Charlotte Bobcats at Oklahoma City Thunder game preview -- Game 68

by Ben Swanson on Mar 17, 2011 10:26 PM EDT

Today's Tunes:

Cameo - Word Up

Game Overview: Last game, the Bobcats showed the same problems that have plagued them since moving Gerald Wallace - severe lack of offense. This included sluggish, stationary, unimaginative play, noted by a lack of ball movement on offense. The defense was mediocre, with decent rotation but simply couldn't rebound to save their lives.

And, as many of you are aware, the Thunder are a dynamic title contender.They have a scoring superstar (Kevin Durant) with a 'sidekick' who's nearly as good as the star (Russell Westbrook). Their team is also pretty well stocked with solid starters (Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka) and role players who play well (James Harden, Thabo Sefolosha, Nick Collison). Their defense is formidable as well, with length at basically every position. Serge Ibaka is close to being a shot-blocking force in the league and Kendrick Perkins remains a top defensive center. Russell Westbrook is absurdly quick and makes a habit of picking opponents' pockets.

This game must executed nearly perfectly on both sides of the ball for the Bobcats for them to win. And judging by their mishandling of the previous game against the Rockets, that's nothing anyone should expect.

Key Matchup: Stephen Jackson vs Kevin Durant - Durant is leading the league in scoring at 28.1 ppg and hasn't scored fewer than 16 points this year. I don't think Stephen Jackson needs to hold him under 16 - but I do think it is instrumental that Stephen Jackson's defense makes him shoot inefficiently. On the offensive side of things, I would like to see Jack not just try to score. If he's open or there's a path to the basket, by all means go for it. But if his shot isn't falling, I would like to see him try to make an impact on offense by drawing the defense and finding an open man cutting to the basket or wherever a Bobcat is open.

Other Things of Note Tonight: D.J. White / Nazr Mohammed REVENGE GAME!

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

The thunder...

FML. every time they’re on tv they’re kicking someones ass… Westbrook is a STUD. we need career games from jack, dj and hendo to stand a chance.

by ddbumpus on Mar 18, 2011 12:21 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

It's going to be really, really tough tonight

We are going to have to have contributions on offense from Hendo and Diaw in a big way, and need Jax and DJ to be hiting their shots tonight. I hope Kwame has been practicing catching raw eggs because he is going to need soft hands tonigt so he can be a factor on the offensive end.

Also going to need some bloody good bench play tonight from DJ2, Dante, Liv and Tyrus. Tyrus needs to defend like a demon when he is in the game → not so much worried about the offensive end as DJ2 and Dante can hopefully fill the void. I hope Liv can get some others involved with his passing.

Really looking foward to how Gerald plays against James Harden who can be really dangerous as a 3rd wheel to the big 2 at the Thunder.

I agree that Jax needs to look to be passing alot more tonight than he would as he will be expending alot of energy on defense, and I think we are best on offense when he doesn’t hold the ball and do his Clunk Step routine for 15 – 20secs before taking a contested jump shot. Getting a team effort on offense will be a big key.

Last Point would be REBOUNDS! We have been horrible lately on the boards. Message to Kwame, get your big ass frame in the lane and grab some boards. Same goes for the so called Power Forward Boris Diaw.

Other than that, GO CATS, give them hell!

by Warmec on Mar 18, 2011 6:50 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Great thoughts.

I was especially nodding my head in approval with the “Clunk Step” comment. If I ever see a .gif of Jack repeating that shot clock devouring tactic of his in a seamless loop, I don’t know if I would laugh hysterically or sob uncontrollably.

Cats' Magic number: 10
Games remaining: 15
Macdonald Carey: "Like sands through the hourglass, so are the games left to play."

by Newsinz on Mar 18, 2011 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

DJ2

I like it.

by drapht00 on Mar 18, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

As odd as this might sound, I think we miss our Vanilla Gorilla

Nazr regularly gave us around 5 boards a game. Przybilla gave us right around the same numbers in slightly less time (roughly 2 minutes less per game).

I think our rebounding solution is right in front of our faces: play D.J. White more. Whenever he’s out there, he’s working the glass hard. In a perfect world, Diaw would be on an extremely short leash, and White would sub in for him at the slightest hint of another Laissez-faire performance by Boris.

Cats' Magic number: 10
Games remaining: 15
Macdonald Carey: "Like sands through the hourglass, so are the games left to play."

by Newsinz on Mar 18, 2011 9:43 AM EDT reply actions