Western Conference Finals: (1) San Antonio vs. (2) Oklahoma City

ibaka is out for the playoffs

spurs in 5

 

OKLAHOMA CITY, May 16, 2014 – Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka underwent an MRI today that confirmed he suffered a left calf injury during the third quarter of last night’s contest against the Los Angeles Clippers, the team announced. Ibaka is expected to miss the remainder of the 2014 postseason.

Ibaka is averaging 12.2 points on 69-of-112 (.616) shooting from the field, 7.3 rebounds and 2.23 blocks in 13 postseason games. During the 2013-14 regular season, Ibaka notched career-highs with 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds, while leading the league in total blocks for the fourth consecutive season with 219 blocked shots.

“We are obviously disappointed for Serge, as he is a tremendous competitor, and we know how badly he wants to be on the court with his teammates,” said Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. “At this point it is important that our team directs its concentration and energy towards preparation and execution for our upcoming series. As with all teams, our group has confronted different challenges. It is our collective experience that we will call on to ensure that we play to our capabilities.”

http://www.nba.com/thunder/#/story/n...e_ibaka_140516

 

Spurs in 5... Rematch versus Heat in Finals.

Yawn.

 

The Spurs weren't gonna take the Thunder lightly with or without Ibaka.

 

Last seasons Finals were great games...nothing boring about it at all

 

Yawn ? That was one of the craziest finals . Jesus ..

 

You're right, they were entertaining. I just wanted someone than the Heat or Spurs to win this year.

 

the spurs have the easiest road to the finals.

 

Ibaka's out? I guess Parker, Manu and Mills are gonna have a field day in the paint. I'll take Spurs in 6 then.

 

That's a huge minus for OKC.

 

It'll be a "gentleman's sweep" Spurs in 5

 

I'd like to amend my OKC in 6 pick...

 

Still a toss up, but I'll go with SA in 7 games. Bear in mind, any instrumental SA player - several of whom aren't exactly spring chickens - could easily go down with an injury.

 

If Brooks just inserts Collison into the starting lineup, I'd really like to have Brooks fired at the the end of the quarter.

 

OKC will play small for the most part now. Prob the best plan against the spurs but the spurs small ball lineups will be too much as well with Guys like Mills and belinelli playing the way they are. Plus Diaw is a huge advantage for the Spurs because he's quick enough to guard the likes of guys like butler but would abuse them offensively as well.

 

Question : Do you think Kawhi will get some minutes defending Westbrook as opposed to defending Durant? I'm sure he will spend most of the time guarding Durant, but if he shuts down Westbrook, I think the Thunder will be screwed since KD won't be able to handle the offensive load all by himself.

 

That is really bad. Duncan will have a field day against them.

 

Thunder should still be able to win 2 games simply because of Durant and Westbrook's brilliance with Jackson or someone getting hot.

Will be interesting to see what kind of lineups Brooks uses with Ibaka out. Reggie Jackson has been torching the Spurs.

 

Similar to when the Heat lost Chris Bosh to an ab strain v. the Pacers and 6 games v. Celtics in 2012.

Lebron and Wade went off for a few games to help them advance. KD/WB will need to have some "historic" statistical games for them to pull through this series.