NBA Finals Game 2 Reaction: Thunder Bounce Back

Summary

Hoop Collective Podcast Summary: NBA Finals Game 2 Reaction – Thunder Bounce Back

Release Date: June 9, 2025

In this episode of the Hoop Collective podcast, hosted by ESPN's Brian Windhorst alongside NBA veteran and 2016 Finals champion Iman Shumpert, the duo delves deep into the Thunder's compelling 123-107 victory in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. This victory leveled the series at one game each, setting the stage for an intense showdown.

---

Thunder's Ring-Worthy Performance

Brian Windhorst opens the discussion shortly after the Thunder's significant win, praising their consistency throughout the season.

Brian Windhorst [00:34]:
"That was a ring-worthy performance from the Thunder tonight."

Iman Shumpert echoes this sentiment, highlighting the team's DNA and questioning previous lineup changes.

Iman Shumpert [01:19]:
"That's the team. And that's the DNA that you talk about when you start saying, why did we change our lineup?"

Shumpert emphasizes the team's intrinsic qualities, noting that witnessing such a cohesive performance makes previous lineup adjustments seem unnecessary.

---

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Balanced Gameplay

A significant portion of the conversation centers around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Shay), the Thunder's standout player. Initially critiqued for taking excessive shots in Game 1, Shay adjusted his approach in Game 2 to foster better team dynamics.

Brian Windhorst [02:26]:
"Shay took 30 shots in two of the last three games, and not even Kobe ever did that in his career."

Shumpert commends Shay’s improved balance between scoring and assisting, which set a more controlled and rhythmic tone for the team.

Iman Shumpert [03:12]:
"It's a way better balance. And even in the point column… he had eight assists."

This adjustment not only enhanced Shay's efficiency but also alleviated previous concerns about him "squeezing" the ball too tightly.

---

Leadership and Poise Under Pressure

Shay’s leadership off the court also garnered attention. Post-game, he was quick to reassure his teammates during a press conference, demonstrating maturity and composure.

Brian Windhorst [04:38]:
"He was the first player in there… he told them, it's going to be all right."

Shumpert contrasts his own fiery demeanor with Shay's calm approach, appreciating the latter's ability to maintain an even keel as a leadership tool.

Iman Shumpert [06:21]:
"It's a defense mechanism. I'm already nonchalant."

This balance of calm leadership and on-court aggression contributed significantly to the Thunder's victory.

---

Bench Contributions and Team Depth

The Thunder's bench played a pivotal role in the game, with players like Casen Wallace and Kendrick Williams delivering impressive performances.

Brian Windhorst [10:18]:
"Kendrick Williams played seven minutes, was plus 15. You’re exactly right.”

Shumpert highlights the seamless integration of bench players into the starting lineup, noting their ability to maintain team rhythm and contribute effectively.

Iman Shumpert [10:33]:
"I love that one first off, I love that about the finals period, because both these teams do that."

This depth allowed the Thunder to sustain their performance even when starters were resting, showcasing their versatility and preparedness.

---

Tyrese Haliburton's Struggles and Team Adjustments

A critical analysis was directed towards Tyrese Haliburton's performance, which saw a decline compared to previous games. Despite averaging 18 points over two years against this team, his aggressiveness was notably lacking in Game 2.

Brian Windhorst [24:37]:
"When you make that mistake, it's a three in the NBA."

Shumpert discusses Haliburton's need to regain confidence and the team's reliance on him for both scoring and playmaking.

Iman Shumpert [27:36]:
"He needs a 2010 game… and they got to find a way to get him because he's not generating the chances against this team."

The conversation underscores the importance of Haliburton's role and the necessity for strategic adjustments to unlock his full potential.

---

Defensive Strategies and Rebounding

Defense was another focal point, with the Thunder managing to hold off the Pacers despite the latter’s strong second-half performance.

Iman Shumpert [28:25]:
"They didn't defend tonight. Not like that. Not like we've seen Indiana defend in previous."

Windhorst and Shumpert discuss the Thunder's ability to maintain defensive composure, highlighting their superior rebounding statistics and ability to respond to the Pacers' offensive runs.

Brian Windhorst [31:16]:
"Indiana’s with the no."

This defensive resilience was crucial in securing the Thunder's victory, preventing the Pacers from capitalizing on their offensive strengths.

