The Problem With OKC’s Offense and Explaining the Cavs Negativity | The Ryen Russillo Podcast

Ryen Russillo recaps the playoff games from last night, including the Dallas Mavericks' Game 5 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics' series finisher against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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[@marcr196]

I agree with a lot of what Ryen said. I think there are mostly 3 reasons. 1. Two primary initiators v. One primary initiator. In the regular season you can get away with one star initiator with a well-run offense that generates efficient shots. Role players get the ball in their spots and know what to do with it. In the playoffs, the defense is going to try to take away those shots you tend to go to, and make the other guys make decisions and take shots they are uncomfortable with and are not well-practiced on doing. Its the opposite in terms of offensive gameplan. Teams balance creating problems, and solving the problems the other team makes. If your problems are harder to solve than theirs, you win. Kidd is particularly good at getting the ball either to poor offensive players or offensive players not in their typical spot and in their typical rhythm. It becomes way more difficult for a team to be efficient offensively when you have one star that can be completely loaded up on versus a relief valve in another star. Some might say JDub or Chet could be that second star, which leads me to... 2. Inexperience. Luka and Kyrie are both extremely accomplished playoff players who understand the goals of playoff defenses, and what they can do against various schemes as well as what they can do that is scheme proof. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are versatile players who I believe will one day be able to adapt to playoff defense, but right now are getting their first look against a healthy team's ability to do that. 3. Scheme versatility. OKC is very reliant on *their* style of play. They generate turnovers to get out in transition (where they led the league in frequency), and in the halfcourt their sets are designed for open 3s or Shai getting an efficient shot or free throws from being in the paint. When the defense reduces transition opportunities by taking care of the ball and hone their rotations off of help defense on SGA, what can they do? So far, not much. Their roster isn't very versatile either, due to having one big (who blocks shots but isn't a physical force) and not that much size on the wing, though their guards are pretty big for their position. They really strike me as a team who wants to play their way, which has been very successful for them before this series, and don't have personnel or scheme adjustments to adjust.

[@michaelahurt]

Perfectly said

[@jeremianderson4861]

A lot of that is spot on. As great as Dallas’s defense is, two of Okc’s major problems isn’t the defense forcing them to rush shots, it’s them missing way too many wide open rhythm 3 pointers and not running consistent half court offense. The offense simply stands there and watches the dribbler so all the defense needs to do is “zone up” around the paint and watch the dribbler. This point is not talked about nearly enough.

[@jonasgorea3823]

Okc fan honestly might be the best take I’ve seen im this team

[@seemooremutts]

@@jeremianderson4861 This is right. Even with the ability to get points of turnovers and not commit turnovers of their own they are very reliant on hitting 3's efficiently. Their game plan has been run all series, they're getting open 3's but not hitting them. Doesn't help that Luka hits circus shots with more efficiency than anyone at barnum and bailey.

[@seemooremutts]

I like your take. Thanks for spending the time to write that out. Even the coach is extremely young. I've been a little disappointed in his adjustments, or lack of. That being said if they hit a few 3's earlier forcing Dallas to adjust their gameplan a little it's a different outcome.

[@oblivionpro69]

Luka is also making his role players better by setting them up all game, which SGA hasn’t figured out yet….

[@hardywoodaway9912]

all he does is drive and then kick it back if it didn’t worked

[@mico6155]

This is such a bullshit take, did you even watch the game? Everyone on OKC is so fucking afraid to shoot, they have open looks all the time from SGA but they refuse to shoot and just drive and kick themself.

[@CurseMonstr]

@@mico6155I watch every single OKC game and he’s absolutely right. SGA has no ability to create for others. He only passes if they’re wide open right in front of his eye line or if his drive doesn’t work

[@kingchill9156]

The Denver series and this series is exposing why it’s so important for young stars to get early playoff experience. Luka and Jokic have had years of experience to figure out how to control these types of games while Ant and Shai have essentially none

[@darcydowning6740]

He’s averaging like 9 assists in this series 🤣🤣🤣

[@DunningKrugerJnr]

What’s the issue with OKC’s offence? Dallas’ defence of course!

