Thunder Storm Back To Spoil Spurs’ Homecoming

You can pick a few different highlights from the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Game 5 win over the San Antonio Spurs as your metaphor for what’s happened in the Western Conference Finals so far.

Harden in the final minute, one-on-one with the shot clock running down, nailing a fatal stepback three that left us all shaking our heads.

“They’re a hell of a basketball team,” Gregg Popovich said afterward. “I don’t know what else to tell ya.” There’s not much to say. If you love basketball, you have to love what’s happening here. And if you’ve watched much of this series, how can you not love basketball?

There is plenty of postgame press conferences, quote sheets and random shootaround fodder worthy of watching when it comes to the best of Coach Pop, but luckily for us TNT did a “Best Of” during Monday night’s coverage of the Western Conference Finals.

That video has quite a bit of Coach Pop making fun of Craig Sager’s suits, which is always fun, but the best part is probably when he challenges the reporters to ask better questions ... that, or when Bearded Pop asks if he’s being punked ... and of course, the “nasty” reference has already become an instant classic.

It seemed as though San Antonio was on its way to a comeback victory after trailing by eight points at halftime, but Harden’s dagger three-pointer close the door on any sort of Spurs momentum. The loss was a serious surprise to those that have followed San Antonio’s season considering tit was the first time they’ve lost three consecutive games all season -- especially since it came at what was likely the most inopportune time.

For more on the Spurs, check out Pounding the Rock. For Thunder news and notes, visit Welcome To Loud City. And for news, analysis and everything else revolving around the NBA Playoffs, be sure to visit SB Nation’s NBA page.

Obvious point is obvious. Can the Thunder hold on in spite of this shaky late-game execution?

Now’s not the time to break plays offensively like you did dribbling for 16 seconds before committing a turnover.

Pictured: Kevin Durant getting his dunk attempt swatted back by the bottom of the rim.

Not pictured: Durant recovering to hit an eight-foot baseline jumper.

Back in the first quarter, the Spurs lost a sizeable lead when Tim Duncan picked up his second foul. The Spurs went small, but none of their backup big men were legitimate threats to score, allowing the Thunder to cheat off them and seal off driving lanes. That led to a bunch of Spurs turnovers and a big Thunder lead.

Well, it happened again in the third quarter. With four minutes and 23 seconds remaining, Duncan picked up his fourth foul. At that point, the Spurs were up three. From then on, the Thunder outscored the Spurs 15-3.

TNT host Ernie Johnson has spent more than a decade working with the outspoken Charles Barkley. This year, he had to also figure out a way to work in Shaquille O’Neal despite Shaq’s major lack of experience working for television. He’s had to somehow manage all these personalities, all of whom often figure out a way to scream over each other ... and he always manages to seem cool, calm and collected.

Obviously, then, it was some producer or intern who put Johnson over the edge.

The stats may not show it, but Russell Westbrook has been outstanding in this game. Normally, he isn’t very crisp brushing off ball screens in running pick and roll. But in this game, he’s been fantastic, changing speeds just when his primary defender is off-balance. That’s why he’s been living in the lane and finding teammates for open jumpers and dunks.

Recently, the San Antonio Spurs have done a good job of creating open shots, but they aren’t going in. For example, Tony Parker had nobody within 10 feet of him in the right corner, and he still missed a wide-open three.

Why? Well, the previous statement kind of answers the question. Parker took just 24 corner threes all year, proving that it’s just not a comfortable shot. Confused by the unfamiliarity, his shot was out of rhythm and he missed.

It’s all posturing, but it’s still meaningful. It remains to be seen if Ibaka’s actions will be painted as self-assured or arrogant.

I think the Oklahoma City Thunder will be OK despite their slow start. They’ve created some decent opportunities, but they’re rushing everything because their poise is shaken from the early foul ridiculousness. Keep those shoulders square, motions fluid and minds cleared, and good things will come.

We’ve played 53 seconds, and Serge Ibaka has two fouls. Nick Collison also has one. If those three plays happened in Oklahoma City, maybe one is called a foul, and that’s only because Manu Ginobili pulled a Chris Paul move and stopped in his tracks to let Ibaka run over him from behind.