Follow the Thunder on Twitter. When it reaches 1,500 followers, they’re giving away things from players’ lockers. 
Dibs on Robert Swift’s game worn jersey!
Speaking of, evidently Kevin Durant has officially stepped into Twitteronia. I assume it’s real since he’s being “followed” by the official Thunder twitter. His first tweet? “Eating breakfast.” Man, this should be awesome. UPDATE! I asked KD if he was going to be like Shaq and have people chasing him all over Penn Square Mall and he said, “haha. No, no. I won’t be like Shaq.” Correspondence with Kevin Durant! I’m a real journalist!!! WOOO!!!!
Let me say that last night’s Chicago-Boston game was one of the best I’ve ever watched. It was one of those games where you could just feel the awesomeness of it. You had Ray Allen going for 51. The scuffle in the first half. Rajon Rondo with 19 assists and ZERO turnovers. John Salmons and Derrick Rose combining for 53. Allen’s dagger three in overtime and then another coldblooded jumper in the third overtime. Joakim Noah’s unreal fast break dunk and-1. Everything about it was awesome. Derrick Rose’s block on Rondo. It was one of those games where you knew it was going on ESPN Classic tomorrow morning at the end of regulation. Didn’t matter what happened in OT. But the fact that they played three more unbelievable periods cemented it as one of the best ever. It was the NBA’s answer to Syracuse-UCONN. But with better players and more on the line. What. A. Game.
P.J. Carlesimo has some praise for Scott Brooks: “I thought Scotty (Brooks) and the staff did an excellent job. I thought the team continued to get better and better as the year went on, which is something that you always hope for. It happened last year, too, in Seattle. … The difference in Kevin Durant, and the individual improvement in some of the players is so dramatic. It’s primarily Kevin and how hard he worked, but it’s also Brian Keefe, the assistant who spent a lot of time working with him, and Scotty came along. I think Jeff Green has continued to improve. Russell Westbrook had an excellent rookie year. Some of the moves the team made have been really good. Most of the moves last year were salary cap moves, or moves to position themselves for the draft or free agency. Getting (Nenad) Krstic and (Thabo) Sefolosha are moves that will help the team on the floor right now and in the future.”
Gordon Monson says Carlos Boozer will “jack up” team chemistry. The more I read about the big guy, the more I don’t think he’d be a nice fit in OKC: “The late Larry Miller said he did not want his club to cross that threshold, but he also once said he would be willing to go there — if it meant a championship was imminent. Having Boozer in the lineup doesn’t guarantee that kind of result. In fact, it could hinder it, considering the way Boozer’s teammates respond to him. Look at the way they played once he returned from his knee injury this past season. They got worse, not better. There is no proof for it, but there is a suspicion that Boozer jacks up the Jazz’s team chemistry and that his presence hurts their cohesiveness. No argument here. “
HoopsWorld’s top 7 point guard prospects: “What goes overlooked when evaluating Curry as a point guard prospect is what he had surrounding him at Davidson. Offensively Curry had very little help outside of Andrew Lovedale, who may be able to make some money playing basketball once he’s graduated but certainly not in the NBA. If Curry played at a high major program like Memphis, Duke, or North Carolina he would have had much higher assists numbers and his ability to play the point wouldn’t be anywhere near as big of a question mark. He’s a very sound defender and his best quality is his ability to thrive under pressure.”
I hope by the end of next year Kevin Durant is right in the middle of this list – the top NBA jersey sales for last year. Kobe Bryant tops the list with LeBron second. Kind of surprisingly, Nate Robinson is seven and Pau Gasol nine. Who really wants a Pau Gasol jersey?
Ridiculous Upside’s mock draft version 1.1: “Thunder – Jordan Hill: Hill is big, strong, athletic and willing to pound the glass and defend the post – you will have a man crush on him soon. He averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds per game this past season at Arizona – double-double’s in college aren’t easy to come by. The Thunder need young bigs and Hill would be a nice addition to the team, improving their low post game. My favorite part? He says himself he has “Ridiculous” Upside. NBA: Al Horford”
Your complete early entrants list: A lot of these haven’t signed agents so they could drop out, but the early entrant period has passed, so these are the guys that are in. I will never understand why some of these bench players that I’ve never heard of enter early. But they do. Good luck Junior Salters and Ater Majok!
if we get Rubio, we HAVE to get an FA pickup in the backcourt - we'd have two players who are mediocre outside shooters in the backcourt, and two questionable defensive players - that's why Presti's job will be tough this summer . . .
@dj
love your #4 point . . .
Thabeet is definately boom or bust. But I hated the trade for green, I would have loved to see what durant and the core could do, now I root for wso we have! As a fan, you always root for your team and your guys. I will always be in our guys corner, even Sene I rooted for. Followed him in the D-League and he was a lot of fun too cheer for. I hated the draft pick, but he was OURS. I know he was a long shot. Didn't like the draft, but will always be a supporter. Presti is doing well. Have faith, we don't have to agree, but we can always cheer for our guys
1. Griffin - don't need another pf with Green, White, Collison & Ibaka, but he's too good to pass up.
2. Rubio - point guards this good don't come along very often, Westbrook slides over to sg easy & they'd team up for a dynamite defensive backcourt.
