Darnell Mayberry with a nice story about Eric Maynor, but this quote from Scott Brooks definitely stands out: “Offensively, he’s pretty much flawless in leading our team,” Brooks said.”
From Jonathan Abrams: “Spoke with Jerry Colangelo today. He called @KevinDurant35 “a lock” for next Olympic team.”
Good news for KD too, because he blogged yesterday how much he wants it: “I tweeted about this a few days ago, but I figured I’d talk more about it on my blog. Y’all know how badly I want to play for Team USA this summer and in the future.”
Dime says OKC needs another shooter, but also had this to say about Serge: “Serge Ibaka is kind of a beast. I first heard of him at the adidas Nations high school camp a couple years ago, and soon after, his European agency contacted me about doing an Ibaka profile leading up to the ‘08 Draft. After a long, complicated process of international calls and translating French, I finally got the interview and featured Ibaka as a “Player 2 Watch” in our Summer ‘08 issue.”
Sean Deveney on the All-Star teams: “Kevin Durant, Pau Gasol or Zach Randolph? Dirk Nowitzki and Carmelo Anthony likely will start for the West, and Tim Duncan is quietly having what might be the best year of his career-he’s in for sure as the third forward in the West. The fourth forward spot is up for grabs, though. Gasol (16.8 points, 11.5 rebounds) has been hurt, but he does play for the defending champs, and it would be odd if Kobe Bryant were the Lakers’ one All-Star. Randolph (20.3 points, 11.4 rebounds) has been a key factor in the Grizzlies’ resurgence. But there’s no way we can have an All-Star game without Durant (28.4 points, 6.9 rebounds). Sure, two of these guys could fall to the wild card spots, but that would mean someone like Deron Williams or even Chris Paul could get nudged out. Like a lot of All-Star decisions, this is a tough call.”
FanHouse has OKC at 11 in its new power rankings: “Last Thursday’s Maynor-ific win over the Jazz sent Salt Lake a step closer to crisis mode and OKC a spot nearer a playoff berth. Even if the Thunder slip behind the more seasoned Jazz this spring, it’s clear the Thunder will remain in the playoff picture so long as Kevin Durant breathes. (Well, so long as he plays basketball for the Thunder, I suppose.)”
An interesting story from TrueHoop about Kevin Pritchard and how positive he is: “The Blazers GM is, to his credit, one of the League’s most relentless sunshine merchants, at least in the media (and for all I know, in private too). He found some little good thing to say even through all of the Greg Oden microfracture, and that’s no small feat.” I can tell you, I’m guilty of being too positive and optimistic. I know it, you know it, but I can’t help it. It’s more fun this way.
Kevin Henry of 66ers Nation with five things from Boise: “Latavious gathered plenty of attention. Overhearing so many scouts and reading so many blogs and Twitter updates, Latavious Williams was one of the stars that everyone had to see in Boise. One even said that seeing Williams was worth the trip to Boise. An interesting comment, considering Williams was absent the entire fourth quarter against Albuquerque and also sat the bench during crunch time in Tuesday’s win against Utah. Still, despite the late disappearance, Williams grabbed 11 rebounds on Thursday, tying a season high. “He’s quite a specimen,” one scout told me. “And he has so much room for improvement.”
Green will not be dealt to anyone. You have to keep KD happy end of story.
Weird that Toronto is glad to help out Chicago by taking Hinrich off of their plate. That may mean that no one thinks Bosh will stick around after his contract expires.
@chris
I said our deal would be contingent on some sort of assurance he would stick with us. I don't know if such an assurance is even possible, but if it is, then only under that circumstance do I support this deal
Why would we trade for Bosh when he will probably bolt for Miami this summer?
