Nobody .............

[Plainsman]

Wants to play the Grizzlies in the playoffs.

[KDisNotNice]

Wants to play the THUNDER in the playoffs.

Fixed! No reason to fear a team who is only 10-14 on the road so far this season.

[Plainsman]

Yeah, but they got Zbo back now ........ they're gonna be a challenge come playoff time.

Especially, if they can convince Zbo to play a sixth man role off the bench.

[Colonel Thunder]

Nobody wants to play the Spurs in the playoffs...except maybe the Grizzlies.

[Betts]

Nobody wants to play the Spurs in the playoffs...except maybe the Grizzlies.

If we're lucky, they'll play each other first.

[Thunder in NY]

When the Thunder play their game they are unbeatable. Spurs just have flawless execution. Its really the Thunders only weakness.

[slimjimzv]

I may be crazy, but I don't fear any of those teams in a seven game series with home court advantage. I'm not saying it would be a cake walk, but I don't remember any playoff games where I felt the Thunder played lazily in terms of defense and blocking out. Those are the things the Spurs have used to beat us in the regular season.

[Thunderstruck83]

Bring them on. If we play focused for 48 minutes the way we have the past couple games, bring anyone on. Of course, if they have to knock the Spurs out first then so be it.

[misplacedsooner]

line em up and we will knock em down.... one by one

[jumperstop]

I found myself thinking this a couple days back. They played us tought last year, and really seem to be playing good as of late.

[ZeusExMachina]

We better not be afraid to play the Grizzlies, or anyone else for that matter. Not if this team wants to be champions. Respect? Definitely. Fear? There's no room for it if you want to be a team that plays for it all.

When the Thunder play their game, they can beat any team in this league. I believe that, and I think our guys do, too.

[Plainsman]

Nobody wants to play the Grizz, because they are a physical , grind it out team, and playoff basketball will fit them to a tee. No one wants to play them in a series.

They will be a tough out for whoever draws them.

It has nothing to do with fear.

[Plainsman]

I found myself thinking this a couple days back. They played us tought last year, and really seem to be playing good as of late.

They only have one glaring weakness, and that is three point shooting.

Spurs may be better able to deal with them this year, now that they have Tiago Splitter playing very well. Last year, they had no answer for the Grizz in the paint.

[Colonel Thunder]

Nobody wants to play the Grizz, because they are a physical , grind it out team, and playoff basketball will fit them to a tee. No one wants to play them in a series.

They will be a tough out for whoever draws them.

It has nothing to do with fear.They'll be draining, if nothing else.

[Plainsman]

Now I have the right thread, its late and I'm tired ................. but see what I was talkin bout .

[KDisNotNice]

We beat the Grizzlies 3-1 this season. Very few season series go 4-0. Not only did the Thunder lose at home tonight, so did the Bulls and the defending champion Mavs. Hey it happens. I have no fear of facing the Grizzlies in the playoffs. Our record against them is just fine.

[cjthunder]

Yeah, I don't think the Grizz can beat us best of 7. Anything is possible, but they don't scare me. Really nobody does at all other than the Spurs.

[Colonel Thunder]

Yeah, I don't think the Grizz can beat us best of 7. Anything is possible, but they don't scare me. Really nobody does at all other than the Spurs.My sentiments exactly.

[KDisNotNice]

Any playoff series we play including the first round is going to be tough. I would be shocked if any of ours go 4-0 no matter who we play. We just have to win at least 57% of the time in each of our series (obviously).

[Durantula]

Yeah, I don't think the Grizz can beat us best of 7. Anything is possible, but they don't scare me. Really nobody does at all other than the Spurs.

I agree with these sentiments. Coming off of a big, emotionally draining win just yesterday, we played a horrible, sloppy game tonight against a very solid team and still almost won the game. The Grizz are a good team, but I think we have reached a higher level of greatness this season. I was WAY more concerned playing them in a series last season.

[Clangus]

Id rather have the Grizz than teh Spurs.
Hopfully though they play eachother and then someone like LA knocks them out. I think we beat LA in 5 (either LA team)

[CelticThunder]

The Thunder didn't play well in this game. Their shots weren't falling - even free throws weren't falling. Their defense was a step slow. If the Thunder had played their game and played like they usually do, they would have won. This game was a fluke. In a 7 game series, Thunder would win every time.

[Plainsman]

The Grizz had much to do with the Thunder not playing well. Their defense was stifling. They did not let Thunder get into transition. Made the Thunder work for every shot. The Thunder TO problem arose again, and much of that was due to the Grizz. Thunder bigs picked up a lot of fouls trying to guard the Grizz.

The game last night was physical, and it will get more physical in the playoffs. The refs did not call much last night, they will call even less in the playoffs.

In a seven game series , where both teams become very familiar with each team's sets, the Grizzlies style of play is even more effective.

With Speights having a great year and Gay back in their line-up, and Zbo will be playing better come playoff time, and if they get Conley back for the playoffs .......... hey, I don't see how anyone can not see them as a very real threat.

Every Thunder / Grizz game this year has been a dog fight, and closely contested.

I can't write last night off as just the Thunder " not playing well " ..........

[Plainsman]

Darnell is concerned ...


If I was a Thunder fan I’d be very, very worried about meeting Memphis again in the playoffs. The Grizzlies don’t back down and they don’t go away. And Memphis’ contrasting style that combines paint points and physical punishment is a perfect recipe to oust the Thunder. Plus, not only are the Grizzlies great defensively but they also play with poise that young teams rarely exhibit. It would be another scintillating series. But this time, I’m not so sure the Thunder could get past them.

http://blog.newsok.com/thunderrumblings/2012/04/03/grizzlies-94-thunder-88/#comment-70838