Clippers vs. Thunder: Pregame Primer

@Jax Raging Bile Duct

You'll find Jamal Crawford pretty high up that list, if not the very top. He's led the NBA in 4 point plays for the last 2 season I think, going from memory here so I could be wrong.....

Anyone seen Royce? Where's the recap? He stalking Blake Griffin all the way to the airport?

Anyone see Dalembert's stat line tonight agaisnt Miami? I would be happy with that as well. It would allow us to keep Green, which is what the FO seems to want to do. At the game tonight. It was great that the crowd during the game itself, booed all the foul calls Blake was getting and heckled him at the FT line. Loved him before the game (Boomer Sooner), but during the game, he was just another Thunder foe.

One random thought before I turn it in for the night. Is there any way to look up who gets fouled on their 3 pointers the most? James seems to get that call all the time.

@Daniel
True. And I've said myself that anything we hear about is more likely a smokescreen than actual information. I just think it's an interesting turn of events. Memphis will not make the playoffs swapping Randolph for Bass and Richardson. Neither can replace what Randolph brings to that team. Further, Mayo is still on his rookie contract and Chicago doesn't have many assets of value they could afford to lose right now.

Gasol is actually easier to replace on that team because they don't feature him at all in the offense.

@Joel
Same. For evidence of what happens to GMs/organizations who like to air out everything to the public, just look at the reaming Denver gave New York's front office in the Melo trade.

@Daniel

I like it like that though.. no need to be all open about it. We'll find out in due time.

@Keith
For all we know, he is. The one bad thing about having a GM/organization as clandestine as Presti and the Thunder is that it doesn't give us fans that much to go on. Our situation is like the complete opposite of the Knick's.

Does anyone else find it interesting that Memphis is in talks about moving two of their starting five in the middle of a suddenly open playoff run and when their 1st/2nd best player is out with injury? If they are that dumb, shouldn't Presti be throwing everything we have in an attempt to steal Gasol?

@Jax Raging Bile Duct

Ohhh... I think that would be the missing freaking link for us to make a nice run in the West!

That's all I can find outside Twitter. Anyone know anything about it?

http://nba-facts-and-rumors.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/27610795

Buried in that link is this blurb about Nene to OKC.

Yahoo! Sports reports "Nene frustrated by not having contract extension offered by DEN yet. MIA, HOU & OKC interested. Nugs wont trade him and plan to make offer." a tad more here: "Nene wants extension in Denver - in 5 year, $50M-plus range - but sources say he's intrigued with how he'd fit into OKC. Feeling's mutual."

@f5alcon
As new minority owner I will now listen to requests. No promises though...

@shiki
I really hope that Randolph trade goes down. One more team (Memphis) that would be getting worse in the West playoff hunt.

Side note, I don't understand the Landry for Thorton trade. Landry basically a poor man's David West. The Hornets already have David West. I don't see them playing both guys together as a winning strategy. Only way this makes sense is if NOLA is moving West, or if they don't intend to bring him back in the offseason.

well that game was good, keeps us rested for the spurs, i hope we keep the momentum

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/25196/zach-randolph-to-orlando

So many rumors after melo's trade

Did anyone hear KD's post-game interview with John Rohde trying to bait him into dismissing Blake's draw in Oklahoma? I love that KD isn't so easily swayed by the media.

@555
Great post.

a small, but cool stat on ESPN-talking about Boston's remaining road games against elite teams or no more games against, mentions Dallas, Magic, Bulls, Lakers and Thunder

JG definately had a pretty good offensive game.
The only thing is, he was being pick on from Griffin and Aminu both when he was defending them. Not strong enough compare to Griffin (well, he's quite a handful for most people on the court) and not quick enough for Aminu. But, JG did have a very nice game compare to most of the games he's played this season.
KD and RW must be playing too much during the All Star Weekend, because they really looked like they were still in the All Star Game mode...
One thing really caught my attention, Collison was +25 when he was on the court for about 23 mins tonight; with 2 pts (free throw), 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 turn over. And he was guarding Griffin most of the time... No need for the stats but just make the difference. That's Collison's game. :)

godofserenity :I know everyone has been bagging out JG all day but look at his stat line and he did pretty well tonight. GG JG!!!!

JG does great when played in the right situations. He got killed by blake but he only had to guard him maybe five mins. JG got most of his time as a 3 or against the back up PF. I love Green at the 3 and when playing agianst the back up PF. He is really effecient and pretty good on D when put in a situation to suceed. If only that was the rotation.