[@matthewweiss8579]

Thanks Ryen for all you do!

[@alexlol3260]

Celtics losing the finals again will be painful but theyre not better than the west

[@j2398]

Half of their problem is the overall softness of the east . The Celtics have 0 challenges which h dose thelp then prepare mentally for those tough grind games. Most west teams go through a gauntlet by the time the finals arrive but most east teams tend to either dominate pr get through a mediocre east only to get demolished

[@alexlol3260]

@@j2398 agreed, and this year the east is extra weak with all the injuries (Embiid, Giannis, Dame, Mitchell)

[@callico4044]

The only deal mismatch is Denver for Boston. They are def beating Dallas in a 7 game series and most likely Minnesota as well

[@15awesomehighfive]

@@alexlol3260 Don't forget the depleted NY Knicks. Were they fully healthy they'd give Boston a hard, hard time.

[@SquidysTents]

Agreed. They weren’t even better than the knicks until the injuries set in

[@dwaynelee1789]

Ryne’s breakdowns are always interesting. Great point about Dallas defense. Kidd playing Derek Lively more has had a huge impact. The Ringer rocks!

[@LamboChuck]

Caught this 10mins after upload! Feelin like a kid on Christmas 😂🔥

[@ryankay0]

i don’t think you read youtube comments but i love listening to you talk about basketball

[@reneewilliams5777]

Luka looks like he's got the lift back he needs for his lethal step backs, he's been missing those short for awhile with the knee injury. Looks like he may have his lift back

[@mjwbulich]

They showed him walking in the tunnel back to the locker room last week and dude looked like he'd just finished a 16 hour shift in a coal mine.

[@jynxycats]

OKC shooting stats are miserable. They somehow won Game 4 shooting .380 FG and .259 3PT

[@loganerb3952]

Mitchell and Garland is far worse of a dynamic than Mobley and Allen Mobley and Allen are tremendous defenders and the lumps they have on offense can be made up for with their insane defensive ability. The problem with DG and Mitchell is that you can’t hide them both and they both need the ball to be successful… if one is going off while the other isn’t then that player is giving you at best a net 0 on the floor. Allen and Mobley have proven to give you better play than that The numbers show when Allen and Mobley play together the Cavs are very good. But when Garland and Mitchell play together it’s not the same story

[@David-iv6je]

True but the Cavs starting lineup has only 3 shooters. I doubt you can win with that in the modern NBA: there's no room in the lane. And yes, at guard they are too redundant and end up taking turns. The peak of basketball is off-ball play and they are not doing it.

[@Shortballa11]

I'd say its about equal. IN the regular season Im sure the numbers favor Allen/Mobley, but the playoffs is where they get exposed got not being able to spread the floor. This year they have to pick one of each duo. I'd say keep Dmitch and Mobley. Trade Garland for Ingram straight up. Or trade Dmitch to Houston for a few of their young guys.

[@dearmas9068]

There aren't even really any lumps for Mobley and Allen. It all comes down to Mobley needing a little longer than we thought to develop. He will be a star next year.

[@dearmas9068]

Mobley's shot is developing extremely fast BTW. If you're not aware and you think they're both non-shooters, then you shouldn't be talking about the team.

[@pipohemm8726]

Mobley has to end up at center eventually if he doesnt somehow develop into like a Horford level shooter. Gobert-Kat works offensively because Kat is an alltime great big man shooter. If Mobley doesnt shoot like 35+ percent on 5 attempts per game he has to be at center. Marcus Morris, if he was still in his prime, would be a great fit next to him if he is at center.

