Series Thread: 4) Oklahoma City Thunder vs 5) Utah Jazz

[Scapegoat]

I second this - especially if they are able to frustrate PG enough to disrupt his game. PG is the key for OKC in this series.

If this is true then Jazz in 5.

 

[CitySushi]

I agree that if they are able to frustrate them it could lead to some frustration.

But seriously. Every team is both a good and bad matchup for the Thunder. Because the Thunder are hit and miss. They either look great or they look horrible. And there is zero consistency. A good coach might be able to get a consistent level of play but we will never know.

LOL. Yeah I was going on two different tangents there and forgot to edit it. Was going to say the frustration could fester into more isolation play of the team, which would probably not work out well.

 

[tlance]

I do not know what will happen here.

I think the Jazz might be the worst possible matchup for OKC. Their defense is built to stop Russ.

Jazz in 6

 

[Black Adam]

Utah in 7.

said the same last night. my upset special...

 

[Tapey]

Utah in 6

 

[logic]

Great first round matchup.
Could go either way.
Going with home court advantage in 7.

 

[Hornsstampede2.0]

JAZZ are the hottest and best team in the West since the All-star break.
They are built perfectly to defeat OKC. It should be an easy win for them.

But, OKC has much more of the unpredictable x-factor athleticism that can overcome a bad matchup.
The crazy unpredictable nature of OKC tempers my initial enthusiasm for Utah.

I will go JAZZ in 6 with little conviction because OKC is frustrating to handicap.

 

[bksballer89]

JAZZ are the hottest and best team in the West since the All-star break.
They are built perfectly to defeat OKC. It should be an easy win for them.

But, OKC has much more of the unpredictable x-factor athleticism that can overcome a bad matchup.
The crazy unpredictable nature of OKC tempers my initial enthusiasm for Utah.

I will go JAZZ in 6 with little conviction because OKC is frustrating to handicap.

I don't know about this series. Usually I use season series to see how a series may go but can't do that with this series. OKC went 3-1 vs Utah but thing is, they wrapped up the 4 game season series on December 23rd. In other words, you can't take anything from the season series IMO. Utah didn't start playing good until January and I'm pretty sure Gobert missed most of those games vs OKC

 

[gordontrue]

Teams that have little star power, but manage successful regular seasons through solid team play tend not to do so great in the playoffs. There have been exceptions of course, but I see the Jazz in this boat. (Along with the Pacers, Heat and to a lesser extent the 76ers).

I think the Thunder will win in surprisingly quick fashion.

 

[trojanfan12]

Tough call. I think it goes a minimum of 6 games.

The Jazz have been more consistent. The Thunder more talented.

The Thunder have better "parts", but the Jazz "parts" seem to fit together better.

Jazz in 7.

 

[Wishbone]

OKC will easily have the 2 best players on the court and the Thunder have won 14 straight at home against the Jizz.

 

[LAD]

I do not know what will happen here.

I think the Jazz might be the worst possible matchup for OKC. Their defense is built to stop Russ.

Jazz in 6

Which is exactly why I said PG will be key for OKC to win this series.

 

[Mecca]

OKC fans, is the a issue in Thunder Country?

I admit to being highly amused that so many are triggered by this comment.

But, this phrase was commonly used when I was younger and I didn't personally know any white people, who were not my Teachers or Doctors, until I was about 14.....lol

So, I obviously heard it from other blacks, or maybe TV.

I get why it's distasteful, like the word colored, and I haven't used it, or heard it used in at least 2 decades.

But, I feel sorry for this announcer because it wasn't said in malice. The fact that he was talking aboutt Westbrook is clear proof of that.

 

[Wishbone]

What did he say? This is the first I've heard of it.

 

[bksballer89]

What did he say? This is the first I've heard of it.

 

[Wishbone]

Wow I have not heard "out of your cotton picken mind" in a long time but never once thought it was offensive and inappropriate.

 

[bksballer89]

Wow I have not heard "out of your cotton picken mind" in a long time but never once thought it was offensive and inappropriate.

Yeah...I'm black and didn't think anything of it but I do live in NYC

 

[Mecca]

Wow I have not heard "out of your cotton picken mind" in a long time but never once thought it was offensive and inappropriate.

It's just bizarre.

I'm black and it didn't even register with me, and I watched the game and heard him say it, until I saw the furor on twitter.

He is a Thunder commentator.

He wouldn't purposely make a racist statement about the Teams star player.

 

[Scapegoat]

OKC fans, is the a issue in Thunder Country?

I admit to being highly amused that so many are triggered by this comment.

But, this phrase was commonly used when I was younger and I didn't personally know any white people, who were not my Teachers or Doctors, until I was about 14.....lol

So, I obviously heard it from other blacks, or maybe TV.

I get why it's distasteful, like the word colored, and I haven't used it, or heard it used in at least 2 decades.

Look at my post. I've met this guy. He just loves the Thunder. Is he one of the best at what he does? No. But did he try to be racist? NO! The Thunder have made an issue where there wasn't one. I hope they lose fans over this issue. I know I think less of them for this stupid shit.
We have a playoff series to play and we might not even be the best team in it. We have certainly underachieved all season. But what they want to focus on is a stupid announcer saying something that popped into his head while trying to say something good about a player.

 

[Scapegoat]

It's just bizarre.

I'm black and it didn't even register with me, and I watched the game and heard him say it, until I saw the furor on twitter.

He is a Thunder commentator.

He wouldn't purposely make a racist statement about the Teams star player.

I'm a 48 year old white man. I grew up in a small town and heard this more times than I can remember. I never thought it could be used as a racist comment. I thought it was kind of silly but innocent.