Thunderous Intentions
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Game day preview OKC Thunder – Utah Jazz: two well balanced squads begin series

By Tamberlyn Richardson

Donovan Mitchell, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, OKC Thunder (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
Donovan Mitchell, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, OKC Thunder (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 21: Tipoff against Rudy Gobert
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 21: Tipoff against Rudy Gobert /

Keys to winning:

Certainly there are clear areas of advantages for each squad, and yet the point guard and center battles may be the most intriguing. On one hand there is last season’s MVP, Russell Westbrook or Mr. Trip-Dub as I’m tending to lean toward calling him. He’ll matchup versus the youngster Donovan Mitchell. The young Jazz wunderkid made Ben Simmons automatic claim on Rookie of the Year at least a discussion.

Up front, the likely Defensive Player of the Year – Rudy Gobert will battle the OKC Thunder’s favorite Kiwi, Steven Adams.

Obviously which Paul George (oh, sorry, ‘Playoff P’ ) and Carmelo Anthony show up will be massive factors. Ditto for my accountant Joe Ingles. Sorry I couldn’t resist – (and I love Ingles), he just doesn’t look like a prototypical athlete.

There are a number of questions which won’t get answered until Game 1 has played out. For example, how much playmaking will Ricky Rubio be responsible for versus Mitchell? Will Corey Brewer play and if he does can he be effective?

And, then the coaching battle could offer it’s own debate. On one hand there is Billy Donovan who has demonstrated an ability to excel in the postseason. Versus a definite COY candidate Quin Snyder who excels at player development regardless of age and is a defensive savant.

In preparation for today, Thunderous Intentions offers up the following first game items for your perusal:

Thunderous Intentions Round Table

Part 1: TI Writing Team offers up their opinions on

  • Expectations of OK3
  • How do OKC measure up to Jazz (would you rather they faced a different squad in Round 1)
  • How much experience will play a factor
  • Corey Brewer – will he play, what is needed from him

OKC Thunder – Utah Jazz Series: Round Table Part 1

Part II:

  • X-Factor
  • Coach comparison
  • Team advantage/weakness
  • Series Prediction

OKC Thunder – Utah Jazz Series: Round Table Part II

Roster Analysis: 

Comparing the frontcourts – Stephen Dolan dives in to analyze which position has advantages, and what OKC need to do to win this battle in the trenches. How Big Man Battle Can Define Series

Film Room:

Gideon Lim returns to the film room to examine the dilemma of pace. Lim offers up evidence of how Russell Westbrook’s defensive rebounds are a key factor in the series.  Westbrook defensive rebounds key to dictating series pace. 

Five Keys to OKC Thunder winning series:

Finally, Austin Sternlicht offers up the five key factors which will decide the series winner and what the OKC Thunder need to specifically do to move on. 5 Deciding factors for OKC series win

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