Rob Mahoney asks, “If Derrick Rose is an MVP candidate, what does that make Russell Westbrook?”: “Rose will certainly have better nights than this one, but it’s scary to imagine that Westbrook might, too. Yet Rose will live in the spotlight due to declarations of his MVP candidacy and claims of an improved three-point shot, while Westbrook will be pegged as a mere sidecar rider. The hype around Rose is deserved — he’s a phenomenal talent, and this was not one of his finer nights — but to let Durant’s clout obscure Westbrook’s brilliance would be tragic.”
Matt Moore of CBS Sports wrote a really good thing on Russell Westbrook yesterday: “Westbrook wasn’t just blinding with his speed, he was patient and deliberate when the situation called for it. It’s been this progression since his rookie season two years ago that has brought him to stardom. Well, that and his insane athleticism and uncanny ability to both see the floor and attack opportunities to get his own buckets. It’s the complete nature of his game, including his spacing defensively and intensity that makes him so dangerous … and at such a young age (Westbrook turns 22 next month).”
Nick Collison tweets: “‘I’m the Muhammad Ali of farting’ – Cole Aldrich 10/28/10″
KD wore some new kicks on opening night.
Etan Thomas, writing for HoopsHype: “Are you officially old when you don’t know any of the slang that your teamates are using? Or you think how they dress looks absolutely horrible? (Skinny jeans will always be terrible to me). This happened to me a lot while playing with the Oklahoma City Thunder last year, but to my defense Oklahoma City was the youngest team in the League.”
The Thunder has plenty planned for this Sunday’s Halloween game against Utah: “Fans are encouraged to wear a costume to the game for a chance to win $500. Thunder officials will be on the lookout for attention-grabbing costumes. Three finalists will be chosen to showcase their costumes to the audience at halftime and one will win the grand prize of $500. In Love’s Loud City, children up to 14 years will be able to trick-or-treat on the concourse for candy. In addition, the fan favorite Rain Drops will perform a Halloween-themed routine.”
Darnell Mayberry on Jeff Green’s non-extension: “By choosing to not re-sign now, Green could potentially forfeit millions of dollars. NBA commissioner David Stern has said league owners are seeking to slash player salaries by up to $800 million in the new labor contract. The new CBA also could contain cutbacks on players’ annual raises, as well as the number of years contracts can be signed for. For instance, instead of signing a five-year extension with 10.5 percent annual raises, Green could have to settle for a three- or four-year deal with 8 percent raises. Additionally, Green runs the risk of injury this season, which could destroy his value on the open market. So, too, could an unproductive season.”
A lot of people wrote about KD’s evident stalker yesterday. Kelly Dwyer didn’t dislike them, Tommy Craggs of Deadspin had a similar reaction as I did and Darnell Mayberry found them pretty funny.
Hey don’t worry, because Kid Rock is going to be honored at tonight’s Pistons-Thunder game.
A shoutout to Dr. Tate who is an eye doctor in OKC (on Meridian). Mrs. DT went to get her eyes checked yesterday and Dr. Tate was coincidentally a DT reader. So that’s cool. If you’re looking for an optometrist, I highly recommend Dr. Tate.
@John
wallace is a non threat on offense, might as well keep krstic in and draw wallace out to the perimeter
Here's a chance for a switch up in roles. Run KD at the 4 against Daye and Green against Villanueva at the 3. There are two starting centers who can't score much, and our guards should clamp down on their starting guards. Bring in Ibaka to work on his post game, Cole to bang with Wallace - see what it's really like. Harden and Maynor to work on their games. If things go right (not a guarantee) then we've got a fun game to watch and real work getting done! Granted, none of that will probably happen, but fun to think about!
hopefully we have a nice big lead tonight and can see some young guys play
Knicks and Nets now looking to the Blazers to help facilitate a deal for Melo.
@Keith
So would you say they "Jumped The Shark" when they traded Billups for AI? Seriously though, the Pistons have taken an incredibly fast journey from not being a threat in early 2000's, to best in East through mid-2000's, to now not being a threat by late 2000's-current. Pretty crazy really.
Dampier likely to Houston.
According to the people I know who really love the Pistons, the team is a walking debacle. The old guard (Rip and Tay) doesn't play nice with the new guard (Stuckey and Gordon), and the team seems almost stubbornly opposed to utilizing their talent properly. Villanueva is Jeff Green if Jeff Green wasn't good at SF either, Daye is a SG with the height to play SF - not a PF, Stuckey is playing out of position, and in the first game, they didn't give a single minute to their prized rookie.
My father likens it to the end of the Sopranos. For years it was one of the best things on, a winner and champion of its brand. It got a little contrived at times, but was always a strong show. Then suddenly the lights went out and all the fans started screaming, "WTF just happened?"
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/10129&sportCat=nba
Simmons on the Heat.
Does Detroit have the highest paid bench in the league?
