Kerr like the locker room is the Octagon. As Curry said about the incident, "It probably shouldn't have happened."
From a basketball perspective, I'm probably on Draymond's side. Let the man shoot, early in the possession, whenever he's open. It seemed to work well earlier this season. Perhaps there's a method to Kerr's conservatism with Draymond's shot selection, but I like when he's launching that early, open 3. So, while I can sympathize with Draymond's perspective, he certainly has to find a better way to handle those moments when his perspective isn't adopted. Eventually, the Warriors might actually lose some games. They must be able to depend on their emotional leader when times get tougher.
Young: Kind of like let a good hitter swing at the first fastball he sees rather than trying to work the count
Strauss: To wrap this up: What are the implications of part-owner Aubrey McClendon's sudden death Wednesday in a car crash after his indictment on Tuesday?
Young: In terms of a direct impact on the team and organization, little to none. McClendon wasn't involved in any day-to-day operations, and outside of being a visible part of some games and, of course, being a financial piece, he wasn't an integral part of the operation.
That said, there is a real element of distraction here, and the evidence is apparent. They're without their two top assistant coaches, Maurice Cheeks, who is away from the team because of hip surgery, and Monty Williams, who is on indefinite leave in the wake of the tragic death of his wife in a car crash.
Then there was McClendon's death, which the team learned of literally on the bus on the way back to the hotel immediately following shootaround that morning.
Since the All-Star break, the Thunder are 2-5, with losses to the Pacers (which featured blowing a seven-point lead in the final two minutes), the Cavs (a 23-point home blowout), the Pelicans (an ugly road loss where they allowed 123 points), the Warriors (which of course featured a collapse where they led by four with 14 seconds to go) and the Clippers (which featured just scoring five points in the final 7:25 of the game to blow a 17-point lead).
That doesn't strike me as entirely coincidental.
But Thursday's game presents them another opportunity to get right with themselves, to realign as the team they know they're capable of being. They effectively beat the Warriors on Saturday, except the scoreboard didn't say so. They did the same to the Clippers on Wednesday, but walked away with another L. The Thunder are in some kind of strange funk, and either they can snap themselves out of it instantly at Oracle, or they'll be left with more questions to answer in the final month and a half.
5:36 PM ET
- Royce Young and Ethan Strauss
If anything has been learned from theGolden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder's first two meetings, it's that both teams know how to make things exciting -- and that the Warriors appear just a little bit better.
Both previous meetings were photo finishes. The Thunder tied the game with 3:35 to go on Feb. 6 at Oracle Arena before the Warriors closed out 12-4 to win 116-108. On Feb. 27, The Shot Heard 'Round the Internet byStephen Curry with 0.6 seconds left in overtime lifted the Warriors 121-118.
The third and final (regular season) matchup happens Thursday with the Thunder looking to take something from the trio of games. They've learned they can play with the Warriors. But they haven't proven they can beatthem.
Plus, another wrinkle: The Thunder come into the final meeting reeling. Not just from Saturday's collapse, but instead from an all-new fresher one, Wednesday night in Los Angeles against the Clippers.
ESPN.com writers Ethan Sherwood Strauss and Royce Young take a last look in the third part of a discussion as both teams are dealing with drama and tension, albeit in very different ways.
TrueHoop podcast, the frantic end of regulation sequence was coming directly at us. Steph Curry's game-winner happened right in front of your face (The cameras cut away at that moment, so no official word on whether Steph shimmied at Royce Young).
How can Thursday's game top this? I'm already 10 percent less excited for this one because rookie Kevon Looney has been assigned to the D-League. He wouldn't play anyway in this matchup, but now there's zero chance. Not only that, but we have Curry recovering from Saturday's ankle sprain, with no guarantee that he plays (officially listed as questionable).
Fear not, for this one should still be damned entertaining. I do expect that Curry plays. Andre Iguodala's status is more in doubt, based on what we're hearing from practice. Even if Golden State is down an Iguodala, there's drama to be had. Thursday marks a big threat to Golden State's unbeaten streak at home, all the more so if they lack the Finals MVP.