@Kev
I think Presti would actually do it, just because our team will be better for it. With that trade we still have a formidable young 4-some of KD, Harden, Maynor, and Bosh. Do we get downgraded at the PG position with this move? Probably. But overall our team is better now and moving forward. Also, the pieces would now fit a lot better and out team becomes a much more well structured unit. I mean, just think about the prospects of a KD/Bosh/Ibaka front court for the future. I think Ibaka and Bosh are a great compliment to each other. And just the sheer cumilative length we get between those 3 will be deadly, even if neither of them are elite defenders individually.
And although Maynor is not gonna be as good as RW, he might just be the better fit for us. And just because he may not be as good as RW talent/potential wise, does not mean he will not be a great steady PG for us that can more than hold his own. Another HUGE positive with maynor will be that we can retain him for far cheaper than RW, meaning we will have money for the likes of Bosh, KD, Harden AND a high quality backup PG that we wouldn't have if we had to pay RW the kinda money he will command.
You guys have to admit, this is intriguing.
@Royce
The thought of Bosh on Houston is scary. I hope to god they dont get him.
The DON :So you guys hear this rumor that Toronto is about to send Bosh to Chicago for Hinrich, Thomas, and a pick? There is no way in blue hell Presti can’t put together a far more arousing deal on the table for Toronto. If he has to throw in RW, so be it. What starting PG/PF combo is better now and for the future, a RW/Green one or a Maynor/Bosh one? It’s pretty obvious we are better with the 2nd option I laid out right away and for the future. We should do this deal ASAP so long as we are somehow ensured Bosh doesn’t walk this summer
RW and Green in the package??
Interesting to say the least . . . I doubt Presti is going to let go of RW though . . .
@The DON
I've read that Houston is pushing hard for Bosh.
So you guys hear this rumor that Toronto is about to send Bosh to Chicago for Hinrich, Thomas, and a pick? There is no way in blue hell Presti can't put together a far more arousing deal on the table for Toronto. If he has to throw in RW, so be it. What starting PG/PF combo is better now and for the future, a RW/Green one or a Maynor/Bosh one? It's pretty obvious we are better with the 2nd option I laid out right away and for the future. We should do this deal ASAP so long as we are somehow ensured Bosh doesn't walk this summer
A few KD workout links:
http://www.mensfitness.com/fitness/new_moves/548
http://www.mensfitness.com/sports_and_recreation/athletes/184
http://stacktv.stack.com/video.aspx?videoID=6546334001_374
@Ebee
Awesome, thanks!
@crick
He still works out with UT trainers during the summer.
I'm in the same boat as you. I just sent a DM. I will let you know if I hear something back.@Dooney
@Bryan
lol, yeah dylan wants em, probably some other guys on here too
Royce :@crick
It is old. They just updated some of the clips. You’ll notice Kevin Calabro doing every call for it.
Observe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZndlb18d0s
Aaaaah.... now I see. This is from his UT days. Explains the practice court, which looked unfamiliar.
Also explains why he can feel so much loyalty to UT after only one year. These guys may have really improved his fitness and co-ordination and awareness of how to train. Really important fundamental work. I think he's genuinely grateful for what they showed him and how they pushed him on.
I hope he still does stuff like this. The need doesn't go away just because he's been in the league for a few years. Be nice to see an updated video of what his current workouts look like.
f5alcon :
westbrook will be up for an extension before maynor so they will have to make a decision then.
i was hoping that we could convince the thunder girls to show up to a watch party, but with the creepers that might not be such a good idea, lol, wait who am i kidding i still want them to show up, i want to try and pick one up for my roommate he could use a nice date
I have all the women troubles I can handle for now... so I have zero interest in a Thunder Girl. I was just trying to aid a fellow poster in chasing a dream...lol
@Dooney
LMAO... perfect!
@crick
It is old. They just updated some of the clips. You'll notice Kevin Calabro doing every call for it.
Observe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZndlb18d0s
hmmm, just noticed something.
I think the Durant workout video is from last season. Firstly, there's old clips in there (such as an assist from Earl Watson). And then at the beginning, Summer introduces Kevin as a "second year forward".
I wonder why it wasn't released earlier? Or maybe it was?