---

Looking Ahead to Game 3

As the series ties at one game each, anticipation builds for Game 3 in Indiana. Both hosts express eagerness to see how the Thunder will adapt their strategies on the road.

Iman Shumpert [33:10]:
"I would go back to my old lineup just to play off it, but I know they probably won't do that."

Windhorst notes the effectiveness of the Thunder's double-big lineup, pondering whether they will maintain this strategy away from home.

Brian Windhorst [33:27]:
"That would help as well."

The hosts agree that Game 3 will be pivotal in determining the series' momentum, with adjustments likely to play a significant role.

---

Conclusion

Brian Windhorst and Iman Shumpert provide an insightful and comprehensive analysis of the Thunder's strategic adjustments and performances in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Their discussion highlights the importance of balanced gameplay, effective bench contributions, defensive resilience, and the critical role of key players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton. As the series intensifies, their expert commentary sets the stage for an exciting continuation in Game 3.

Notable Quotes:

• Brian Windhorst [00:34]: "That was a ring-worthy performance from the Thunder tonight."
• Iman Shumpert [03:12]: "It's a way better balance. And even in the point column… he had eight assists."
• Iman Shumpert [06:21]: "It's a defense mechanism. I'm already nonchalant."
• Iman Shumpert [10:33]: "I love that one first off, I love that about the finals period, because both these teams do that."
• Iman Shumpert [27:36]: "He needs a 2010 game… and they got to find a way to get him because he's not generating the chances against this team."

---

For more detailed discussions and future episodes, stay tuned to the Hoop Collective podcast.

Transcript

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[Brian Windhorst]

Hello and welcome to the Hoop Collective podcast. We talk about the NBA, which we're doing just a few minutes after the thunder's 123 to 107 game two victory to even the finals at one one. I'm here with NBA veteran 2016 finals champion. How often do you wear your ring in Montchompur?

[Iman Shumpert]

You know, I don't wear it at all, but I've caught so much slack for being here at the finals and not having it.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, Richard Jefferson's wearing that Cavs ring around here. I saw it.

[Iman Shumpert]

I have to. I have to go back home. And when I go back home, it will be back and be on full display.

[Brian Windhorst]

All right, so that was a ring worthy performance from the Thunder tonight.

[Iman Shumpert]

It was.

[Brian Windhorst]

That was how they looked for most of the season. I'm sure the fans here at Pacom center were like, that's the team that we watched for the last six months.

[Iman Shumpert]

That's the team. And that's the, the, the DNA that you talk about when you start saying, why did we change our lineup?

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, they kept it, they kept it changed. But.

[Iman Shumpert]

I know, but it's, it's. That's the, the feeling of it. When you see them play that well, it's like, why do we do that when we can do that?

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. Right.

[Iman Shumpert]

You know what I mean? I think that watching tonight, I think I saw Shay at least two or three times consciously say, I can get this shot up. I gotta get somebody else involved.

[Brian Windhorst]

I completely agree with you.

[Iman Shumpert]

Like, he was very conscious tonight of. And he had two of them where it was like right there, feet in the paint, where game one, it was a spin, pivot, leaner shot, fade away. Today it was survey. Maybe keep the dribble, spin pivot, kick it out to the top. Even if they missed the three, everybody was in rhythm. Everybody felt like he trusts them. Hats off to the Thunder. They cleaned it up.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, he didn't play a bad game in game one, but he took 30 shots. You know, he talked yesterday on the off day about how much he worships Kobe.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

There was a footage that came out from his camp a few years ago where he said Kobe was the best player of all time. Mike was second and LeBron was third. We don't have to get into that. My point is he loves Kobe, right? But Shay took 30 shots in two of the last three games, and not even Kobe ever did that in his career. Not even Kobe took 30 shots in two out of three playoff games. Like, the amount of shots that Shay took. And I'm not saying he was hogging the ball. I'm just saying he was squeezing it a little tight. He only had three assists in game one. That's the fewest assists he had in any playoff game this whole season. And look, there was a lot of other stuff that went on tonight, But Shai took 21 shots in this game and had eight assists. And I think that set the tone for a much more under control.

[Iman Shumpert]

It's a way better balance. And even. Even in the point column, I mean, what'd you miss out on? What did he have 38 the other night?

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

You missed out on four points.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, well, he didn't have to play to the end. He only. He got to come out early because this game was in hand.