I know many theorized Saturday's gut punch might have broken Oklahoma City, but this team has come back from worse. What's your sense of how the Thunder regard the Warriors? Do they think they're the better team? Do they think they're about to crack this particular code?
Young: There's no question Saturday's game greatly impacted the Thunder. Kevin Durant tried to brush it aside saying on Wednesday, "I've already played in so many games in this league that I needed to get past quickly. It wasn't the playoffs, it's not the Finals, it's a regular season game. As big as it was, it was a regular season game." But the vibe in the locker room postgame was that of losing a critical playoff game. They not only wanted that one badly, but they had it, and their best player gave it away. It was like a triple gut punch.
One thing the Thunder like to pride themselves on is resiliency. They've experienced plenty of adversity and been through their share of letdowns, in games far bigger and more important than Saturday's. So while that one stung, it also happened on Feb. 27. But there are two ways to look at this if you're the Thunder:
1) You were tied with the Warriors with three minutes to go in their building, and then had them down four with 14 seconds left in the fourth quarter of the game at Oklahoma City. You clearly are good enough to beat them. There isn't a significant matchup issue and in both games, the Thunder played the kind of defense necessary to beating the Warriors. And they still have no answer for Durant.
Or ...
2) They have your number and are building a mental hurdle you're going to have to overcome. It can be easy for something like that to get in your head, especially when you lose the way they just did. Plus there's this: The Warriors haven't lost at home in like six years or something. And if the Thunder are so fortunate to meet them in the Western Conference, barring an unforeseen collapse, they're going to have to beat the Warriors at least once in Oracle to advance. So proving to yourselves it can be done on both fronts is important.
Oh, and Steph was totally shimmying at me. You can't prove otherwise.
You talked about this some on theTrueHoop podcast this week already, but how important was that win for the Warriors not just in the sense it keeps them on track for 73, but in overshadowing Draymond Green's locker room tirade, something that could've become a serious distraction going forward?
Strauss: Hmm, I'm wondering if I should write a bigger article on the Draymond topic (I go with "Draymond" because "Green" sounds so generic), but let's get it kicked off here. Time to be the bad guy and tell you about a 54-5 team's flaw.
The quick summary is that Draymond got comfortable letting the ball fly early in the possession, and Kerr isn't so comfortable with Draymond's comfort. Tension over this topic incited the halftime tirade that garnered mention on the national broadcast.
Some fans responded to my game column by saying such things happen, not a big deal, this is sports, stop causing drama, etc. I flat-out do not subscribe to this diminishing of what Lisa Salters reported. Draymond Green isn't (wisely) submitting a public apology if what happened at halftime was normal and fine.
It speaks to a broader, bigger issue between him, Kerr and his teammates. It's been brewing for some time, and in theory, should be quelled by all the success. That it isn't, is concerning.
To be clear, Draymond Green is a fantastic player, the kind of player everybody should want on their team. He's maniacally devoted to winning and helps the Warriors win in so many different ways. He's also a talented leader, intelligent as he is funny.
All that said, the Warriors would benefit if he smoothes over that temper. It's a difficult task because what fuels that halftime explosion isn't so divorced from what fuels all the great things about Draymond (the Thunder might have a player like that, starting at point guard). He just can't be challenging Kerr like the locker room is the Octagon. As Curry said about the incident, "It probably shouldn't have happened."
From a basketball perspective, I'm probably on Draymond's side. Let the man shoot, early in the possession, whenever he's open. It seemed to work well earlier this season. Perhaps there's a method to Kerr's conservatism with Draymond's shot selection, but I like when he's launching that early, open 3. So, while I can sympathize with Draymond's perspective, he certainly has to find a better way to handle those moments when his perspective isn't adopted. Eventually, the Warriors might actually lose some games. They must be able to depend on their emotional leader when times get tougher.
Young: Kind of like let a good hitter swing at the first fastball he sees rather than trying to work the count
Strauss: To wrap this up: What are the implications of part-owner Aubrey McClendon's sudden death Wednesday in a car crash after his indictment on Tuesday?