[@loganwagler7997]

Wendell Carter Jr wins MIP if OKC trades for him and starts him next to Chet (Chet at PF)

[@jackiemoon5906]

Presti is dead set on Chet at C for better or worse (gonna stay for worse until he learns how to rebound)

[@hld1232]

OKC could use a guy like Jeff Green. I don't know why but I've always thought he could sneaky the best player in his draft class.

[@zachcunningham9054]

I see what you did there 👍

[@razkable]

I mean prime Jeff would work

[@brettdavis5873]

One of the hallmarks of prime NBA talent is living in a fantasy land where you are the smartest person in the room

[@jhowd78]

Luka playing with joy could mean a championship. The Mavs were smiling again last night...that's not good for the league. Let's see how this works out, but the mavs are scary.

[@MrOctober44]

So if Luka smiles they win a championship?

[@jhowd78]

@MrOctober44 I did not say Luka. The entire team starting to have fun. You don't want to play a team like that. Connected...still gotta play the games though

[@Davidstone568]

Luka laughs because it's so easy for him to own nba players.

[@MrOctober44]

@@Davidstone568 That's why he's got so many rings

[@bfoz]

Seems like OKC couldn't buy a bucket last night. Not sure what they shot from the field but boy they kept clanking shots.

[@razkable]

Shai is their offense and he doesn't attack create get doubled or hit threes or space it off ball cut or iso quickly use screens right or split the trap

[@jackiemoon5906]

Wow he sounds awfully bad for a guy who just came in 2nd in mvp voting

[@razkable]

If shai had a prime klay thompson next to him instead of giddy this okc team wins the west this year

[@jbwuzhere6819]

This narrative changes from gm to gm. If the Mavs lose gm 6 then whats the problem with their offense? It's the same with the Denver - Minny series. Knee jerk swing reactions.

[@jordantaylor3570]

Give mavs defence credit . Plus shai doesn’t make teammates better like luka , that’s why’s Denver and Dallas will be in wcf cos they walk to 10 assist. Everyone before the series thought okc has more talent. It’s not coincidence that Denver and Dallas supporting cast are playing better cos luka to quote draymond “he spoonfeds guys” shai gets his 30 plays d that’s it. Him and ant don’t make their teammates better. Same with Tatum , not great passers

[@darcydowning6740]

Shai is only averaging like 1 less assists than Luka……………..

[@anthonyespejo8165]

Luka team has won games while hes played bad weather its cause of injury or whatever. Shai has a game like any of the 2 or 3 bad luka games they lose by 30. Hes hitting open players and theyre bricking. Make teammates better then giving them open shots.

[@jackiemoon5906]

⁠@@anthonyespejo8165right. They act like luka chose to take a backseat and feed his teammates. Undoubtedly sga played better than luka

[@jacktheleper4468]

Luka played like crap the Other day but some of his complaining is justified they were playing him extremely roughly and fouling him very very hard earlier in the series they brought up several times how often he was knocked to the ground. Everybody talks about Luka complaining but nobody ever examines why he's complaining and takes the time to analyze the actual play. That said he definitely complains probably a little bit more than he should but some of it was certifiably justified. I'd bet money that part of the Thunder's plan explicitly stated to the team was to play him super rough Even If you foul him you could bruise him up or ding him up in such a way that compromises him the rest of The series which justifies doing so

[@DrSJH159]

Shai needs to learn to control the game beyond just scoring. See who has it on his team, see what’s working early, save some tools for the 4th quarter…It’s what great players all learn to do after playoff failures.

[@hittkid6312]

Problem is Mavs are not allowing the others to heat up. It's why SGA is getting so much points, MAvs are purposefully not fully collapsing on SGA to give their defenders time to close-out on shooters and either straight up challenge their shots or pressure them to rush it or pass it.

[@MoDeTricKs]

Lets be honest here, if Luka was healthy as he looked game 5 the series would have been over in 4-5 max

[@scosee2u]

18 to 11 right?

