Real Deal

Oh, by the way...welcome to the Wizards, Beal.

That's true, but he's also playing against Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Thabo, Ibaka and Perkins...and OKC should be more than capable of forcing LeBron into jumpshots, and having the energy and speed to get out to those shooters a bit quicker than they have been. The Celtics forced James into jumpers, and they let Bosh roam out to the three. Even though he popped 2-3 of those in their eyes, if you're in the Finals, you can live with that. Live and die by Bosh launching 20-footers, not LeBron getting every single bucket at the rim. It reminds me of how teams played the Kobe/Shaq Lakers...although, that duo, alone, was more unstoppable than the Miami trio.

All about the money.

Durant probably needs to be on LeBron, but the Thunder have to show help early, and turn James into a jumpshooter. Durant is one of the better players in the league at contesting jumpshots, and with LeBron shooting 8-36 (in his last 36 jumpers, prior to Game 4...and I believe he shot 4-11 last night), that's what needs to happen. It's mind-blowing to me that OKC doesn't wrap a zone around James, like every [expletive]ing team does Kobe (and has done with him for years). I know they are afraid of the pass, because James is an excellent passer...but damn, force the role players to step up and beat you. Cut the head off of the snake. There's no need to let LeBron get deep into the post, or come off a weak screen and get right to the rim, every single play he wants. If this was one-on-one at the park, it makes sense...but in a professional sport, with four others on the court, you can stop LeBron from getting to the rim (like you can anyone)...you just have to know the consequences, and prepare to recover better on the defensive end.

Uh oh. http://pastebin.com/igjZEzu8

I was kidding, of course...and $500 is far too much. Raiders are going to win it all, anyway. We have Carson Palmer.

I can't rule them out, either, because I saw the Thunder win four consecutive games against the Spurs. But, with that said, the Heat like to run just as much as the Thunder do, so there isn't much to expose in this series, especially when OKC's slight size advantage does nothing for them without both low and high post scoring by their bigs.

I know you won't. Donate $100 to the site, though. By the way, the Pats didn't win the Super Bowl this year (2012), so...

I was going to say something, but I wanted to see how many people were going to take you seriously.

LMAO, ESPN just apologized, on behalf of sports media, to Willis Reed.

Anyone else catch Wade yelling, "You mother [expletive]er," maybe 2-3 times at the end of the game, walking to the locker room? They didn't edit it on ABC, and it was clear as day, with the camera in his face. I couldn't believe it. I think I like LeBron more than Wade now. Didn't think I'd say that.

This reporter just said he was reminded of Willis Reed, when LeBron came back into the game injured. WTF.

Westbrook was actually known to be the better defender (between him and Rose), but I'm wondering if Westbrook is just getting far too tired in this series, because he's not closing out on shooters, losing his man a bit easier, etc. When he doubles on LeBron (just an example, he doesn't do it THAT much), he gambles, hoping to get the steal...and sometimes, players gamble for those steals because of fatigue, and they become content with letting Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole launch threes.

Well, in my eyes, if someone is going to bash Westbrook for not creating, you also have to expect it from Durant (which I've done). One of them has to do it. I think Russell was stellar scoring the ball, no gripes here, although I still don't like some of the blown layups that I think he should kick the ball out on...but I can't ignore what he didn't do on the defensive end. But, I say that...and I also have to mention the lack of defense Durant played.

I don't know. Rose was a shoot-first PG coming in, and many didn't think he'd be able to create for his teammates, but he's an improved passer nowadays. Westbrook has to learn when to kick the ball out. Some of those contested layups at the rim are so bad, you almost know when he's going to miss them...and a lot of times, he doesn't seem to care how many are underneath the basket, which gets him into trouble often.

And not only good for the Thunder, but good for Westbrook's development.

Brooks won't be able to make any adjustments with this team, because right now, they are in ISO mode. The biggest difference between James and Durant is the ability to create shots for others, and the same goes for Westbrook and Wade. Because the Thunder don't have a real PG, or a primary option that can create out of the doubles he's facing...you have Harden going one-on-one, Ibaka trying to create his own shot, and Perkins trying to post up on the low block, attempting to take advantage of a mismatch. Then you have Fisher pushing the break at 37 years old, even though they didn't have numbers (at least I don't think they did on that play he was swatted, didn't seem like it), Thabo thinking he is a good offensive player, and it's just a mess. To be honest, the only person that is playing perfectly is Nick Collison (in regards to filling a role). Westbrook may have dropped 40+ tonight, but his shooting has been poor the rest of the series, he is very inconsistent, and he makes minor mistakes that turn out to be very costly in the end.

TIME: 9:00 PM ET TV: ABC

#57 I realize the Nets are basically screwed in this upcoming draft, losing their pick to Portland...but instead of discussing what impact player they will get at #57 (lol), do you think the Nets will make an attempt to land a lottery pick, or a mid-first, hoping to satisfy D-Will? Could they deal Brook Lopez for a lotto pick, or do you think teams will shrug that idea off?

The site is already turning into a festival of trolls. No wonder new members exit after a couple of days. I was definitely wrong about some of our guys.

LeBron has made just eight of his last 36 jumpers. If the Thunder want to win Game 4, they will need to force him out of the paint. Westbrook has to create, somehow, and at this point, even Durant needs to get his teammates involved a bit more...although, it would help if they could knock down shots. Harden is struggling, and that is huge, definitely in favor of Miami. In addition to that, Ibaka's minutes need to be increased significantly...not sure why he was sitting for so long last game, but that can't happen in Game 4. Durant has to stay out of foul trouble, so it's best that he leaves the big defensive assignment (LeBron) to Thabo. I'm not going to specifically point to a particular type of zone the Thunder should consider, because Miami's role players will fire away, but maybe it's time for Brooks to lay it out there when James is going off. It's not technically a must-win for OKC, but I would think a Game 5 in Miami, down 3-1, is far too dangerous for them to walk into.

Ramon already stated he wants to stay with the Lakers, and that the feeling was mutual, so it's more about getting him signed long-term than anything else. He said this right after we were eliminated in the playoffs, I believe.

Just a quick point: hand-checking is easier to play against than a tight zone defense put into play to stop you. The shooters don't mind it, but superstars would rather play in the 90's, no matter how physical. I've read about many players saying this (even Kobe pointed this out), and as a player myself, I've had to deal with both, and I absolutely HATE zone defenses.

I'm sure any PG with the ability to run an offense is on our radar. Not sure if Nash really wants to play for the Lakers, though...but then again, I've said that about a LOT of players going to their respective teams, surprising the hell out of me.

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1190952/spod.gif SMH.