[Iman Shumpert]

But everything that we were talking about, as far as getting what you want, we know that he can get what he wants. If he can't get what he wants, he can make a tough shot. So with him, it doesn't ever have to be forced. Everything can be chill. Well, not too chill, but everything can be calm. Everything can be practiced, coached. It doesn't have to look like he's pulling it out of the hat all the time. And I felt like they did a great job today. I didn't see Jalen Williams looking stuck in no man's land A lot of times.

[Brian Windhorst]

He still didn't play a great game. He didn't play great, but he was good. He was good.

[Iman Shumpert]

He was in rhythm.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, that's a good point.

[Iman Shumpert]

He looked like he was part of the team. It didn't look like he was just standing. And then he'd get the ball and try and make something happen. Like, I just love. I love when the Thunder play without holes in their game. The ball doesn't stop moving. It always looked like they know what to do. They share the sugar, but it looks like everything is crisp. I felt like game one was the first time we saw those, like, slow, lazy passes that you might could steal, literally, because there was indecisiveness in their game. And I felt like today they were very controlled, very poised and. And very hungry. Even when that third quarter started, it was like, if y' all think that we've turned it off, we have not. We're still excited. We're still ready to play. They knew they needed to send a message. I feel like the message was sent.

[Brian Windhorst]

So we were sitting here the other day. We saw Shai walk right by us very quickly after the game ended.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yep.

[Brian Windhorst]

So Scott Van Pelt is right back behind us. He does his show right behind us. They, like, scramble out to get his set set up as fast as possible, get him on the air. He walked right past Van Pelt. Okay. I think Halliburton was still on Van Pelt's set. He walked right by him. And he walked into the family room. The family. The Thunder family room was behind us at that end. The locker room is on this end, or actually the media room. He did his press conference, and he comes down and he walked right into the family room. And he told everybody in the family room because everybody's in there pretty nervous. You know, they watched him play, but the families were a little nervous. And he said, it'll be all right. He was the first player in there. Despite him being the star player. He was the first player in there, or one of the first players, maybe the V first. He told them, it's going to be all right. So he was already saying, chill, get myself back to neutral moments after that game.

[Iman Shumpert]

It's crazy. Coach Cal said before the game.

[Brian Windhorst]

Coach Calipari was here with us before the game.

[Iman Shumpert]

He sure was. And he said that that even keel and that nonchalant attitude sometimes is used to hide his teammates. And I didn't, as critical as I was of that statement, just because I think it's coming off of watching.

[Brian Windhorst]

What did he mean by that? I don't understand.

[Iman Shumpert]

He says that it's just another game. He does that so that if you do ridicule now.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right.

[Iman Shumpert]

You're going to him.

[Brian Windhorst]

It's like a defense mechanism.

[Iman Shumpert]

It's a defense mechanism. I'm already nonchalant.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right.

[Iman Shumpert]

I'm gonna be nonchalant about this.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right, Right.

[Iman Shumpert]

It's just another game. If it is more than a game, I will deliver that message to my teammates. But right now, y' all gonna deal with nonchalant.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. How do you.

[Iman Shumpert]

Y' all gotta deal with it. And I didn't initially. I felt like it had to triple.

[Brian Windhorst]

You wanted to tear up the locker room?

[Iman Shumpert]

100%.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

100%. That's me, though. You know what I mean? That's my energy. I would be the guy on that team that it would take Shay to come up to me and say, oh, gee, like, just chill. You know what I mean? Just chill. Like, I got it. But it's like my fire in my stomach wouldn't allow that. After we threw something like that away, I. I mean, I could get past it up 30 minutes after, but I'm definitely tearing the locker room.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, I remember going into a. A Heat locker room after a playoff loss one time and seeing ice all over the floor.

[Iman Shumpert]

Oh, yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

And I think it was our. I think it was our man UD who did it. You should ask him about that.

[Iman Shumpert]

Haslam.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

For sure.

[Brian Windhorst]

So. But yeah, Shay, that's their style. Get back to neutral.

[Iman Shumpert]

But I love that. Cause that's still the leadership of that to say, let me hurry up and be first. Cause usually he's always like, middle to last.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. He's getting his.

[Iman Shumpert]

He gotta get his treatment. He gotta do his thing. Media's getting.

[Brian Windhorst]

You saw how fast he came out the other day.