Young: In terms of a direct impact on the team and organization, little to none. McClendon wasn't involved in any day-to-day operations, and outside of being a visible part of some games and, of course, being a financial piece, he wasn't an integral part of the operation.
That said, there is a real element of distraction here, and the evidence is apparent. They're without their two top assistant coaches, Maurice Cheeks, who is away from the team because of hip surgery, and Monty Williams, who is on indefinite leave in the wake of the tragic death of his wife in a car crash.
Then there was McClendon's death, which the team learned of literally on the bus on the way back to the hotel immediately following shootaround that morning.
Since the All-Star break, the Thunder are 2-5, with losses to the Pacers (which featured blowing a seven-point lead in the final two minutes), the Cavs (a 23-point home blowout), the Pelicans (an ugly road loss where they allowed 123 points), the Warriors (which of course featured a collapse where they led by four with 14 seconds to go) and the Clippers (which featured just scoring five points in the final 7:25 of the game to blow a 17-point lead).
That doesn't strike me as entirely coincidental.
But Thursday's game presents them another opportunity to get right with themselves, to realign as the team they know they're capable of being. They effectively beat the Warriors on Saturday, except the scoreboard didn't say so. They did the same to the Clippers on Wednesday, but walked away with another L. The Thunder are in some kind of strange funk, and either they can snap themselves out of it instantly at Oracle, or they'll be left with more questions to answer in the final month and a half.
LeBron James doesn't care about criticism of Miami trip
Nichols finds criticism of LeBron's Miami trip 'ridiculous'
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- LeBron James was in no mood to justify using consecutive off days for the Cleveland Cavaliers this week to fly to Miami and spend part of that time working out with his former Heat teammate Dwyane Wade.
"I don't care," James said after Cavs practice Thursday when asked about the perception of him spending time with a potential playoff foe during the season. One of James' trainers, David Alexander, posted a video of the pair in his Florida gym Wednesday.
The Cavs are currently the No. 1 seeds in the East, the Heat are No. 4, meaning the two teams could meet in the conference semifinals should the standings hold and both advance out of the first round.
Much how James was irked by being asked about flying to attend Ohio State's national championship win over Oregon the night before a Cavs game last season, he had little interest in explaining his two-day trip to Miami.
"What do I go there for? Go there 'cause I want to," James said. "I would love to go to L.A., but I'll take 2½ [hour flight] over 4½. I've got a house in L.A., but it makes more sense for me to go South than go West. But I go because I want to."
When James finished his remarks to the media for the day, he made reference to the Miami line of questioning again.
"That's cool? I'm OK to leave when I want to leave?" James facetiously asked. "Be back at my work on time, two hours before? OK. Last one to leave the gym. OK. Thank you. Love you guys."
Shortly after, James took to Twitter to send out a message that seemed to be referring to his longtime friend and teammate, Wade.
James was also asked what he meant by a series of tweets he sent out Tuesday in which he expressed frustration with someone in his life who made a mistake.
James declined to offer an explanation; however, he said that it had nothing to do with the Cavs, as some had speculated.
"I don't want to explain it and no, [it wasn't] directed at a teammate," James said.
Nichols finds criticism of LeBron's Miami trip 'ridiculous'
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- LeBron James was in no mood to justify using consecutive off days for the Cleveland Cavaliers this week to fly to Miami and spend part of that time working out with his former Heat teammate Dwyane Wade.
"I don't care," James said after Cavs practice Thursday when asked about the perception of him spending time with a potential playoff foe during the season. One of James' trainers, David Alexander, posted a video of the pair in his Florida gym Wednesday.
The Cavs are currently the No. 1 seeds in the East, the Heat are No. 4, meaning the two teams could meet in the conference semifinals should the standings hold and both advance out of the first round.
Much how James was irked by being asked about flying to attend Ohio State's national championship win over Oregon the night before a Cavs game last season, he had little interest in explaining his two-day trip to Miami.
