Jemele Hill of ESPN.com: “Westbrook’s development is obviously key because it impacts the Thunder’s quest for an NBA title this season. But given how erratic he’s been, it’s opened up a larger discussion about whether Westbrook is the best long-term fit for Durant. Of course, Durant is far too classy to voice any concerns about Westbrook to the media, but Durant had a heated exchange with Westbrook in the huddle during a timeout in the first half of Game 4. Also of note was Durant after shutting down the Nuggets with a terrific Game 5 performance: He beat his chest and used a colorful adjective to shout to the masses that the Thunder were his team. A message perhaps?”
Ticket scalpers got busted before Game 2 writes Michael Kimball of NewsOK.com: “Members of the Oklahoma City police vice squad made the arrests before the game, which ended in a Thunder victory that tied their Western Conference semifinal series with the Grizzlies at one game apiece. Some undercover officers posed as buyers, and other arrests were made when the officers observed sales taking place, Knight said. The price Tuesday of scalped tickets sold by the arrested men varied, but some were being sold at more than $200 over face value, Knight said. He wouldn’t say how often officers enforce the scalping ordinance at Thunder games, but said there is a police presence at every game. There is no state law against scalping tickets in Oklahoma, but Oklahoma City has an ordinance that makes it illegal to sell tickets for more than a 50 cent profit, Knight said.”
Ed the Sports Fan: “OKC is 15-7 (68%) in the regular and post-season combined when Westbrook outshoots Durant…versus 44-22 (66%) when he doesn’t. That’s 22 of a possible 81 regular season games played. In other words, Westbrook outshot Durant in 27% of all of OKC games this year. OKC is 13-5 (72%) in the regular season, and 7-5 (58%) versus playoff teams. In 4 playoff games versus Denver/Memphis, OKC was 2-2. 2-1 versus Denver, and 0-1 versus Memphis.”
I realize I’m getting way ahead of myself here, but if the Mavs finish the Lakers, we’re guaranteed a Finals with either Dallas, OKC or Memphis in it. That would be great.
Pretty cool Nick Collison Gatorade commercial.
Chris Broussard says Perk is the biggest X-Factor in the second round: “But I’ll go with Kendrick Perkins. We know he’s not going to be impressive statistically — and he doesn’t have to be — but he must put forth a yeoman’s effort guarding Marc Gasol for the Oklahoma City Thunder to prevail. Allowing Gasol to torch him for 20 points and 13 rebounds on 9-of-11 shooting, as he did in OKC’s Game 1 loss, will not cut it. The type of D we all have become accustomed to seeing Perk play in Boston is a must for the Thunder.”
Westbrook and Durant as a terrific twosome: “Second to LeBron-Wade on the funky scale. But it’s close. They’re averaging 56 points but don’t create as much defensive chaos as ‘Bron-Wade. After getting happy with the ball in the first round, Westbrook needed to be reminded he’s the Scottie Pippen to Durant’s Michael Jordan in this picture.”
Serge Ibaka is a good person: “One day last fall in a room at Heronville Elementary School in Oklahoma City, about 100 first-grade students began a spontaneous chant: “Espanol! Espanol! Espanol!” “It was like all of a sudden,” teacher Tiffany Olvera recalled. “It was cute.” The students, had just been told Thunder forward Serge Ibaka would be a surprise guest in the Rolling Thunder Book Bus, a Thunder-blue school bus converted by the Oklahoma City NBA team into a library on wheels that gives away books to kids.”
Daniel Plainview :@justin
Just finished that Wilbon article. Fellatio can be sloppy
this.
It sounded like a teenager writing about the Twilight Saga
@justin
Just finished that Wilbon article. Fellatio can be sloppy
@TempBoy Brandon
I undoubtedly think it would be the most exciting matchup. I love Nowitskis game, but hes a bore
I consider my self a better judge of football talent than basketball - in terms of how a players game will translate - however, I think Derrick Williams will be a total bust
Sammy :@justin
Haha… from DX (on Harper): “While he certainly isn’t on the same level as Kevin Durant, it’s easy to make the argument that no college player has so closely resembled the current NBA star since he left the University of Texas four years ago.”
I think he's going to be good.
Two of the five are picking Thunder/Heat for the Finals, and three of five are picking Mavs/Heat:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2011/news/story?page=5-on-5-110505
Sammy :@girlballerYeah, if Serge ends up not playing game 3 (a long long shot, imo) I think we just see a lot of KD on Arthur, which isn’t so bad.
As long as Thabo isn't on the court. Memphis hiding Arthur on Thabo would be a sin after making Durant guard Arthur. If we have to go small, I want KD taking Arthur off the dribble...
maybe Jimmy Butler, who is very similar to Jeff Green in terms of intangibles, but not as athletic and not as big.
