Happy such and such to you and yours. Hope it’s awesome and whatnot.
Former Thunderer Lazar Hayward says he met a spirit: “I’ve actually touched into another piece of my life with some spiritual stuff,” Hayward said. “I’ve been going to see some mediums. I’ve seen two. They’ve both said the same thing. I’ve actually been able to see a spirit when I’ve been in one of the meetings. I can’t talk to them yet but I have seen them. … [Mediums] are people who can see and talk to spirits. I actually had a friend go there. They were able to speak to their brother who has been dead for about six years now. That’s exactly what a medium is.”
J.A. Adande of ESPN.com listed the Thunder as his second best moment of 2012: “The Thunder’s arrival in the NBA Finals. It was at once the culmination of a project that turned around a team that started in Oklahoma City by losing 16 of its first 17 games only four years earlier and the beginning of a constant in June. Of all the goofy getups Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant wore during the playoffs, the Western Conference championship caps were the best look.”
Darnell Mayberry: “P.J. Tucker did a phenomenal job guarding Durant, probably the best anyone has done all season. Coming into the year, I never thought Tucker would be the one to earn that distinction. But that’s what happen. Tucker was so good that when Durant checked back in for the second quarter with 7:52 remaining in the period, Suns coach Alvin Gentry immediately brought Tucker back as a counter.”
From Elias: “Kevin Durant scored 30 points for the Thunder on Monday night in their win over Phoenix, giving him 2,567 points in 2012. Over the 15-year span from 1997 through 2011, only one NBA player scored that many points in one year: Kobe Bryant in 2006 (2,688).”
Kevin Zimmerman of Valley of the Suns: “Until the clock struck 5:00 in the fourth quarter on Monday, the fans in Chesapeake Energy Arena and the Oklahoma City Thunder team itself appeared bored with the Phoenix Suns. When the clock hit 0:00, the Thunder had pulled out a 114-96 home win after finally turning on the jets late and making what was far from one of the worst performances by the Suns on the year look lackluster at best.”
Marc Stein of ESPN.com in his power rankings: “The NBA’s most efficient offense, with the calendar about to be flipped to 2013, can be found in OKC: 110.1 points per 100 possessions. With Serge Ibaka likewise playing the best ball of his life, perhaps it’s time to acknowledge that OKC didn’t quite throw the season away when it dealt James Harden.”
I really liked this from Drew Magary of Deadspin on sports: “There are few things I hate more than when people tell you that sports are a diversion, that they’re some kind of magical getaway from the troubles of the real world. That’s nonsense. There’s just as much tension and agony and heartbreak in rooting for a sports team. The pain is real. The frustration can be just as great, if not greater. The beauty of sports isn’t that they’re somehow separate from the lives we lead; it’s that they are so thoroughly woven into it. If you think a football game is important, then it is. If that’s what you’re passionate about, there’s nothing silly or misplaced about it. Being passionate is the whole f—- point. It’s not what you care about; it’s that you care at all. You give it the meaning and the meaning makes it real. There will be more games and the Vikings will inevitably win some of them and lose some of them, but Sunday they won THAT game, and sometimes one game is every game.”
I listed the Harden trade as a top unforgettable moment of 2012.
Joe Kaiser of ESPN Insider on KD’s passing: “Last season, Durant was credited with an assist on 11.6 percent of his possessions — the best assist ratio of his career and only the second time in five seasons that he hit double figures. So far this seasons, he’s assisting on 14.1 percent of his possessions and averaging a career-high 4.2 assists per 40 minutes. Part of this could be due to the tremendous efficiency of first-year Thunder shooting guard Kevin Martin, who has a knack for finishing his teammates’ assists. But any way you look at it, Durant’s value on the court and in fantasy basketball leagues has never been higher.”
http://dailythunder.com/2013/01/wednesday-bolts-1-2-13/#respond
I called yall soft for caring about Dwight's back.
I think I even referred to some of you as Plush. LOL I don't take that part back, because I even laughed that. Matter fact, I dont take any of it back. I'm right. Aint nothing wrong with his back!
- This began as an apology. I clearly botched it. I'll try again later LOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
@<--Dont Believe Me? Just Watch. I don't care about Dwight's back as a Thunder fan, but as an NBA fan who is in love with the game itself, I surely do. And no, I don't think he's %100. Plus, our fanbase is pretty spoiled when it comes to injuries, cause well, let's face it, we don't have a lot of'em. We have a GREAT team, not trying to undermine that fact, but health has also been a huge part of it. Now you can attribute that to our medical personnel, or you can base it on luck.
Dwight is clearly not 100% He's getting his shots blocked by Spencer Hawes. It's hard to watch. Same time, I know that feel. You tell your body to do something it used to be able to do with ease, and it doesn't/can't any more.
Dt likes kennygee for some weird ass reason, probably because his team sucks right now so we can patronizingly be nice to him. I still say phuck that dude and the Lakeshow.
