By: Yama Hazheer
Possible Playoff Series: #1 Golden State Warriors vs. #8 Oklahoma City Thunder
Season Series:
- Game 1: November 23, 2014 – Warriors 91 @ Thunder 86
- Game 2: December 18, 2014 – Thunder 109 @ Warriors 114
- Game 3: January 5, 2015 – Thunder 91 @ Warriors 117
- Game 4: January 16, 2015 – Warriors 115 @ Thunder 127
NBA fans have wanted a Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder playoff series all season long. It looks like a dream come true in a match-up of star power.
Not so fast.
Kevin Durant will not play in a postseason game this year. Serge Ibaka is sidelined, too. All of a sudden, it’s just Russell Westbrook. Because NBA fans sure would hate to see Steph Curry and Westbrook go at it for at least four games in a row, right?
-== 7 Reasons Why Stephen Curry is the NBA MVP ==-
This series would be exciting. The explosive Westbrook in an underdog role against one of the main faces of the NBA in the flashy Curry makes for a great individual match-up of the league’s premier position.
Take a look at how it the series can be tough, yet favorable for the Dubs:
Cons
Facing Russell Westbrook
Westbrook isn’t just a top point guard in the NBA, but he is easily one of the best players as a whole. He’s carried an OKC team on its last legs into the playoff picture. He is Mr. Triple Double. He’s difficult to defend near the basket as he is the most explosive point guard in the league. He also has a killer instinct that most stars in today’s game lack.
His numbers have been off the charts. Although they haven’t resulted in victories the Thunder would love to see, there’s no denying his individual accomplishments this year with Kevin Durant sidelined for the majority of the season.
They Have Experience
The Thunder have been in the playoffs five seasons in a row. They have been to the NBA Finals. And for as much hate as Scott Brooks gets, he has been in the playoffs more than most of the other 15 coaches in the postseason.
Outside of the San Antonio Spurs, the Thunder have the most playoff experience in the Western Conference. And despite missing two of their key guys, they will know how to comeback in games where they are down double digits. They can also hold leads, something that many young teams struggle with in the postseason.
OKC Has Size
Trading for Enes Kanter has given the Thunder a legitimate scoring big man, something they have lacked for years. Kanter can beat you up inside and shoot a mid-range jumper. Although Serge Ibaka won’t play, the Thunder are still big.
Steven Adams, Mitch McGary, Nick Collison, Perry Jones, and Kanter are all 7 feet tall or close enough to it. They all get regular minutes too. If the Thunder are able to slow the pace of the game down and force the Warriors to play halfcourt, they will be able to reserve energy of their bigs and crash the boards at a higher rate.
Pros
Facing Russell Westbrook
With as good as Westbrook is, he can be equally negative towards his team. He shoots the ball. A lot. He can be careless with the ball and turnover prone. Sometimes, he doesn’t run back on defense if he doesn’t get the call on the offensive end of the ball, resulting in easy transition baskets for the opposition.
He dropped 54 points the other night and the Thunder still weren’t able to beat the Indiana Pacers. His “me against the world” attitude in regards to his shot selection can hurt the Thunder in the long run.
Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka won’t play
You never want to wish injury or be happy about it under any circumstance in sports. I’m sure every single Warriors fan would take pride in beating a Thunder team that’s 100 percent. Nonetheless, it clearly works in the Warriors’ favor.
Durant is still one of the best players in the league. The Thunder have struggled without last year’s MVP. Serge Ibaka is also one of the best interior defenders in the league. Without him inside, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson can easily attack the rim against Kanter’s lack of defensive skill.
Steph enjoys playing against top-tier point guards
Whether it was dunking on (or around) Kyle Lowry, breaking Chris Paul’s ankles, or dominating Damian Lillard in Lillard’s hometown, Curry has humiliated some of the best point guards in the league this year. He’s held most of them to bad shooting nights and actually goes after them this year on the defensive end rather than deferring to Klay Thompson for the task.
Curry has been on an absolute tear the past five games. He’s averaging 28.6 points 0n 58% shooting, 54% on 9.6 three-point attempts per night, and 8 assists per game in 32.8 minutes. He’s rested and ready to go for the playoffs. He knows who he will be going up against and he will enjoy it even more than folks watching at home.
Verdict
Russell Westbrook is scary, but Stephen Curry is scarier. He’s smart and nearly everything he takes is a high percentage shot. Westbrook might be able to counter Curry with his own production, but the supporting cast heavily favors the Warriors. Without Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka, the Thunder virtually have no chance. Westbrook is good enough to win a game by himself, but I wouldn’t count on it against a hungry Warriors team.
Warriors 4 Thunder 0