OKC - 2011/12 - Thunder Three-peat

[kibaxx7]

Impressive games by Rudy Gay Did you adjust the sliders, then?

[Andrew]

Looks like you're back on track. Keep up the good work!

[Phil89]

30/11/09

Oklahoma City Thunder [11-4] vs New Jersey Nets [5-10]

Titanic struggle ends in Thunder win after late charge



The Thunder travelled to New Jersey to take on the Nets. Most commentators believed another easy win was on the cards. But this game was anything but easy.
Both teams came out with an attacking mindset and after one the scores were tied 31-31. More of the same in the second, scores tied 53-53 at the half.
The Thunder looked to pull away in the third, but a late rally from the Nets saw them lead 81-77 with one to play.
A 6-0 run to start the fourth had the Thunder back in the lead. Both teams traded buckets in a tense run in. Neither team giving an inch.
The Nets got out to a 6 point lead at one stage but two consecutive three pointers from Jeff Green had the scores level again.
With 3 minutes left to play the Thunder lead 97-95. Up stepped two rookies with huge plays.
James Harden first stole the ball off Devin Harris and took it all the way to the hoop for two.
The next play Serge Ibaka managed to take the ball from Keyon Dooling and score another two.
Not to be outdone, Kevin Durant blocked a Courtney Lee three point attempt and outran Dooling to score. A vital 6-0 run which gave them a 103-95 lead.
From there Oklahoma City held on to record victory number 12 for the season and their second against the Nets.
Devin Harris top scored in the game, but he didn't have enough support to get the win for his team.

Player of the Game: Rudy Gay

OKC - 31 22 24 32 109
NJN - 31 22 28 20 101

Top Scorers
Devin Harris - 34
Rudy Gay - 30
Jeff Green - 22
Kevin Durant - 21

Assists
Russell Westbrook - 8
Rudy Gay - 7
Keton Dooling - 7

Rebounds
Brook Lopez - 14
Ben Wallace - 10

[Andrew]

Sounds like a good one, albeit an unexpected challenge. Nice win.

[Phil89]

1/12/09

Conference Standings

Eastern Conference
1. ORL | 13-6 | N/A | .684
2. BOS | 11-5 | 0.5 | .688
3. IND | 11-8 | 2.0 | .579
4. MIA | 9-7 | 2.5 | .563
5. CHA | 10-8 | 2.5 | .556
6. CLE | 9-8 | 3.0 | .529
7. DET | 9-8 | 3.0 | .529
8. PHI | 8-9 | 4.0 | .471
---------------------------------
9. TOR | 7-9 | 4.5 | .433
10. CHI | 7-10 | 5.0 | .412
11. WAS | 7-10 | 5.0 | .412
12. NJN | 5-11 | 6.5 | .313
13. NYK | 5-12 | 7.0 | .294
14. ATL | 5-13 | 7.5 | .278
15. MIL | 4-11 | 7.0 | .267


Western Conference
1. OKC | 12-4 | N/A | .750
2. SAS | 14-5 | N/A | .737
3. HOU | 11-5 | 1.0 | .688
4. LAL | 11-5 | 1.0 | .688
5. PHX | 10-5 | 1.5 | .667
6. DAL | 11-7 | 2.0 | .611
7. LAC | 11-8 | 2.5 | .579
8. SAC | 9-7 | 3.0 | .563
---------------------------------
9. DEN | 8-7 | 3.5 | .533
10. NOH | 10-10 | 4.0 | .500
11. POR | 8-9 | 4.5 | .471
12. UTA | 7-11 | 6.0 | .389
13. MEM | 6-10 | 6.0 | .375
14. MIN | 4-15 | 9.5 | .211
15. GSW | 3-12 | 8.5 | .200

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League Leaders

Points Per Game
1. Rudy Gay - OKC - 32.1
2. Kobe Bryant - LAL - 22.5
3. Dwyane Wade - MIA - 22.3
4. Kevin Durant - OKC - 21.9
5. Richard Hamilton - DET - 21.5

Rebounds Per Game
1. Ben Wallace - OKC - 10.4
2. Brook Lopez - NJN - 9.1
3. Yao Ming - HOU - 8.9
4. Marcus Camby - POR - 8.8
4. Antawn Jamison - CLE - 8.8