TempBoy Brandon :Russ isn’t going anywhere. This LA talk is all media blubber. By all accounts, Russ loves it here.
I hop you're right, but playing in his hometown for L.A. who he watched while growing up has to be a definite draw. Still, winning is winning and if we can get past Memphis, I think we've got a great shot at the finals. If he wants to win as much as he seems to want to win, he'll sign an extension without thinking.
justin :
andrew :
I am not too worried about counting on Cole for 15-20 mpg next year. He wasn’t THAT bad this year.
please don’t resign Nazr.
I’d really like a guy in the front court who can contribute more offensively. I guess there are worse things than the Collison / Aldrich combination off the bench. But I’d be more confident snagging a veteran in there also.
Aldrich isn't a black hole offensively. He can do some basic post moves, moves around well offensively and is a good passer. Him and Collison is a nice duo, although optimally we need a stretch 4 to compliment our 4 bigs.
I'm looking at this next season....
Westbrook / Maynor
Harden / Sefolosha
Durant / Draft Pick
Ibaka / Collison / Draft pick
Perkins / Aldrich
hopefully that draft pick at the backup 3/4 can be the same guy.
@girlballer
Yeah, if Serge ends up not playing game 3 (a long long shot, imo) I think we just see a lot of KD on Arthur, which isn't so bad.
j-mo :Hypothetical: If Westbrook decides he wants to play in L.A. and leaves the Thunder after his contract, how do we adjust? Start Maynor and start Harden with Thabo coming off the bench?
We were just discussing this last night, and IMO there is no way Westbrook can co-exist with Kobe. Maynor would be a MUCH better fit in LA (as they are) and I think it is much more likely that we find ourselves shopping for a new back-up point guard after his rookie contract is up. That kid is just way too good, and way too cool under pressure for someone not to want to let him captain a ship somewhere. His pass-first/floater/3-pt game would be a great complement to Bryant and Pau.
***Please ignore all of this E. Maynor if you are listening, nobody is going to pay you anything except Presti, and you'll NEVER be happy anywhere else! ;)
@TempBoy Brandon
Plus, it's not like Bill Plaskhe is much better than Jenni Carlson anyway.
Russ isn't going anywhere. This LA talk is all media blubber. By all accounts, Russ loves it here.
Hypothetical. If Memphis' Arena is flooded, they have to forfeit right? :)
@Skeletor
I'd say Cole can quit trying to decide which tie matches his new suit for Saturday, and I would also expect a Byron Mullens sighting in a warm-up jacket. But I suspect Perkins will play heavy minutes at the 4/5 and Brooks will go longer minutes with the smaller line-up. Westbrook/Durant/Thabo/Harden/Perkins or even that crazy 3 guard Maynor/Harden/Cook/Collison/Perkins line-up.
I'm going to be REALLY nervous about Perkins foul situation. I hope he realizes he won't have the luxury of taking Z-Bo's head off and getting ejected!!
Skeletor :So if Serge doesn’t play who plays behind Nick?
Serge will play. It's just a tweak.
@j-mo
We can get a big time free agent if that happens. OKC may not be that desirable place to play, but they'll come if we're offering 12-15m.
justin :
andrew :I am not too worried about counting on Cole for 15-20 mpg next year. He wasn’t THAT bad this year.please don’t resign Nazr.
I’d really like a guy in the front court who can contribute more offensively. I guess there are worse things than the Collison / Aldrich combination off the bench. But I’d be more confident snagging a veteran in there also.
Tibor!!
Hypothetical: If Westbrook decides he wants to play in L.A. and leaves the Thunder after his contract, how do we adjust? Start Maynor and start Harden with Thabo coming off the bench?
@justin
Haha... from DX (on Harper): "While he certainly isn't on the same level as Kevin Durant, it's easy to make the argument that no college player has so closely resembled the current NBA star since he left the University of Texas four years ago."
I assume then Nick would start and Nick would probably play most of the game barring foul trouble
So if Serge doesn't play who plays behind Nick?
andrew :
I am not too worried about counting on Cole for 15-20 mpg next year. He wasn’t THAT bad this year.
please don’t resign Nazr.
I'd really like a guy in the front court who can contribute more offensively. I guess there are worse things than the Collison / Aldrich combination off the bench. But I'd be more confident snagging a veteran in there also.
@Sammy
All of a sudden, having those 3 days off seems like a blessing in disguise.
@PNT
Ha! Good call. But they should be wearing their home white's, so it'll be all good. :)
@andrew
I still want to see Cole handle that many minutes for us before making too much of a judgment, but I really did like his game as a role big so far this season, especially in our wallopings between trades. He at least seemed like a smart big, a Nick-lite to some degree, and he could develop even more.
justin :
Singleton can be a versatile wing backup in the same mold and possibly make Thabo expendable RIGHT AWAY.
fixed.
