By now I’m sure you have all heard the story about Victor Oladipo sending a text to his trainer just minutes after being eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers. His “When do we start?” message to the trainer showed that despite just losing, he wasn’t looking forward to taking any time off or making summer travel plans. He was ready to get right back into it but as we have since found out, he also had time to take care of even more important matters.
Oladipo found out about a young Pacers fan who was having a much tougher time in life than just dealing with the loss of a basketball game. Cameron Kirk, a 10 year old Pacers fan, who was diagnosed with Leukemia on April 16th and has been getting chemotherapy treatment since, was thrilled when he received his letter from Oladipo, which encouraged him to stay strong.
This man is hands down one of the best role models in a long time! His speech after Game 7 was phenomenal & Cameron receiving this today proves his words are genuine! Thank you @VicOladipo you put a huge smile on my son’s face and made mom & dad’s hearts happy! #CaptainKirkpic.twitter.com/W4mYyHiRGr
I recently heard about your battle with Leukemia, and I just wanted to encourage you to stay strong! I know this is a scary and very frustrating time right now, but you must believe in yourself and everyone around you that is helping you through this time.
May God give you the strength, comfort, and special blessings that you need as you face each new day. No matter the road you are given, remember to never give up. You never know what God has planned for your life.
I wish you all the best through your treatment and encourage you to keep a positive attitude and listen to your doctors, nurses, and parents — they are there to help you win this battle! All my teammates and I are #CameronStrong.
All the best, Victor Oladipo #4 Indiana Pacers
For Cameron’s mother, Carrie, who has had to see her son get weaker and pale with all the treatments, it was an overwhelmingly heartfelt moment.
“I won’t tell you what he said about LeBron,” she said with a laugh. “Cameron has just been very thankful that Victor would take the time to do this during the playoffs. He’s a very quiet kid, especially with what’s been going on.
“He just paused for a moment, and had this huge grin on his face. You could just tell.”
Something like this can go a long way to keeping a young child’s spirits up and letting them know that people out there really care about their well being. Just another reason to be a fan of Oladipo for doing class things like this.
The matchup between the Thunder and Jazz will be more exciting than everyone is expecting. The OKC Thunder are clicking on all cylinders right now and the shooters have been red-hot heading into the postseason. The Jazz have been clicking as well heading into the postseason as they won 6 of the last 7 games. Both teams want to set the physical tone in the paint and on the perimeter to get the upper advantage on the opposition. These teams know each other very well especially with being in the same division. The Thunder have the season series edge on the Jazz winning (3-1) in the 4 games played this season. That was the regular season and this is now the playoffs where it’s win or go home. This will be Donovan Mitchell’s first taste of the postseason but this will also be the first playoff game for OKC’s Big 3 playing together as well. One thing the Oklahoma City Thunder have an advantage in this series is playoff experience and instant offense. In the playoffs, OKC’s Big 3 playoff career stats combined are 70 PPG, 14.6 APG, 21.1 RPG. The Utah Jazz only have 4 years of experience in their starting lineup with 2 players in Rubio/Mitchell that will be making playoff debuts in OKC Sunday. The Thunder Big 3 combined has 23 years of playoff experience combined.
Below is a breakdown of matchups position by position and who will win that matchup and why including each teams bench.
Starting Point Guard Matchup – Russell Westbrook vs Ricky Rubio (Matchup Winner: Russell Westbrook)
Russell Westbrook is the reigning MVP and Ricky Rubio will have his hands full trying to guard or score on “The Brodie”. Russell Westbrook has locked in on the defensive end and he’s also playing within the offense finding his teammates with ease. Russell Westbrook is a matchup nightmare for anyone that wants to take the challenge of trying to stop him. Westbrook has one of the best mid-range jumpers in the game and he can easily blow by any defender. Ricky Rubio isn’t known for his defense or his offense but he’s able to find his teammate for assists. The biggest problem for Rubio is the fact that Westbrook stays in the passing lane and his intensity on the defensive end will make it tough to find his teammates at times. The way that Westbrook played all season and especially the way he ended the season shows that he will do anything to lead his team to victory. A lot of people don’t give Westbrook credit for his leadership and I don’t know why. All season Westbrook has led this team through the ups and downs. Westbrook put the team on his back and leads them inside and outside the locker room. Westbrook is the engine of this Thunder train and if the Utah Jazz want a chance to even stop this train they would need to double him. The problem with that is now Westbrook has help in Paul George and Carmelo Anthony which makes it tough on any opponent. Westbrook finished the season averaging 25.6 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 10.1 APG and I don’t see him slowing down anytime soon especially if Rubio doesn’t get help on the defensive end.
