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Bad Miami Moon Rising
Published: 6/15/2012 12:50 PM
Last Modified: 6/15/2012 12:53 PM

The worst of the NBA was on display in game two in OKC.

The refereeing was horrific. NBA refereeing is so consistently bad that incompetence is accepted as simply another part of the game, like injuries. Here's what would improve officiating markedly. Fire the zebras who completely blow calls with games on the line.

Worst of all was the ESPN commentary after the game when young Thunder guard Westbrook was assailed in unprecedented fashion by fathead former players seeking show business fame, and by star-worshipping analysts more interested in acting out than getting it right. Magic Johnson and Stephen A. Smith were almost evil in their condemnation of Westbrook's performance. It made a person wish TNT had been handling the post-game business. One ESPN character calls LeBron James Bron-Bron. Heaven help us all.

Here's the truth of game two. Miami was fortunate to win. The Thunder choked free throw after free throw, the beard even missing two in a row. Missing free throws shows nerves, period. The zebra blew or ignored the late foul. And a Miami guy banked in a three. So in the interest of reasonable analysis the ESPN hacks should have noted that Westbrook was instrumental in giving the Thunder a chance to win.

Still, it's obvious the OKC coach could stand some help.

Start by telling Westbrook not to shoot so many 25-footers. It is obvious to everybody who understands the game that the Thunder is better when he scores ten and helps the others score 15. He needs to set up the others more often. When he scores 30, it means the game is out of control once more. LeBron James has realized that he can't hit the rim from 20 feet. So he has quit trying and is playing fullback.

Get Perkins off the floor. As the OKC homers were saying greatest trade in the history of basketball, we said months ago you couldn't play good teams four on five.

Get the beard in earlier. It's why the Thunder starts so poorly, the wrong ones are taking the shots.

Get the KU guy in the game more.

Don't take the last shot with seven seconds left. Even if you make it, the other team has plenty of time left.

Here's the most frightening item that the Thunder has to deal with. Remember the Super Bowl? The mighty New England team versus the lowly Giants. We had New York in the upset. Remember the national college championship game? The unbeatable LSU Tigers versus lame Alabama. We had Alabama. And we picked Miami in six.


Reader Comments 10 Total
Bixby Jeff (8 months ago)
"Don't take the last shot with seven seconds left. Even if you make it, the other team has plenty of time left."

I had to listen on the radio so I may be mistaken, but when the shot was taken with 7 seconds left (after inbounding with about 12 left), wasn't the Thunder down by 4 points with no timeouts? If that is the case, you need to score ASAP because you have to try to foul, get the ball back and do it again.
The Picker (8 months ago)
They were only down two.

Westbrook went a little nutty when the shot was taken, it was hard to say if he was upset at Durant or the zebra who blew the call, probably the latter.
                    
maddie (8 months ago)
I would sum up by saying, Scott Brooks needs to recognize much earlier which of his players are on their game. Particularly, the KU guy. He has been extremely consistent in the first two, and needs more minutes. I like Ibaka's energy, and when coach thinks about putting Perkins in the game, ahh don't. Westbrook tends to shoot them out of the game, and that's a big problem. I could see a giant pout if Brooks tried to rein him in.
Bixby Jeff (8 months ago)
Then I wholeheartedly agree with you. Way too early to take that shot. Espcially if Miami had a timeout left with that ridiculous NBA rule that you get to inbound the ball from halfcourt when calling a timeout after a made basket.
DomoArrigato (8 months ago)
Now win two in Miami...and come home to finish the series in 5 games.

Thunder Rolls.....
                    
Dee-Bo (8 months ago)
Sorry DomoArrigato. The series is a 2-3-2 format. Game five will be in Miami. The only way to win at home is to actually lose a game in Miami. Common mistake for new fans to the NBA.
norsemustang (8 months ago)
My biggest complaint with Westbrook was when he would try to drive through all five defenders to score.
241362 (8 months ago)
When Wildbrook passes and scores 10 to 15, the Thunder wins. When he goes berserk, the Thunder loses.
Wildwood Aggie (8 months ago)
Picker...the Thunder were lucky to make it as close as in ended up....Westbrook is not disciplined enough to run a gameplan for 40 minutes and it's pretty apparent Brooks won't correct him whenever he tries to "get his"...Dude is talented but needs the reins pulled on from time to time....As for the officials..quit whining....The Thunder buried themselves in the 1st quarter.....
vbryaninternist (8 months ago)
Here's why the Thunder "should" be ok.
They played arguably their worst game in weeks, shot 8% to start, had poor officiating, the Heat played one of their better games, Battier shot lights out and still the Thunder had a chance to tie it and send it into overtime....
Way too early to call it over.
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Out Pick The Picker

The Picker began entertaining – and infuriating – sports fans in 1993. Each week during football season, he writes about his picks of college and NFL games in his Thursday Sports column. He's never afraid of sharing his opinions about the game and the personalities who play it. Readers have a chance to go against him each season in the Outpick the Picker contest. He welcomes the competition.

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