When the news broke that Thunder forward Serge Ibaka would sit out the Western Conference Finals, Oklahoma City’s already narrow path to the NBA Finals became nearly impossible. The Thunder were never known for their defense and without their best stopper in the paint, a gap wide enough to fit the national deficit was left in its place, perfect for the rugged San Antonio Spurs to exploit.
Exploit the Spurs did, destroying the exposed Thunder 112-77 last night. Who on the Thunder is going to stop Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard in the paint? Who on the Thunder is going to deter Danny Green or Tony Parker's layups? Certainly not Kendrick Perkins.
The only modicum of comfort the Thunder can find is there’s no way Danny Green is going to make seven threes again or Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will combine to score a paltry 30 points.
But some holes are just too deep to fill. The stat pops at you is how San Antonio went 16 for 16 at the foul line. Without an interior defender to contest shots, the Spurs will keep barreling Parker and Manu Ginobili into the paint, killing the Thunder at the charity stripe.
The Thunder were in a similar position down 2-0 to San Antonio in 2012, which was a series they ended up winning. That team had a healthy Ibaka and James Harden. This incarnation of the Thunder has Jeremy Lamb.
After the first two games, you can pencil the Spurs in for the Finals as the Eastern Conference sorts itself out.