3. Harden - absolutely the perfect sg fit for the team Presti's assembled.
4. Anything... trade, pick, sell, whatever, just so long as it does not result in Thabeet.
Hey, just wanted to let you know that the Kevin Durant twitter account you're linking to is a fake. I work with his agency, and his account is actually twitter.com/kevindurant35. Confirmation by actual pictures of him and twitpic. Please spread the word. Thanks.
Right, I don't think it's entirely fair to group Thabeet with Petro, Sene and Swift. Those three were COMPLETE unknowns. Thabeet's had three years of college ball at the highest level. We know his game pretty well.
thabeet is possible bust material ...
but to equate him to swift, sene, petro - thats crazy ... none of them rebound or defend the paint & should be no factor in the evaluation of future 7footers ... they are stiffs, drafted by people who had no clue...
im not big on jordan hill at all ...
curry is great but where does he fit?
& i agree with somebody ... i begged for salmons to go to okc ... (i watched him grow up tho, so last nite was no surprise at all)
i'd go - blake, thabeet, harden, tyreke, rubio ...
not sold on thabeet - but after blake, no one is a guaranteed superstar in this draft (i'm not certain he is) ... & hasheem fills the biggest thunder need ... its worth the possibility ...
For your information, I happen to own three Pau Gasol jerseys.
@Dustin
I am a Thunder fan regardless of who Presti picks. However I can still disagree with a decision that he makes . . .
@J.G.
seriously . . . I think he's that good . . .
Thabeet is the quintessential boom or bust mystery card.
It's just, well bust looks a lot more likely when you consider a myriad of factors...
But I'm sure we'd all circle the wagons if Presti picks him and he is an extremely likeable young man, after all (and yes, I can see a scenario where Presti would select Thabeet, if certain things fall in an unfortunate way for the Thunder).
IF Presi picks Thabeet, I seriously hope that he would man up and prove me wrong.
Exactly
Keith :@Dustin
But until Presi picks Thabeet (which I don’t think he will), I can still pick on the kid, right?
HAHA! Because once he does, we'll all turn from "Hasheem Thabust" to talking about how brilliant Presti is and how he saw something we didn't because he's Sam Presti and we're not.
@Dustin
But until Presi picks Thabeet (which I don't think he will), I can still pick on the kid, right?
No matter what happens I will trust the decision that Presti makes.
He has earned that.
What is his record in regards to great moves?
Picked Westbrook to early according to some--seemed to work out (he did make the all rookie team).
Traded for T-Bone only giving up a pick between 20 and 30 (in a weak draft).
Signed Kristic from Russia.
Fired PJ
The list goes on and on...
What I am getting at is he is paid to make the decisions and if he feels like Thabeet is a good player we should not rip him.
Dustin :
I know Thabeet is a project but he is a legit 7 footer who can rebound and defend the basket.
Whats wrong with that?
swift, sene, petro.
blake, rubio, hill, harden, tyreke evans
I know Thabeet is a project but he is a legit 7 footer who can rebound and defend the basket.
Whats wrong with that?
@Dustin
I was watching Artest's interview with Craig Sager the other night. I can't stay away from Barkley and the gang, so I catch every minute. Anyway, this clip was one they played, and dimemag caught up to it. I'll post the link, but you can always just go to dimemag main page to look for it, it's still a first page entry.
http://dimemag.com/2009/04/ron-artest-brandon-roy-is-the-best-player-ive-played-against/
@kev
Kev...seriously, Curry before Harden?
@Nix
One reason why I dropped Rubio to 4 is that we'd have (as of now) two below average outside shooters at the guard spot - that's a recipe for disaster . . .
@Nix
Curry and AI couldn't be more different - you are really selling Curry short - when you play on a mediocre team, you HAVE to take most of the shots - he is going to surprise you . . .
Dustin :1. Blake Griffin2. Rubio3. Thabeet4. Harden
Please see the attached photo. Are you sure you want someone like that on your team? HAHA!!
http://www.totalprosports.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/blake-griffin-middle-finger-and-girlfriend.jpg
Yes. Yes I do.
@kev
based on team needs and the talent level of this draft, our choice is really limited. I just put Hill and curry to fill in the 5 sopts. anyone besides Griffin Rubio or harden would be a disappointment to me.
I put Rubio up above Harden because he is definitely trade bait...and holds alot of International appeal...Think about it...We have all of the Switzerland market, Croatia (right..Kristic?) and then we take a good share in the Spainish market...Rubio brings awareness to our team, thus making this a team to watch on a national level...and if RW really develops his jump shot then I'm fine with 1. Rubio 2. RW
1. Griffin
2. Rubio
3. Trade for above
4. Can't trade for above then draft Harden
5. Trade pick for future picks or whatever is good...
Curry reminds me of AI to much...Would AI fit this team? and I feel like Curry's defense is not what we're going for long term...(I know...A lot of people like Curry around here but I think he fits a Suns/Knicks/Warriors style better)
@Bernard
our lists are close . . .
and yes, no Thabeet!!!!
