They need some defence. Jordan just isn't panning out for them. Him and Blake are good for YT clips but they're not up to par as a defensive pair.

http://www.bballbreakdown.com/breakdown-of-clippers-three-point-defense/

Jerubaal

United States7684 Posts

July 03 2013 02:46 GMT

#587

So how the hell is OKC supposed to compete with a recovering Westbrook and no Martin?

Ace

United States16096 Posts

July 03 2013 02:53 GMT

#588

On July 03 2013 11:32 RowdierBob wrote:
Not denying it's a good trade for them but I was responding to the "Clippers going to the Finals" comment.

da point God got this.

Need to trade DJ for some defense asap though.

On July 03 2013 11:46 Jerubaal wrote:
So how the hell is OKC supposed to compete with a recovering Westbrook and no Martin?

They weren't going to the Finals anyway. This was probably a good move to see how much Lamb develops.

slyboogie

United States3423 Posts

July 03 2013 02:54 GMT

#589

Serge Ibaka? They're actually a tax team, right? That's gotta suck.

MassHysteria

United States3678 Posts

July 03 2013 03:06 GMT

#590

Yup, DJ for a defender but with a post game preferably. KG would have been so perfect it's crazy.

RowdierBob

Australia13293 Posts

July 03 2013 03:12 GMT

#591

On July 03 2013 11:53 Ace wrote:

Show nested quote +

da point God got this.

Need to trade DJ for some defense asap though.

Show nested quote +

They weren't going to the Finals anyway. This was probably a good move to see how much Lamb develops.

You have more faith in CP3 than I.

OKC started bringing along guys like Reggie, PJIII and Lamb last year and I imagine they'll figure a lot more in the second unit. I think OKC is pretty confident they can replace Martin's contribution. In fact, there really isn't too much to replace: Martin scores, and does so very efficiently, but he's a liability at everything else. He's useless at rebounding, passing and is probably the worst defender in the NBA.

The young guys on their bench will do the job. Barring horrendous injuries to their stars, OKC will be in the West Finals at a minimum next year. The only liability on the roster is Perk now.

Ace

United States16096 Posts

July 03 2013 03:17 GMT

#592

I dont think they'll make the WCF unless those guys step up in a big way. They were going to probably miss it this year too.

RowdierBob

Australia13293 Posts

July 03 2013 03:30 GMT

#593

Meh, taking out a top 10 player in the middle of a Playoff push would have screwed any team. It's difficult to judge OKC's performance this year. A lot will depend on the young guys in the second unit but I still don't see a team in the West who is better than a healthy OKC.

1. Spurs/OKC
3. Grizz/Clips
5. Pot luck

The Grizz benefited from two opponents struck down with injuries (not that it mattered vs Clips but OKC's injuries had a massive effect on that series). The Clips aren't better than OKC and I've seen nothing to suggest they are. Spurs are an unknown quantity due to the determination of Duncan not to decline despite his age.

The only team I'd confidently pick to beat a healthy OKC in 7 is the Spurs.

Ace

United States16096 Posts

July 03 2013 03:32 GMT

#594

They weren't going to make it with a healthy Westbrook anyway

Clippers were their best bet. Denver, San Antonio and Memphis all made them underdogs

RowdierBob

Australia13293 Posts

July 03 2013 03:41 GMT

#595

I think they were, but that's a circular argument..

The Clippers are overrated. There's just no way or evidence to suggest they're better than OKC.

They've made a couple of, at best, lateral moves in bringing in Dudley and Reddick. I'm yet to see any compelling argument as to why they're better than OKC. There's not enough defence in that squad and DJ is a massive liability.

Memphis struggled past OKC without WB. If you add WB to that squad I don't see Memphis having enough offence to beat OKC. The Spurs have the players to match up well with OKC. It's a 50/50 series for mine.

Denver? Without their home court advantage they'd be no chance (and they couldn't even beat the Dubs =/ )

Ace

United States16096 Posts

July 03 2013 03:44 GMT

#596

Have you seen what happens to OKC once Durant or Westbrook sits? Once they hit the second round and that playoff fatigue builds up they were done. The Clippers shit big man defense was their best chance, but they had no way to stop playoff Chris Paul who is even better than Durant.

RowdierBob

Australia13293 Posts

July 03 2013 03:46 GMT

#597

And who stops Playoff Durant (who is better than CP3!)?

Ace

United States16096 Posts

July 03 2013 03:48 GMT

#598

He isn't. Playoff Durant is always going to score at an elite rate, but that isn't enough to offset the impact of Paul. He just isn't versatile enough.