Jefferson's still an effective player, but I think with that offense they will miss Boozer's passing a ton. I don't think Jefferson will be able to function like Boozer did, it'll be an adjustment period for everyone.
@Sammy
Agree that he's the obvious weak link. Jefferson will figure it out.
CJ Miles looked absolutely awful last night. Like worst-rotation-player-in-the-league bad
@justin
Maybe it's a good thing we didn't take a serious look at Big Al. I think things will get better there before they get worse, D-Wil was out most of the pre-season so they haven't formed much chemistry. If they can stay healthy, their front line is really nice (Al, Milsap, Okur). But their biggest problem right now is on the perimeter. Not enough playmakers on the wing or 3-pt shooters.
Well, looks like early returns on the Al Jeff fit were in line with my predictions right after they got him. I talked myself into liking the Jazz again after they looked so good in the preseason, but it turns out that when you downgrade at several different positions, your team does actually get worse.
@justin
That is absolutely nuts. I played with him in high school and I could push him around. Now obviously he could score at will, but I'm 6' tall. If I could push him around, God knows what NBA players can do to him.
Al Jefferson has zero assists in his first two games for the Jazz. Carlos Boozer has had only nine games (playing 30+ minutes) in the last five seasons where he's failed to record an assist.
Hmm...
@Lefty
Wondering the same thing. That shirt is mean.
Is Detroit really starting Austin Daye at PF? That's nuts. He's skinnier than KD.
Nice story:
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17746
Has anyone seen the interview KD did with Michael Wilbon? Where did he get the DEF OKC shirt he was wearing? So tight.
right here: http://defstore.spreadshirt.com/def-okc-red-A9705759/customize/color/2
ThunderHorn :Looks like spending those few weeks with Billups really paid off for Westbrook. There is a patience/control to his game that was very rare last year, howver, its only been one game.
I definetly get the sense that both guys really benefited from their time in Turkey. Even while KD's shot was not falling last night, he was still creating for others and really getting after it on the other end and looked like he had complete control of the game.
And Westbrook looked so in control.
OK, so I'd say Gasol/Bryant is probably better for now. But Wade/Lebron is only good on paper, so far.
If you guys were building a team from scratch and could draft any current tandem in the leauge, which pair would it be????
I think I'd take 35-0 (ooooh T-shirt idea)
http://www.google.com/images?q=hawaii%20five%20o&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&oe=utf8&rlz=1I7GGLL_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi
Closer look at the KD Hyperfuse.
http://www.nicekicks.com/2010/10/nike-zoom-hyperfuse-kevin-durant-pe/
I don't wear basketball shoes but damn those are hot!
@ThunderHorn
getting worked up over stats over one game is unwise. But watching his patience over one game I think is more indicative of a players maturation. Its highly unlikely, almost impossible that RW will average more rebounds than assists, but I do believe what he showed on opening night, a night where forcing things (which KD did) is the norm, RW showed retraint and wisdom. Again, I dont think that it was an accident. Wisdom never is a product of randomness or happenstance.
Looks like spending those few weeks with Billups really paid off for Westbrook. There is a patience/control to his game that was very rare last year, howver, its only been one game.
Cole!!! Cole!!! Cole!!! Needs Minutes, man.
God no, dont 'honor' Kid Rock. Im from Michigan and cant STAND that untalented, hideous, gloating, glorified hill-Jack. Yeah, you supported the troops, we all do, great, now take your seat you dolt. Man, just when I thought it would be a night of unparalleled joys of watching my Thunder.
Westbrook showed amazing patience opening night and that is not an accident. His maturation, I believe, is probably the second best story of the Thunder. The friend that Im going to the game with has not seen any Thunder games at all. Naturally he's heard of Durant but barely knows Westbrook. After tonight, Im certain he'll be a believer. Tomorrow, hell be tooting Ibakas horn.
@Dave
We should see a lot of Green tonight. If he can't dominate Charlie V and Austin Daye, then what's the point of playing him at all?
Don't forget Kobe-Pau
And, OKC will crush the Pistons tonight. So I want to see some minutes for Cole Aldrich. Maybe a little less Green (let's get the discussion started).
@Bryan
Maybe in 2-3 years, but right now it's James and Wade.
If you're talking Thunder only, you're definitely right. :)
Hey, there's another Thunder game on tonight!
I can't stand Lebron's shoes. Those suckers feel like they have lead soles. And they look like dumptrucks.
Westbrook + Durant = best 1-2 combo????
Anyone?
I love seeing Westbrook get his due. Durant's shadow might be pretty long, but I'd say Westbrook is getting a fair amount of press these days. And I can't imagine that Durant is anything but happy for him.
Now, if we could just get Green to make a similar leap.....
11. Do the Clippers really not give their own players 24-hour access to their facilities to practice and work on their games because Donald Sterling wants to save money on the electricity bill? Guess turning on the court lights isn’t a worthy investment to him.
Vintage Donald Sterling.
not second?
not first