Starting Shooting Guard Matchup – Paul George vs Donovan Mitchell (Matchup Winner: Paul George)
Paul George gets the nod in this matchup just off the fact he reminded the media today that we haven’t seen “Playoff P”. On a serious note, PG-13 has found his shooting mojo as of late and it’s at the right time for the Thunder playoff run. Paul George is one of the best two-way players in the world and he will use the (ROTY) Mitchell as an example of how it is to lock up in clutch moments. Once Andre Roberson went down for the season Paul has picked it up defensively and has taken the challenge to guard the other teams best player. What people don’t get about PG-13 is that deflections/steals lead to easy buckets for him to get his offensive game going. When PG is being aggressive in games getting to the line 10+ times in a game the Thunder are 10-1 on the season and if he continues to attack it could be a quick round for Mitchell and Utah. When PG has his shot going early that opens up every element of his game from attacking, playmaking, and his confidence. Donovan Mitchell will have a huge task on his hands guarding Paul George but has a chance to slow him down a little bit. You can’t stop a player like PG you just hope to contain him and that’s what Mitchell will have to do. On the flip side, Paul George will have to defend Mitchell who averaged 20.5 PPG as a rookie and played amazing all year. Paul George will get physical with Mitchell and try to get him off his game early in games to knock his confidence down a couple notches. Mitchell will have to prove that he can lead the Jazz in 4-7 straight games against OKC and I don’t see that happening especially since PG is swarming you on defense. Mitchell is a rookie and doesn’t know the intensity of the playoffs yet and will make some mistakes because of lack of intensity. This will definitely be a great matchup but Paul George has the upper advantage overall.
Starting Small Forward Matchup – Corey Brewer vs Joe Ingles (Matchup Winner: Joe Ingles)
Joe Ingles has a slight advantage in this matchup because of his extended role on his team. Corey Brewer has been with the Thunder for only 16 games and will need to continue at the pace he’s been playing at in the playoffs. Brewer hurt his knee the other night against the Grizzlies and we don’t know if that will play a factor in his playing style. Brewer can defend and knock down 3 pointers for the Thunder but can he do it for 4-7 games straight against Ingles who means so much to this Jazz team. Joe Ingles will try to make it hard on Brewer with his playmaking ability, aggressiveness to the rim, and his knockdown shooting. Ingles is the emotional leader for this Jazz team and if he gets his confidence going he can get the better of Brewer in this matchup. Both players average about the same amount of points (10 PPG) with their respective teams and the player that gets their game going will boost that squad. Joe Ingles has a bigger role on his team and the Jazz depend on him more for offensive purposes as for Corey Brewer he takes what the defense gives him. Overall this should be a great matchup to watch for that isn’t star-studded in this series.
