The team is set to arrive back in OKC roughly between 1:30 PM and 2. If you want to welcome them back, show up at Will Rogers and go to 6405 S. Meridian Hanger 1/2 and basically just follow the crowd.
Henry Abbott of TrueHoop: “Do all that long enough, and holy cow, look what can happen. Maybe one year soon Durant will get his first title, and the stories will tumble forth about how he has matured, and now he has the sacred knowledge. Now he knows the secret. Or maybe the secret is: There is no secret. Maybe you work really hard, add skills, build relationships with your teammates, stay in great shape, concentrate, take high percentage shots, and just keep right on trucking, knowing that with the right people and effort in place, the results will take there of themselves.
I wrote on KD’s first Finals disappointment at CBSSports.com.
Chris Mannix of SI.com: “This was a painful step in Oklahoma City’s development, but a necessary one. The NBA demands a pound of flesh from all its champions, and it took a chunk from the Thunder on Thursday night. Yet showered, dressed and sitting side by side on a dais, Durant and Westbrook were despondent but defiant, down but not defeated. They recalled the waning moments of the game, when they were forced to watch Miami start its celebration, and the reality of defeat washed over them.”
Marc Stein of ESPN.com: “Going to get no sympathy from anyone in the league. They’re set up so well for the future, even when you factor in all the tough decisions to come with James Harden and Serge Ibaka and filling the other holes on this roster, that they just have to grit through this pain. And they will. I have no doubt.”
John Krolik for PBT: “James drew first blood what I’m hoping will be a long string of NBA Finals played between the Thunder and the Heat, but Durant proved himself to be a more than worthy competitor for James’ crown as he finally officially grabbed his. There are a million variables that could prevent a James-Durant rematch, both next year and in the years to come, but I’m hoping we get enough of them to make this one of modern basketball’s great rivalries.”
Tom Haberstroh of ESPN.com: “It isn’t and here’s why: the Thunder could flip Harden (an Arizona State product, remember) to Phoenix in a sign-and-trade deal for Nash and Marcin Gortat. The Thunder have the contracts to make the money work (Kendrick Perkins and Daequan could be thrown in) and the Suns could get their young stud of the future without letting Nash go for nothing. As unstoppable as the Thunder might be offensively were this to happen, it comes with its veritable risks, too. Nash is 38 and has a problematic back that could end his playing career at any moment. It’s also worth wondering how healthy Nash would be without being monitored by the miracle-working Phoenix training staff. But Nash is a virtuoso, once-in-a-lifetime talent. If he can’t get Durant the ball where he wants it, no one can. Oh, and Gortat ain’t bad.”
Perk will likely have offseason surgery on his hip/groin.
Berry Tramel: “The Heat lost the 2011 Finals, and LeBron, in the catacombs of American Airlines Arena on Thursday night, called it the “best thing that happened to me last year, and me playing the way I played. Because basically I got back to the basics. It humbled me.” That’s the word. This game humbled the Thunder. It’s a fairly humble bunch to begin with. A game like this will make the Thunder hungrier to return. Thanks, Miami. Oklahoma City owes you one.”
Darnell Mayberry: “I can’t help but wonder what would have happened had the Thunder just tried to go small and outscore the Heat. I have no idea if it would have worked. But it couldn’t have been much worse than what actually took place here. Of course, the Thunder wants to win with defense. OKC wants to be a defense-first franchise. That’s all good. It’s a proven path to success. But being this close, what would have happened if the Thunder scrapped that and scored and scored and scored some more?”
Eric Freeman of BDL on KD crying: “It’s a good sign that people largely accepted Durant’s reaction. Professional athletes — all public figures, really — should be allowed to show their emotion when warranted. What we need to remember more than anything is that the same passion that defines that pain is also what allows them to succeed.”
Kelly Dwyer of BDL: “We don’t want it to end, either. And after a season like this, that’s saying something. We have the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder to thank for that. Kevin Durant’s tears, in exhaustion, to thank for that. LeBron James’ unyielding brilliance, pitched at the absolute right time, to thank for that.”
Mike Sherman: “The Thunder showed us all a sermon. On class, on gratitude and on all the things this organization said it wanted to be about since the day it arrived in town. What transpired on the court at American Airlines Arena in Game 5 was nothing for the Thunder to be proud of. It’s possible that was Oklahoma City’s worst performance of the year. But what transpired behind and on the OKC bench toward the end of the Heat’s NBA title-clinching 121-106 victory is the kind of thing you don’t see every day in a championship setting. Maybe not ever.”
http://www.dailythunder.com/2012/06/staring-at-the-sun/
Thunder flight scheduled to land 1:58
Channel 9's stream:
http://www.news9.com/Global/category.asp?C=202212&BannerId=502
Oh, look. It's Thunder at the airport. Thunder being the name of a Korean boy band singer, apparently.
http://twitter.com/iheartjoonie/status/216225760980123648/photo/1
Team's Family and Friends Plane that arrived on United Airlines will be landing in 15 minutes and everyone else will land about 45 minutes
wow this song they are playing sounds like the chipmunks
if you are at the airport check your pockets you might loss your keys
@tydude
What? Pickpockets working the crowd?
