What I learned from the Clippers vs Thunder game

Wow, that was one exciting game last night.  It was controlled from the Clippers early on and once they got rolling it was tough for the Thunder to come back.  I want to cover a few different things for each team on my feelings for the teams and the rest of season.

Los Angeles Clippers:

If the Clippers continue to mesh and play together they can easily compete for a championship.  Chris Paul is still learning his teammates, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan included.  The alley oops are gonna continue to come more frequently and they are going to know where everyone is on defense as well.  Whether or not they continue to shoot at such a high percentage overall as well as the 3-point line, they will win games.  I do think that the bench needs more production from guys like Randy Foye and Ryan Gomes.  Mo Williams has been the only consistent part of the bench play.

Chris Paul has to continue to make smart decisions and know when to take over and when to get his teammates more involved.  He was perfect last night in his decision-making.  The team also doesn’t seem to care who takes the shots, they looked for the open man even when guys were hot…..they made the extra pass.  As long as they keep playing with that mindset, the talent alone can take them deep into the playoffs.  I do think Jordan needs another big behind him for their match-ups with the Lakers, Nuggets and Spurs.

Oklahoma City Thunder:

Russell Westbrook is so talented and explosive it’s beyond belief, but he may be the downfall of the Thunder.  His decision-making is still lacking and there is no reason “EVER” that anyone should shoot more shots than Kevin Durant, especially when Durant is shooting so well.  That is a major problem when you have probably the purest scorer in the history of the NBA.

Another major problem with the team is their turnovers.  They turn the ball over way too much.  They also need Thabo Sefolosha in the starting lineup for his defense and James Harden just didn’t look comfortable in the starting lineup.  He looked confused and a little nervous on what his part was in the game.  Coming off the bench he has the green light to fire away, but he seemed too passive next to Durant and Westbrook.

At the end of the day, the Thunder are explosive and will be in the mix when it’s all said and done.  They have some things to work on, because talent alone isn’t enough to win it all.  The Clippers are in the same boat.  I expect to see both teams late May.

P.S. Blake Griffin posterized Kendrick Perkins!