@<--Dont Believe Me? Just Watch. @Westbrook gon' Westbrook I said it last night as well, I WOULD HAVE DUNKED THE F OUTTA THAT LAST PLAY. Just to rub it in their face. It's the Lakers, we're built to crush them, and I LOVE seeing them crumble. :)
@Westbrook gon' Westbrook LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
#TEARS
nah, anytime Spencer blocks anybody, something's wrong
@Westbrook gon' Westbrook I'm saying...No love for Spencer? He could've just had a great game?
JK JK JK
@lethalizer I think Dwight needs more conditioning. THATs it.
Anyone that gets injured favors that body part but i guarandamTEE this dude's back is fine. If they aint letting Bynum play because he got a sore bowling knee, the Lakers would not let Dwight go day in and day out with a bad back.
I love the game...but I'm no fool either.
@justin_mia @lethalizer Ya'll plush.
Doctors don't want to lose their license to practice over bullish like this. Thats why Bynum is out off a sore bowling knee. He did not tear his ACL.
Keep feeling bad for Dwight though.
@<--Dont Believe Me? Just Watch. @lethalizer Thanks Doctor.
@<--Dont Believe Me? Just Watch. I failed to understand anything you're referring to.
@Lost Ones Big discussion last night because Kenny G got up here talking about Dwight still being injured. Basically finding some other explanation to losing to the sixers.
Then your fellow DTers replied agreeing with sob comments. I thought I was in the twilight zone. So...I called DT was soft. LOL
I'm sorry.
What do you guys think Amare will produce this year?
@PerkPunt
I think Amare will produce a lot of laughter and sarcastic remarks from justin.
@PerkPunt I've been thinking about this and I still have no idea, too many questions regarding health, mindset and role definition.
I'll be interested to see who Woodson uses to finish games.
@PerkPunt Watched the Blazers game. IF he comes off the bench with Prigioni(who is the only point guard on that team that is both a good passer and can attack to the rim), he might be a good weapon on the high pick-and-roll.
The defense, though.. That's another thing. He needs to get his conditioning back, true, but man was he awful. Even Ronnie Price just went straight up on him and scored easily. Will be tough for him, in the next few weeks, that's for sure.
I wonder if we're the only team with no member wearing a headband. I HATE the headband.
@BallSoHard i love headbands and we probably are.
@Lost Ones I can't think of one player who pulls it off and looks good with a headband.
@BallSoHard @Lost Rasheed
@PerkPunt @BallSoHard Charlie V. The less part of his head I see, the better.
@BallSoHard @Lost
rondo
@JUNKYARDDOG @BallSoHard
"I keep getting Serge and Perk confused" says no woman ever.
@BallSoHard @Lost Ibaka isn't terrible especially back in the day when I confused him for perk.
@Lost Ones @BallSoHard I thought Ibaka sis the occasional headband.
@Lost Ones @BallSoHard sis= does
@JUNKYARDDOG @Lost Ones @BallSoHard That happens
Most likely we will have Home court throughout the playoffs, considering we are the best team in the NBA at home Im very happy about this...... now Im just rooting for Minny to play us so I can watch via 12 hour trips for each game.... my dream is somehow they play the bucks for the finals.....A man can dream.
@JUNKYARDDOG I'd much prefer the Jazz than Minny for the 1st round.. A talented and Adelman-coached team in the 1st round is not what I'd love to see.
And for the record, I'm glad @ou_sas is back! We've missed ya bud!
@Tronchaser Thanks, I was on vacation for a while, and so have been only reading articles on my rss reader on my phone. May be gone for a little bit longer, as I'm getting ready to move, but glad to check in for a bit.
If Lazar Hayward is seeing ghosts, then I'm not quite sure what to do with the headband on ol' Lamb Fries in my avatar......
Feels good to be back in first place.
@JUNKYARDDOG I was just thinking that
@JUNKYARDDOG I think the stat guys at ESPN feel the same way, because they refreshed the standings with seconds of game time lol
@FF_pickups posible
@Lamb Fries (AKA Bry Bry) Probably a Lakers fan.
I'm still on the try to get spencer hawes band wagon.
@cemitten How would that even work? Plus, I really don't think he fits in with our team. Doesn't like to use the post that much, prefers the mid-range game and such. Basically a lesser Ibaka with worse defense. I'd prefer a banger who can just finish around the rim.
@lethalizer @cemitten i rather have a guy either A. a pick and roll big that can grab boards(Ala J.J hickson) or B. a big that can go on the block and grab boards.
@Lost Ones @lethalizer @cemitten If we got hickson I would need to change my pants.;...
"Since having the interim title removed after the 2008-09 season, Brooks owns a 176-84 (.677) record. Only San Antonio's Gregg Popovich at 186-77 (.707) has a better record in that same span."
-From the Oklahoman
I find this to be fascinating, because we on DT don't put Brooks in that category. So, I have to ask, Is he an "elite" level coach?
