You’ve already read it, but read it again — Bill Simmons on OKC: “At the same time, you never forget you’re in Oklahoma City. Not for a second. The locals have been impossibly friendly and welcoming, shades of Indianapolis during Super Bowl XLVI, only with the added wrinkle that everyone is overwhelmed that the NBA Finals actually came to Oklahoma. Before every game starts, someone walks out to midcourt and says a prayer. During the national anthem, everyone holds their hand over their heart and sings. The video screen keeps flashing the words “Oklahoma,” and the fans chant “Oh Kay See! Oh Kay See!” constantly. Does any other fan base chant the name of its city and not the team’s nickname?”
J.A. Adande of ESPN.com on KD: “He’ll leave the legacy-shaping to the others. And for that, we’ll turn to Nike, the shoe company that has been so influential in shaping the sports narrative for the past three decades. It was Nike that turned Michael into “Air Jordan,” that helped us define players as much by what they have on their feet as what they do on the court. Durant is in the process of being “elevated,” as Nike sports marketing executive Chuck Terrell put it — being positioned to take over when Kobe and LeBron are no longer the top horses in the stable. And while Durant doesn’t designate who he’ll be, if his coaches and teammates and team executives can’t provide an answer, the Nike marketer has no problem distilling his vision of Durant into two words: ‘That guy.’”
Thunder fans were in rare form for Game 1.
Tom Ley of Deadspin on Westbrook and Durant: “That ability to perform as an effective duo was the primary difference between Westbrook-Durant and James-Wade. The question with James and Wade sometimes seems to be: “Which one of us will take over the game tonight? Who will be the best player on the floor?” Whereas the question with Westbrook and Durant often seems to not even be a question at all, but rather a statement: “Let’s just go out there and destroy some people.” As a basketball fan, I hope James and Wade can learn to emulate their counterparts before this series is over, because I can’t imagine anything more thrilling than four of the league’s best players just, well, playing.”
Kevin Durant, the passive aggressive super scoring monster.
Beckley Mason of HoopSpeak on KD’s free throw shimmy: “That shiver before he shoots — what in the world is that? Is it some tic developed messing around in junior high? One imagines Durant in a free throw shooting contest with a friend, throwing in that little wiggle just to rub it in as he unloads swish after swish, accompanied by plenty of trash talk. Is it something he ever thinks about still? Could it just be that a certain amount of extraneous style is forever programmed into his ruthlessly pragmatic game? Can we make a symbol of this that explains why everyone — from old timers who grouse about today’s players and “style over substance” to young fans who just dig the show — loves him?”
Russell Westbrook talking more about his style.
The Thunder’s incredible pregame gum superstition.
Zach Lowe of SI.com: “The Heat will make adjustments, and they are the best defensive team Oklahoma City has faced in the playoffs. And despite Wade’s poor shooting, Bosh’s limited role and the occasional stagnancy of their offense, the Heat scored the equivalent of 104.5 points per 100 possessions, a top-five mark. The Thunder did some very nice things on defense in the second half; Collison moved his feet beautifully against the pick-and-roll, and the rest of the defense moved on a string behind him. Oklahoma City blew up those cross-screen plays Miami loves to run under the hoop by being physical all over the floor and sagging down to deny entry passes into the post. But it’s all noise until someone can at least limit the Thunder. Forget stopping them. No one has done that. But Miami has to start with perhaps holding Oklahoma City to league-average production. Heck, top-10-level would do. No one has come close to doing that yet in the playoffs, and until someone does, the title is Oklahoma City’s to take. Maybe offense wins championships, too?”
Serge Ibaka names names in flopping.
Michael Rosenberg of SI.com: “Durant, meanwhile, has 90 percent of James’s gifts. He is one of the skinniest stars in NBA history. He is a great athlete, but you could easily make a YouTube video of the best dunkers in the NBA without including him. Ninety percent of James’s gifts … and in this way, he has been lucky. His thin frame meant nobody could force Durant to play power forward. This allowed him to develop into a one-of-a-kind “monster,” as Pittman puts it, — a 6-foot-9 scorer who tosses three-pointers through the hoop like crumpled-up paper into a wastebasket. But there is something more. Greatness always seemed one step ahead of him, taunting him, daring him to catch it.”
Sebastian Pruiti of Grantland on Miami’s defense: “Switching puts defenders in positions that they aren’t used to…When Westbrook kicks it out to Durant on the wing and he attacks, both James and Bosh are in uncomfortable positions to help. Bosh doesn’t know how to help from the outside on dribble penetration, and James isn’t used to being the big coming over and helping on the weak side. As a result, Durant gets an easy layup and the Thunder extend their lead.”
Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports: “The NBA Finals have come here less than four years after the Oklahoma City Thunder arrived on the town’s doorstep. And as Oklahoma City mayor Mick Cornett watches the Thunder and Miami Heat compete for a championship, he can’t help but think about how one of the nation’s biggest tragedies gave his city this unlikely opportunity. Out of the death and devastation of Hurricane Katrina seven years ago came a chance for Oklahoma City to not only show its brotherly love and compassion, but also prove it was someday worthy of its own major professional sports franchise.”
Miami is looking for reasons to hate OKC.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for ESPN.com: “I think the Thunder have an edge with their depth, and they exhibited that in Game 1, even with Bosh coming off the bench for the Heat. Their up-tempo pace can be a problem for a Heat team faced with the prospect of stopping so many offensive threats. Will LeBron be forced to carry his team, a la Game 6 versus the Celtics? If that becomes the theme, the Heat may not prevail. One-man teams have a history of flaming out at the crucial moment.”
and Small Town Girl.. i'm not exactly sure where you received your information, but Oklahoma is a "Right to Work" state, which means that you absolutely cannot be fired from or refused the right to work for any institution with regards to race, gender, sexual preference, or physical disability.. if you ever are, any kid with a basic law degree could take that employer to court for a vast amount of compensation.. i really bothers me that so many view this state as small minded or bigoted because of our traditionally conservative political views.. i am a very dedicated republican, i do not believe in gay marriage, though i firmly support equal rights for them and believe they should be able to qualify for the same basic fundamental exemptions provided under the contract of marriage without its title.. does that make me a bigot?.. i'm sure there are many in this state that feel the same way, as well as the other 44 states that do not support gay marriage
"5 reasons to hate Oklahoma".. wow Miller is beyond ingorant, and the points he attempts to make are so uneducated an skewed that i cannot believe they were even allowed to be nationally posted.. i've already vented my mind on his comment board, but i suggest the rest of Thunder Nation does the same.. no Oklahoma sports analyst would have ever taken the time to write an article about 5 reasons to hate Miami (though there are probably 25 legitimate ones), we as a people and a state are just above and better then that.. and an ignorant piece of garbage, now i just have that much more behind my disdain for the Heat and those few bandwagon bastards who refer to themselves as "Miami Fans"
@ChilamBilam12 They are going to have 3 more reasons starting with tonight
The gum thing is both crazy and completely awesome. Especially hearing Cole and Reggie explain it.
Regarding the post "Miami is looking for reasons to hate OKC," a few of Miller's points should be addressed. I won't comment on Westbrook's fashion or Senate politics because they aren't related to the team itself, but the arguments about Bennet and McClendon's anti-gay campaign contributions and the team's history in Seattle are salient and should be considered so.
The Thunder is often described as "Oklahoma's Team." Well, there are gay Oklahomans and I can assure you there are gay people employed by the Thunder organization. In Oklahoma it's still legal for a man to be fired from his job for saying, "My husband and I are going on vacation." We can all feel good about the team while we object to the environment in which its employees are asked to work.
And regarding the move from Seattle, that is part of the team's history. It's frustrating to think about and it may take away a sliver of the warm and fuzzy feeling we get when we watch KD sink a 3-pointer over an All-NBA defender, but team owners negotiated a shared history with the Sonics franchise even though it seemed like a futile attempt to placate Seattle fans and act like the transition could be smooth when it was never going to be. All in all, we have the team and they're in the NBA Finals but the owners themselves set us up for this continued debate when they moved the franchise.
I don't understand how we think Presti's a genius but don't think he can do better than a draft pick that isn't # 1 for the best under 30 off guard in the league or Serge. Thomas Robinson is only a year younger than Serge btw, let that sink in. From rumored trades of both for Howard to one of them for who, Bradley Beal? There is a concept of if they open the bidding other GMs with proven NBA players might get involved.
Can they have a victory parade first before we map out the next 10 years? How the hell do you enjoy yourself as a fan if your thought process works this way?
@SB718 Some fans are capable of enjoying the present and entertaining possible futures. It's fun/interesting to think of what could happen.
If Flipping Harden for Harrison Barnes or something like that on the eve of Game 2 of the Finals is entertaining then more power to them @dancassidy35
Nope, not possible. The only way to enjoy basketball is the way I enjoy it. Sorry.
