Thunder goes 3-1, 141-136
GAME RECAP | GAME STORY | TEAM STATS
Player of the Game: Russell Westbrook (48 PTS, 4 REB, 14 AST, 3 STL and 2 BLK)
Thunder Down Under: Kevin Durant (42 PTS, 15 REB, 8 AST, 1 STL and 1 BLK)
Thunder Protector: Serge Ibaka (12 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL and 3 BLK)
And that's about it. No team in NBA history has come back from a 3-1 series. Just one game guys, just one game left and we'll be hosting the trophy. Despite LeBron and Chalmers' triple-double, the Oklahoma City Thunder managed to pull through a 89-95 deficit entering the fourth quarter. They scored a playoff-high 52 points in the quarter en route to an upset.
The Heat are pretty much needing for a defensive presence during the fourth, as their small ball lineup couldn't get any rebounds, despite their 56-49 rebounding lead and were completely outscored by the hungry Oklahoma City Thunder squad. But this win came with a price though, Serge Ibaka fell on his foot with 4 minutes left in the game and went out. He was diagnosed with a Plantar Fasciitis. He claims that he will be back.Photos:
Thunder run out of gas late in 4th, 109-103
GAME RECAP | GAME STORY | TEAM STATS
Player of the Game: LeBron James (24 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST, 4 STL and 1 BLK)
Thunder Down Under: Russell Westbrook (37 PTS, 6 REB, 8 AST and 1 STL)
Thunder Killer: Dwyane Wade (21 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL and 2 BLK)
And when we all thought that it was over, the Heat bounce back and force Game 6. But it ain't gonna come easy though, as the Thunder will play home. The Heat quickly punished the Thunder, after trailing by 10 with 5 minutes left in the first quarter, the Heat went on a 10-0 run after the Thunder starters came out and finished the quarter with a 1-point deficit.
It was a tightly contested game with neither team backing down for three quarters. All of those quarters were either outscoring the other team by a point. Wade and Westbrook then got on it when Westbrook fouled Wade, and hit his face accidentally. This gave Heat fans something to make their boos go louder and pressure the Thunder, which was successful.Photos:
Thunder celebrates title at home, 136-110
In excitement, I forgot to capture the stats and summary. Sorry guys. XD)
Player of the Game: Kevin Durant (51 PTS, 9 REB, 1 AST and 2 STL)
Thunder Down Under: Russell Westbrook (36 PTS, 6 REB and 15 AST)
Thunder Protector: Serge Ibaka (9 PTS, 10 REB - 3 OFF, 2 AST, 3 STL and 2 BLK)
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY ARENA - We're back to where it all started for the Thunder. The place where they grew as a team, as a community, memories and emotions. And now, a very different emotion was felt after the final buzzer of the final NBA game of the 2012-2013 NBA season. It was a mix of happiness and anger, well, for the Heat, they surely felt it.
The Thunder scored 136 points en route to the franchise's first NBA title in 5 years. Fans were excited and pumped up, as the Oklahoma City Thunder Forward Kevin Durant hoisted up the Larry O'Brien Trophy on the center of the whole stadium. "This is the product of our hard work. Like I said when I came here, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard." he stated.
"Man, I'm givin' y'all Jordans tomorrow!" shouted Westbrook as he was interviewed by the media. There were no traces of hatred or sadness in each players', coaches' or the fans' faces. Again, except the Heat. The entire team hugged the young Oklahoma City Thunder squad much like how the Thunder did it to them last year. Then, they went outta their ways and flew back to South Beach.
Kevin Durant was then called up, and was given the 2012-2013 NBA Finals MVP. KD averaged career playoff-highs 38.8 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 4.7 APG and 1.3 BPG while still shooting 50-40-90. He had 51.7% FG, 41.7 FG and an astounding 98.2% FTG. "I wanna thank all my fans for your support and it gave us the championship we always wanted." said the Durantula. He then quickly ran to his family, tears in his eyes, and hugged them.Photos:
Larry O'Brien Trophy Awarding
Well, it has really been an entertaining year for the NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder. They won the best record with 63-19, KD got the MVP and they won the NBA Finals by dethroning their arch-nemesis Miami Heat. Durant has had stellar seasons, but this was clearly on the top. We also saw Westbrook mature and make the right decisions. The bench also changed during the whole season. Sophomore Guard Reggie Jackson and Eric Maynor were both traded, along with Daniel Orton and DeAndre Liggins.
Kendrick Perkins is also a topic, as we will see him on the trade block during the off-season. The Thunder are clearly ready for an overhaul to improve their game from last year. The rookies were spectacular and boring at the same time, due to the fact that they haven't adjusted to the NBA level yet, but we have seen potential.
2013 Retirees and Inductees
NBA Off-Season
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Draft Lottery:
- No Lottery Pick -
Projected Pick (TOR): 15-20
Projected Pick (DAL): 5-10
Projected Pick (OKC): 28-30
Projected Pick (CHA): 42-50
Actual Pick (TOR): 16 (CONDITIONAL)
Actual Pick (DAL): 10 (CONDITIONAL)
Actual Pick (OKC): 30
Actual Pick (CHA): 47
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2013-2014 NBA Oklahoma City Thunder Transactions:
- Thunder Assistant Coach Maurice Cheeks gets extension for 3yrs/$500k.