Assists Per Game
1. Jameer Nelson - ORL - 7.5
2. Mo Williams - CLE - 7.2
3. Steve Nash - PHX - 6.7
3. Chauncy Billups - DEN - 6.7
5. Derek Fisher - LAL - 6.6

Steals Per Game
1. Russell Westbrook - OKC - 2.3
2. Dwyane Wade - MIA - 2.1
3. Jamario Moon - CLE - 2.0
3. Kevin Martin - HOU - 2.0
5. Carmelo Anthony - DEN - 1.7

Blocks Per Game
1. Rudy Gay - OKC - 2.4
2. Andris Biedrins - GSW - 2.3
2. Tim Duncan - SAS - 2.3
4. Yao Ming - HOU - 2.1
5. Marcus Camby - POR - 2.0

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Awards

Players of the Month
East - Dwyane Wade - MIA
West - Rudy Gay - OKC

Rookies of the Month
East - Jrue Holiday - PHI
West - Blake Griffin - LAC


MVP Candidates
Rudy Gay - 32.1 PPG - 8.3 RPG - 2.4 APG - 2.4 BPG - 0.8 SPG
Kevin Durant - 21.9 PPG - 4.8 RPG - 2.5 APG - 1.3 BPG - 1.2 SPG
Kobe Bryant - 22.5 PPG - 3.3 RPG - 2.8 APG - 1.3 BPG - 1.1 SPG
Chris Paul - 18.0 PPG - 1.4 RPG - 4.9 APG - 0.1 BPG - 1.5 SPG
Dwyane Wade - 22.3 PPG - 2.3 RPG - 2.9 APG - 1.3 BPG - 2.1 SPG


Monthly Highs
Few would have tipped the Oklahoma City Thunder to be leading the Western Conference after a month. But they are defying the odds.
Having pulled off a massive coup in trading their 2010 1st round pick to Memphis for Rudy Gay, they currently have a 12-4 record.
They've pulled off some big upsets so far. Most notably an opening day win over the Lakers and a home win against the Cavaliers.
Gay and Kevin Durant have been in MVP form so far averaging 32 and 22 points respectively.

The Indiana Pacers are also punching above their weight in the East. With an 11-8 record they are only 2 games behind the Orlando Magic.
Forward Danny Granger is among the top three point shooters in the league so far. They will hope he keeps knocking them down.


Monthly Lows
The Utah Jazz have been disappointing so far in the West. With a 7-11 record they are fourth from bottom.
There aren't any alarm bells ringing just yet, but they will hope to turn things around to remain in play-off contention.

The Atlanta Hawks have had a woeful start to the season and have the second worst record in the East.
It seems their star players Joe Johnson and Josh Smith just aren't putting in the game winning performances the Hawks need from them.

[Andrew]

Thanks for the monthly recap/standings; what do your league leaders look like? I see the Bulls are off to a slow start, not at all uncharacteristic for them.

[Phil89]

You think I should do the league leaders of each stat every month too? Should I do just the leader of each one or like top 5 or top 10?

[Andrew]

It's up to you since you're the one that has to take the time to do it, but it does add a little extra detail. I reckon doing the top five would be fine, though if you're stretched for time simply posting the leader for each category would be good too.

[Phil89]

Nah, I can do top five of each. It shouldn't take as long to do it in the future as now I have the template for it.

[Phil89]

I just edited the monthly summary post. Made it more detailed and easier to read.

[Andrew]

Thanks. It's a reminder that Live's sim engine needs an overhaul, but good to see who's doing what elsewhere in your Dynasty. Somehow, I think Gay's going to run away with the scoring title.

[Dee.]

Weird to see Paul at the MVP Candidates with such stats.

[Phil89]

I didn't really plan on him being my top scorer. He's just the best guy on my team at taking it to the basket and getting the shot to go in.

I'm trying to share my scoring load a bit more. Jeff Green has proved to have a better three point shot than I originally thought.

[anthony22]

lol at rudy gay leading the league in blocks,anyway this is turning into a really good dynasty,keep it up

[kibaxx7]

As I said, Gay's unstoppable Nice job.