[@michaelstover6778]

If Kyrie doesn’t step up Denver going to put dallas away in 5

[@cameronbolden5064]

Kyrie is playin the role he needs to based on what the team needs and the way the defense is playing him. DEN doesn’t have the same athletic defenders OKC has

[@scosee2u]

@@cameronbolden5064 what? Aaron Gordan!?

[@Andrea-ue7gv]

Denver who just got blown out by 45 points? 😂

[@mikewhelan9561]

how did Luka have a total mood change in 1 game .

[@razkable]

Okc needs to add a klay also shai next to another iso scorer could work better...

[@dearmas9068]

Russillo! Come on, dude!... Mobley shot 38% this year from 3. Yeah, low volume, but stop pretending he doesnt have a shot. By next year dude with be taking 5 or 6 a game and hitting league average, maybe better. Its always SO obvious that these guys dont actually watch the Cavs play. Well it doesnt matter because Cleveland is going to own the East next year and theyll all be forced to.

[@healthfadsfade]

Mavs fan here.. SGA has no help. Williams will be a nice starter and Chet will be a great player one day. But they are good 3rd and 4th options in no particular order. OKC needs a clear #2 because Shai is not going to create well for others consistently… they also need a big

[@jackiemoon5906]

OKC #2 is supposed to be Jalen Williams but he shrank. Why do mavs fans hate OKC so much? Is it the mvp vote or is it just how the internet is these days?

[@healthfadsfade]

@@jackiemoon5906 Probably because they delusionally thought they would win against the Mavs. It’s probably the Luka/Kyrie disrespect that gets us fired up. As well as the Lively/Gafford disrespect. For real a bunch of OKC fans thinking the Dallas bigs are scrubs 😂😂😂. Lively destroyed Chet in game 6

[@jackiemoon5906]

@@healthfadsfade no offense by why so insecure? Mavs are good, but why was it crazy to think the 1 seed would win? Also have to remember most nba discourse online has a ,Amorite of kids trolling. As a thunder fan I had Mavs in 6 or 7

[@Davidstone568]

When luka is healthy enough there is not a damn thing okc can do to win. See game 5. If healthy kyrie had shown up for 11 points this series wb over. See game 4

[@user-fs9qf3py9o]

"nba transfer portal"

[@Drhturner]

Thunder’s awful offence is due to the Mavs best defence in the NBA, Kidd out coaching the COTY, the over rating of Shai, a great player who doesn’t make his teammates better. He’s not a leader and will never be on a Championship team as “the guy”. Mind blowing that anyone would pick him ahead of Luka for MVP. Shai is a shiny new toy. Luka is the engine of a Championship team.

[@jackiemoon5906]

Kidd out coaching anyone is hilarious. Luka engine for a championship team? Where in Spain?😂😂😂😂😂 also sga finished top 5 in mvp voting last year as well

[@scarletspider1240]

3s win you some games…defense wins championships. A team will rarely win a championship on its ability to hit 3s…which is why you shouldn’t rely on them. When they’re not going down…you ain’t winning and you’ve got nothing else to score points. It’s immature and stupid basketball to play that way.

[@scarletspider1240]

OKC relies too much on the 3 like so many NBA teams do in this era. Their offense was completely stagnant and then they’d just chuck up a 3….you’re not gonna win that way…especially against teams like Denver and Minnesota.

[@michaelahurt]

OKC was actually below league average in three point attempt rate and are even lower in this series so that's just not accurate. They rely less on the three than most teams. The offense *IS* stagnant but it's because of a bunch of little things: 1) they really need an Aaron Gordon type four who can serve as a vertical release valve 2) Shai is a good passer but not a great one so he doesn't make the passers that really compromise a defense. 3) J-Dub just isn't ready yet to be the #2 on a title team 4) They are small so they really can't throw the ball over a bigger defense 5) They just don't fully understand how to attack a playoff defense

[@darcydowning6740]

@@michaelahurtJ-Dub has been playing on a hurt ankle since game 2. Last time J-Dub was healthy the Thunder beat them by 20

[@jackiemoon5906]

@@darcydowning6740mannnn miss me with that hidden injury. Jalen Williams shrunk. I don’t wanna hear talk of him being OKC #2 until he produces in the playoffs. Lights were too bright more than injury. Luka was more injured

[@JohnnyCashavetes]

NBA should rescind Daigneault's Coach of the Year award. These are not the schemes of a great coach or staff.