@Crow
thanks for the thoughts. I really don't see it being a big deal, I was more just curious. I'm not a confronter, nor do I feel any sort of superiority about our team, for sure. We are staying in a rental apt in Belltown, so I might try the place around there if game isnt on tv in room.
To Beast, who was looking for food options: I'm a veg so going to Seattle is like the promised land of non-meat food. But a thing I've always noticed is how good happy hours are in Seattle, both food and beverages. Take advantage of those for sure.
I am not too worried about counting on Cole for 15-20 mpg next year. He wasn't THAT bad this year.
please don't resign Nazr.
I think the team could use a big guy who can stretch the floor. Someone like Justin Harper would make a lot of sense to me, you control him on the cheap for four seasons, maybe he turns into a Channing Frye. Useful role player. Singleton can be a versatile wing backup in the same mold and possibly make Thabo expendable down the line. I think much of Presti's drafting decisions will be based on sustaining the quality of our role players long term as our veterans age / leave. Kind of like what the Spurs do.
Daniel :@Sammy
shit
Here's hoping Ibaka gets well quick. Heal up Air Congo!
@Sammy
shit
DarnellMayberry
Serge Ibaka did not practice today because of a sprained left ankle. He is listed as probable for Saturday.
@Caleb
Well, Cook and Nazr are both hitting the market this summer, so we'll need to either re-sign them or replace them. The way Cook's been used these playoffs, I don't think it'll cost too much to retain him and he's been useful. Nazr's playoffs are making me think twice; maybe we go to a 3-big rotation and hope Aldrich progresses.
Any chance that presti would dip into the FA. Area? Are they going to be any good ones worth the money this summer even? I would like to see that happen if there are but I don't know if I see presti heading that route
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
I watch little college ball other than a few tourney games and a few UW games. I have to base nearly everything off of scouting reports and stats and youtube clips
Singleton has Gerald Wallace potential if someone can light a fire under his ass.
I like taking the guy with the best work ethic at this point in the draft. Guys like Arron Afflalo end up working out because they're maniacally devoted to improving their game. Usually, it means they're also great college defenders, so in that case, Singleton seems to be the guy.
@Sammy , @diddoff
I have to admit, I haven't paid any attention to the draft this year at all - partly because I'm still in playoff mode, and partly because the CBA is on my mind for this summer, not the draft.
However, I still watch a lot of Big 12 basketball, and the two guys I like are Alec Burks (SG from Colorado) and Jordan Hamilton (SG from Texas). Those two guys can score, have some height. My impression was that they were both shooter types, not slasher types, but Chad Ford says differently. I thought they were on the Willie Warren level in college, which is a compliment because that dude could take over and score whenever he wanted to, however he wanted to. I don't know anything about whether or not they have their heads screwed on straight.
But anyway, Ford has them going to early for us anyway, and I'm mostly unfamiliar with any other league in college.
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
@justin
Thanks. I would love to have a guy with solid defense (Singleton) and a decent jump shot (Honeycutt). But it seems impossible unless Presti found some Batum clone in Europe.
@PNT
Plus, think of it this way.. all those cops standing around are doing *nothing*. They have to earn their right to go in and see the game. lol
@TempBoy Brandon
The "blue-out" you are talking abot might not be as effecitve as you think. The Mavs primary color is just about the same shade of blue. :)
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
I like Nolan Smith or Reggie Jackson as a combo guard off the bench.
The city is doing because of their relationship with the team. You know that the team hates scalpers. They can't do anything about stubhub, etc.
But they can ask the OKCPD to enforce the law that is already on the books.The guys selling on the street corner are the shady characters that don't care about ripping people off. Legit business owners (Totally Tickets, stubhub) have guarantees to protect customers because they want your repeat business.
The only thing I'd like from this draft is a player who can create his own offense. I just don't think you can get a guy like that late in the 1st round. But Bledsoe went 18th last year, so maybe it's possible.
I have no idea what direction the Thunder will go. Maybe some Eurostash?
FWIW, I responded to beast's Seattle question in the Wed. thread too, if he reads this and wants to read that.
diddoff :
Anyone with ESPN Insider that can look up who Chad Ford picked for the Thunder?
Tyler Honeycutt
Analysis: The Thunder are solid at virtually every position on the floor. But with Jeff Green being shipped off to Boston this year, Honeycutt could come in and bring some depth. Honeycutt isn't as big as Green, but he's a talented, versatile wing with a great basketball IQ. He'd be a great fit in OKC.
He has us taking Honeycutt with Chris Singleton and Justin Harper on the board, I'd rather have either of those two.
Analysis: The Thunder are solid at virtually every position on the floor. But with Jeff Green being shipped off to Boston this year, Honeycutt could come in and bring some depth. Honeycutt isn't as big as Green, but he's a talented, versatile wing with a great basketball IQ. He'd be a great fit in OKC.