Thunder UP!

Wow! That was a complete reversal! That was the Thunder we saw in the regular season going 4-0 against the Spurs. The return of Serge Ibaka and the insertion of Reggie Jackson into the starting lineup changed the dynamics of the Thunder rotation. Did anybody notice amidst the win frenzy that Thabo Sefolosha and Nick Collison didn't even get off the bench? This is more than the Thunder going back to its roots, but also Coach Brooks adapting to the Spurs type of play. Congratulations to Thunder fans for this big win!

The Spurs, on the other hand, underperformed. Yeah Ibaka has something to do with Tony Parker unable to attack the rim as much as he liked. But overall the team just didn't had the fight earlier and just took all the punches. It became so bad, Coach Pop opted to rest his guys halfway through the last inning. If not for Manu Ginobili, that could have been a humiliating loss. How about Coach Pop moving his chess pieces around? Manu in the starting lineup? They did that before, but it is not Pop's style to panic. Besides, they still lead 2-1. Even if the Thunder win Game 4, the Spurs still have the homecourt advantage, especially Game 7.

It sure liked the Thunder just made this a series. Although I haven't seen much chickening out in DTTF yet as Ibaka is the hottest pick, and Jackson still hot at 2nd most owned. Ibaka's return is much welcomed because we were running out of options anyway. I highly recommend going Ibaka in Game 4, before his injury comes back to bite him. He gets my pick for Tuesday.

As for Monday's Game 4 of the other series, The Heat, leading 2-1, has the chance at home to push the Pacers into the brink. LeBron James and company know that Game 4 is a must-win; because if Pacers steal it, the Pacers will have better chance of drawing energy from the home crowd with Games 5 and 7 in Indiana. Ray Allen was the X-factor in the last game; who will step up for the Heat in Game 4?

As for my pick, I still have soon-to-be free agent Lance Stephenson allocated for an elimination game. My other relevant Pacer available is George Hill, and he gets my pick. Game 3 was awful for him, and I hope he bounces back well in Game 4.


I feel my DTTF game has peaked already at 99 percentile after that LeBron pick. The Jackson pick maintained that, but all picks from now on should be carefully made so as to minimize my drop-offs from the rankings. Hmm, come to think of it, I want these two series be done ASAP, and the Finals be done in a sweep. With every pick onwards, I'll be facing possible drop-offs. Can't afford to have more of those.



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Comments

  1. For me Hibbert today and Ibaka tomorrow.

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  2. RW was okay after his terrible start, but in the end he was the daily leader. Not too shabby.

    The return of Ibaka not only made a lot of people (including me) picking him for game 4, it also gives us a 2012 flashback. So what if the Thunder win game 4 and tie the series? You want to tell me the Spurs won´t all remember what happened two years ago? I hope they are better than back then. For me, game 4 is the deciding game of the series.

    Tonight it´s Wade. He scored buckets this series and I need him to just continue that for one more game. If he does, fine. If he doesn´t and the Heat lose, that would be fine, too. You can see where I am going with this...

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    1. The Spurs remember too well. But they are a better team now. However, they still have to work hard and focus to beat this version of the Thunder

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  3. This is where guessing wrong in the WAS/IND series kills. If I had leaned Pacers I'd have at least 1 more Pacer left than I do which means use a Pacer in G4 and another in G5 if Heat win G4. Now I left 3 Wizards unpicked, they're gone and there is only the inconsistent Roy Hibbert remaining that I'd rather use when they are at home. With LeBron James dreadfully used Ray Allen also used, Dwyane Wade appears to be the only reliable Heat player left since Bosh is constantly invisible. Mario Chalmers? Has only 31 PAR all series including 8 in G3. Don't get me wrong, I probably still would have used PG if not at 1-2, than 2-3 against the Hawks and used another Pacer in G2 at 0-1 against the Wizards but at least would have used a Wizard in G1 so 1 more Wizard would have been used and 1 more Pacer would be available. This ECF situation is awful. Of course that means for DTTFs purposes I'm hoping for Heat in 5 but if the Pacers win G4, they could end up winning the series.... Wade it is.