Starting Power Forward Matchup – Carmelo Anthony vs Derrick Favors (Matchup Winner: Carmelo Anthony)
Carmelo Anthony hasn’t been in the playoffs since 2015 with the New York Knicks and this will be his moment to put the NBA on notice. People have always labeled Melo as a ball stopper and when he came to OKC he sacrificed his ball-dominant style for this very moment to be in the playoffs. Carmelo has made the adjustments and will showcase his new playing style on a Derrick Favors that isn’t used to guarding a scoring threat like Carmelo in a series. This is a total mismatch for Favors because Melo can beat you anyway offensively once he gets the ball in his spot you’re at his mercy. Melo has been able to change his game to play off of Westbrook and PG but that has given him more energy to play on the defensive end as well. Melo increased his dunks and blocks this season with the Oklahoma City Thunder which shows he still has what it takes to prove doubters wrong. Favors will have his hands full on both ends and will have to use his post moves to advantage if he wants to at least make a serious impact in the series. The way that Westbrook and Anthony attack those boards it will be hard for Favors to have a consistent double-double effort in this series. Favors won’t be able to body Melo in the paint like he does other players that guard him because Anthony is stout and unmovable at times on the block. Carmelo Anthony will be able to draw Derrick Favors away from the basket which will leave him on “Melo Island” where he can get beat with the jumper or the quick first step of Melo. When you take Favors away from the basket it leaves the Jazz struggling on the defensive end when people attack the rim. Overall Carmelo Anthony will be feeling right at home in this matchup especially since the game slows down in the postseason.
Starting Center Matchup – Steven Adams vs Rudy Gobert (Matchup Winner: Toss Up)
This matchup between Steven Adams and Rudy Gobert will most definitely be EPIC!!! It’s very rare in the NBA to get a good matchup at the center position nowadays since the way the game has evolved into a permieter dominated sport. With that being said we get to see one of the most improved players (Big Kiwi) against one of the best defenders in the NBA (Eiffel Tower). This matchup can go both ways because each player has a post presence and great post moves. This matchup will come down to who is playing better at the rim and helping their teammates the most on the defensive end. Steven Adams has the smooth offense with a mini hook and catching alley-oops from Westbrook but Rudy Gobert also can dunk on opponents and shoot the occasional mid-range jumper. Both have improved on their skill set and it will be a great matchup in the paint. The thing that would help Adams in this matchup if I can choose one would be the fact that OKC has slashers that will cause Gobert to help on defense leaving Adams open a lot more. Rudy Gobert has stepped his game up as seen in last years postseason so we will have to see both of them in action in Game 1 and re-evaluate this matchup. This is one of those matchups that everyone will be looking forward too in the entire postseason.
Bench Matchup – OKC Thunder Bench vs Utah Jazz Bench (Matchup Winner: Thunder Bench)
The Thunder bench has more experience as a unit and has found their identity. Jerami Grant and Raymond Felton have been able to put the Thunder bench on their back and hold it down in moments when Westbrook, George, and Anthony need rest. The Thunder may be without Alex Abrines who has been great as of late but OKC’s bench is clicking at the right time as a whole. On the other end, the Jazz has players like Crowder and Exum who can get hot at times but haven’t been consistent on a nightly basis. The Thunder have been able to put together a great number of games at the end of the season which have boosted the benches confidence. If Grant and Felton can continue to play at this high level the Thunder bench will be fine. It’s going to come down to who’s bench has less responsibility in this series and with OKC’s firepower, it’s going to have the Jazz bench scrapping to try to stay in games by the time they come in the game.
I have the Thunder winning this series 4-1 as I believe the Thunder will have a lot of mismatches to expose in this matchup against Utah. If the Thunder continue to shoot the way they did to end the season this should be a quick round before they run into the 2nd round opponent. Westbrook, Anthony, and George formed together this summer to play for this very moment and I don’t see the Utah Jazz doing anything to pose a threat to their road to the NBA Finals.
Photo Credit: (Nate Billings, The Oklahoman) (Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman) (Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports)
Mike Conley took the time out to talk with SneakerReporter.com about his season-ending heel injury, sneakers, video games and etc. Conley is one of the most underrated players in the NBA and his focus is to make sure that everyone puts respect on his name. Being sidelined has been tough but Mike talked about the positives and talked about still being connected to the team. In his career, he’s averaged 14.2 points per game and 5.7 assists per game. Mike has shown consistency throughout his career and has been deserving of the big payday he received last offseason of 5 Year/$153 Million from the Grizzlies. In this interview, we were able to dive into a lot of interests of Mike on and off the court so enjoy.
SR: Since it’s March Madness time. What did it mean to you to see your school Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament this year?
