Yeah, it was mostly Reggie. Brooks put Thabo on him in the 3Q and Thomas scored 2 points. But Reggie is a good defender, Chuck says so.

By the way, by these advance stats, Fisher is also a good defender. He was average 10 years ago, he stinks now.

Do you know why Westbrook averaged 35 minutes a game the last few years? It would be because he and KD often didn't play entire 4Q due to blowouts. The Thunder had A LOT of blowouts the last couple years. In competitive games, they played 40+ most of the time.

By the way, Reggie was pretty dreadful again tonight, on both ends of the floor.

Jackson played many minutes against other team's starters. That is so silly, to act like he only ever plays against back ups. He has had some very good games against other teams starters WITH KD and Russ on the floor. That is the difference between making 12-14 million and 6-8 million. At this point, he is showing he isn't really that guy that can do it on his own. Maybe it will change after next year, maybe not.

I never said he wouldn't make 8 million. But if he plays better, as many expected (not you of course, oh mighty seer), he could make plenty more. There was plenty of talk nationally that Reggie was playing himself out of OKC back in December.

If all he ever turns out to be is a Brandon Knight or Brandon Jennings, he'll be gone. They are overpaid for what they bring, and Presti won't overpay.

You thought Cleveland would win 55 games this year

Westbrook averaged 35 minutes a game because that what NBA starters for the most part play. Do you think that other teams dont rest players in blowouts of either side?

That backups play a lot against other backups is a pretty basic theory. Didn't you just say that Westbrook sat a lot of 4th quarters out in blowouts? Wouldnt his backup being playing a lot of those blowout minutes? How can it be both?

If you or anyone else thought that Reggie Jackson was worth 12-14 million a year or was going to be worth that there is just no point discussing the topic any further.

Brandon Knight and Brandon Jennings arent worth 8 million a year but Jackson might be worth 14 million? Again outside of being a blind homer who thinks every Thunder 6th man is going to develop into an all star why would anyone think that Jackson would be anything more than what he is?

Couple huge games tonight. Hoping my West teams can hold home court tonight against 2 of the best teams in the NBA.

That isn't the point. Jackson basically never plays 35 minutes, let alone average 35, at least until very recently. And this is for a team with a backup PG that isn't even really a PG any longer.

Do you ever actually read anything and try to understand what is being said, or do you just like to spin it to what you want to read. I never said Jackson was worth 12-14 million. I said had he stepped in and played at the same level he did as a bench player, he would have been. It isn't like I was the only person saying that.

He was averaging 13 or 14 a game in backup minutes. Had he played an extra 6-7 minutes a game and raised that to 18 and 6 or 7 assists, his value would have went up. I never said it WOULD happen, but he had certainly played well enough that it COULD have happened...except of course to you who had him pegged correctly all along, as you are never wrong about anything.

By the way, pretty funny he got torched on D last night. Guess you are wrong once in a while.

Of course they do. Do you think many teams had even close to the amount of blowout wins OKC had last year? The point was that Jackson has not played the minutes most expected when Westbrook went down. He hasn't earned them. Brooks has chosen to give some to Fisher. In fact, until the last few games, his minutes basically hadn't changed from when he wasn't starting.

Your insistence on strictly using your opinion and ignoring the numbers leads me to ask the following questions:
Do you think that Jackson is any good?
Do you think that he is an $5 million a year player at his current level or with just a slight uptick
Do you think he will get an 8 million or so offer after next year if all remains the same (no injuries to him or another key player)
Do you think that he has has the ability to be a $12-$14 million dollar a year player?
If no did you ever?
If yes what makes you think that other than you watch a bunch of OKC games?

By the way while he didn't play particularly good individual defense, 15 of Thomas' 1st half points were scored while Jackson wasn't on the floor.

Nice, typical passive aggressive shot. I've used plenty of numbers, just not ones you like.

I'll humor you and answer, why I have no idea.

Do you think that Jackson is any good? yes, though "any good" is not really much of a question.

Do you think that he is an $5 million a year player at his current level or with just a slight uptick No doubt about it

Do you think he will get an 8 million or so offer after next year if all remains the same (no injuries to him or another key player)Of course he will

Do you think that he has has the ability to be a $12-$14 million dollar a year player? No

If no did you ever? I did not think he was, and have said so often with Thunder fans. But many people did, including national basketball guys that actually follow the game (not guys like Barkley and Shaq). I thought it was possible he could play himself into that range, but not likely.

If yes what makes you think that other than you watch a bunch of OKC games? I watch all the games, usually twice. I find it funny you think you know more about OKC players than I do because you sort some advanced stats.


By the way while he didn't play particularly good individual defense, 15 of Thomas' 1st half points were scored while Jackson wasn't on the floor. And why, exactly, wasn't he on the floor? Because he was getting torched.