Guys, guys. Royce is on it
http://www.dailythunder.com/2012/06/bobcats-targeting-james-harden-for-the-no-2-pick/#respond
RT @ZachLowe_SI Erik Spoelstra, before dates: "I won't reveal the location of the restaurant until you call me from your car on the way."
http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/visuals/post/_/id/3963/okcharden-building-now-has-durantula?
This just keeps getting better. Plus I've now gotten used to my new avatar yet - it's actually quite confusing
*not
goddamit
Can we soak in the Finals a little before talking about breaking up the team?
Trading Serge for anything in this draft that doesn't get you Anthony Davis is laughable.(Thomas Robinson, really?) As is the idea of if it was known Harden or Serge could be had they couldn't get better than an incoming rookie.
@SB718 genrally i agree but the conversation didn't come out of nowhere
@OBoymuzik Yeah it came from a reporter with an unnamed "source". That's not worth the keyboard it was typed on.
@justin_mia
glad you are not the g.m.
@SB718 @OBoymuzik He will be under pressure to keep them all together though, so who knows. Especially if they win the Finals.
@justin_mia I wouldn't say so. He is a proven commodity with loads of potential on top of that.
@SB718 @OBoymuzik Presti has acted sooner rather than later most of the time (Collison extension, Perkins extension, etc). Honestly I think the disconnect here is the idea that Ibaka is a huge game breaker that will destroy the team if he is lost. Even not considering the luxury tax or anything like that, Ibaka will probably get contract offers that are unreasonable considering his age, position, DPOY runner up, etc. Does Presti pay Ibaka 5/60 in a vacuum even without luxury tax considerations? I can't see it.
@justin_mia @OBoymuzik NBA teams are play toys for filthy rich men, not really money making businesses. If McClendon is broke or whatever then that problem is gonna rear it's head eventually regardless. Once again you have to pay to play.
@justin_mia @OBoymuzik The NBA is getting all time ratings off a lockout, making money. The cap is projected to swing upwards. Perk can be amnestied, Jackson can replace Maynor, Thabo will probably be let go one day, a 27 year old James Harden can be flipped for some future star that's in high school right now, etc. There's a LOT of space in between overreacting too soon and getting burned for moving too late. I'd like to think you're smart enough to understand that.
@SB718 @OBoymuzik There's an incremental tax also for every $5 million over that could effect the team as early as 2013-14 season, should they retain both Ibaka and Harden.
@justin_mia @OBoymuzik After 3 continuous seasons of paying,that's like 5 years down the line that could be about 6 championships in. Don't be so naive and presumptuous
I would take Serge Ibaka over most of the prospects in this draft also, but not if it risks keeping the team together long term, and definitely not if he commands something ridiculous in free agency (he will).
@SB718 @justin_mia @OBoymuzik It's not about what you would prefer. I bet a bunch of us would prefer to keep the band together and pay the luxury tax. But we don't know if ownership is willing to pay it
@SB718 @OBoymuzik Have you seen the luxury tax penalties in this CBA? McClendon's 'issues'? Don't be so naive.
@justin_mia @OBoymuzik *5 years*
H @justin_mia @OBoymuzik He's 22 years old. I'll take a 46% shooter from 16-23 feet, leading shot blocker in the league, playoff tested ironman holes and all(who's only been playing organized ball for like 15 years) over less talented unproven players, just to save some bucks. You have to pay guys eventually. If they're not willing to pay the luxury tax for a team that may be playing this late for the next 5,6,7 years then they don't deserve them.
@justin_mia @OBoymuzik You're not required to comment on what I type
@SB718 @OBoymuzik I think you're also overvaluing Serge Ibaka.
@SB718 @OBoymuzik Then talk about what you want to talk about. You're not required to read anything you disagree with.
@OBoymuzik Don't know if you were being sarcastic but I'd rather talk about the bench's gum routine then breaking up the team before Game 2 of the Finals.
@SB718 we should go back to talking about the bench's gum routine
Two KD articles in the Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/kevin-durant-coach-stu-vetter-remembers-a-humble-high-school-superstar/2012/06/13/gJQAoA4CaV_story.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/is-kevin-durant-the-best-washington-dc-basketball-player-ever/2012/06/13/gJQAXsJ6aV_story.html
Nice to see the hometown acknowledgement
@MD4Okc
Remember when Steve Francis said he was best player to come out of DC?
@anonymous12345 Damn! Where is he now?
@MD4Okc @anonymous12345 your answer and much much more http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQIJ8J5OOEY&feature=player_embedded
Dude, you know DFish goes to bed with a smile on his face every friggin night knowing he made a great decision signing with OKC.
