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Berry Tramel: The Thunder needs more offense, less one-on-one to beat the Heat

The Oklahoman’s Berry Tramel took questions from readers in today’s Power Lunch Chat. Take a look at today’s Q&A and join our Power Lunch Chats Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on NewsOK.com/Sports.

By Berry Tramel | Published: February 15, 2013 Comment on this article

The Oklahoman’s Berry Tramel took questions from readers in today’s Power Lunch Chat. Take a look at today’s Q&A and join our Power Lunch Chats Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on NewsOK.com/Sports.

Berry Tramel 10:57 a.m. Hey, everybody. I'm up and running. So send in your questions and we'll get started in a couple of minutes.

tom 10:59 a.m. After watching the game last night I do not think there is a trade scenario out there that gets OKC past Miami. The Thunder were tentative passers, rebounders, and defenders at all spots. Unless they play better as a team, improving one spot won't beat Miami.

Berry Tramel 11:00 a.m. Excellent point. And any trade would bring a role player. Lack of role players is not the problem. The Thunder was tentative. Rebounding was a huge problem. The Thunder has to be more assertive.

Rusty 11:00 a.m. Whatwas the biggest OKC problem last night?

Berry Tramel 11:01 a.m. I think running offense. Durant couldn't get anything going in the first half, when LeBron was on the court. I thought Westbrook was relatively solid, but Ibaka was a no-show offensively. And Kevin Martin got just five shots. He needs at least 10, and 12-13 would be fine with me. The Thunder has to run better offense.

L.W. 11:02 a.m. Is Bedenbaugh the answer at OU?

Berry Tramel 11:03 a.m. How should I know? And I don't think Bob Stoops knows, either. Clearly, he was brought in to recruit. Patton coached very well. But I guess Stoops wasn't pleased with his recruiting. So that's Bedenbaugh's mission. Bring in more good players.

The Dodger 11:03 a.m. Who wins Bedlam?

Berry Tramel 11:04 a.m. I''ll take OSU. The Cowboys are at home and are playing very well. OU dominated Bedlam I in Norman, but now the Sooners don't have Hield, while the Cowboys have Williams. So one of OU's advantages -- more usable players -- has been neutralized.

James 11:07 a.m. WHo surprised you most on the OU firings?

Berry Tramel 11:09 a.m. Jackie SHipp. Patton, too, but Shipp, just because of the history. I mean, Shipp's been with Stoops since 1999. Fourteen seasons. Kittle was a no-brainer, really, but Patton had done a good job. Shipp doesn't have the greatest bedside manner, but it certainly looks like he'd done a good job over the years. Really surprised me.

L.W. 11:10 a.m. Suppose Holgorsen is mad at Stoops?

Berry Tramel 11:11 a.m. Good question. I don't know how that stuff goes. Do coaches get mad when their staffs get raided? I assume. But that goes with the territory. That's how a lot of coaches get their staffs anyway.

Eric S 11:19 a.m. I noticed that OU now has a number of coaches that served with Mike Stoops at Arizona. Do you think that could be a big positive or will loyalty be more to Mike that Bob. I know they are all on the same team.

Berry Tramel 11:20 a.m. It's a great question. It's Arizona East. Loyalty is not really an issue, but it does seem like Bob is relying heavily on Mike for staff input. It will be interesting to follow. Three members of the 2010 'Zona staff are now on the OU staff.