[Iman Shumpert]

That's what I'm saying.

[Brian Windhorst]

We were barely. Our podcast barely started. He was out here.

[Iman Shumpert]

But to go out there and address the family room.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

And those are usually the closest people to the locker room. Cause they get the trickles of the conversations that come out of the locker room for him to go in there and corral them, understanding that they have the ears of his team.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

That shows me a different level of maturity. I'm not gonna completely take it back. Shay, shout out to you for knowing your personnel.

[Brian Windhorst]

You do you. You gotta do you.

[Iman Shumpert]

For sure. I'm gonna do me.

[Brian Windhorst]

I heard you say to Cal, how come you didn't come recruit me out of Chicago?

[Iman Shumpert]

Cause he started naming a lot of guys like, you know, that guy played for me. That guy played for me. That guy played. I'm like, bro, I ain't really get too many letters and calls from you, though, Cal. Well, I'm not that good.

[Brian Windhorst]

You were good. I believe you're a. So Halliburton struggled. It didn't look like a bad game because he had 17 points. But he had 12 of those in the fourth quarter.

[Iman Shumpert]

That's what I'm saying. That. This. That box score doesn't look bad. That looked bad today. That was the first time I saw him.

[Brian Windhorst]

So he's seven. He's seven of 13 with six assists. 17 points. But he had. Again, he had 12 of the 17 in the fourth quarter.

[Iman Shumpert]

It was three, three, three. He was at three, three. Well, wait, it was three, three, five.

[Brian Windhorst]

He had five turnovers yeah, yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

Three, three.

[Brian Windhorst]

He had three points.

[Iman Shumpert]

Three points. So it's three, three, three, five.

[Brian Windhorst]

Three, three, three, five for three quarters, basically.

[Iman Shumpert]

And it's like, bro, unacceptable.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

And. And not unacceptable in the regard of you're not shooting it well. Don't shoot it well. We've seen you do that. Since when have you not rebounded the ball? And to me, that. That felt like something's going on in your head. Don't get me wrong. He. Granted, he's been playing his ass off. You are allowed to take what you. One game and have some hiccups happen.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

But if they're going to be successful, especially when they get back to Indiana, I need to see in the defensive rebound column six to eight rebounds when that. When the third quarter comes, because that'll let me know he's getting push outs.

[Brian Windhorst]

He's getting. When he gets the rebound and he can go. That. That makes a big difference for them. So Chet Holmgren had an absolute. He had a dog game. A dog. First finals game. You could tell he came back. First off, they played double big a little bit more. That's something they hadn't been, you know, Hartenstein and, and, and, and Chet played together a little bit. And by the way, they went from minus nine, minus 17 in rebounds in game one to plus eight in rebounds. That's a 25 rebound swing. Yeah, but Chet got it going from the first quarter.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yeah. And that's what, that's what we were looking for. That's what we were talking about. If the Thunder are playing Thunder basketball, he's able to score efficiently and it should look effortless. It should look like he's just part of it. He can attack closeouts. He can get out there. What I was impressed with was the amount of times in transition he was with them, the amount of deflections that they got. Cason Wallace, I thought, played great minutes. Yeah, great minutes.

[Brian Windhorst]

So did Kendrick Williams.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yeah, I just.

[Brian Windhorst]

Kendrick Williams played seven minutes, was plus 15.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yeah. For, for, for guys that haven't, you know, gotten Case and Wallace was their.

[Brian Windhorst]

Best plus minus guy in the whole starting lineup, plus 12. You're exactly right. He played good minutes.

[Iman Shumpert]

That's what I mean. It was just. It's the way. The way they go about plugging somebody in and then they don't have to worry about getting that guy up to speed. I just love that one first off, I love that about the finals period, because both these teams do that. They plug guys in that you're like, I don't know if this is time to just throw somebody in with no rhythm.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right, Right.

[Iman Shumpert]

And you see them playing and they're playing for them. They're looking for them. It's like they know each other. It's like, I don't know if they run different lineups in practice and everybody's just.

[Brian Windhorst]

The Thunder played different lineups all year long. He's always changing his lineups so that when he gets to the finals, people are comfortable.

[Iman Shumpert]

I'm sorry, there's no way I could wait till the finals and do that. Hats off to them for doing it.

[Brian Windhorst]

Richard Jefferson just walked by wearing his ring shop. You got a. You got a. He's got better security than you do. But sorry.