[@geeovantarogers9045]

Oh really how many coach of the year go on to win a title that year

[@geeovantarogers9045]

He did his job to the highest level with a veteran college age professional team

[@JohnnyCashavetes]

@@geeovantarogers9045 Very much disagree. This actually reminds me of the Scott Brooks defenders (before they saw the light). Talent carrying Daigneault just like it carried Brooks.

[@JohnnyCashavetes]

I didn't mention failure to win a title as prerequisite to win coach of the year. Watching the playoff schemes of coaches like Tom Thibodeau or even Chris Finch, who both also overachieved in the regular season, and also will not win the title this year, I think it's pretty clear they are both better coaches than Daigneault right now.

[@21silvermoon]

I agree

[@bartier861]

P

[@Ricky-Spanish]

The east just isn't very interesting at this point, the Celtics are going to sleepwalk into the finals. If the Knicks were healthy then we could've potentially had a really fun and competitive conference finals but they're so depleted that I just don't see how they hold up against Boston, and that's even assuming they finish off Indiana which if they don't would make for an even less interesting conference finals.

[@dearmas9068]

The East is actually the stronger conference. They were just utterly destroyed by injuries this year. Literally every competative team except Boston had massive injuries

[@Ricky-Spanish]

@@dearmas9068 Boston might be the best team in the league, but I don't think even a fully healthy NY, Milwaukee, Indiana, Cleveland, Philadelphia or Miami are better than Denver, Minnesota or OKC, or even Dallas.

[@dearmas9068]

​@@Ricky-Spanish lol, did you really just say OKC and Dallas? Stop it. The Celtics are soft, and the Cavs win that series if both teams are fully healthy.

[@Ricky-Spanish]

@@dearmas9068 Yes I said OKC and maybe Dallas are better than any East team, except Boston. Dallas is probably on par with most of those second tier East teams. Boston probably isn't as good as their 64-18 record and I might even pick against them in the finals against whoever comes out of the West, but there's no world where Cleveland is better than them.

[@dearmas9068]

@@Ricky-Spanish well then youre just living in a fantasy world, aren't ya?...

[@aldenduffieldIII]

He complains about calls because he’s GETTING fouled. The league calls Jokic and Doncic differemtly

[@icanhazgoodgame3845]

I don't care if the ref F'd lukas mom at halftime. He can't let the refs effect his game. especially in the playoffs and there are multiple times luka stops during a live ball to whine to the refs. He plays for fouls at times even when it's obvious the refs aren't giving that whistle. Like he wants to force the ref to give the foul just as a told you so. Its stupid for a grown man to pout like that. To Lukas credit, He has dialed back those antics most of the year.

[@aldenduffieldIII]

@@icanhazgoodgame3845 I’m inclined to agree, however, put Embiid in Lukas place…he’s going to get those calls

[@johnnelson3665]

Nothing wrong with the offense. The team is just too nervous. Not playing to their usual standards.

[@johntutugang]

This dude has not liked okc all year. It’s subtle but it’s been there.

[@dearmas9068]

They're a little overrated

[@davorbeljan4369]

@@dearmas9068 How exactly are they overrated? Most media and fans had them choking in the playoffs because of their youth. A lot of them said they will have a hard time with Zion-less Pelicans for Christ sake. What are we doing here? All of you are just jealous because it isnt your team that is about to run the NBA for a decade.