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    1. If you are looking for a sneaky pick, consider Norris Cole. His minutes have been up in this series as it appears he is a good fit for this matchup against Indiana. He might get you a 5. Maybe he goes off for a 15. He's getting minutes now, and that is not likely in the NBA Finals. Just an option. He might completely crash and burn.

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    2. Agreed, but with the amount of Pacers already picked in Round 2, a risky pick might be warranted. At some point a risky pick will need to be made, and this is the only chance to get something out of Cole. Not sure if I would do it myself, but the thought would cross my mind.

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    3. Norris Cole has become at least as good an option as Mario Chalmers the last 2 games. He is also getting more minutes than Mario Chalmers. If you are desperate or need someone to pick, taking Norris Cole, wouldn't be the worse thing you could pick. And it might even pan out.

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    4. Mario Chalmers minutes have been skydiving, he played 37 minutes in G1 to 24 in G2 to a horrid 14 in G3. 14 from a starter! Is he injured or just plain invisible?

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    5. I just decided on who to use.... Chris Anderson AKA Birdman!
      2% He's gotten 18, 16 and 12 in this series, I just hope he doesn't continue to go downward and gets at least his average of 15 (even though 15 would be a new low). If he goes anywhere above his series average, I'll be happy.

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    6. I've finally taken Norris Cole as I found something on Chris Anderson's page saying that he's inactive.

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  4. Sticking to my guns....
    ...
    It makes me sick that I took KD in week 2 on May 1st even though he had the daily high with a 48pra.
    ....
    Going into the OKCvsSAS series I had confidence in my Thunder. With that confidence of course I started spending Spur players, hoping to carry my OKC players to the next round. So in the first game I burned T. Parker(before he could burn me with that hami) in week 5 on May 19th for 29pra. Then I took Danny Green in game two for a 25pra.
    ....So now OKC is down 0-2 ugh!!!!!!!! Mind you at this time Ibaka is out for the season so I only have Westbrook, Jackson, Buttler, Adams and the gang....
    .....I figure I have to give OKC a chance at home to get back in this. So in game 3 I take Boris Diaw for 18pra. That was great. Of course we know that Ibaka is back and adds a player to my roster.
    ....
    Game four..... whew what a dilemma .... But I'm sticking with my GUNS and going to give my Thunder another chance at home to tie this series up and will be taking another Spur.... Mind you I hate rooting for a good PRA when I NEED my team to win lol it sucks.
    ..
    Those that know me know that going cold is my main strategies .... and I love the idea of taking Tim Duncan sitting at only 3%. But I love the idea of taking him at home better... AND I would also hate NOT taking tim, ginobili and leonard to the finals if my team does not make it.... so I'm thinking Splitter... and if OKC loses then I can take RW back at home. If SAS loses I can take Tim back at home...
    ....
    Stick with your guns guys !!! :)

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    1. Best of luck with this. I'm hoping OKC pulls it off, but for DTTF purposes I'm going with Jackson next. I can still get Manu and Duncan if the Thunder turn the series on the Spurs. If it goes 3-1 though, I can pick one of Ibaka or Mr. Clutch, Danny Green.

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  5. West is my pick today

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  6. Here's the wrap up of the last 2 picks I made:

    Chris Andersen (12 PRA in Game #3) fizzled after posting 12 boards and 16 PRA total in Game #2. There have been three games in this series so far and Andersen had 18 PRA, 16 PRA, and 12 PRA in those game. Naturally I chose to pick him on his worst night, but at least several other players of his caliber also were in the 12 to 15 PRA mark including starters Chris Bosh and George Hill, so that wasn't too bad considering.

    Played Reggie Jackson (24 PRA) getting the start at SG in place of the invisible Thabo Sefolosha. Jackson's total PRA was nowhere near the 42 PRA playoff high he put up against Memphis (not that I thought he would do that when I actually picked him). Still 24 PRA for Reggie Jackson was his second highest of the playoffs. Although I am sure he will go off for much more now that I already used him, if he continues to start.

    So the Reggie Jackson pick wasn't bad, but OKC won, and with another home win for OKC (should that happen), are really going to make things interesting heading back to San Antonio given that the Thunder were 4-0 against the Spurs during the regular season, and the Spurs suffered an absolute collapse not too long ago vs. this same Thunder team after the Spurs won both home games in the playoffs, then turned around and lost that series, sending OKC to the finals.

