As series shifts to OK, Thunder must defend home court

By Ethan J. Brisby 

“Get your brooms ready.” “San Antonio looks like the best team in the NBA right now.” Variations of these quotes have been circling through my Twitterverse since the San Antonio Spurs defended home court, and took a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference Finals match-up against the Oklahoma Thunder.

The Spurs are tested champions, and deserve to be taken serious when they play the way they have since going down 2-1 to the Dallas Mavericks in Round 1. Since that time, they have won nine of eleven games, and many have been of the blowout variety; including a complete dismantling of a young Portland Trailblazer team in Round 2.

But these Thunder, I believe are different. They have League MVP and prolific scorer, Kevin Durant. These Thunder are the same team that went 4 for 4 against San Antonio in the regular season. These Thunder are basically the same cast of characters that dominated the Spurs on their way to the NBA Finals in 2012. So what gives?

For starters, the Thunder has been without the third wheel of their three headed monster, which includes Durant, the explosive Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka. Ibaka, playing the best basketball of his career in these NBA Playoffs went down with a calf injury late in the Thunder’s clinching game against the LA Clippers in Round 2. He has missed games 1 and 2 of the San Antonio series, but according to sources, he may be available for Game 3. How productive he can be will remain to be seen, but he certainly can give his team a spark by playing as the series shifts to Oklahoma for the next two games.

More than the inside presence Ibaka presents for the Thunder; blocking shots, defending, and rebounding, the entire team needs to play better defense against the San Antonio system. San Antonio has ran the same plays with different players for over a decade. There is a reason they have won four NBA titles since Greg Popovich took over as coach, but if Durant wants to have his name called with the greats, he will have to do just as those who have come before him, beat the best.

Isiah Thomas failed time and time again before he finally defeated the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers in the 80s. Michael Jordan’s struggles against the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons are duly noted. Most recently, we saw Lebron James face great adversity prior to him finally getting over the hump in 2012, claiming his place among the all-time greats as a champion. Kevin Durant can score as many points as he wants, but he has to become a champion, and right now he needs to win four out of the next five games against the mighty San Antonio Spurs to keep this year’s chances alive.

It’s not all on Durant. He has arguably one of the top 5 players in the world as his side kick in Westbrook. Sometimes sporadic and out of control, Westbrook has to be the complete player he was against Chris Paul and the LA Clippers when he put up Oscar Robertson type numbers. Westbrook averaged nearly 30-8-8 in that series. This is not the time for him to revert back to shoot first Russ. His scoring is indeed vital to OKC advancing, as the primary ball handler, he has to be more under control possession-by-possession while getting role players involved early. Especially now that they are in their more comfortable setting at the Chesapeake Center.

I personally do not believe the Spurs will sweep. Nor do I believe they will finish the Thunder in five games as some have whispered after two dominating performances in San Antonio. The Spurs have the heart of champions, so they did what they were supposed to do by defending their home court. Now it is the Thunder’s turn to return the favor. Game 3 is Sunday at 8:30 CST on TNT. 

Ethan Brisby is a blogger/reporter covering sports, and urban issues: the political economy, business, and real estate for his blog "Comfortably Living"