"What do I go there for? Go there 'cause I want to," James said. "I would love to go to L.A., but I'll take 2½ [hour flight] over 4½. I've got a house in L.A., but it makes more sense for me to go South than go West. But I go because I want to."
When James finished his remarks to the media for the day, he made reference to the Miami line of questioning again.
"That's cool? I'm OK to leave when I want to leave?" James facetiously asked. "Be back at my work on time, two hours before? OK. Last one to leave the gym. OK. Thank you. Love you guys."
Shortly after, James took to Twitter to send out a message that seemed to be referring to his longtime friend and teammate, Wade.
James was also asked what he meant by a series of tweets he sent out Tuesday in which he expressed frustration with someone in his life who made a mistake.
James declined to offer an explanation; however, he said that it had nothing to do with the Cavs, as some had speculated.
"I don't want to explain it and no, [it wasn't] directed at a teammate," James said.
passive aggressive
lebron will be back in Miami
That's fucked up what SA just did to New Orleans.
25-5 run to end the game and the Pelicans was up 6 with like 4 mins left and lost by 8.
25-5 run to end the game and the Pelicans was up 6 with like 4 mins left and lost by 8.
Like a switch just went off like "let's stop playing around and end this shit".
Kahwi is top 3 player in the league..imo
Big 3 had dinner together last night.
It is a little odd though to go hang with your old teammates in the middle of the season isn't it?
What's crazy is that him and Steph are two 2 in MVP race and most improved, imo.
Leonard is showing that he can end games.
Yup. McCollum will win it tho because of the point jump. That Western Conference finals will be one for the ages
Honestly as odd as it is....
It was perfect timing, Cavs schedule been a headbusta of the was two weeks...Bosh life is as risk...probably just wanted to spend a few hours with dude
It's still weird in the middle of the season.
This ninja probably just needed to vent to some cats that understand.
Kyrie probably have a certain type of defensive stance towards changing his approach, which we know would be the only way they turn the curve for as playing elite ball
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Its clown shit bro... Working out together, posting photos... tweeting cryptic bullshit.. All during the season. This some ho ass shit all around.
Nigga shoulda just stayed his ass in Miami.
Nah man he prob just hanging wit the bruhs..
Bron will play for the Heat again before he retires.
Man U should be pass that point...just enjoy the game...
I must say fucking with Lebron is much worse
Prince courtside at the Warriors Thunder game.
If he came out tomorrow and said I wanna play for the Heat again, all the fans that swear they mad at him would quickly change their tune. We used to clown Cavs fans for acting like that when he was in Miami, now far too many Heat fans sounding like that. We better than that fam.
I'm saying I ain't mad at him for leaving he did his thing.. But at the end of the game he mad his decision to leave because he thought he was gonna have to carry the Heat when that wasn't the case.. All he had to do was reup for a year and he would be playing with the Heat as it is constructed now..
no hes not...
I agree he should've stayed 1 more year, but it wouldn't be the same team if he hadn't left. Deng wouldn't be there, Winslow wouldn't be there, Dragic, etc. Him leaving enabled the team to change up a bit cuz they aint have to swalloiw his salary same way if he never had left Cleveland Kyrie wouldn't be there, Tristan, Love, etc. All I'm saying is don't be shocked to see that cat in that Heat jersey again.
Curry
Lebron(sometimes)
????????Westbrook/Leonard/Green
(Some folks gonna come and talk up Pooh)
Lebron is going to the heat.
He took a quick 2 years off to let them build
He took a quick 2 years off to let them build
Lets see: Curry, LBJ, Durant...AD, West...George and Green and Butler or just as good if not better; Talent wise Harden, Cousins, they are just knuckle heads who do dumb shit; and there are more players who are just as good...
This Warriors Thunder game looks like some straight Euro ball. Not a lot of defense being played and a bunch of 3's being shot.
Talent wise yes; dude is just a knuckle head and refuses to play defense; Leonard isnt a superstar player
Eliminates Harden from any top 10 discussion.... Top 3 most overrated maybe...
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