[@dearmas9068]

@@davorbeljan4369 everyone is talking about them having "the brightest future", but in reality they have holes and problems. Theres are several other young teams with tons of talent, and their picks aren't worth as much as some seem to think.

[@johntutugang]

@@dearmas9068 your mom is overrated

[@davorbeljan4369]

@@dearmas9068 You saying they are overrated means you think they are overrated right now. Nobody was talking about their future. Every team has holes but this team was the youngest 1st seed in history and the youngest team to win a playoff series. And that is with guys like Hayward, Muscala and Biyombo increasing their average age even though they played almost no minutes. Their average age based on minutes played is around 22. Their picks might be top picks, they have just until now been mediocre because the teams are still good. But they got a lot of unprotected picks from teams like Clippers, Heat, Jazz, Rockets and Nuggets who might be really bad when the picks convey.

[@Tydagoatt24]

Okc dynasty will start once they get rid off Giddey,He can be replaced with shot creator Vet (Derozan,Paul George)

[@Shortballa11]

It was gonna start regardless, they just need this year under their belt. Happens to all young teams.

[@michaelstover6778]

They have no depth

[@geeovantarogers9045]

Yeah we need a secondary ball handler with good shot making ability

[@geeovantarogers9045]

Add cj McCollum for cheap or Eric gordon

[@hestilllives192]

@@michaelstover6778 Depth? They had one of the best benches in the NBA this season. Their 13/14/15 guys got traded and played starter level minutes in Charlotte. Their problems are inexperience, and size at the PF. If anything, they need to figure out how to retain their depth going forward of guys like Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, then add a big bodied and rebounding PF to match with Chet and replace Giddey.

[@Musso88]

1 step closer to getting this classless thunder team out of the playoffs. Shai is a grifter to the point where he should be embarrassed to take some of the calls he gets. Dort is incapable of being near someone on another team without doing something dirty or falling to the floor. Add to how dishonorable they are the fact that the team behaves like 8th grade girls on tiktok, so idk how any basketball fans like these guys. I hope Chet leaves in the future.

[@davorbeljan4369]

I think YOU need to go back to 8th grade an learn the definitions of classless, dirty and dishonourable because you obviously dont know them..

[@jackiemoon5906]

Dallas fans are official weirdos. Fan base should be big enough to not let the crazies be the representatives. Also Luka is a crybaby wtf are you talking about

[@user-hr3fx5qq1e]

stop calling this guy ant. and stop attaching yourself to famous people as a substitute for your own level

[@jdriscoll2000]

T H A N K Y O U

[@jdriscoll2000]

The term is 'narcissistic extension'

[@jackiemoon5906]

Is ant not his nickname? Why did this get you flustered lol

[@fullmelvin3959]

No Lebron or Curry in playoffs is league poison. They better hope Denver don’t win another title.

[@aron.gortman]

I think SGA is better than Luka. Neither is remotely as good as Jokic. I'd take Antman over both SGA and Luka.

[@chocoloco1211]

Holy shit take Batman!

[@aron.gortman]

@@chocoloco1211 Oh really?

[@dubdub680]

You lead with luka complains too much lol, your overlords told you to hate the white guy

[@davorbeljan4369]

Stop reaching with a stupid racist angle. I am white and Luka is the most annoying player to watch. He literally complains on EVERY SINGLE play.

[@jackiemoon5906]

You’re on to something but russilio is right wing. Not these new media with colored hair who wants children to switch genders.

[@xJeffreyNathanx]

35 views in 3 minutes? Falling off

[@georgedaniel8823]

So is your mom

[@jamesdman7193]

​@@georgedaniel8823 got em!!!

[@Jsch23]

Hey Jeff! Your mom has fallen off!

[@DMacSince94]

Your mom certainly ain’t hurtin for views, fool!

[@mjwbulich]

It's the middle of the day. Ryan's fans are grown-ups with things to do.