basketballista

United for an Upset?

Before the season, someone asked me to name a bad team with great chemistry. I said the Oklahoma City Thunder (owners of a 23-59 record entering the 2009-10 season). With a 27-win improvement, the Thunder literally became contenders overnight. As the 8th seed in the West, they are locked in a first round battle against the reigning champion Lakers. And the upstart Thunder–the youngest team in the playoffs–are definitely holding their own.

The Thunder’s “big three” of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green had zero games of playoff experience entering the 2010 playoffs. Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant had played in 351 games combined (ranked 2nd and 3rd among active players, respectively).

I was talking to Lamar Odom about how important it is for a team to be playing its best basketball entering the playoffs. “It’s really important because momentum is serious in this league,” said Odom, “and even more serious than momentum is implementing in a lot of these teams–in their heads–that they can’t beat us. That’s the most important. You want to take their confidence away and it’s a perfect time to do it.”

However, the Lakers faltered at the end of the season and would end up losing seven of their final eleven games. I asked Odom about the team’s chemistry and he quickly replied, “The chemistry is great. You can’t make it to the Finals two years in a row if the chemistry isn’t good.”

Odom made a valid point, except the Lakers’ demeanor on the court at times seems to belie a less united front. People should not underestimate Durant’s ease into a leadership role and his readiness to say that he can win now, in Oklahoma City, with the players on the roster. When a superstar puts faith in guys 1-12, it isn’t surprising how individuals will collectively rise to the occasion.

Other Notes:

Cavaliers/Bulls

I think too often people judge a player by whether or not he has won a ring. LeBron James’s performances on the court are epic. Through four games against the Bulls, he is averaging 35 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 2.5 blocks, 1.5 steals, and shooting almost 60% from the field and 55% from beyond the arc. In game 4, he notched his 5th career postseason triple-double, second to Jason Kidd among active players. If the Cavaliers don’t win a ring–it’s not because of him.

And if the Bulls don’t advance, it’s not because of Joakim Noah. Averaging 16.5 points, 14.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals in the first four games against the Cavs, Noah is one of the best centers–and best soundbites–of the postseason.

Suns/Trail Blazers

The Suns won 14 of their last 16 regular season games. They led the league in three main offensive categories with 110.2 points per game, 49.2 FG% and 41.2 3-PT%. In the first four games against the Blazers, the Suns have been held to 103.5 points per game (and 93.5 in their two losses). The Blazers are one of the best teams at controlling the game’s tempo–a quality that makes them a very formidable opponent.

Mavericks/Spurs

While the Spurs aren’t a typical 7 seed, the Mavericks have one of the deepest and most talented teams on paper. If they can’t win a title–or at least contend for one–with this team, I don’t see how they’ll be able to win one in the future. I’d also like to see rookie Rodrigue Beaubois get some minutes in this series, but then again, I would’ve liked to see him on the court more during the regular season as well.

I think the 2010 playoffs have been significant in embodying the “it takes 5–or rather 12” mentality of basketball. The Spurs, Jazz and Thunder have shown how intangible qualities produce tangible wins.