It is pretty clear what Jackson is at this point.
He is a small SG with some PG skills who needs to continue to improve his 3 point shooting. While his sample size is still relatively small he clearly has the physical tools and ability to be a starting level player in the NBA. There are a few guys who are physically the same size and with similar skill sets that are making roughly 8 million a year which is what Jackson will most likely command unless his game just craters or he gets hurt. While he isn't necessarily young for a 3rd year player he surely has more improvement left in him which will probably price him out of the Thunder's ability to pay him and may let him walk if he gets a big offer in restricted free agency. Of course a lot of what OKC does with his contract depends on the status of Westbrook's knee. Who knows if they are spooked maybe they offer him an extention after this year?

Check back on this in 2 years.

Please name one guy who anyone has remotely heard of that thought Jackson was possibly a 12-14 million dollar a year player? He was a 23% 3 point shooter coming into this year and he is 6'3". This was never the 2nd coming of Harden and I don't know anyone and never read anywhere that thought that.

Guys who play 32 minutes a game play 8 minutes a quarter.

I saw where the Wizards may look to get Greg Monroe, acquiring him would pretty much lock up the 3 seed in the East for Washington.

I saw that and thought who or what do they possibly have that would interest Detroit? They already traded their 1st rd pick this year, cant trade next years and don't really seem to have any players or combination of players that could make that deal happen. I suppose maybe they can get a third team involved?

I have no idea if they could do it or not but Otto Porter to Phoenix, Phoenix sends Channing Frye and the 1st rounder they got in the Gortat trade to Detroit, Det sends Monroe to Wash?

For whatever it's worth, there are currently eight teams playing .600 or better. Here are the records against each other:

Portland 8-3 +2.5ppg
OKC 8-4 +7.3
Indiana 6-3 +5.1
Miami 3-2 -1.2
Houston 6-6 -3.5
LA 5-7 +0.5
SA 3-8 -5.7
GS 3-9 -4.7

I mentioned the few big games yesterday. Houston was impressive. Disapointed yet again with Golden St. I should also clarify something from last week. I think Indiana is a great team. I think they would win the West if they were in that conference. I prefer Miami because I do believe they have the ability to turn it on, turn it up play great D and be better then Indiana. Plus they have a few wild cards this year with Oden and Beasley. Former #1 and #2 overall picks. But as of now, Indiana is the much better team. Miami has to improve and they have to be able to flip that switch, or they are in big trouble. As for the above stats, the Clippers and Spurs are most telling IMO. I feel like the Clippers dont play good against good teams. This stat kind of confirms that. I feel like San Antonio is a horrible matchup for certain teams like Golden St, Houston and OKC. That stat proves that also.

Well no **** Chuck.

San Antonio is a horrible match up for OKC? What exactly points to that? Is it OKC winning 8 of the last 10 head to head that makes you think that, including 2-0 this year with a thrashing in SA?

As for this part, you don't find anyone talking specific numbers. I've seen a few articles mentioning him as a potential all-star (don't agree), and that the Thunder will have to be creative to keep him. If you are right and he would only be offered around 8 per season, then him leaving was never a real concern. OKC can and will do that in a heartbeat. But you can find tons of articles around that indicate he was playing himself out of his role here, meaning OKC wouldn't be able to pay him. That means 8 per year was not the number most were projecting, or even close to that. About the closest I've seen to mentioning actual numbers is that he "isn't a max guy", which I don't think anybody ever thought. The thing is, it only takes one team to agree he is a potential all star and he'll get overpaid.

Nobody ever said he was Harden, but there are several articles out there comparing their production with OKC, and the numbers are close. It wasn't the craziest thing in the world to think Jackson's numbers would rise given extra minutes. He averaged 14.2 PPG in December and 3.6 assists in 26.5 minutes. In January, his minutes went to 31.5, but his PPG only went up 0.9, and his assists 0.6. It wasn't the craziest thing to think he would play 35 minutes a game, and at the same rate he would have averaged 19.5 and 4.8. I don't really think his career 3P% is relevant as a young player. This year is what he will be judged on in that area, and he is average and improving.

His erratic defense has kept his minutes down, and he hasn't played as well against starters. But again, it was possible, and had he done that his price tag would have gone up. It isn't like no bench player has ever stepped into a starting role and increased production. It isn't like he didn't have some big games this year in the 4Q against other teams starters, including a couple monster games against the Spurs.

If Westbrook never missed time, and Jackson stayed in the same role, it is likely that Jackson would have priced himself out of OKC. Somebody would have offered him too much money based on his play in that role, thinking he could do even more as a starter. Now, that is pretty clearly unlikely. That is what I meant by my "saved OKC money" comment.

Wonder how many of the SA games they sat one or more of their better players

I have a hard time believing that they will commit 8 or more million to a non starting player. IMO Jackson is not a great fit as a starter on this team because he is not really a PG. Anchoring the 2nd team he is ball dominant and looking to be the 1st option which he obviously cant do while starting. That doesn't mean he isn't an effective player because his numbers are still good, however unlike Westbrook who is every bit in charge of the offense as Durant when playing together Jackson cant do that.