@Tronchaser Absolutely. Dreaming about which finger to put this year's ring on.
a source says that OKC could be in play in a trade for Charlottes #2 pick, trading james harden
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/19352135/charlotte-looking-to-deal-no-2-pick
idk about this
@OBoymuzik In the highly unlikley event that ever happened, don't be surprised if James shaves the beard and leaves the country in the middle of the night, opting to play under the assumed name of "Abdul" in the Macedonian Basketball League for 3 years.
@OBoymuzik Very interesting...
But no.
@OBoymuzik Only person I'd trade Ibaka for in the draft would be Robinson.
@OBoymuzik It's a pretty safe bet this is Charlotte trying to drive value up on a pick they don't want.
@Jooseppi @OBoymuzik Presti is smart, but this just doesn't make any sense. I don't see why we should move Ibaka or Harden just yet. They still have a lot of potential and we don't even know what kind of money they are asking for yet.
@DustinMcWilliams @Jooseppi @OBoymuzik Those contract discussions will take place soon, pretty sure Presti has at least some idea already.
@OBoymuzik That's retarded, why trade him now when the team can keep competing for a championship next year? It's a setback.
@Borgothh @OBoymuzik The logic behind is that we might not be able to afford Harden
@SB718 Not suggesting they are the only options, but it's more difficult to trade a pending RFA in the middle of their last season under contract if your back is against the wall. Then afterwards you're looking at S&T only. I see Presti as more of a forward thinking planner than that.
@justin_mia Right, because losing him for nothing or trading him for so so prospects at the same position is CLEARLY the only options.
@SB718 This would all be predicated on Presti's belief that he would not be able to retain Ibaka after extending Harden without triggering the tax. And obviously also on OKC not wanting to pay any tax. Obviously we would take a talent hit in any trade like that, but that's how it goes sometimes.
@SB718 Better than losing Ibaka for nothing, that would be great, wouldn't it?
@SB718 @justin_mia I'd take Davis, Robinson, Moultrie, NIcholson, Henson, and Sullinger before White. Not sure I'd think about trading Serge for anybody but Davis or Robinson but I disagree with White being top five
@SB718 That's debatable. I consider Sullinger a PF... (Davis, Robinson, Sullinger, Henson) maybe Terrence Jones? I was ball parking it with Top 5.
Or if it'll make you feel better, Jared Sullinger. That would've worked great against Gasol huh? @justin_mia
@justin_mia Royce White is a Top 5 PF prospect in this draft.
@SB718 I wouldn't trade Ibaka for Royce White.
@justin_mia So this team would've made the Finals with say, Royce White, instead of Ibaka? Are you high?
@Keith00
I don't know, I don't think Ibaka's worth better than the 10th. I'm just trying to make sense of the rumor, which is probably my mistake to begin with
@OBoymuzik Aldridge is their most effective 5, and Ibaka has been growing quickly so that he can play the 5 for a time as well. I don't think they would be worried about positions if they had Ibaka and Aldridge together.
@Keith00 I'd take any of the Top 5 PF prospects in this draft for Ibaka, and maybe Drummond. Otherwise just sit at 28 and see who falls into their laps. I like John Henson, too.
@Keith00 why would portland do that? play ibaka at the 5 and Aldridge at the 4?
Would you trade Ibaka for say... the 6th pick from Portland? Who would have to be available to move Ibaka?
@justin_mia
FWIW, a lot of people were saying Presti was dangling Harden to the Celtics for Perkins and then pulled the old bait and switch and Jeff Green at the last second. He could be doing something very similar here and move Ibaka instead
@dancassidy35 @Keith00 @OBoymuzik @cleandoe @Borgothh Probably not, but that's the idea anyway. There seems to be PF depth in this draft at any rate.
@justin_mia @Keith00 @OBoymuzik @cleandoe @Borgothh I don't think Charlotte would be our trading partner if our main trading piece was Ibaka.
@Keith00 @OBoymuzik @cleandoe @dancassidy35 @Borgothh Ibaka is the expendable one.
@justin_mia @OBoymuzik @cleandoe @dancassidy35 No Beard, No dinasty
@Keith00 @justin_mia @cleandoe @dancassidy35 @Borgothh if the lakers trade either bynum or gasol i say hell yes...if not i'm skeptical about Kd playing more PF
@Keith00 If a trade happens, it won't be Harden.
@justin_mia @OBoymuzik @cleandoe @dancassidy35 @Borgothh The problem with that comparison is that George Hill was easily replaceable. Harden is arguably the 3rd best SG in the entire league. If we make a trade, it is almost assuredly Ibaka (if for no other reason than KD may be moving towards more PF anyway). The overall value is easier to replace, and the talent at the top of the draft is more in keeping with what we would need.
