Game Day: Thunder (22-17) @ Suns (15-26), Sun 1/7/18

[O_Gardino]

Bender didn't even look tired. He and Jackson were both very good tonight, and this game should show us that our young players are going to be better as the year goes on.

Point-Booker did a great job of picking his spots and letting the other guys take the night. Ulis had his head back on straight, and Warren was Warren.

Still don't understand 30 minutes for Chandler when Len was on the court for a huge run, but I won't complain too much after a great win. Len was +14 in 7 minutes.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

BENDEEEEEEER!!!

Josh also played really good tonight.

Damn! Who is going to be the scapegoat this week?

[Superbone]

Suns by 20!

Not far off!

[Superbone]

Bounce back game for Booker. But without Warren and Daniels, we really don't have a chance.

One thing I'll look for is Bender's passing. He's had a few good passing games lately.

Good thing we had Warren and Daniels then.

[Split T]

Bender didn't even look tired. He and Jackson were both very good tonight, and this game should show us that our young players are going to be better as the year goes on.

Point-Booker did a great job of picking his spots and letting the other guys take the night. Ulis had his head back on straight, and Warren was Warren.

Still don't understand 30 minutes for Chandler when Len was on the court for a huge run, but I won't complain too much after a great win. Len was +14 in 7 minutes.

Len got into foul trouble

[In2ition]

It was nice to see Bender and Jackson play well. This is more of what was envisioned when they were drafted. Now, let's see these type of performances more often and then with consistency.

[Superbone]

That was definitely the Suns best 48 minutes of basketball of the year. Too bad we have to wait until Friday to see if they can build off of this game.

[jonh]

It was nice to see Bender and Jackson play well. This is more of what was envisioned when they were drafted. Now, let's see these type of performances more often and then with consistency.

Wow--what a really encouraging game!

[LazarusLong]

Only seven turnovers for the Suns. It pays to protect the rock.

[The Bobster]

Methinks Bender is a real player.

He will be if he's aggressive and isn't timid about shooting or driving.

Just standing around on the perimeter doesn't cut it - but obviously he has a lot of talent and can play both ends of the court.

[Cap]

Tomorrow Bender will be on this list: http://bkref.com/tiny/YwAdM

[INFORMER]

Methinks Bender is a real player.

Hopefully.

[n4th4n]

I MISS ONE GAME AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS???

[Cap]

Methinks Bender is a real player.

Hopefully.

OK, mehopes Bender is a real player.

[Mori Chu]

Dragan FREAKING Bender!

[INFORMER]

Don't let me talk you out of your optimism, Cap.

[Mori Chu]

I didn't predict a big Suns win back on Page 1 of this thread. But I did say, and still believe, that the 2017-18 OKC Thunder are garbage. They have star power and big names, but the pieces don't fit and the team is going nowhere. George will leave after this season and Melo's best days are behind him. Westbrook hogs the ball and doesn't play in a way that makes his teammates better or leads to likely group success. They're a good hate-watch this year; I have caught a few of their games hoping to see them lose.

This season is such an indictment of Westbrook. Looking at Indiana and how great they're playing, with Oladipo having an all-star season and Sabonis looking like a good piece, after they both looked like trash next to Westbrook. And look how much happier KD is in Golden State without Westbrook, immediately winning a title and looking like a true champ. Russell Westbrook should be embarrassed. Everything he touches rots, and almost every player who leaves his team finds greener pastures. (Notable exception: Reggie Jackson.)

I think OKC will lose in the first round in this year's playoffs, leading to the departure of George and a depressing offseason overall. And they'll deserve it. They have to address their failure to teach Russell Westbrook how to play proper basketball. At this point it is probably too late for the guy; this is who he is.

[TOO]

I MISS ONE GAME AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS???

You know you have to stay away til they lose now right?

[EDC]

I didn't predict a big Suns win back on Page 1 of this thread. But I did say, and still believe, that the 2017-18 OKC Thunder are garbage. They have star power and big names, but the pieces don't fit and the team is going nowhere. George will leave after this season and Melo's best days are behind him. Westbrook hogs the ball and doesn't play in a way that makes his teammates better or leads to likely group success. They're a good hate-watch this year; I have caught a few of their games hoping to see them lose.

This season is such an indictment of Westbrook. Looking at Indiana and how great they're playing, with Oladipo having an all-star season and Sabonis looking like a good piece, after they both looked like trash next to Westbrook. And look how much happier KD is in Golden State without Westbrook, immediately winning a title and looking like a true champ. Russell Westbrook should be embarrassed. Everything he touches rots, and almost every player who leaves his team finds greener pastures. (Notable exception: Reggie Jackson.)

I think OKC will lose in the first round in this year's playoffs, leading to the departure of George and a depressing offseason overall. And they'll deserve it. They have to address their failure to teach Russell Westbrook how to play proper basketball. At this point it is probably too late for the guy; this is who he is.

I dunno man I think your hate is making you a bit biased. Surely the bolded part can't be an argument for why Westbrook should be ashamed. The Warriors were a championship team without KD.

Westbrook is like AI. They have to build the team around that kind of mindset. Anthony on the other hand is so overrated. At least Westbrook can carry his team to wins.

[JCSunsfan]

I didn't predict a big Suns win back on Page 1 of this thread. But I did say, and still believe, that the 2017-18 OKC Thunder are garbage. They have star power and big names, but the pieces don't fit and the team is going nowhere. George will leave after this season and Melo's best days are behind him. Westbrook hogs the ball and doesn't play in a way that makes his teammates better or leads to likely group success. They're a good hate-watch this year; I have caught a few of their games hoping to see them lose.

This season is such an indictment of Westbrook. Looking at Indiana and how great they're playing, with Oladipo having an all-star season and Sabonis looking like a good piece, after they both looked like trash next to Westbrook. And look how much happier KD is in Golden State without Westbrook, immediately winning a title and looking like a true champ. Russell Westbrook should be embarrassed. Everything he touches rots, and almost every player who leaves his team finds greener pastures. (Notable exception: Reggie Jackson.)

I think OKC will lose in the first round in this year's playoffs, leading to the departure of George and a depressing offseason overall. And they'll deserve it. They have to address their failure to teach Russell Westbrook how to play proper basketball. At this point it is probably too late for the guy; this is who he is.

Westbrook and Carmelo are cut from the same cloth.