Starters In Flux

Is Ibaka playing Game 3? Is Caron Butler going to get a starter nod? Will Coach Brooks stick to his starting lineup?

Serge Ibaka is now upgraded to game-time decision. He did running and shootaround earlier without limping. If he plays Game 3, he will still play hurt. DTTF-wise, his re-introduction puts a lot of uncertainty on all our picks. If you want to be safe, pick Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook if you still have them; they will play their hearts out regardless of how the roster looks.

Certainly, one cannot pick Ibaka just yet. If he plays Game 3, I reckon he'll focus mainly in defense in his expected limited minutes. That spells bad PRA. Too bad 5 blocks don't count.

Caron Butler and Ibaka starting will make more sense since that floor lineup is the Thunder's best this season. Ibaka not playing Game 3 may put a little damp on Butler starting. If he does start, that affects Reggie Jackson too. Jackson will have to carry a thin bench then. He produced better PRA in the Memphis series Games 6 and 7 when Butler started.

Even those picking a Spur on Sunday is affected by Ibaka playing. A paint patrolled by Ibaka is like putting insect repellant for drive-to-the-basket pests like Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Even Tim Duncan will be hesitant to take it to the rim, and may succumb to mid range shots.


For now, my pick remains to be Reggie Jackson. If Butler starts and if I have time to change picks, I might.

[UPDATE] Ten Before Tip reports that Ibaka will play. Also, Reggie Jackson replaces Thabo Sefolosha in the starting lineup. I guess my pick stays. Reggie is the hottest pick Sunday -- great shakeup in the leaderboards later if this lineup change works. Or maybe not, Westbrook and Durant are combined 41% owned.


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Comments

  1. I don't think I've ever been the first to post but I'm leaning Westbrook and I've had him picked for several days. I haven't used either of the Thunder's dynamic duo so just if the surprise sweep were to happen, I can still use them both. I heard Ibaka is coming back, but I'm not sure if he'll come back soon enough for the Thunder to make it a series or even win it. imawake is a huge Thunder fan so Ibaka even possibly returning is great news and if he does, I'll use him for G5 (assuming there is a G5). If there is a G6, I'm tied between using a Spur or Caron Butler.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good move picking RW just in case they get swept.

      If Ibaka gets even 15 PRA and Thunder wins, he'll get my pick the following game.

      Delete
  2. rumor has it. reggie jackson is starting today over thabo

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  3. I might go with Jackson since he's in the starting lineup. I don't want to use KD until the Spurs are up 3-X.

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    Replies
    1. My RJ pick did not saved b4 locked-time. Might have to pick him over Ibaka in G4.

      Delete
  4. Breaking News:

    Lineup changes:

    Serge Ibaka to start at PF. Reggie Jackson to start at SG. Spurs normal lineup in place.

    Going with Reggie Jackson tonight. I'll finish my write up later.

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    Replies
    1. First 2 Spurs shots missed and are midrange shots. First Thunder shot is made by Ibaka.

      Anyone ready to chant Ibaka?

      Delete
  5. Had Allen yesterday, all I can say is there's a God !

    Anyway today I'm going with Westbrook he played poorly last game so I think he'll star in this one. Jackson is starting which is annoying it should have happened last game when I used him and what a surprise Ibaka is back...like no one saw that coming.

    Still think OKC will get swept or win only 1 game, Spurs for me are way too good for them they're more efficient and play the best basketball in the NBA. Spurs are better away from home in my opinion so I'm not worried one bit about OKC and their line up changes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RW likes it when RJ is on the floor with him. Maybe more RW open shots

      Delete
    2. yeah RJ plays more as the PG and Westbrook as the shooter.

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  6. Oh my goodness!!! It's a block party!

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    Replies
    1. Ibaka has started well I was really close at taking a punt

      Delete
    2. Whoever picked Ibaka today, you hit the JACKPOT!

      Delete
  7. Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa "I'll be I-back-a"
    ...
    .......Thunder UP !!!

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  8. Again, why did nobody pick Ibaka? *smirk*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There should be a couple of them. Anything below 100 owners still register as 0% (rounded).

      Whoever picked him, do post in the comments. You deserve a standing ovation here :)

      Delete
  9. Great start by Westbrook has decided to be a pass first PG when I choose him....absolute joke

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    Replies
    1. As I Thunder fan I'm VERY happy about that....
      ....Sorry for those who chose him though lol :(

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    2. my jinx worked ;)

      Delete
  10. Wow that was a crazy end to the half

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  11. Manu is keeping this close the guy is on fire from 3

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  12. Bah, pop empties the bench 6:30 remaining. OKC to follow suit soon.

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  13. I was hoping for OT and got nowhere near that, the Spurs did not show up in the 4th quarter and the Thunder are on the board in not just wins but blowout wins. It's great for the Thunder but a little disappointing on DTTFs since I like to squeeze every last PAR out. This was still a very successful game with 41 PAR from Westbrook! Now for DTTFs purposes with Ibaka back and the Thunder winning big, G4 won't be last game and may not be the 2nd to last game either. Will it be a repeat of 2012? If that is the case the Finals will be the round of scrubs especially if both CFs go long and the Finals too. It will be good fro imawake though.

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  14. I got 18pra from Boris Diaw(1%)....#happy
    ...
    better than
    Adams(2%) 16,
    leonard(5%) 15,
    Spitter(7%), 14
    Parker(3%), 14
    Green(4%), 10
    Buttler(4%), 9

    ...
    Still have SAS-Duncan, Splitter, Leonard, Ginobili
    ..............OKC-Westbrook, Jackson, IBAKA

    #chilling #dontcountmeout :)

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  15. Live postgame press conference
    nba.com/spurs/live

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    Replies
    1. Pop jokes Manu is out for the rest of the playoffs!

      Delete
    2. yeah.... we wanted to win, but I want to laugh too :) #respectthegame :)

      Delete
  16. I'm pretty satisfied with a 41 from Westbrook. Play of the night was Russell blowing a wide open dunk, collecting the rebound and putting it in. That was one extra point gained for what can only be described as a terrible play. Game 4 is the big decision for myself and likely many others, deciding if I should chance it with Ibaka. Right now I'm thinking no. He shot 6/7 and I'm not sure with his injury that his production is sustainable. Today was definitely the day to have Ibaka. I'm feeling much better with Reggie Jackson for Game 4. Tomorrow is also a decision, this one between Lance Stephenson and George Hill, and my pick goes to Hill. The foul trouble he got into in Game 3 is what kept him off the score sheet. I liked what I saw from him when he was not riding the bench. So Hill then Jackson, and I'll go from there.

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  17. I'll be going with David West tomorrow night..
    .....Still have IND - Hibbert and Stephenson
    ...................MIA - LBJ, Wade and Bosh

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  18. Going with Hibbert for Monday night. Still have Lance left for IND and used Allen and Wade for MIA. Which means I should be good enough for the Finals with Duncan, Leonard, James, Bosh, Green, Chalmers and Splitter.

    ReplyDelete

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