@OBoymuzik @cleandoe @dancassidy35 @Borgothh more I think about it the more i think it'll happen. like the Spurs and George Hill.
@cleandoe @dancassidy35 @Borgothh i'm 200% against trading harden for anyone who's not at that level already (eric gordon) but ibaka could be interesting
@dancassidy35 @Borgothh @OBoymuzik 'for Bobcats'
@Borgothh @OBoymuzik Might be better for the long term future to trade Harden or Ibaka and get a cheap rookie contract.
@Borgothh @OBoymuzik Presti doesn't seem the type to throw money down the toilet, don't think Perkins will be amnestied... might not even save enough $$$.
@justin_mia @OBoymuzik Trading surefire talent for potential? We'd have to wait for whoever the pick is to develop. Just amnesty perkins.
@OBoymuzik
I don't see the logic behind that trade for Bobcats. Why trade for a guy thats going to need to get paid almost immediately if you're not ready to compete? Maybe they're that worried about the franchises future?
@anonymous12345 @OBoymuzik It's likely 95 percent fabricated.
@OBoymuzik Don't discount this opportunity too soon- it may be our only chance to reclaim Byron Mullens.
@OBoyzOld Man
As long as Lazar is untouched . . .
@OBoymuzik Ibaka + Maynor for #2, sounds better to me.
@justin_miaI wouldn't trade Ibaka for the # 2 alone, why would you throw in Maynor? Belated birthday present for Rich Cho?
@justin_mia @OBoymuzik then who do we pick?
@dancassidy35 @justin_mia @shiki @EatSleepThunder @OBoymuzik He also amended those comments at the combine, saying he feels he has a lot more skill than people give him credit, not that he actually wants to be like Durant in the NBA.
@Keith00 @justin_mia @shiki @EatSleepThunder @OBoymuzik He has the skills but his mindset is off base. He just recently said something along the lines of his game being similar to Durants
@justin_mia @shiki @EatSleepThunder @OBoymuzik Side note, if we did trade up that far, I don't think it would be crazy to pick Drummond. He's not really Thabeet (who didn't have any real skills other than size), he's more like a young Bynum (who wasn't much of a player the first couple years in the league).
He has the size, athleticism, and skill necessary, it's just about development. And when it comes down to it, development has probably been our greatest strength.
@justin_mia @shiki @EatSleepThunder @OBoymuzik Sullinger was a notably (historically) bad athlete at the combine. Athleticism isn't everything, but I think it holds some weight on this team. He's likley going to be a terrible defender at the NBA level, painfully slow in rotations and close-outs.
@justin_mia @shiki @EatSleepThunder do we want to start a rookie though as a contender..would we want to sign a vet for a year? garnett, jamison etc etc
@shiki @EatSleepThunder @OBoymuzik I like Robinson... big guy big rebounder type with a motor they usually do well in NBA one way or another. I'd take Sullinger too, trade Ibaka for him.
@EatSleepThunder @justin_mia @OBoymuzik drummond has perfect body,but maybe his brain is not great enough
@shiki @justin_mia @OBoymuzik We would totally pick drummond aka a shorter hasheem thabeet
@justin_mia @shiki @dancassidy35 ooooo i could deal with that...i loved the quotes i heard from robinson at the combine
@shiki @OBoymuzik Thomas Robinson AKA Millsap Jr.
@shiki @justin_mia @OBoymuzik If Ibaka is out, Robinson
@justin_mia @OBoymuzik how about a Maynor/Ibaka/DJWhite/Mullens lineup!
@Tronchaser @justin_mia @OBoymuzik Be still my heart. Add Nate Robinson and they might just challenge for the title.
@justin_mia @OBoymuzik I could live with that. Maybe not be completely happy, but I could live with it.
@ou_sas @justin_mia we would need to sign a late 20's early 30's PF then huh
@OBoymuzik Hell. No.
@OBoymuzik Its just a rumor. I doubt it will happen.
@OBoymuzik God that would suck. I bet its bull but who would we draft then, Beal?
@dancassidy35 @OBoymuzik You're giving it too much credibility by even thinking about it.
@OBoymuzik
Where the hell is the dislike button
@OBoymuzik hahahahahahahahahaha
@OBoymuzik I think they misspelled 'Serge Ibaka'.
@OBoymuzik "No" is not a strong enough word to describe how opposed to this I am.
@ou_sas More like HELL NO!! Sorry but they would have to offer us several first round picks.
@ou_sas @OBoymuzik No kidding. Don't exile the Beard to the Land of Basketball-suckitude.