Western Conf. Finals Game 3 Recap: Clothing Issues the Biggest Problem for OKC

The Thunder won, by enough. 106-97.
Im not recapping the entire game for you, because I saw it, and if you really care you would have or will watch it yourself. Although I must mention several topics. (I must point out that I am a raging, KD fan and therefore cherish the Thunder).

Serge Ibaka. The 6ft 10inch guy out of the Congo, flipping showed up. And I mean that, after it was expected that he wouldn't. Only 10 days ago Serge suffers a major calf strain which is firstly diagnosed as a season ending injury.
Although 2 days before game three the injury changed to a Day to Day situation before he walks out on the court for the game.
Now either we are seeing a rather major cock up by the young team doctor or a organisational tactical move. One in which Sam (Darth Sideous) Presti attempted to manipulate the wise and unrelenting Spurs Jedi council into believing that they didn't have to deal with the ring protecting tyrant any longer in the hope of springing an attack on them. Obviously Master Popovich, or Master Pop's as the youngling's call him, is far smarter than Yoda and expected the return all along. (This relation to Star Wars is gradually falling apart the longer I go with it).
Anyway, say this was a plan from the beginning they went to the extent of making Serge believe it. He reported that "he cried after hearing the news from the doctor," that he wouldn't be able to play in the playoffs.

How it happened doesn't really matter now, he is back, hopefully to stay.
Let us all be reminded of how important he is, because whether we are committed fans or just pretend we know things about the NBA, we can all generally discuss the Thunders two superstars, whilst Serge gets far less, and often none of the spotlight. Todays game, yet again highlighted the fact that the power forward dramatically changes games.
Yes Russell Westbrook is a better player, although to the Thunder, Serge is just as important, but gets no where near as much credit. He doesn't get triple doubles, isn't as exciting and doesn't dress like a blind man without a carer.
Although Ibaka does get good stats (15.1ppg, 8.8rpg, 2.7bpg, .536 FG% this season) most of what he does doesn't come in the form of raw box score numbers most fans idolise players for.
Most obvious of which is his ring protection, in the first two games of the series the spurs scored 120 points in the paint (Gm 1: 66, Gm 2: 54) without Ibaka. In game 3, with what should be a "not 100%," PF defending them the Spurs scored only 40, not to mention the 4 blocks.
Not only does this stop them scoring in the paint, Serge is the anchor of the defence. Without him the thunder look awful. Russell diving on every pump fake and taking massive risks most SanAntonio possessions, he is truly the biggest gambler since Archie Karas. Kevin has to play bigger than he is a lot of the time and even Thabo couldn't handle anyone without the security of the rim stopper behind him.
Serge, stretches the floor, provides a 3rd reliable scoring option and sets damn good screens (which actually the other OKC bigs can do, for the most part (if KP gets there in time)).

Serge Ibaka changes this series. Someone give him some love.

Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard will need to come out stronger in game 4 for the Spurs to win away. Tony Parker uncharacteristically threw the ball away far to many times today and it hurt them. He had 4 turnovers and contributed to a few others whilst shooting 4 of 13 from the field after an awful start to the game. Kawhi had 10 for the game although almost seemed non existent for most of the game besides a big dunk in the third.
Manu was brilliant in the first half and normally a spurs team where he scores 20 plus is a winning team, although no one came with him or was able to take over when he went quiet after the major break.

Game 4 will be very exciting, the Spurs will certainly adjust and Serge will be able to rest before then. OKC's biggest problem which stood out after game 3 although was the clothing issues presented by the back-back-backup centre Hasheem Thabeet. I snapped this picture at the end of the 4th quarter today.

Remember the days when your mother dressed you.

After sitting on the bench for so long the 7 foot centre has unfortunately forgotten how to properly wear clothes. This has become a problem for 3rd string big men in the past having spent so much time watching the game from the sideline that they cannot formulate the correct body actions to place their shorts in the acceptable position. 

When questioned after the game today about his extended minutes, (3:24, couldn't have been more than that, I don't care at all about him so cannot be stuffed to look it up and get it right), he responding by saying "yes it was very unfortunate, I was pumped and ready to go when coach pointed to me. I started strong, but after my first foul call I looked up at the screen and noticed my shorts where up covering my nipples." When the reporter asked if it hurt to have your shorts that high, Hasheem gingerly reached for his crotch and then left the room.

Derek Fisher was clearly frustrated by the big mans lack of awareness and commented by saying "us veterans do all we can to teach these kids how to act in the NBA, although we can only do so much, some guys just don't get it."

This has become an ongoing problem for Thabeet who was embarrassed to reveal it occurred once before on the 21/12/2012 photo below (the last time he really played basketball).

J-