Stinks/doesn’t stink: Jim Knowles Hire, OKC Thunder and Super Bowl LII

Stinks/doesn’t stink — the column dissecting and passing judgement on all the latest topics in Oklahoma State sports and beyond — is back for a Friday edition discussing the Jim Knowles hire, the OKC Thunder, and, of course, the Super Bowl.

Let’s hop to it.

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Jim Knowles Hire

It’s en vogue to immediately poo poo any hire if you’re a fan of any sport. Unless you’re Nick Saban where any and all coaches instantly turn to gold upon arrival, almost no fanbase is ever happy with a hire — and finding a “splashy hire” is few and far between.

So when Gundy reeled in Duke DC Jim Knowles earlier this week, the reaction — mostly poo pooing the hire, which I think was warranted — was actually met with … optimism from OSU fans. I had people from near and far flooding my Twitter mentions about how low-key good the hire was on Gundy’s end.

After checking out his recent track record of success crootin’ in the ACC (and to Duke, no less!) I have to say I’m actually kind of leaning over the fence towards the camp of optimism. Like this article from SB Nation explaining that it isn’t inspiring, but it gets OSU back to the basics on D.

If Oklahoma State can consistently play top 40 defense or better then that could raise the ceiling for what this program might achieve with Gundy’s consistently excellent offenses. Knowles isn’t a sexy hire but he might be the right one to guarantee that another elite offense isn’t wasted. [SB Nation]

After hearing Ian Boyd and other national voices weigh in on the hire in a mostly encouraging light, I think I’m ready to see where this goes.

Would I have preferred hiring Alabama’s DC? Or South Carolina’s associate head coach? Probably. But the fact that Knowles can run a 4-2, knows how to croot, and showed improvement in virtually every season at the helm of the Blue Devils, is encouraging to me. So you won’t find any poo pooing here. Count me in.

Verdict: Doesn’t stink

Thunder’s playoff chances

The Thunder have one of the best records since Christmas. They have Paul George playing like a (should have been) All-Star starter. And they have Russ finally settling in as the go-to man on offense, which is among the reasons I am optimistic that this season isn’t a wash.

But after losing Andre Roberson for the season and seeing what the Nuggets were able to do on Thursday night, I have a hard time thinking this season will amount to anything more than an early playoff ouster again.

Sure, Russ + PG13 are as dynamic a duo in the league. And yes, Steven Adams is one of the better centers in the NBA. But without a true defensive stopper to lock down opponents’ top options, and without a trusty two-way player to pit alongside Paul George, I think there are glaring roster weaknesses that are ripe for exposing — just as Denver did on Thursday night.

Making the Western Conference Finals is off the table to me, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them lose in five in the first round. If Denver can knock down an ungodly number of 3s vs. the Thunder, what do we think the Rockets or Warriors could do to this team?

Verdict: Stinks 

Super Bowl LII and parity

Like many of you, on Sunday, I will gather around the boob tube with friends and family to watch Tom Brady destroy the lowly Eagles the Super Bowl between the Patriots and Eagles. It’s the best single-game fan experience in all of sports — from the commercials, to the game, the communal experience, and everything in between.

But gosh darnet if I just can’t get up for this game. Am I excited for the viewing experience? Sure. But do I already know the outcome?  … basically. Philly might put up a good fight and the Eagles will surely have some positive plays, but everyone knows how this one will end: Tom Brady and Bill Belichick being crowned victors.

I know there are plenty of #BradyTruthers out there, but I am not among them. Seeing a professional team completely wreck shop for as long as the Pats have is historic, but it doesn’t make it any more fun to watch. Parity is why I love the NCAA Tournament so much, and the lack of it is why I think this run from the Pats has made the NFL so boring. We can already pencil in the victor before the season begins so long as TB12 is still in uni.

Verdict: Stinks