We apologize here at Blue Blitz for our recent lacking coverage. Hey, we have lives outside of the blogosphere you know, and would like to enjoy our holidays just as I'm sure you did. But we aren't even totally being hedonistic pigs, either. We've had legitimate work to do, and I know that we (well, at least Zorgon) have been working to get them done. Not to worry readers, I am 100% confident that we are ready to right the ship and press on with your favorite coverage of the opening chapter in the OKC Thunder history books (Wow, what a good read.It's got action, tragedy, triumph, and a wardrobe full of aweful ties; what else does a book need?).

Backstory:I'd like to take you back to November 26th, the last time the Thunder met this Phoenix team. The Thunder, of course, ruined a 12 point lead in the fourth quarter, and Brian Davis' dagger was left in the sheath. The story isn't the Thunder blowing a lead. That seems to happen every game. However, this was simply the most memorable collapse of them all. You remember I'm sure, how Steve Nash seemed to rattle off 500 consecutive spot-on shots, how Matt Barnes hit the game-winning three, how the Thunder never fouled at the end of the game, and how everyone in the Ford Center was crushed...CRUSHED! Well, now it's round two. A lot has changed since then. Scott Brooks has two more victories under his belt than he did before, bringing the grand total up to...2. Desomond Mason and Joe Smith are in the starting line-up. What else? Well, that's about it. Still, we gave them a good shot the first time and there's no reason to expect less tonight...right???

Match-Ups:

Russell Westbrook vs. Steve Nash

Edge: Nash

Outside of D'Antoni's system, Nash hasn't been quite in his old all-NBA form, and Westbrook will give him a lot to handle on the defensive end. Still, you don't win two MVPs for no reason.

Desmond Mason vs. Jason Richardson

Edge:JRich

Pretty athletic match-up, Richardson may be on my all-under-rated team.

Kevin Durant vs. Grant Hill

Edge: KD

Old vs. new school. No time like the present.

Jeff Green vs Amare Stoudemire

Edge:Stoudemire

Amare is an all-world power forward, no way Jeff Green can contain him.

Joe Smith vs Shaquille O'Neal

Edge:Shaq

He's always been a force, but the Big Diesel is now the old diesel. Still, Joe Smith's rightful place is 6th man.

Battle of the Benches

Edge: Thunder

It seems like I chose the Thunder too much, but the JRich trade made Phoenix a bit more top heavy

Coaching and Intangibles

Edge: Suns

How can you say the Thunder have any intangible edge, after losing the match that had been dubbed the worst two teams to play each other ever?

Player to Watch: Russell Westbrook. That world famous Nash defense is a little suspect, Russ should have a field day.

God of Thunder's Pick: Suns 101 Thunder 90

Comments

B

i

u

Quote

Code

List

List item

URL

Name *
Code   

Submit Comment