[Iman Shumpert]

But yeah, when. When I also look at this, I look at Hartenstein plus 17. Yeah, yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

Their bench killed. Killed Indy.

[Iman Shumpert]

He didn't have to play in the starting lineup to be productive.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, eight rebounds.

[Iman Shumpert]

Exactly. When you look at stuff like that and you see the plus minus, you start to understand how much of a lineup attacks the adjustment on the other end or how much just having a guy out there to Sometimes Hardenstein's greatest attribute is being big running down here. And it take two of yours to block him out. Now somebody else gets an offensive rebound, somebody gets a tap, somebody gets something to happen. And I think that capitalizing off the broken play was an obvious thing for the Thunder today. More Hoop Collective podcast after this.

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[Brian Windhorst]

So also off their bench, Caruso hits four threes. Aaron Wiggins. Huge game. Aaron Wiggins. You like that?

[Iman Shumpert]

You know, you know what? I didn't used to like it. I like it for the thunder when he used to do it on the Lakers. I ain't all the way understand it. I'm here now.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, your hair is doing much better than his. He's trying to put something up there.

[Iman Shumpert]

Hey, I'm with you now. Caruso. I'm with you now.

[Brian Windhorst]

Was an absolute hellion on defense in this game. He drove them. This was an apex Caruso game because he's, he's just being an absolute pest on defense. He didn't get credited with a steal, but my God, it felt like he affected so much stuff. And then he hits those threes. He was a hellion. I thought he was huge. And then Aaron Wiggins, five threes. I mean, Aaron Wiggins has never played a more impactful game in his career.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yeah, but like, like you were saying, they, they are prepping.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

Prepping their guys for these, for these moments. It seems unorthodox when I watch it. Like, I don't know if I'm like jealous that I wasn't around for the game to be like this. Cause I'M like, oh, this wouldn't happen on the Cavs, you know what I mean?

[Brian Windhorst]

Because everything was regimented.

[Iman Shumpert]

Is that what you mean? Everything? Yeah, everything was just so you knew that at the end of the game, we're gonna get shots from one of three guys. You know what I mean?

[Brian Windhorst]

One of two. A lot of times, but yeah, one of two.

[Iman Shumpert]

But I always said three, because it could either be a JR or a Kevin. Love that. Yeah, we know who the ball is going to. But if you make an error on defense or you send a double, the person that's going to make you pay is a shooter. So I'll always say three guys, because we know if you do a great job playing defense on our star, they're going to deliver that ball to him. And when you make that mistake, it's a three in the NBA.

[Brian Windhorst]

So, Don Nelson, legendary coach, hall of fame coach, he's 85 years old. He was inducted or he was honored before the game with the Chuck Daly Award, Lifetime achievement Award. And he did a press conference before the game, and he talked about how much he loves watching these two teams because this is the way he wanted to play. Small and fast. Well, they're bigger. Bigger than he ever had.

[Iman Shumpert]

Right.

[Brian Windhorst]

And fast. He loves watching the two of them play. He also, by the way, wore Lucas. Lucas shoes and announced that he's wearing them as a protest for the Mavericks trading, just in case you want to know what. But anyway, that's neither here nor there. He's like, this is how I wanted to play, you know, And I love watching the two teams. And that's what you're talking about. You're saying that if you were. Cause, like, you know, I feel like.

[Iman Shumpert]

That'S what I got to do.

[Brian Windhorst]

You could have played a game like Aaron Wiggins if you were.

[Iman Shumpert]

Without a doubt, I got to play. That's the way I felt like I got to play when I got traded to Sacramento. I got to play upbeat. I got to play next to de' Aaron Fox, probe with the ball, do whatever I wanted, knowing I could throw it to him, and now he gets to go downhill off the field.

[Brian Windhorst]

People forget you played point guard, like, early in your New York Knicks days. Right?

[Iman Shumpert]

For sure. But if you had this type of system that they run in now, where OKC and Indiana, they both play a free. If you would have taken away somebody, I become the point guard, and then it doesn't matter if I'm playing point guard. You know what I mean? I feel like it was a little more open. I Feel like the game changed into that, which I love that I'm not mad at it anymore. Back then I was mad, but. But not anymore. I just love the constant change of basketball to get better. But yeah, watching them, I think I am a little envious that it's like, wow, bro, this is.