MC: It’s always fun around this time of year with March Madness when you get to watch all these games. To have your school apart of that is always a great thing to have the representation of your school and the fans. People get to see all the schools that you don’t usually see nationally and they match up with different kind of powerhouse teams. It’s a cool environment and something cool to be associated with. I’m just happy the Buckeyes made it to the tournament again and hopefully, next season will be our year.
SR: What were your thoughts on (Ohio States) Kam Williams and what you like about his game?
MC: Kam has improved every single year man. He’s a great athlete and a great scorer as well. Kam has a very nice jump shot and as he’s gotten older he’s learned how to play at a certain speed and let the game slow down for him a little bit. He’s able to find his places a lot better than he did earlier in his career. I’m happy for him and hope he got everything he got out of college and more.
SR: What does it mean to you being apart of Jordan Brand and Nike? We’ve seen you spotted in some Jordan/Nike Off-White heat all year.
MC: It’s honestly a blessing to be apart of Jordan Brand. It’s a dream as a kid you never dreamed that you would be apart of a great company like this. Now that I am it’s really like a family atmosphere because they treat you like family and care about you as the individual. It’s not just about the basketball side or the shoe side they really want to see you succeed as a person. Those are all values that I looked for and hold dear to me. Now the shoes are obviously my favorite thing because I get to wear something exclusive or something new that no one else has and Jordan Brand always makes sure that we have that.
SR: What is your favorite Air Jordan of all-time? Also if you could customize your own Air Jordan to play in which would you use?
MC: My favorite Air Jordan of all-time is the Space Jam 11s. I like all the Jordan 11s but if I could customize my own pair to play in it would probably be the Jordan 10s. I love the way the Jordan 10s feel when I’m hooping and I play ball with them in my spare time.
SR: What were some of the positives you took from watching your team during your injury-recovery process?
MC: When you’re off the court and able to watch from the stands you learn a lot more about the coaching aspect of things. You get to understand different plays, sets, and different opportunities for game management. There are things that you don’t really get the feel of while you’re playing because you do it off of instinct. When you’re watching you have to think the game a lot more. So for me, it’s been a constant cycle of going through each game and picking and choosing different lessons I can learn from different games. I see different things that teammates have done better so hopefully, I can learn from them when I get back on the court. All those things are helping me become a better thinker of the game.
SR: How would you describe the Memphis Grizzlies atmosphere/culture? Also what does playing for the city of Memphis mean to you?
MC: Memphis is a unique city and a unique organization. We honestly feel like this city and organization is all one. We’re hand and hand with everything that we do in our community and with our games. It’s a small city and a blue-collar city because everyone works hard for what they get and they earn it. That’s kinda what we’ve had to do over the last seven or eight years we had to earn everything little bit that we got. That’s what is so special about this place because it’s unique but directly relatable to fans and relatable to the community in that aspect.
SR: How much do you miss being out there on the court/off the court with your teammates during your recovery?
MC: I miss it so much man honestly. I’m reminded of it every time I’m around the team just how I miss the game and how much I miss being around them. They mean everything to me. You don’t realize how much you need them and how much you want to be around them until you don’t have them around you all the time anymore. You miss them when you have to be at home rehabbing while they’re on the road. You miss all those plane rides and the time you spend with them in between games. They’re like my extended family and it’s really tough not to be around them and have to watch from sidelines/TV. They know how much I need them and they know how much they do good for my spirits just being around them and to be one of the guys again.
SR: Do you believe you’re underrated in the NBA? Also, do you still have that chip on your shoulder like I have to still prove myself?
MC: I definitely still play with that chip on my shoulder as if I am underrated. I feel like each year I get better and each year I proved somebody else wrong but my sights are still set on improving this group to get better. One day somebody will put me up there with the guys that I believe I’m up there with. I just have to keep grinding and keep my head down while staying focused like I always do and the other stuff will work out.
SR: Who’s the toughest point guard you’ve gone up against in your career so far?
