A Changing of The Guard In the Wild Wild West
Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 9:40AM Joe Simmons 
Last night Oklahoma City looked like a team destined to make it to the NBA finals. They have all the pieces (as I have been saying since last year) to make a title run. Now it looks like the young guns are finally maturing into sharp shooters and now that their coach has emphasized the importance of playoff defense, it looks as if they have a legitimate shot at the Championship.
Playoff basketball is defined by defense, and the teams who play the best defense usually win a title. There can't be any weak links on the floor during the playoffs and everyone has to be accountable for their actions on the defensive side of the court.
The best thing that could have happened to the Thunder is playing the Spurs. I think watching them in the first two games swarm around the ball, showed them the formula for championship basketball. One thing is for sure, young legs will outlast old legs in a game of attrition. Right now the Thunder looks poised to take the West.
Maybe Miami is taking notes and Eric Spoelstra will incorporate the same defensive intensity that the Thunder has set up and we can get the Durant versus Lebron matchup that I have been longing for. Watching the two best players in the game (in my opinion) go head to head for six or seven games will be the deciding point on greatness in the league.
Granted the Thunder have more weapons than the Heat, it will still be great for the fans. Anytime we are the winners, it works well for me.
Stay Breezy ~ I'm Out!
Reader Comments (1)
The thunder are a team of destiny.. I knew barring injury back in 2010 this team wasn't going anywhere when they took la to 6 then... They took out the mavs, Lakers and now possibly the spurs in one year.. they faced all of their demons in won.. I think they will win the ship but who do they pay afterwards? Good post, Joe.