Still a great video.
westbrook will be up for an extension before maynor so they will have to make a decision then.
i was hoping that we could convince the thunder girls to show up to a watch party, but with the creepers that might not be such a good idea, lol, wait who am i kidding i still want them to show up, i want to try and pick one up for my roommate he could use a nice date
...was that an older looking Summer Sanders hosting that video of Durant?
@GAP
Good. Let's see what he's got.
@Dylan
@Ebee
That's why I was asking because I have the same situation here on my end. Though it's a shirt and not Creamsicles... I want my free stuff!
@Bryan
.....I haven't been this uncomfortable on a message board since AOL circa '97-'98. Nor have I been this inclined to join a another gym.
I just got a Thunder tweet that says, DJ White has been called back up to the team!
I think the Thunder will always be a money-conscious franchise, but they will pay to keep their core players. Westbrook, Green, (Yes, Green.) Durant, Harden, Ibaka, and Maynor are all guaranteed to be here long-term, in my opinion.
the whole thunder girls squad AND ME works out there on Thursdays. From now on.
Wow... now that I look at it, that really seems creepy. The whole Thunder Girls squad works out there on Thursdays. That's all.
On a less creepy note (sorry female DT patrons), I really want to see more of the three guard line up.
I think the Thunder can get a lot more done with Maynor, Westbrook, Harden, Durant, Ibaka on the floor pushing the action in transition and pestering the heck out of other teams. Maybe you put Green in instead of Durant so that you don't wear him out. Maybe this is what it should look like MOST of the time Durant is off the floor.
@Dylan
Hey, I just wanted to let you know that if you want to profess your undying love for Riane, you might consider going to Aspen Athletic club on the NW corner of Penn Square Mall at around, say, 7:30 PM on Thursdays...that's all Ima say....
Royce :@crick
Well thanks a lot for spoiling tomorrow morning’s video…
oops...
sorry!
:(
I haven't received my stuff either! It makes me feel better that I'm not the only one. I've thought about DMing them too!@Dylan
oh my god, it's summer sanders /swoon
@crick
Well thanks a lot for spoiling tomorrow morning's video...
:)
That's crazy. I was watching NBA fit this morning on the NBA network and I was thinking how cool it would be to see KD's workout. Thanks dude.
Darnell also linked to a
great video of Kevin working out in the gym
Very interesting seeing the stuff he was doing for co-ordination, flexibility, endurance, and what his trainer called "useful strength".
A bit inspirational too. Although, I must confess (sadly), that I was downing a chocolate candy bar while watching this video. But it was delicious... and... I'm sure it'll give me energy (today, later this week, or month) to go put in a good workout, someday.
@Dooney
Not yet. I keep thinking about DMing them and asking when I should expect them, but I don't want to seem too needy, haha.
@Boots
It's definitely a possibility, but I wouldn't expect it. There are a lot of factors in play and not all of them have to do with quality of play. This franchise is new and we don't know a whole lot about how Presti and the ownership group will manage personnel and money.
@Dylan
You received your shoes yet from @Nikebasketball?
@Dylan
Yeah, I like what I see so far though. Presti hasn't given any proof his he's willing to spend yet, so I guess we'll see in a few years how things will go.
@Boots
You have to be careful about taking a 7-game sample of 14-mpg backup duty and assuming it would continue over an 82-game span of 35-40 mpg.
I like Maynor, too, but the only way I can see Maynor over Westbrook is if it comes down to $$$, which it might. We really have no idea how liberal Presti is going to be with his dough.
And I'm lookin forward to traveling to OKC to watch the Thunder tomorrow night. Hopefully my Zombie Sonics shirt will bring the team luck.
KD better make the all star team this year.
Is it blasphemy to consider that the ownership might decide to stick to the probably-more-affordable Maynor over Westbrook once it's time to give out second contracts? Especially since he is the classical point guard, and seems to be be pretty darn good at it? I am not sayin' that I think it should happen, but just sayin' it could happen.