One more reason to draft Royce White...lock LeBron the fuck down. They are very similar bodies except Royce is bigger, but less athletic. In a half court, Royce could handle him very well, play physically and challenge him at the rim. Also, anyone know if Fish will retire or stick around another year?
@Bryson The idea that he is less athletic is exactly why it doesn't work to lock him down. Lebron getting to any spot on the floor that he wants off the dribble is the reason he's a good offensive player. Not to mention that Royce White is probably getting drafted higher than the pick the Thunder have.
Fisher said he wants to play a few more years but he's a FA and probably won't be signed by the Thunder but has mentioned that he wants to sign with a contender.
http://www.koco.com/Live-video-Watch-as-the-Thunder-return-to-Oklahoma-City/-/9844716/10990302/-/x838pwz/-/index.html
@tydude when are they coming?
that was a weak performance. they choked in the finals. they never played a full 48 minute game this entire series. who is the defensive coach? because he should be fired they played no defense and allowed the heats big 3 to all get their numbers and even the heats bench/role players were starting to go off on the thunder terrible series. everyone thought the thunder had a good chance to win the finals but now that the series is over it looks like they had no business being there in the first place.also the thunder had a chance to deny lebron his ring and failed. this also hurts the durant vs lebron debate because durant played very poorly this series. i know he averaged 30 a game in the finals but he got pushed around alot wasnt aggressive enough going to the basket instead of driving more to get the heat in foul trouble. mostly he just stood out on the perimeter and took jump shots all series, and his overall stats werent very good he didnt rebound very much and his assists fell way down compared to what he was doing in the first three rounds. he also needs to learn how to play some defense because it was terrible just mostly fouling people. in game 5 did anyone notice how many 3's miller made while being guarded by durant? alot. harden was a non factor. brooks was outcoached in this series and has he ever heard of a zone defense? try it next season. almost every team in the league goes back and forth during games between man to man and the zone but the thunder mostly played man to man and it got there stars in foul trouble. he never made any adjustements from game to game, and he had no defensive plan to atleast make james work for his points. ya durant should be crying because he was just pitiful. please put on some weight he needs to add some 20 to 30 pounds or else he is just going to keep getting pushed around. what is there to be proud of they had a chance for a ring and failed plan and simple. you dont go though the entire season get into the playoffs go through the last three teams to dominate the western conference in titles and just choke and give up in the finals as a fan i have nothing to be proud of. losing is losing there isnt much to be upbeat about they just plan sucked. they have alot to work on this offseason and there were so many wholes in the teams defense it was a joke they were there.
@bobmcgraw will you be at the airport?
@bobmcgraw Zone defense without having practised won't work. Durant should be crying? Get out. Pitiful? You're just wrong on so many levels. So so wrong
@FREE_COLE @bobmcgraw "So so wrong" might be a bit of an exaggeration...I love my boys just as much as the next guy, but after the barrage of 3s in the 3rd quarter...it looked like they almost gave up for a bit. Everyone but Russell. But also saying Kevin deserved to cry is also way, way too extreme.
@FREE_COLE @Bryson @bobmcgraw 2 points is less than 3. LeBron going 1 on 5 didn't work much for the Cavs.
@Bryson @bobmcgraw What were they suppose to do about the 3s? Those came because they double teamed lebron who was scoring at will in the post if they didn't. You supposed to let him score and possibly draw a foul? No, you force the role players to shoot.
Here is the facts: Lebron averaged 30, 9.7, and 5 against us. No one was stopping him at all, unless we double teamed. When we double teamed, he made the right pass and got open looks. Scott Brooks reinforced that problem by playing an injured perkins over nick who is great and fisher who was outmatched. They played better. That does not mean we played badly. Other than game 5 we were in every game. Lebron just went the next step
Casual observations in the voice of that brilliant analyst, Charles Barkley:
Defensive rotations were turrible.
Having Durant guard Chalmers was turrible.
Having James guard James was turrible.
Having Perk try to jump was turrible.
Having Derek Fisher in the game that often was turrible.
Having Harden freak out a little was turrible.
Substitution patterns and match-ups were in general turrible.
How I feel today? Turrible.
Watch out for those smoothies Royce! Some of those things are turrible for you.
I'll take either Van Gundy, both bright basketball minds.
why do you think JVG better than Brooks?? can he be assistant coach?Ok,right now Im dreaming about Howard in OKC...Come on,it would be better chance wining for him than with nets....
Id Love JVG ...does anyone know why he hasn't gotten back to coaching for so many years? Did he just burn bridges ?
@LPCes99 JVG does not impress me. He has coached some of the worst NBA games I have ever seen in terms of point production.