    If the Thunder win their next home game and tie the series at 2-2, I am going to have to do some series thinking about what to do, to make sure I have enough players for the finals.

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    1. So much for Serge Ibaka being out for the year. With his reemergence, he could turn this series completely around, or maybe San Antonio learned their lesson from last time, and can at least win their home games this time to advance. It is true though that the Spurs play like garbage at OKC. So far the Spurs have annihilated OKC, when playing in San Antonio, at least in the playoffs. If that changes in Game #5, look out!

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  7. For tonight's game, Pacers vs. Heat, not many options left to try to take at least LeBron and Wade to the finals. Basically from the Heat I have the useless Chris Bosh (at least vs. the Pacers), and Ray Allen, who has been giving everyone heart attacks, because he vanishes for most of the games. Only have 2 Pacers left as well after burning much of the entire team in the first two rounds of the playoffs. If Miami wins tonight, they will be up 3-1, and I will use Hibbert definitely at home or Lance Stephenson, if I feel they will get eliminated at home, and forget about Hibbert. If they will be able to force the series back to Miami, can also use Stephenson there. Everything works as long as Miami wins tonight, and eventually wins their series either in Game #6 (the best case scenario) or Game #7.

    For tonight I will go with Ray Allen at home, because I want no part of him on the road in Indiana, where the Heat struggle to begin with. Hopefully I get a productive night out of him, and if Ray Allen can somehow crack the 20+ PRA mark I would be ecstatic with that.

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    1. I'd pick a Pacer. No reason to risk losing a player if the series ends in 5. Ray Allen in Game 6 if need be. Either Hibbert or Lance tonight. Just my thoughts.

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    2. You are most likely right. However most teams have enough heart to win their home game and force the series back to their opponent's court to get beat. Of course, since this is Indiana, having heart hasn't exactly been their strong suit this year.

      If Miami somehow loses tonight, that could be catastrophic for carrying players to the finals, same thing if OKC manages to take out the Spurs. I don't even have enough scrubs to field picks for 5 or 6 games, if both of those things happen.

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    3. OK, here's a counter-point. Pick Ray Allen today and the Heat win. Pacers lose game 5, you lose a Pacer. If the Pacers win today, OK you avoid making the mistake of over-picking Pacers, but chances are you still pick a Pacer in Game 5 anyways. Pick a Pacer in Game 4, and then you can pick a Miami Heat in Game 5 if the Heat lose Game 4.

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  8. Birdman is out for tonight's game. Lewis is starting over Haslem. Going with Hibbert tonight.

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    1. I almost got locked into him and then switched to Cole at 8:23. Sounds like I should have taken Haslem based on Anderson's espn page. "Look for Udonis Haslem to be featured more in the Heat's frontcourt, and consider Andersen day-to-day going forward." Then again it's espn. I'm hoping I got the better deal between Cole and Haslem, if they tie then either one is okay but assuming I get 15 or less, the mistake I made in R2 is costly.

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    2. Birdman was injured. Guess that explains why he only got 12 PRA in Game #3. He was doing well initially, then nothing.

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    3. Wow! Hibbert 6 PRA made it even worst than Ray Allen 7 PRA. I'm already got screwed that my 31 PRA from Noah on 4/29/14 got taken away. So did my Reggie Jackson for G3 that had trouble being saved b4 tipoff. No matter how many emails I sent to support, they don't even care about people that are enjoying this game.

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    1. I was just checking the gamecast on cbssports and like what Bosh has 17 points (20 PAR) at HALFTIME?! Not that I want to use him Pre-Finals if the Heat get there but still.

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  10. Now that this ECF pick is locked and underway, I've got an issue with Serge Ibaka and it isn't Ibaka! It's that people are so smart in this game unlike on the espn site. I switched Ibaka and Durant around after G3, putting Ibaka in G4 and Durant in G5. At that time Ibaka was at 3%, earlier this afternoon, 30 hours before the next game time of the WCFs he's gone all they way up to 23% not only being the dreadfully most picked but it isn't even close, he's 7% clear of Reggie Jackson who's the 2nd most picked at 16%. While I believed Ibaka would get some picks I thought it would be around 10-15% at game time and it's risen TWENTY PERCENT with over a day to still go! At this rate he'll be at 40-50%. This is a disaster and not on my part or Ibaka's part but because people actually know how to (try and) play this game!