[Brian Windhorst]

They would have wanted you if you played now. They would wanted you to shoot seven to ten threes a game. They'd be like, shump, shoot that ball.

[Iman Shumpert]

That's fine as long as I can shoot my pull up. Like if I could shoot the Tyrese Halliburton, the nice little pull up at 15 to 18ft. Like, I always like playing that top of the key game. But playing at the elbow, if I could play like that. Y' all want three, seven threes. I chuck a couple of threes up, that's fine. But I love their balance attack. I love that nobody hangs their head. There's no man make that a 3. I've never seen this team say you that got to be a three. They be having a toe right on the line. Don't nobody get mad. They just all pump their fist and get up to play defense. And I love that about them. I love that about okc. OKC today had very short memory, right? I thought they did a couple of times where they played good defense. They get a offensive rebound. We watched in Game one okc, you felt that happen just toward the end, by the way, because they were in control of Game one. But down the, down the stretch, you could see them get deflated when something like that would happen.

[Brian Windhorst]

The Pacers made a couple of runs in this game, especially in the second half, and they did not care and OKC just pushed them back.

[Iman Shumpert]

Real talk.

[Brian Windhorst]

So let me ask you this. What do you think the mindset for the Pacers should be? Obviously, they come here they go one to one. But how do you. How do you. They've been. They've been outplayed a majority of the minutes. Now, it doesn't matter what the majority of the minutes are. What matters is the score. But they were outplayed a majority of the minutes. How would you feel if you were them?

[Iman Shumpert]

If I'm Indiana 1, I'm. We're playing into the energy of the crowd when we get home because that's what we stole game one for. I'm also coming in with the mindset that we only expected to get one of two. We didn't expect to get one that early, but we expected to get one of two right here to put ourselves in position. So if you're Indiana, though, we didn't play well today. You sit there and say, hey man, we did exactly what we came to do and there's no way our guy plays bad when we get to Indiana, right? There's zero chance. More Hoop Collective podcast after this.

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[Iman Shumpert]

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[Brian Windhorst]

One thing I will say so the Pacers in the second half, and it never got. I think the closest maybe it got was 12. Maybe in the second half. The Pacers did score 66 points. Again, they shot 54% in the second half. He didn't feel it because the Thunder held on to their composure.

[Iman Shumpert]

They responded to everything. Every run, they responded.

[Brian Windhorst]

But the Pacers did have a very offensively strong second half in this game. Yeah, so they've, you know, I don't know what that's worth, but Perk is just screaming perk. There's a microphone. Perk. My God.

[Iman Shumpert]

I love it though. It's the passion.

[Brian Windhorst]

It's because he's a Thunder at Heart.

[Iman Shumpert]

It's the passion behind Kendrick Perkins. But seeing Tyrese Halliburton also finally find some wiggle room to play a little better. If I'm Indiana, I do feel a lot better knowing that because there's something about, of course, they say all the time, you can't take those points with you. You can't take this with you. Can't take that with you. There is a mental advantage to know, man, I just felt like it was a lid on the rim. I didn't play well, I didn't perform well, But I did figure it out today. I didn't come back with a miraculous comeback into a buzzer beater, but I didn't stop playing. I didn't stop rebounding. I ain't stopped. Sharing the sugar might not always lead to an assist, but I played the right way. That has to feel good for Tyrese Halliburton to clean it up at the end. Be able to look at the stat sheet and say, he didn't do nothing out there. And then saying confidently, I'm gonna go into this next game and I'm gonna play well. Obi is not going to play. Obtip is not going to play terrible like that. I'm not sure what's making him so excited.

[Brian Windhorst]

Settle down.

[Iman Shumpert]

But my boy is going up an octave.

[Brian Windhorst]

He's got. He's got to check his hearing. So I'm going to say this. Halliburton, in the last two years against this team, he averaged 11 shots a game. This year and last year, first two games, he got 13 shots. When they are at their best is when Halliburton gets up over 20 points. Points, they're 8 and 1 when he scores over 20 points. But when they're got Lou Dort or Caruso on him or Casen Wallace, he can't get shots up. Like, seriously, I think the first thing for Tyrese Halliburton, he's got to get some shots. Like, 13 shots is not enough for him.