[Andrew]

I didn't really plan on him being my top scorer. He's just the best guy on my team at taking it to the basket and getting the shot to go in.

I'm trying to share my scoring load a bit more. Jeff Green has proved to have a better three point shot than I originally thought.

I know what you mean, I often find myself leaning heavily on one player at the start of a Dynasty then relying on others a little more and distributing the scoring load a little more evenly as I get used to all the players and come to use all the core guys effectively.

[Kenny]

Gay, Durant, Green and Westbrook, not to mention Big Ben on the boards... you have one hell of a lineup

[Martti.]

What's your rotation anyway? Rudy at PF? Or Durant at the two and Harden off the bench?

[Phil89]

C: 1. Wallace 2. Mullens
PF: 1. Durant 2. Krstic
SF: 1. Gay 2. Ibaka.
SG: 1. Green 2. Harden 3. Sefolosha
PG: 1. Westbrook 2. Weaver 3. Maynor

Off the top of my head. Maybe Durant and Gay are switched around.

[Andrew]

Interesting lineup, I would've started Green at power forward, Durant at small forward and Gay at shooting guard. Wouldn't have thought Ibaka would be suited to small forward either but if it's working for you then that's all that matters.

[Phil89]

Maybe I'll have to take a closer look at my rotation next time I load up the game then.

I think when I was setting it up I just wanted depth at each position without necessarily looking at everyone's best position.

[Phil89]

C: 1. Wallace 2. Mullens
PF: 1. Green 2. Krstic 3. Ibaka
SF: 1. Durant
SG: 1. Gay 2. Harden 3. Sefolosha
PG: 1. Westbrook 2. Weaver 3. Maynor

Fixed. Let's see if this changes who my main scorer is or not.

[Phil89]

2/12/09

Oklahoma City Thunder [12-4] vs New York Knicks [5-12]

Hapless Knicks go down to ruthless Thunder



Oklahoma City travelled to New York for the second time in 3 nights to take on the struggling New York Knicks.
The Thunder raced out to an early lead and after one quarter the score was 28-16 in their favour.
The Knicks came back in the second and trailed by only 2 points at the half. Oklahoma City's slack defending allowed the Knicks back in.
The Thunder outscored the Knicks 59-32 in the second half and defended well to run away with and easy victory.
Jeff Green recorded a double-double with 29 points and 16 rebounds in a Player of the Game performance.

Player of the Game: Jeff Green

OKC - 28 25 29 30 112
NYK - 16 35 16 16 83

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 32
Jeff Green - 29
Rudy Gay - 26
Al Harrington - 20

Assists
Chris Duhon - 8
Russell Westbrook - 7
Jeff Green - 5

Rebounds
Jeff Green - 16
Ben Wallace - 12
David Lee - 12
Al Harrington - 11

[Phil89]

4/12/09

Oklahoma City Thunder [13-4] vs Toronto Raptors [8-9]

Thunder win close one against Raptors



The Thunder made the trip to Canada hoping to extend their unbeaten run, which currently stands at 4 games.
Toronto came out strong in front of their home fans and lead 27-15 after one mainly thanks to a dominant Chris Bosh.
The Thunder slowly chipped away at the lead though during the second had it down to 1 at the half.
The Raptors tried valiantly to stay with the Thunder, but Jeff Green in particular was on fire from beyond the arc.
Leading 73-68 at the start of the fourth, the Thunder outscored Toronto to run out 12 point winners.
Chris Bosh and Jeff Green both put on shows for their respective fans in a high quality game of basketball.

Player of the Game: Jeff Green

OKC - 15 31 27 30 103
TOR - 27 20 21 23 91

Top Scorers
Chris Bosh - 36
Jeff Green - 34
Rudy Gay - 24

Assists
Russell Westbrook - 10
Jose Calderon - 9
Hedo Turkoglu - 8

Rebounds
Chris Bosh - 12
Jeff Green - 11
Ben Wallace - 10
Rasho Nesterovic - 9
Hedo Turkoglu - 8

[Andrew]

Looks like you look to your forwards to carry the scoring load, though Gay's still getting a fair amount of touches.