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    1. I always try and stay away from the HOTTEST player when possible... I don't think I've taken one yet in this contest.... I like going cold... I mean, if you go hot the best you can do is tie the majority.... were as when you go cold you "at least" give yourself a chance to beat them.....

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    2. This is why it's outrageous that Ibaka has magically gone from 3% to 23%! I was all set on him, now I may play a Spur even though I risk the chance re-losing Ibaka (I mean his remarkable comeback has given us that didn't pick him a 2nd chance) if the Spurs win in 5.

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    3. Yeah... I still have him Westbrook and Jackson.... but I'm still going with a Spur tomorrow night... I'm giving my Thunder one more game to get back in this.... if they win, then I go with a Duncan or Ginobili in SA, if SAS wins then I go with Ibaka or Jackson in SA then Westbrook back in OK.... sticking to my guns lol

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  11. Freakkkkkkk. Stephenson has three fouls. Are you kidding me.

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    1. I picked only role players all last week. And I finally pick a starter this bs happens. I'm done with dttf

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    2. Stay with it. Parker gave me 14. Your Steohenson can still give you 20

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    3. Stephenson has been avg 17 7 6. I be lucky to get 15 pra total

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  12. Here's hoping for a Heat win in double or triple OT!

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    1. And at least 20 PRA from Hill please thank you :D

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    2. I have 4 from Cole, granted Haslem is even worse with 1! lol 48 minutes may not be enough but the Heat need to win as Hibbert is it on the Pacers.

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  13. Chris Bosh actually showed up tonight with a big performance. Don't know where that came from, but I wish I was in on the secret.

    Ray Allen isn't doing much. At least I didn't pick Roy Hibbert or Lance Stephenson on road, as both plagued by fouls, are doing even worse.

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  14. Come on Ray Allen, don't be afraid to shoot the ball.

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  15. Hibbert and Stephenson combine for 13pra as 9:38 left in game

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  16. Heat are up by 17 with half a quarter left, Cole is at 12. If he can get to 17 that would be great! I just hope the lead stays big. While blowouts are usually dreadful, this is where picks like the one I made tonight shine.

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    1. I"m lucky IND has kept West in.... as the lead is just 11 now with 4:21 left

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    2. Naturally Cole doesn't get another PAR.

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    3. Cole isn't a stat stuffer, so getting a 12 was a significant victory!

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    4. Actually he got 1 more so he finished with 13 but 17 or even 15 would have been a significant victory, never the less at least he got to double figures, as he had 4 late in the 3rd so it wasn't horrible but when he was at 12 with 6 minutes left it looked like he'd squeeze out a few more.

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    5. I got 13 more than I would have had with Anderson as I almost locked him in but fortunately caught that he was out in the last minutes before the locktime. 2% probably just got eliminated with an absent Birdman being picked.

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  17. Quite happy with a 21 from Hill. Although it's funny that picking Hill in Game 3 and a 12 would have been to my benefit, as I would have certainly picked David West today. Game 5 is the easiest decision ever to make. Lance Stephenson. Boom.

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    1. My G5 decision is already set, Hibbert the last remaining Pacer starter for me. Hopefully he gets good numbers in a losing game, if the series goes to G6 I'll have to squeeze in Mario Chalmers or possible Chris Anderson if he comes back.

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    2. Both stephenson and hibbert HAVE to do better than today.... so it is in both of you's favor.... I'll be going with Lance Stephenson myself..

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  18. I'm happy with David West's(7%) 36pra, second highest of the night LBJ(2%) 47pra...
    ....
    I did Better than(players picked at a higher percentage):
    ...
    Chris Bosh(8%) 32pra
    George Hill(20%) 21pra
    L. Stephenson(8%) 22pra
    Ray Allen(11%) 14pra
    Hibbert(16%) 6pra
    ....
    I NEEDED a high PRA this game... been a while



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  19. I just found my biggest gain of the day... removing Dwyane Wade who ended up with only 19, cannon ball dodged!

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