Around the League: Week 1 10/27-11/2

[Split T]

I'm not sure, it's gonna be hard in the west if they dig themselves a pretty big whole. Any initial word on Westbrook?

Edit: Fractured hand for Westbrook. This might be a tough year for the thunder.

[Superbone]

I'm not sure, it's gonna be hard in the west if they dig themselves a pretty big whole. Any initial word on Westbrook?

Edit: Fractured hand for Westbrook. This might be a tough year for the thunder.

There goes my fantasy team.

[carey]

I feel bad for OKC. That team might be snake bit. Maybe Seattle put a curse on them. They can't seem to stay healthy. It was cool to see PJIII put up numbers and our old friend Bassy show he can still play a little bit.

[Danimal]

Folks always say this when a star gets injured, but with both stars injured does them help OKC develop some more players and seriously benefit them in the long run? A few guys have been saying they are all westbrook and Durant and not much else. Perhaps this helps a little in terms of developing depth and scoring flexibility . But yes agreed they will likely have to dig themselves out of a hole this year. Interesting to see what this test does to their coach.

[OE32]

Given how tough the west is this year... I know this sounds silly but could the Thunder miss the playoffs? These injuries may be enough for them to lose home court. But Dallas looks pretty good, I think we're going to be a lot better, and not a whole lot of drop off. Maybe OKC is the team we dislodge from the top 8.

Barring injury (fingers crossed!), we're a playoff team. Of that I have no doubt. Bled and Len make our defense nearly as good as our offense. Honestly, I think if we added a healthy Al Horford or his equivalent, this team is complete - that is, contending for a title.

[Danimal]

Perhaps OKC will be this years Memphis. Very slow start and then get it together at the last minute. Cant rule them out of long winning streaks once every one is back. Just have to see how well they stay afloat until them. And why did C Butler go to the Pistons?

[carey]

https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/528165865171087361 https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/528166605641904129 He's right. It'll be tough if they tank these 20 games. You have to factor in adjustment time when the guys get back too. They'll have to work themselves into game shape, new roles, etc...

[carey]

Chuck has a point....
https://twitter.com/SBNationNBA/status/528180872910888961

[LazarusLong]

I feel bad for OKC. That team might be snake bit. Maybe Seattle put a curse on them. They can't seem to stay healthy. It was cool to see PJIII put up numbers and our old friend Bassy show he can still play a little bit.

I don't. I feel sorry for Durant and Westbrook, but not for the Thunder. They traded Harden and also traded for a one-dimensional slug in Perkins.

[carey]

I meant the fans, but you're right. Aside from nailing 3 high draft picks (do they even take Durant over Oden if they had the first pick?) they haven't set the world on fire with their trades & FA signings.

[Mori Chu]

Not to overreact, but, OKC is missing the playoffs now.

[Shabazz]

https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/528209652526641152 https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/528210045608419328 I like Alec Burks, but ewwww.

[SwingMan]

https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/528209652526641152 https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/528210045608419328 I like Alec Burks, but ewwww.

That's nucking futz - with this & Hayward's deal, they'd better hope for a LOT of internal improvement.....

[Mori Chu]

Oh. My. God.

[youtube][/youtube]

[JCSunsfan]

Not to overreact, but, OKC is missing the playoffs now.

They have alot of bigs, but are thin at pg. Sounds like an opportunity for a deal to me.

[Indy]

Oh. My. God.

[youtube][/youtube]

I really want to see Carlisle's face the first time he has to watch that.

[INFORMER]

I feel bad for OKC. That team might be snake bit. Maybe Seattle put a curse on them. They can't seem to stay healthy. It was cool to see PJIII put up numbers and our old friend Bassy show he can still play a little bit.

I don't. I feel sorry for Durant and Westbrook, but not for the Thunder. They traded Harden and also traded for a one-dimensional slug in Perkins.

They got significantly better when they acquired Perkins. The problem wasn't trading for him, the problem was extending him for as long and as much as they did.

And I think it's unreasonable to hold trading Harden against them.

[INFORMER]

https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/528209652526641152 https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/528210045608419328 I like Alec Burks, but ewwww.

Agreed. The Jazz are going to be a very expensive lotto team.

[INFORMER]

Not to overreact, but, OKC is missing the playoffs now.

They'll make the playoffs.

But getting a lotto pick, even #14, wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for them.

[EDC]

Not to overreact, but, OKC is missing the playoffs now.

They'll make the playoffs.

But getting a lotto pick, even #14, wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for them.

I dunno. You would think they would be able to make it but the west is kinda insane. Are they that much better than the Suns, Dallas and Pelicans that they can just spot them 10-15 wins?

Last year we were 11 games behind them.

The Spurs and probably the Clippers take the 1 and 2 spot but after that I really think it is a crap shoot for everyone.

http://espn.go.com/nba/standings/_/year/2014

Only six games separated the fourth seed from the ninth seed last year.