@kev
Griffin
Harden
Rubio
Curry
Hill
please no Thabeet
That chi-bos game was amazing amazing amazing.
what about ray allen? people thought he has nothing left in the tank blah blah blah. Big shots after Big shots. man I wish we can sign him this summer lol, he's everything we need, a leader on and off court and a deadly shooter.
hey i can always dream.
hey Dustin, you're still buying Thabeet - care to tell us why??
1. Blake Griffin
2. Rubio
3. Thabeet
4. Harden
Please see the attached photo. Are you sure you want someone like that on your team? HAHA!!
http://www.totalprosports.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/blake-griffin-middle-finger-and-girlfriend.jpg
anyone else care to post their top 4 (or 5) - should make for more interesting discussion . . .
My updated wish list for the 2009 NBA Draft (in order of preference)
1. Blake Griffin
2. Stephen Curry
3. James Harden
4. Ricky Rubio
I will be disappointed if we select someone else . . .
Hill is overrated - first, I think he may be shorter than 6-8 and even if he is that tall, I think he's not a dominant low post player - I am willing to go out on a limb and say that (for the majority of his career) he won't be a starter . . .
he's my type of player. He's crafty, skilled, and intelligent. His demeanor is amazing. He has the same look on his face the whole game. He's also selfish - Again, I'd take either Harden or Curry (after Griffin) . . .
@kev
I've always been a little torn on Steph, but I like his game and I think he has quality reasons for some of his deficiencies.
Excellent Hoopsworld piece about Curry - it's what I've been thinking, but they are much more articulate than me. The guy can play point, and it's difficult to get assists when you aren't surrounded by top Division 1 athletes - I think he will be (at least) a good PG in the pros . . .
Dustin :Who is Artest’s friend?
Has everybody signed up for the Thunder Tweet? We need to win some free stuff!!!
Followers at 1153. Once we hit 1500, we will give away items from players’ lockers. Help us get there. @okcthunder8:07 AM Apr 30th from web
Somebody doesn't read the Bolts :(
Jax Raging Bile Duct :The Magic were on NBA tv last night, so I recorded it while watching the Bulls/Celtics game. Gortat could start on 25 teams in this league. I’d love to get him in a Thunder uni.
While Nix was screaming about wanting Salmons, I was screaming how I never want to see us land Big Baby. I really, really don’t like that guy’s game. But on a long enough time line (what, like 400 minutes in 77 overtimes by now) his total box score numbers for the series looks pretty good. But his decision making just frustrates me.
Also, maybe we can sign Ron Artest’s high school friend from prison. He sounds pretty good.
I watched Gortat play as well. I really like what he brings. What did he have, like nine points, 14 boards last night? He's huge (6-11, 240)and has a little perimeter game. I like him. Plus, the best nickname in basketball - The Polish Hammer.
Who is Artest's friend?
Has everybody signed up for the Thunder Tweet? We need to win some free stuff!!!
Followers at 1153. Once we hit 1500, we will give away items from players' lockers. Help us get there. @okcthunder8:07 AM Apr 30th from web
The Magic were on NBA tv last night, so I recorded it while watching the Bulls/Celtics game. Gortat could start on 25 teams in this league. I'd love to get him in a Thunder uni.
While Nix was screaming about wanting Salmons, I was screaming how I never want to see us land Big Baby. I really, really don't like that guy's game. But on a long enough time line (what, like 400 minutes in 77 overtimes by now) his total box score numbers for the series looks pretty good. But his decision making just frustrates me.
Also, maybe we can sign Ron Artest's high school friend from prison. He sounds pretty good.
Nix :We need a general forum for discussion…I was watching the game last night and just wanted to scream at everyone how badly I wished we would have gotten Salmons…He’s a beast on both ends of the floor…
Noah’s dunk was amazing…1. I thought how can a big guy driblle like that 2. No way is Paul Pierce going to foul 3. No way Noah makes the dunk…
Boom goes the dynamite…
The problem with KD’s sales is he only had half a year where his jersey’s were available…and Gasol gets a lot of sales because he has all of Spain…That and the Laker’s are the most popular team in China…
Yeah Salmons has been pretty good. He definitely would have been a nice piece. But guys like him are out there... Presti will find them.
We need a general forum for discussion...I was watching the game last night and just wanted to scream at everyone how badly I wished we would have gotten Salmons...He's a beast on both ends of the floor...
Noah's dunk was amazing...1. I thought how can a big guy driblle like that 2. No way is Paul Pierce going to foul 3. No way Noah makes the dunk...
Boom goes the dynamite...
The problem with KD's sales is he only had half a year where his jersey's were available...and Gasol gets a lot of sales because he has all of Spain...That and the Laker's are the most popular team in China...