I don't think that anything that has happened to Westbrook has much effect on Jacksons value. I do not believe that unless he starts shooting 40% from 3 point range will he ever get above that 8 million a year ceiling. The question is he going to be happy coming off the bench for a top team or want to start for a potentially lessor team. Harden wouldn't. Problem OKC has is that they keep drafting good players and eventually they are going to have to pay them. It isn't really a "problem" per se but the Lakers, Heat, Knicks, Clippers, etc are willing to go over cap to do so and OKC won't. Despite all the changes and tweaks to the cap the big market teams still have a big advantage that a few have traded in by hiring Billy King or letting the wrong family member run the team like Jim Buss (and I'm sure if Dolan has a sister she could do better than him too)

Somebody will probably give him something close to a max contract next year, if Detroit doesn't plan on matching it...(they didn't sign him to an extension this year when they had a chance)...maybe they will just take a player like Otto Porter or throw in Jerebko for Ariza and his expiring contract. Obviously having Josh Smith, Drummond and Monroe playing together isn't working...and Monroe looks to be the odd man out.

I can only guess that with the stat you gave, plus that the Rockets are 2-0 in SA this year that he's saying the Spurs struggle with those teams. They have beaten Golden State twice, including one where none of the big three played in Oakland.

The Rockets game last night was terrific and helped them exorcise some demons from last week's 2nd half debacle vs. OKC. I have felt all along that the Rockets are a bad matchup for Portland, as their lack of defensive intensity sets up a team loaded with outside shooters with tons of open shots. Aldridge is tremendous, but he has now been just a bit below his best twice when matched up with Dwight Howard. I'd love to see Houston-Portland at some point in the playoffs.

The part about OKC simply isn't true. They are willing to go over the cap, they just aren't going to do it carelessly. I assume you mean the luxury tax threshold, not the cap. I say this because they already were willing to do it to keep Harden. The offer they made would have had them over the number immediately.

They are being careful now not to go over it this year because of the repeater penalties. They know they will go over soon. There really isn't any way to avoid it with the long terms deals of Durant, Westbrook, and Ibaka.

Yeah, that is the confusing part, they kind of own Golden State, but certainly not the other two.

The game was fun last night. I hope it wore down Portland a little for tonight. In the late game, Golden State was disappointing.

Yeah I'm sure they dont want him to just walk but they could also do a sign and trade after the season to someone else who might be able to give them more than Porter who seems like a giant question mark right now.

Beverly being back helps Houston a lot. Allows Lin to come off bench and gives them solid perimeter defender in backcourt that neither Harden or Lin or Aaron brooks is.

Right. Going over the cap slightly or once isnt a big deal if you are a contender. But you have other teams that are willing to just pay no mind to the tax, even the repeater tax which small market teams just cant afford to do. The Nets and Knicks are so far over its a joke. Now they are over because they both have a lot of older guys who make far more money than their current skills say they should which shows in their records. But if they actually hired good GM's and let them do their job it would be unfair for them to just keep signing and keeping guys and paying the tax AND winning. No one complains a lot now because the 2 highest payroll teams stink.

Should be a good game tonight in OK-C. 5th game in 7 nights for Portland, not to mention the second of a back to back.

Absolutely. Beverley was a real spark last night and made good plays when Portland cut it to single digits. He is a solid defender and a good 3 point shooter. He's a tremendous find by Daryl Morey, and he makes about 10% of the man who backs him up.

And a questionable Batum...

We'll see how it plays out when the penalties get severe. Right now, it hasn't really kicked in. It will in the next couple years, and we'll see how long the big market teams continue to pay the tax. I don't think they will be as willing as in the past.

Love or hate Mark Cuban, he is a smart guy and a very rich guy, and he wants no parts of the penalties.

I got off my butt so I have time to go tonight. Looking forward to it.

Batum looks like he'll give it a try...hopefully they play a little bit on the defensive end tonight. I'm sure the Thunder don't forget letting that one slip away three weeks ago. I don't see Durant being held to one point in the 4th quarter tonight.

You have it backwards or I said it backwards. I feel like those teams are all better in a 7 game series then the Spurs. The matchup is wrong for the Spurs is the point I was trying to make. Young, athletic teams. Other then Lebron, Miami is not athletic. Spurs matched up well last year with Miami.

Hard to believe Portland can even be competitive tonight with the hard stretch of games they have had.
OKC opens at 3, up to 6.5 and 7 at some places.

Durant is playing crazy good basketball right now.

Good 4 game road trip for the Blazers. Spurs and Thunder are the top two teams in the West. Durant is pretty much unstoppable, it's really too bad Westbrook had to get hurt on that odd play in last year's playoffs.