MC: There are so many point guards nowadays. Hmmmm one of the tougher point guards for me has always been Russell Westbrook. Just because of his size and his strength. He can easily just bump you off your spot and with him being a 6″1 guard you’re not used to seeing that too often especially with the speed that he has. He’s definitely one and obviously, Steph is pretty tough to guard when he’s got it going so they’re plenty of different people I can point at and say they’re some of the tougher ones to guard out there.
SR: What are some of your hobbies outside of the Basketball?
MC: What a lot of people don’t know is that I love going to the movies. I’m always trying to watch out for the latest movies that come out no matter where I’m at.
SR: What’s your favorite movie of all-time?
MC: I would have to go with Anchor Man the original because I can watch that all day it’s hilarious.
SR: Name 3 music artists that you have to listen to in your pregame playlist?
MC: Probably would be Jay-Z, Moneybagg Yo, and Kanye West
SR: I heard you’re a huge gamer. Which video games are you playing right now?
MC: I was on Fortnite before it was popular so I don’t play it as much. I play Fortnite, Battleground, Madden, NBA 2K, Call of Duty, Gears of War. I’m in a Madden league right now and I play every couple of days on that. I honestly play all of the games that are out man.
SR: Do you play PlayStation or XBox One?
MC: I stay on the XBox
SR: Do you play as yourself when you’re playing NBA 2K? Do they have your looks/mechanics down in the game?
MC: Nah I can’t do it because I’m careful with my own guy. I think the looks are almost identical and the moves are close not all the way there but it’s a video game. They have to get my floater in the game a lot better I feel like we will be good.
SR: What would your message be to the Memphis Grizzlies fans that are waiting for you to get back on the court. So that they can have something to look forward to next season?
MC: I would tell them to stick with us. I’ll be back really soon and that progress is key. This is a small bump in the road for us but we’ll be back next year ready to go and even better. So stick with us and Go Grizzlies!!!!
You can follow Mike Conley on social media —> IG – @Mac11 , Twitter – @MConley11
Photo Cred: (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren), (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) Jerry Perez/Pacific Coast News, AP Photos, Clutch Sports, (AP Photo/Brandon Dill), Basketball Insider, Ronald Tillery, USA TODAY NETWORK, House of Heat, Bleacher Report, Joe Murphy/Getty Images,Jos’e Blanco, Sole Collector
The Thunder were coming home to play the New Orleans Pelicans after a crazy game the previous night before against the Nuggets. OKC lost on a buzzer beater against the Nuggets and wanted to redeem themselves against the Pelicans. The Pelicans lost DeMarcus Cousins last week to injury and have been depending on their other All Star Anthony Davis. It seemed like this whole game the Pelicans had a grip on the lead and didn’t want to give it up. Every time the Thunder made a shot that would get them closer either E’Twaun Moore or Anthony Davis made a key bucket to keep them in front. This was definitely a weird game for OKC as none of the “Big 3” had over 20 points tonight. With that being said the bench was able to step up with Grant/Abrines combining for 26 points. The biggest problem that was noticable while on this 3 game skid is the lack of communication on the defensive end. The Thunder allowed 114 to a team that didn’t have their other leading guy and let them shoot 51% from the field.
The Thunder are missing Andre Roberson big time for his defense and also for his communication when it comes to different screens, plays, and etc. With Roberson on the shelf this has also given a chance for Paul George who I think is the Defensive Player of the Year to showcase his talents on the defensive end. The Thunder will need to play off of George and his style of play on the defensive end so that they can create offense easier. The Big 3 had 44 points combined tonight and weren’t hitting but that wasn’t the reason they lost. No one on the Thunder were able to hold Anthony Davis in check as he went off for 43 points and got those points anyway he wanted too. Davis was hitting from the 3 point line and attacking the paint. It didn’t matter who was on Davis tonight he was willing his baskets in the hoop and was a true force. Anthony Davis put the Pelicans on his back all night and that led to him becoming the all-time leading scorer in their franchise history. The Thunder put Adams, Grant, and Patterson on AD tonight and it didn’t work.
