H.O.R.S.E dba G.E.I.C.O, Lakers 105, Thunder 98

In case you haven't heard, Kevin Durant will be one of three participant's in All-Star Weekend's H.O.R.S.E. Contest. The other participants are O.J. Mayo and Joe Johnson. I'm excited about the event and that participant's. It's great exposure for KD and the Thunder. Plus, I think he has a real shot at winning.

Thoughts on Thunder v. Lakers

It was a really great effort by the Thunder all game long. The time for moral victories is over but this was not a bad loss. The Lakers are the best team I've seen the Thunder face all year.

The Lakers are the best because their entire lineup rebounds well on both ends of the floor, is the most disciplined team I've seen and they are big. Kobe Bryant is a nice asset as well.

In a hypothetical world which includes the Thunder in the playoffs, the Lakers are the team I'd want to face the least. It's not even close.

Pau Gasol is both a beast and First Team All Goofy.

Nick Collison had a rough first half. See above.

Jeff Green is quickly running out of places to wear pads.

The "MVP" chant for Kobe has become as cliche as "Everybody Clap Your Hands" at Thunder games. It's even more annoying.

The Lakers were so physical inside it seemed like a good chance for Chris Wilcox to get some minutes but he didn't play.

It's pretty clear that there are "Have's" and "Have Not's" on this team. The "Have's" will be on the roster next year and they are KD, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook, Kyle Weaver, Nenad Krstic and Nick Collison. Everyone else is likely gone except for maybe Dez Mason. D.J. White will be here too but he doesn't really count because he's inactive.

KD, Green, Westbrook, Weaver and Collison/Krstic are going to be playing A LOT together the rest of the year. I couldn't be more pleased about it.

NBA Fan Night

This is actually a really cool idea by the NBA. Every Tuesday is Fan Night on NBATV. NBATV will show a game voted for by the fans. Voting for the games is done during the week prior. This is the only way the Thunder can hope to get additional games televised nationally. As it stands, the Thunder have one game televised nationally, Friday, November 21st against the Hornets. The Thunder have 11 games scheduled for Tuesday night this season and among them such notable opponents as the Lakers (twice), the Spurs (twice), the Suns, the Hornets and the Knicks. Obviously, the Knicks and Lakers are in the two largest markets so there's some opportunity here.

There are 3 games nominated each week so the Thunder won't always be an option but keep this link handy in case it ever happens. The link is also on the right of this page.