- Thunder fire NBA Scout Gary Reed. Replaced by Kurt Stevenson for a 3yr/$2.00M deal.
- Thunder fire Prospect Scout Dean Hamilton, hire Leroy Witt (3yrs/$1.00M) and Frank Fuller (3yrs/$1.00M).
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Oklahoma City Thunder Team Options: None
- Cleveland accepts Irving's 2 Years, Team Option
- Andre Iguodala declines Denver in Player Option
- Ellis stays in Utah with Player Option
- Houston ties with Parson, 2 Years, Team Option
- O.J. Mayo locks Dallas in Player Option.
- DeMarcus Cousins in Chi-Town Team Option
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Qualifying Offers:
Toney Douglas: 1yr/$3.10M
Nolan Smith: 1yr/$2.02M
Status: Not offered
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Free Agents:
Kevin Martin (Expired, Likely to resign) (Offer: 3yrs/$15.60M, Player Option, "Yes" No trade clause)
Nolan Smith (Expired, Test FA)
Toney Douglas (Expired, 50-50 chance) (Offer: 2yrs/$3.44M)
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Name:
Birthday:
Position:
Play Style:
College:
Play Types:
Height and Weight:
Deserved Rating: (Explain why you deserve that rating, it will affect your potential and your range in the draft.)
Strengths[3]:
Weaknesses[3]:
Miscellaneous: (Skin Tone, Face Type, Face Base, Shot Base, Form and other necessary things.)
Draft Prospects: First Impressions
Archie Goodwin:
NBA Comparison: Poor Man's Dwyane Wade
Times scouted: 4
Impression: Measuring 6' foot 5", don't ever take this college kid small. He has a 6'10" wingspan, and is a good finisher around the rim. He can be used as a scorer off the bench if he gets drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He needs to work on his turnovers though, after averaging 3.2 TOPG during college. The same could be said for his defensive awareness. Consistency is also a problem for this young man.
C.J. Leslie
NBA Comparison: Jeff Green
Times scouted: 2
Impression: A tall, lanky player. Has above average ball handling skills that help him create shots a bit for himself. Needs to work on adding some muscles though. But his height makes up for it, as it leads to rebounds and putbacks. Can become a low-post threat if used right. Overconfidence can get the better of him as he sometimes tries to liven the crowd too much.
Doug McDermott
NBA Comparison: Poor Man's Shorter Dirk Nowitzki
Times scouted: 2
Impression: Probably the most efficient scorer in this draft class, the 6' foot 8" power forward of Creighton has become a nightmare match-up for classic 4 players. He's an inside-outside threat, a great rebounder and is extremely good at shooting the ball. He has shot over 56.3% from the floor and posted up a 51.6% percentage beyond the arc, and has an 86.3% for free-throws. Only question is, can he survive in the NBA?
Isaiah Austin
NBA Comparison: Tiago Splitter
Times scouted: 1
Impression: One of the tallest bigmen in this draft pool. Has the mobility of a forward while rebounding a lot like a center. An inside-threat because he can pretty much shoot from 5-10 feet away from the rim and finish with authority. He also has a reaching vertical of 9'3", that is seen once in a while. But he needs to work on his free throws.
Draft Prospects: First Impressions
Myck Kabongo:
NBA Comparison: Royal Ivey
Times scouted: 1
Impression: A generic Point Guard.
Rudy Gobert:
NBA Comparison: Hasheem Thabeet
Times scouted: 1
Impression: This tall guy can certainly finish. And the bonus? Oh my, he rarely commits fouls. If he can do that in the NBA, he can potentially become a starter immediately. He is also a fine rebounder but needs to add a bit more strength to his skinny frame.
C.J. McCollum:
NBA Comparison: Brandon Knight
Times scouted: 1
Impression: He can definitely shoot. His polished skills can already contribute to the NBA level. He posted 50% or over during his tenure in college. Approximately 60% of his shots come from the perimeter and he makes it with ease. He can also create a shot for himself and leave the defense scrambling. Definitely the point guard people want.
Patric Young:
NBA Comparison: Paul Millsap
Times scouted: 1
Impression: Defined by his strength, this undersized power forward should not be taken lightly. He believes all misses are his, and grabs 7.3 of them. He also has an above average agility despite his 245 lbs w eight. A defensive presence on the court. Despite all of these, his offense is clearly raw.
Mason Plumlee:
NBA Comparison: Serge Ibaka/Tyson Chandler
Times scouted: 1
Impression: A long, athletic 4. He provides shot blocking and rebounding on the defensive end, whilst explosiveness on the other side. A great passer in the post, and has good fundamental skills. He can play the Pick 'N Roll, or face up in the post. He needs some muscle though, as he can get pushed around if he's facing big men taller and bigger than him.
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