Going into Sunday’s game against the Lakers the Thunder will have to get things back on track defensively. Defense wins championships and I think OKC needs to just focus on that side of the ball. With Roberson out its going to be on PG-13 to take the team to the promise land and it starts with his defense. Russell Westbrook has been the ultimate teammate all season and he knows that he can get his teammates involved early and then he can takeover when he wants too. Westbrook was rushing some shots tonight against the Pelicans but he’s allowed one of those games when people can’t talk about his turnovers or bad shots because of his body of work. Westbrook has been the true leader that this team needs and more and the Thunder will have to take out their 3 game skid on the Lakers Superbowl Sunday.
The Thunder dominated the Lakers from the tip of this game and didn’t look back at all. The Lakers were trying to keep pace with the Thunder Big 3 but just couldn’t. Julius Randle led the team with 16 points and was able to keep them within 10 points until Carmelo Anthony took over the game. The Lakers were playing without Lonzo Ball but thats no excuse as you have to hold the players accountable as professionals. The Thunder noticed that they were without Ball and exposed every mismatch that was present. The Lakers haven’t won a game with Lonzo out of the lineup and tonight wasn’t any different tonight.
The Thunder were able to do anything they wanted tonight inside and outside the paint. Russell Westbrook was able to bully any Laker that was guading him and made it tough on them. The best thing about this Thunder team this season is the fact that they have 3 players that demand double teams. George, Anthony, and Westbrook all demand more attention and that opened up things for Steven Adams in the paint. When Adams gets the chance to establish the paint like he did tonight against Lopez nobody can stop this Thunder team. While Adams is clogging the paint that is opening more chances for the Big 3 and other players to create and score. The Big 3 combined for 61 points tonight and were able to get involved on the defensive and offensive end at the same time. It was great to get Roberson back into the mix tonight on the defensive end as he was able to help on the back end and help OKC vocally as well.
Overall this team is special to watch when everyone is on the same page and clicking on the defensive/offensive end.
The Thunder were coming into this game against the Sacramento Kings trying to build off the win against the Hornets over the weekend. OKC was able to play to their strengths and attack inside the paint with ease. When the Thunder have the chance to attack the paint like they did tonight that makes everything easier for the offense. The Thunder had 5 players in double figures tonight and were able to get everyone involved and they got the ball movement going smoothly. The Big 3 of Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and Carmelo Anthony combined for 57 points on the night and were able to get into a groove on offense. Paul George has found his rythym in this offense and has been able to create for himself and his teammates on both ends of the floor. The way that George can impact the game on each end gives the Thunder a huge advantage night in and night out in his SF matchups. Not a lot of small forwards are knockdown shooters and lockdown defenders at the same time and George showed his worth tonight. George had 5 steals in the game and was able to use his defense to get his offense going in the right direction.
Carmelo Anthony took over the game in that 3rd quarter and it seemed as though Russell Westbrook and the Thunder were looking for Melo. When your shot is going in like it did for Melo tonight you can finish a quarter with 15 points. When Melo is on fire like that it’s very hard to get him out of his rhytym or his game. Carmelo and Paul both had mismatches and were able to use their size and quickness off the dribble to punish the Kings. Russell Westbrook took over the game like he always does when OKC needs it and almost finished with a triple double coming up just shy of his 10 assist on the night. De’Aaron Fox couldn’t check Russell Westbrook all night and it was very obvious that OKC knew where to go with the mismatches. Russell Westbrook has improved on his mid-range jumper and he’s also improved on getting his teammates in their hot spots since the beginning of the season. Late in the 4th Russell Westbrook was ejected from the game as he drove to the basket and got hit in the face but didn’t get a foul call instead he got a travel. He got up pissed off and went to the referee who then tossed him with a double tech.
The Kings tried to make a late game rally at the end but Buddy Hields 16 points weren’t enough to help the Kings get the late game win after Westbrook exited the game. The Kings couldn’t hit anything tonight and struggled from the field in crucial moments. The Thunder struggled as well but turned it up when they needed too all throughout the game.
The Thunder will be facing the Lakers on Wednesday and want to continue this win streak heading into Cleveland for Saturday.