Daniel :@justinI doubt Harden could be as good as Russ, but that’s not needed. If harden can develop into a consistent Manu-lite player, I think we’re going to be in good shape. Something like 16-4-4 from Harden on a consistent basis would do wonders for us.

Thats my point, I honestly think that if given more time, he could be one of the more effecient wing players in the league. He was a great finisher around the basket in college. Actually that was his most effeicent area. He he can get even a little of that back I really think he could be really good.

He also has some weird craftyness that I dont see in most players. I think right now he is still learning what he can get away with and what he can't (aka the leg kick on threes). Once he does I think we will see him start to take over games like Manu. Manu can take over a game with his scoring but so many times its his BB IQ that changes the momentum and gets his team going. I see Harden doing the little, smart things to end a run or get a stop like manu does.

He won't get the all star nod but he could have 15 pts 4 rb 4 ass 2 st in 36 min and 63% TS. If he did that he would not be a bigger star then westbrook, but he would be a better player and the perfect fit to play next to westbrook and durant.

yeah great game from Green-so glad Ivey got some points and minutes, and although Aldrich about duffed his dunk it was a great move. He's no Griffin, but he's not shabby at all.

So glad we played like the Thunder and not at the Clippers level. Now the hard stuff in SA and against LA....

If Atl wins we're a half game behind Lakers.

Props for Green... good game

I know everyone has been bagging out JG all day but look at his stat line and he did pretty well tonight. GG JG!!!!

Carl Landry can make Hornets better,I hope it dont happen

man if dallas gets devin harris...

Yea, I am really impressed with Cole. He still fouls a bunch but I could see him playing a Danny Fortson type roll. Bang inside, play with energy and foul people hard when they come in the pant.

I also really liked his screen setting tonight. He did not always look like he knew where to set the screen but he had several good screens when our players used them. Seeing Aldric and Collsion on the floor at the same time was like having two offensive lineman clearing the way for the shooter. More please.

@justin
I doubt Harden could be as good as Russ, but that's not needed. If harden can develop into a consistent Manu-lite player, I think we're going to be in good shape. Something like 16-4-4 from Harden on a consistent basis would do wonders for us.

Woj is saying Murphy would be bought out. They get a pick out of it.

This game could be summed up with one sentence:

Cole Aldrich spun baseline on Ike Diogu and slammed it home.

Wow, that was really pretty Cole.

Nice spin move by cole. why does this guy not get more minutes?

i think that will just abt kill the clippers...its poison IVEY!!

Thunder247 :

andrew :@Thunder247Did you forget about russ?

Nope, that who I was talking about. Harden’s TS% is already around 60%, if can up his usage a bit from 17% and gets more playing time, I think he could be better then Russ.

Doubtful..

Wow Cole. It's against a scrub but that looked pretty good.

Some O and D from Cole...

COLE SAY NO

Sweet mother of God what a move Cole!

Despite their hole at the 2, the Hornets look pretty scary with Landry. Having Landry-West-Okafor as your three best bigs is pretty good.

Actually Cole plays pretty good as a big guy for defense...

sick block by Cole and nice save

I wish we coulda got landry.

andrew :@Thunder247Did you forget about russ?

Nope, that who I was talking about. Harden's TS% is already around 60%, if can up his usage a bit from 17% and gets more playing time, I think he could be better then Russ.

nick :
Stein reporting that Hornets and Kings closing in a deal that sends Thornton and David Andersen for Landry.

Great deal for the Hornets...

One interesting tidbit from a source in Memphis: Last week Sam Smith of Bulls.com floated a potential Randolph-to-Magic deal. While it's unclear if it was actually proposed, I was told that, internally, the Grizzlies have discussed sending Randolph to Orlando for Brandon Bass and Jason Richardson. The thinking in Memphis is that the deal would keep the Grizzlies competitive this season while also giving them a young power forward for the future. Randolph is an unrestricted free agent this summer and it isn't clear if the Grizzlies can afford to keep him, while Bass is due $4 million next season and has a $4 million player option in 2012-13. ESPN.com

Stein reporting that Hornets and Kings closing in a deal that sends Thornton and David Andersen for Landry.

@justin
Link? I'd grab Murphy in a fantasy league if he actually got to play in GS. I don't see that anywhere though.

Warriors get Troy Murphy.