Mike Brown Says Lakers Were 'Disappointing To Watch' Against Thunder

It was a clash of the old and the new. One team had all of its former glory hanging in the rafters. The other team was literally there to bring the Thunder. And that’s exactly what Oklahoma City did last night against the Los Angeles Lakers in Derek Fisher’s return in a 102-93 win. If anything, it was a turning of the tables after years of Laker dominance — although one regular season win doesn’t mean quite that much.

Still to hear Lakers’ coach Mike Brown discuss the game afterwards, it was clear he was disappointed.

“To give up the buckets we did in the third quarter the way we did,” Brown said of the Thunder’s outscoring the Lakers 34-19 in the quarter, "it was disappointing to watch.

“Obviously they picked up their intensity and their sense of urgency and they played with a physicality in the third quarter that they knew was to their advantage. They said, ’We’re coming out and we’re going to take it right at ‘em.’ "

The Thunder have the obvious advantage in terms of athleticism and youth, and the grind of a shortened NBA season like this one plays right into the team’s hands. However the season starts again come playoff time and the Thunder’s mettle will be tested then. That is when the experience of their new point guard will come into play to help settle them if their youthful exuberance or even nerves are getting the best of them.

For now, it’s clear the Lakers have some work to do to get ready for a team like the Thunder again. Despite strong showings from Andrew Bynum and Bryant, they still got rolled by almost double digits.

For more on the OKC Thunder, be sure to check out Welcome To Loud City. For L.A. Lakers news and info, go to Silver Screen And Roll. All your NBA news can be found atSB Nation's NBA page.

Lakers Vs. Thunder: Derek Fisher Says Oklahoma City Is A 'Very Special Situation'

The Oklahoma City Thunder made the ultimate statement last night with their 102-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, but it was also an opportunity for Derek Fisher to make a smaller statement in his homecoming to his old stomping grounds. Fisher received a standing ovation from the crowd at the Forum, but he says he’s also quite glad to be in his new environment with the Thunder.

“This city and these fans and everyone that I grew close to over the years, they and this place will always, always hold a very special place in my heart, and that will never change. But, due to a number of different circumstances, I’m in Oklahoma City now and I’m extremely happy to be here,” Fisher said.

“This is a very special situation. Just a great group of players, a great group of guys, the staff, the community was just the right fit at the right time coming off what took place. I’m just as happy as I can be considering everything that’s gone on. I’m just looking forward to getting out there and playing some basketball tonight in front of what used to be the home crowd. But, coming in as a visitor, I’m sure it will be a lot of fun.”

Of course, when any team is at the top like the Thunder have been all season, it’s not surprising to hear such rhetoric. The Thunder have to hope that Fisher not only brings experience and chemistry to the team but a solid back-up point guard to help spell Russell Westbrook down the stretch. To this point, the team has rallied around their newest addition and it seems like a solid marriage overall.

For more on the OKC Thunder, be sure to check out Welcome To Loud City. For L.A. Lakers news and info, go to Silver Screen And Roll. All your NBA news can be found atSB Nation's NBA page.

Thunder Vs. Lakers, Final Score: OKC Survives Derek Fisher's Homecoming

It was a night focused on Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Derek Fisher's return to his former team of 13 years, but it was Western Conference leader's starting PG that stole the show. Russell Westbrook scored 17 of his 36 points in the third quarter to break open a previously close game, and the Thunder finished with a 102-93 win over the Lakers.

For only the second time in his NBA career, Westbrook scored 32 or more in back-to-back games, having put up 32 against the Portland Trailblazers on Tuesday. Fisher scored seven points in his first seven minutes, entering the game late in the first quarter to a standing ovation from the Staples Center crowd.

Kevin Durant also added 21 points and 11 rebounds while James Harden had 9 points off the bench. Andrew Bynum paced the Lakers with 25 points and Kobe Bryant had 23.

The Thunder face the Bulls next on Sunday.

For more on the OKC Thunder, be sure to check out Welcome To Loud City. For L.A. Lakers news and info, go to Silver Screen And Roll. All your NBA news can be found at SB Nation's NBA page.

ANIMATED: Derek Fisher Three-Point Play Against The Lakers

Derek Fisher received a video tribute from the Los Angeles Lakers before the game and a standing ovation from the Staples Center crowd in his first trip back to Los Angeles since being traded away. Fisher scored seven points in the first half in just seven minutes hitting 3-5 field goal attempts including a nice drive for an and-1 along the baseline.

Fisher sparked the Thunder in the second quarter as they were able to cut a 30-18 first quarter advantage by the Lakers down to just a five point deficit at halftime.

For more on the Oklahoma City Thunder, check out Welcome To Boomtown. For news and info on the L.A. Laker, go to Silver Screen And Roll, and for all your NBA news, visit SB Nation's NBA page.

Thunder Vs. Lakers Score: Oklahoma City Trailing Los Angeles 49-44 At Halftime

After watching the Los Angeles Lakers get off to a good start, the Oklahoma City Thunder went to work and successfully whittled down the Lakers lead to just 49-44 at halftime.

The Lakers quickly jumped out to a 30-18 lead at the end of the first quarter but the Thunder hit their last four shots of the half including a Serge Ibaka jumper at the halftime horn to cut the deficit to just five points.

Kevin Durant missed his first eight shot attempts before he got things going. Durant has 10 points at the half but is just 5-14 from the floor. Russell Westbrook added nine points and four assists but has also struggled shooting the ball going 3-10. Serge Ibaka has six points and three blocks in the first-half.

Kobe Bryant leads the Lakers with 14 points and Andrew Bynum has 12 points and eight rebounds. Pau Gasol added nine points and Metta World Peace has seven rebounds at the intermission.

For more on the Oklahoma City Thunder, check out Welcome To Boomtown. For news and info on the L.A. Laker, go to Silver Screen And Roll, and for all your NBA news, visit SB Nation's NBA page.

Thunder Vs. Lakers: Game Preview, TV Info And More

Derek Fisher returns to Los Angeles face the Lakers as a member of the OKC Thunder, who have won four straight since adding the veteran point guard.