[Iman Shumpert]

But it's 13 shots. I don't want it to be these unaggressive threes. He had at least three threes today that I felt like were just unaggressive. Whatever threes, if you make them cool. But you really didn't do much to have those shots go in. They weren't within the flow. They weren't what we've been used to seeing out of him, where it's like, you've been going downhill so much that they're backing off so much that you got all the time in the world to line that thing up. Get your elbow on the lip of the rim. I would like to see the.

[Brian Windhorst]

What does that mean? Get your elbow on the lip of the rim. I've never heard that before.

[Iman Shumpert]

People sometimes, like, if you're getting ready to shoot before the ball's all the way up, like, they. They say your elbow wasn't on the. But if you can.

[Brian Windhorst]

So the way you. The way you. The way you look. You see it.

[Iman Shumpert]

The way you see it. If you can see your elbow already on the rim, like, you get.

[Brian Windhorst]

You're at the apex of your shot. Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

So it's all about getting that lift and getting that on there. But I say that with Tyrese. Cause you see his. You see him look at his elbow almost before he shoots a shot.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

And I feel like that's where the comfortability. It's like, just to line it up.

[Brian Windhorst]

You know, when he's doing that, he's feeling good.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yeah. But it was like. I just saw, like, he was, like, looking at the rim and, like, hoping it went in. And it was. It was. I've never seen. I'm sorry. I've never seen him do that. Where he's looking and just hoping, like. Usually he looks like I'm under control. They don't get it, but I do. And today it looked like he was searching a little bit. He looked like a little bit of. No, man. He looked like Jalen Williams from game one to me. And I can't imagine him having another game like that. But I think that the way Rick Carlisle could help him. Crazy. That perk was just standing here. If they could set that perk screen where they come up the big. Cause okc's bigs do great job of getting up and showing different coverages. Right.

[Brian Windhorst]

They push them out of their offense. Really?

[Iman Shumpert]

Yeah. Sometimes they'll go into a little drop with you, a one, two, dribble drop to let their guy get back. But they are usually up to touch with their man when doing that. If Indiana could just set that screen. But you set the screen on the big. You never screen the guard. Halliburton can do an in and out or whatever and just get downhill. But I understand what you're saying. He needs something easy. He gets something easy. For everybody else, he needs something easy. Get into the lane, quick layup, floater, whatever. Two feet in the paint to where he can establish himself in the first quarter.

[Brian Windhorst]

So the thing about Halliburton is he's. He's not an elite scorer.

[Iman Shumpert]

No.

[Brian Windhorst]

He averages 18 points like, that's great, don't get me wrong, but he's not in the top 30 in scoring. But when he does score, by the way, when he gets 20 points in the postseason, he also averages 10 assists, without a doubt. So it's not just one or the other. When he's super aggressive looking for his shot, it opens up his whole game. So frankly, he needs a 2010 game, you know, in game three.

[Iman Shumpert]

Right.

[Brian Windhorst]

You know, and they got to find a way to get him because he's not generating the chances against this team.

[Iman Shumpert]

How much. How much of it do you feel like has to be implemented from Rick Carlisle?

[Brian Windhorst]

It's been a lot of games now where what they're doing is not getting him enough.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

You know, because, you know, Siakam, like, siakam only had 11 shots. He went 3 of 11. He wasn't at his best tonight. He had that one stretch in the second quarter. He was looking for his shot a little bit. They run a democratic offense. They don't really run stuff for individual players. That's not the way they play. Like, they're perfectly happy if Neesmith gets as many shots as Halliburton if they win. But I'm just telling you, the Hallibur, the way this team guarantees a victory is by getting first off, getting over 110 points. They're, like undefeated when they get over 110 points. They didn't get there tonight. 107.

[Iman Shumpert]

But they didn't. They didn't defend tonight. Not like that. Not like we've seen Indiana defend in previous. In previous years. Previous games in the playoffs, period. We have not seen them have a game where they let guys just do whatever. I don't feel like their defense was on a string tonight. They had moments where they gave the effort that you. You see out of them. I don't want to say they didn't play hard. They weren't five guys on a string tonight. Defensively.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, well, 123. What they gave up.

[Iman Shumpert]

Oh, yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

And, you know, look, they scored 66 in the second half. Like I said, that's enough. That's enough. But they weren't able to get enough stops themselves because The Thunder shot 49%.

[Iman Shumpert]

They started down what they. They saw 20. They were down 20 in the first half.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

So seeing that playing catch up, they never got within striking range. I think that's. That's what we were talking about.