@Skyline @LPCes99 Look at his teams though. Patrick Ewing was best player on those Knicks teams with nothing else. and were it not for some injuries those T mac/Yao teams might have a championship
I would like for KD to take over the leadership role next year, Scott brooks has way too much power over our stars they're no longer kids
http://blogs.thescore.com/tbj/2012/06/22/video-cleveland-weatherman-rants-about-the-thunder/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Mark Rogers says if Thunder can't' come up with a contract with Brooks and they part ways he says expect either JVG or Phil Jackson to be the coach and they will likely be the top contenders for the coaching positions
@tydude This report is from ESPN Marc Stein,,, Not Mark Rogers.
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/46412/thunders-next-challenge-brooks-contract
@tydude i want jeff van gundy so bad
@f5alcon @tydude Why JVG? What has he ever won?
@SB718 right if he gets a new job they dont owe him, so he can not coach and get paid, or he can be an assistant and get paid 2 salaries
@f5alcon Them still owing him money has no bearing on him getting a job. If he gets another job and they don't owe him he's getting paid from his new team (surely no less money) and coaching, which he loves.
@SB718 it is a guaranteed contract, he still gets paid if he doesnt become a head coach again, like why we got mo cheeks.
@f5alcon @FREE_COLE He got fired, he's not under contract.
@f5alcon @FREE_COLE I like JVG. Great defensive coach and always got 100% from his players. Never had the kind of firepower we have.
@FREE_COLE SVG is better but is still under contract with orlando
@f5alcon @Skyline SVG > JVG imo. JVG might handle media better though
@Skyline he could with our talent, he took a much less talented knicks team to the finals, he will hold them accountable, run a real offense and get them to play defense. Plus he is the best realistic target, phil jackson isnt coming here.
@f5alcon he will be a good coach he loves the team and organization
@tydude I would like this if the source wasn't Mr. Rogers.
I think it is time for a coaching change, it is the necessary progression for a championship.
If I were in OKC I wouldn't miss the airport. I am at my business casual job in my Thunder T-Shirt. We have no casual Friday. Well worth the ding. Thunder up!!
I'm so proud of this team and all that they stand for. And thank you Royce for such a wonderful site--this was my first stop every morning to read your persepctive, your enthusiasm and your heart. You captured each moment for us in an amazing way. I know we have tweaks and adjustments but I can't wait to see what Brooks and the boys can put together for next year. They are our team and they went to the Finals in their 4th year! Thunder Proud
@glenda82954 Royce's "Shattered Dreams" post is as good as it gets. Can't be said any better. Excellent work.
Royce Young tweeted and says already a couple Hundred people at the airport.Its a different Spot but you won't have trouble finding it Signs and Security all over it
Where did this notion that Miami is a big market come from? Miami is 16th in market size...
@FREE_COLE In miami's defense it is incredibly attractive city regardless of market size.
@Lost Ones @FREE_COLE That I get. It's a FAs dream city. I was talking just market size wize
@FREE_COLE @SFFL @Lost Ones Of course Ilya's cool with this. Russia's, like, at least two San Antonios.
@SFFL @Lost Ones http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnQ-5uFuDtc
@FREE_COLE @Lost Ones OHHHHH MOMMY, CAN WE GO TO FRONTIER CITY THIS YEAR!!! LOL
@FREE_COLE @Lost Ones Free Cole, i'll hook you up with a Sea World pass if you can get me a Gift Card to Toby Keiths shack and pics of Roaming Buffalo! LOL
@FREE_COLE Free Cole, thank you! I concur! This fool is calling San Antone a small market?!?! We are twice Miami's size...
@SFFL @FREE_COLE No more posts for you, bro. Not in mood.
@SFFL You're 37th. Shut up
@SFFL I live in Kansas City and I like how you described the river walk as"extravagant". Mostly duck poop and Casa Rio but thats really all you have. Its not a large market..Philly, Boston, New York, LA.. You guys are kind of even the little brothers in your own state. Just being honest..
@FREE_COLE It beats Teepees and Roaming Buffalo! Toby Keith and a cheap imitation Riverwalk!!! Been to your town and your one building downtown skyline.....LMAO
@FREE_COLE HAHAHAHAHA! FRONTIER CITY AND TOBY KEITH!! See you in San Antone buddy! I always run into you Okie's down here! Cant blame you though....I'd want to get away from Roaming Buffalo and Teepees myself. ;)
@SFFL Rainforest Cafe is a tourist attraction? Damn dawg guess I lose. You sure beat all my facts with your fantasy world.
@FREE_COLE Yeah forget our three major themed Amusement Parks, Downtown with tourist attractions like Hard Rock Cafe, Coyote Ugly, Pat O Briens, Rainforest Cafe, extravagant Restaraunts on our Riverwalk. Well you all have Frontier City and Toby Kieths Restaraunt!!! HAHAHHAAHAHA! LMFAO!
@SFFL Where did I say that? OKC is 45th. We know we're a small market. You're just dumb
@FREE_COLE Are you implying that Cow Town OKC is bigger than San Antone?!?!?!!?? B-wahahahahaahahahah!!!!