Fast Break Points from Sunday's practice as the Thunder prepares for Game 1 in its Round 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Playoffs.
- Derek Fisher said he doesn't think there are any secrets to tell about the Lakers. "I don't think Kobe is a secret, I don't think Pau Gasol is a secret. You don't need any insight to know how great those two guys are." With a wry grin on his face, Fisher said that he expects the Thunder crowd at Chesapeake Energy Arena to give the Lakers some "southern hospitality."
- James Harden said the team will take a calculated approach to the series, saying the Thunder has to take it one game at a time, starting with Game 1. The Thunder really focused on the Lakers in practice and what the team needs to do to execute and be successful.
- Harden said he was just glad that the Lakers-Nuggets series was over more than anything. “Finally, we’ve been watching that whole series. It was a great Game 7. The Lakers took a 16-point lead in the third quarter and then Denver fought back and took the lead. It was a great Game 7. Denver did a great job.”
- Harden and Head Coach Scott Brooks said that Kendrick Perkins was able to participate in parts of practice. Harden said that Perkins looked good and athletic and that he is healthy and ready to go. Coach Brooks wouldn’t go quite that far, saying that Perkins will be re-evaluated tomorrow morning to see how he feels, not disclosing whether Perkins will start on Monday or not.
- Forward Nick Collison said it’s going to be a tough series because the Thunder is going against a team that has had a lot of success and been one of the best teams in the league for the last decade. This week, Collison continued, was good to get some practice time that the team missed during the season.
- Collison also spoke about whether the Thunder or Lakers have an advantage because of the amount time each team has had between games. “Momentum is overrated,” Collison said. “You have to play each game and you have to win four games to win a series. Each game is its own thing, its own battle. I think if you have the mindset that you’re going to be in the moment of each possession, you’re better off.”
- Collison said that rebounding, particularly defensive rebounding, will be really important. He continued that if the team is solid in a lot of areas, not just when the ball leaves the shooter’s hands. If the Thunder can force the post players’ catches further out because it’s closer to the help defense and it creates a more difficult shot.
- Collison said that as the Thunder has gained more playoff experience it helps the team realize that the outside noise and outside talk doesn’t matter. What happens on the court is what matters and with more experience, it’s easier to put all of that stuff to the side.
- Brooks praised Derek Fisher’s impact on the team and the way he has talked to the guys in the locker room. Brooks said that Fisher has been great since the moment the team picked him up, both on and off the court. Fisher helps on the court, in the locker room and on the road because he has a great appreciation for the game and is a great talker, communicator and teacher. Brooks also talked about Fisher’s mental and physical toughness.