[Brian Windhorst]

So that was the difference. So they were down, I think, 19 at the half today. 19 or 20. 19, I think game one, they were down 12. That's a big difference. So now in the second half, when you get it down, when you get it down to 12, you, you would, it would have been down to like 3, 4. So the Thunder were able to push it out a little bit. That was something they didn't do, especially that.

[Iman Shumpert]

What was that third quarter for that 120 run, was it? Yeah, yeah, that 120 run, that one. That's what killed him for me. And, and, and what's, what's odd is even when I saw that and in my mind I'm like, ah, that's the one right there. Ah, that's the run that kills Indiana. Still scares me. Yeah, it's very weird. As bad as they were playing, they still, everything that they do when they come down, they just throw a pass and I think throw a pass and make a shot. I always think, oh, well, maybe we need another six to put them away. Maybe you need another four to put them away. And I think that Indiana has to play off of that. I think they have to play off of that danger that they are never truly out of a game.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right.

[Iman Shumpert]

And they have to play, play into that. They have to lean into that.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, there was a, there was a moment in the first half. I think they got down by 23. That was like the biggest lead. Indiana goes on a 100 run. Okay. They cut it down to 13 or give or take, and Thunder call timeout. And they immediately get like five or six straight out of that timeout to push it back up. That's something that they didn't do in game one. When Indiana came at them, they weren't able always to hold them off, so they pushed it back. So they were just more comfortable. They were just, you could just tell they played their game. By the way, I think that really important stat on the Thunder. They're 172 now. They only had 19 losses all year. They're 17 and 2 after losses. Yeah, they're 50 in the playoffs after losses. Like, that's how you want to avoid getting beat. You don't lose multiple games in a row. That's how you go.

[Iman Shumpert]

Indiana the same.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, Indiana's with the no.

[Iman Shumpert]

2 game thing.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. They hadn't lost two in a, they hadn't lost two in a row in like 60 days and until the last round.

[Iman Shumpert]

That's what I mean. They're very, it's amazing how these two teams match up on paper.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Iman Shumpert]

I, I, I think that if I'm Indiana 1, I'm going to tell My guys, we should have way more rebounds because we're getting way more stops. We just didn't get any.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, the rebounding was way better for.

[Iman Shumpert]

Today, but we have to get stops to get re. The shots going in. It ain't no rebound.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right?

[Iman Shumpert]

Like, that's the issue, guys. We're not. There's no defensive rebounds to get. Like, I want to say that y' all didn't rebound. That wasn't the case. Y' all rebounded. There just wasn't any available because y' all didn't get stops.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right.

[Iman Shumpert]

And you can't just string one stop together. You got to string three stops at a time. Three stops in a row or it doesn't count. That's got to be their mindset.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. Well, they also need, by the way, they had six, seven guys in double figures tonight. They just didn't have a. They just never really got. They didn't have a guy get hot. They needed a guy to get hot, and there was. Wasn't there, so. Yeah, but it's a series, Shump.

[Iman Shumpert]

It's definitely a series. It's exciting. Now we're gonna head to Indiana. That's a tough arena to play in. I'm interested in this. Game three is gonna be a very interesting game one because I want to see how the Thunder play on the road in the finals. Just flat out, I want to see if they also use that lineup on the road. Something tells me they won't. I would go back to my old lineup just to play off it, but I know they probably won't do that.

[Brian Windhorst]

The double big lineup was very effective. They didn't play for that many minutes, but it was effective.

[Iman Shumpert]

Yeah, but I.

[Brian Windhorst]

You may want to start with a lineup that's very effective because you're going to be on the road. You don't want to get behind.

[Iman Shumpert]

I get it. We'll see. It should be interesting. Or go out there and just start. My guy Caruso.

[Brian Windhorst]

That would start as well. That would help as well.

[Iman Shumpert]

Whatever. Start my guy Caruso.

[Brian Windhorst]

All right, so game three is Wednesday night. We'll be here with the Hoop Collective, me and Shump. Day of Game 3, the Tims will be back for a podcast that runs on Wednesday. Until then, Chump, look forward to it. Safe travels up to Indiana.

[Iman Shumpert]

Same to you.

[Brian Windhorst]

We will talk to you soon. Thanks for watching Hoop Collective.