@Tronchaser Brooks is not an elite level coach yet. The reason he gets bashed on DT so much is because we don't know doodly-squat.
@TaoMaas @Tronchaser
To be called an elite level coach takes a lot of time and a better track record for in game changes. He is on his way imo. His strategies have gotten better but not where we'd like. He is a very good development coach. He preaches consistency so that is why i doubt we see a starting lineup change anytime soon. Remember the current roster of this team started out with two top drafted players both considered one dimensional and a third string SG from Chicago as well as a foul prone jumping machine with a language barrier and a player who's last team wouldn’t give him 7 mil a year even though the coach considered him the integral piece to a championship team. He developed them all. Mark Bryant doesn’t seem too good as a big man coach. I wouldn’t expect a PG to know much about post footwork and tendencies.
@TaoMaas
a lot of truth in that, tao. i was happy to know that kd and russ gripe to each other.
There's a lot of things that go on behind the scenes that we aren't privy to. When the Thunder started moving the ball so much better earlier this year, Brooks said something about having preached that to them for several years, but it just now sinking in. He also said that it takes a while before players begin to see those passing opportunities more clearly. And just this past week, we learned that KD gripes at Russ for taking those pull-up jumpers so early in the clock on fast-break plays. Brooks took a lot of flack for not having an offensive scheme. Sounds to me like he has one, but the Thunder don't always see it nor follow it. But...what would you do if you were the coach and your team was making it to the finals, making it to the championship, has the 3-time scoring leader, is making marked improvement every year, and is one of the fan-favorites? Bench your two best players because they're only putting up the best record in the league when they could be winning every game by 30 pts? LOL
@TaoMaas Hey... I know doodly-squ..... oh wait, maybe I don't! :)
@Tronchaser ESPN ror NBA did a "Best Coaches in teh league thing about a month or two ao and I believe despite these facts that they considered, I ranked out at like 15 or 16. HEs not really respected around the league for his acumen and decision making
@Lambchop @Tronchaser
I'll take the results over some ESPN poll. He doesn't get the credit he deserves for player development and the culture of the team. Noone seems to care that he made OKC not miss Harden at all. Obviously he has to get better at the X's and O's, but I expect that to come as well.
@lethalizer
Yes, finals are included. I would and will give Brooks a free pass on anything he does in the regular season as soon as I see him make adjustments in the post season but up to this point, he hasn't coached the post season any differently. No free pass with a track record as long as his.
@FF_pickups I actually tried to separate the reg. season and the playoffs but couldn't make my point I believe. And I assume those 7 games include the finals?
@lethalizer "I actually don't care who he starts with. As long as Durant,Westbrook and Ibaka are not in a funk, we won't start off that badly to the game."
Here is the start of the last 7 games vs. the Heat:
Heat Thunder
15 3
16 10
3 13
10 4
18 2
20 10
6 0
@FF_pickups @anonymous12345 @Lambchop @Tronchaser I actually don't care who he starts with. As long as Durant,Westbrook and Ibaka are not in a funk, we won't start off that badly to the game. It's after the 6-minute mark(after Kmart checks in) that counts. And I still don't care if we give up 2-3 more wins in the regular season, as long as he doesn't do the same thing in the playoffs.
@anonymous12345 @Lambchop @Tronchaser
"Obviously he has to get better at the X's and O's, but I expect that to come as well."
I don't like the precedent that he has clearly set that he will never juggle the starting lineup. It makes us exploitable, in a game theory sense. Think Rock-Paper-Scissors.
@anonymous12345 @Lambchop @Tronchaser Those polls are too funny. I remember there was a GM poll like two seasons ago, the question being: "who would you want on the NBA to take the last shot for your team?" and the result was %60 or something Kobe.
I'd expect at least one of those GM's to say "I don't care as long as it's the right shot to take" but, oh well.
@Lambchop That's a great point. I think people put FAR too much emphasis of coach rankings based on in-game/in-series decision making (which Brooks is barely average, imo). I think that player development is more important and he probably the best in the league at that.
@ou_sas @FF_pickups @Lambchop
Yeah the center development has been lacking. Some of that blame probably needs to be put on Mark Bryant as well though. Similarily, Mo Cheeks should be given credit for the strides Westbrook has taken since his 2nd year.
@FF_pickups @Lambchop He's the great developer - at least as far as wings/guards go. His big man development track record has been sort of lacking, though perhaps Thabeet becoming a somewhat serviceable backup is evidence of even that trend turning around.
@Tronchaser He's no PJ Carlesimo, that's for sure.
@duhsweetness I'm thinking that's a good thing. Although, I wonder what would have happened in the alternate universe if Sam kept PJ around.
@Tronchaser Good thing? It's a great thing. That dude is a lousy coach.
@Tronchaser @duhsweetness
I think it's possible with PJ, Westbrook and Ibaka are a fraction of what they are today.
@Tronchaser
No. He's an elite developer of talent. We clearly had the best roster last year and he found a way to lose the finals in 5 games.