Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE/Getty Images
It was a pretty easy assumption to make: When Eric Maynor returned from his knee injury, he’d resume his role as Russell Westbrook’s backup.
But Scott Brooks said Wednesday the position isn’t yet completely settled and that Maynor doesn’t automatically get his spot back.
“Going into the new season I think the minutes have to be earned,” Brooks said. “During the season if that happened and he came back, that would be something different. There have been a lot of games between his injury and now.
“I think that spot is open. That spot is open,” Brooks continued. “We have two great choices. Reggie’s really improved his game. He’s much more confident.”
Maynor sort of mentored Jackson last season as he worked to fill in, but now they’re evidently competing for a spot. Does that change anything?
“Nah, me and Reggie, anybody that’s out here is going to work hard,” Maynor said. “We’re going to compete every day. At the end of the day, Scott is the one that’s going to call that shot whoever’s going to be out there.
“Anybody that’s is in front of me, I’m competing with Russ every day,” Maynor said. “We’re competing with everybody every day.”
Is it more intense between Jackson and Maynor?
“I don’t think things could get more intense,” Jackson said.
Most likely, the spot is all Maynor’s. But a little extra motivation, a little extra push, a little extra something for training camp is a good thing. Competition brings out the best in people. It’s going to push Maynor to be his best, and vice versa for Jackson.
“It’s very competitive. That’s what you want as a coach and a staff is to have a competitive camp,” Brooks said. “Those guys are going to continue to compete against each other challenge each other and make sure they continue to improve. With those two guys, it’s going to be interesting to watch.”
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On Hollis Thompson: “He has a great stroke. He’s a shooter. He’s very athletic and has some good size. He has active hands defensively. He’s intriguing.”
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On if he trusts his knee yet: “Yeah I’m past that. Doesn’t mean nothing to me no more. I’m just out there playing now. Just like nothing ever happened.”
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On of he’s more confident: “Possibly. I definitely feel like I’m more vocal at least. I think that’s a step in the right direction. Just keep trying to polish my game and fit into the team and do whatever it takes.”
On Perry Jones: “What a freak. What a freak. I believe it’s still showing, still raw talent and he’s getting better. You can tell our coach MB, Mark Bryant, is working with him and he’s getting better each and every day. I think you guys seen the one-on-ones over there and he’s really starting to challenge KD, I believe. His length can really challenge KD every day in practice and help him get better.”
He may not be here a year from now but doubt he gets benched for Reggie like some of you think:) Good luck with that revolving door. hahhaha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAhxJXi3SyQ&feature=fvsr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mezUQz5tm_U&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQF09DSFbCM
http://www.dailythunder.com/2012/10/thursday-bolts-10-4-12/
Man I suck at the new 2K. My team was down 104-66 to the Knicks after 3 quarters, got pissed and turned it off. I think it might be the controls they changed up, I was dominating on '11 and not too bad on '12. Maybe I just don't have "it" anymore....
:(
@C-Wil I'm killing it on the new 2k go complete the under armor thing itll help you get a better feel for the new controls and it'll give you 1000 vc to
@jrohde6992 @C-Wil
And I know that sounds nosy, but I'm sure Jax would say that if you didn't want the Internet to know your name, you shouldn't tell the Internet your name. :)
@ThunderChick2010 @jrohde6992 @C-Wil and while your guessing is his birthday in June 1992?
@jrohde6992 @C-Wil
Hey, are you really a Rohde as it appears? Relation to John?
@ThunderChick2010 @C-Wil
yeah my last name is Rohde but it purely coincidental that we share the same last name
@C-Wil past your prime?
@CDSpark Well all I know is if you choose to be an "athletic" players you can't shoot for crap, but they allow you the ability to dunk a little bit. It's a pretty extreme trade off, because the opportunity to dunk just isn't there unless you're on the break.
@CDSpark @C-Wil I'm getting better with the controls. Though I have had more than a few instances where I had Harden open for the three pointer and I do a crossover instead.
@DustinMcWilliams @CDSpark @C-Wil Style points.
http://blog.newsok.com/thunderrumblings/2012/10/04/an-apology-to-royce-white/
@FreeFezzyFel
Faith temporarily restored in Darnell . . .
@FreeFezzyFel Most impressive
@FreeFezzyFel "The use of that phrase was a mistake. I should have known better."
That's better than getting defensive on Twitter about it.
@Jooseppi Most journalists don't own up to their mistakes.
@f5alcon Until their bosses tell them to.
Has anyone thought about this scenario:
Harden departs in some fashion or another before next season. Maynor stays and takes over starting PG duties. RW shifts to 2 guard starter.
is that possible as a "If Harden Leaves" contingency plan?
@ThunderBelize I don't see any way they'll take the starting PG spot away from Russ.
@ThunderBelize Westbrook can't defend bigger twos, assuming harden was gone, could westbrook guard him or kobe? Besides presti has said westbrook is the PG and I don't think that will change.
@ThunderBelize It had better not.
@justin_mia @ThunderBelize Russ is a big pg, but, if he has to play the 2, he is now undersized. Having undersized players hurts the team unless that player is amazingly talented.
@justin_mia @ThunderBelize Agreed. No way we choose to sign Maynor over Harden, regardless of the discount we would get with Maynor.
I just read the espn piece on White. Seems the "no show" wasn't due to his illness directly, it was a contract negotiation thing. He wants to ride the bus instead of fly when possible. Seems he isn' t going to participate until there is an agreement.
@CDSpark I have a feeling that isn't gonna work out too well for him, or the team.
@Tronchaser @CDSparkI have the same feeling. We'll see how well he can function in the NBA considering the amount of travel. It's unfortunate he doesn't realize flying is FAR safer than driving.
I have talked to a psychologist who specializes in anxiety extinction about how he helps people 'cure' their anxiety. Basically, the person has to be in the anxiety inducing situation until they're experiencing less of that anxiety. Typically, a person with a phobia of an insect will be put in the same room as the insect. Gradually, after their stress levels have dropped (heart rate normal, breathing normal) the person is moved closer and closer to that insect until they're holding that insect. Of course, this would be a little tricky with flying because it's more of an all or nothing thing. You're either on the ground or in the air.
Consequently, I think he needs to actively attempt to eradicate his phobia. During the drafting process he appeared cured of it affecting his travel, but that's not the case.
@Tronchaser @CDSpark He could play in home games and if there was 2 or 3 days of travel, and the spurs, hornets, dallas, okc, memphis are within 1 day driving distance, so maybe 50 games a year? He can drive to.
I really hope Reggie works out and we see him take some steps towards being a reliable back up guard for us. Not only because if we happen to lose Maynor for financial reasons after this season, the thought of having The Honey Badger and Honey Badger light (potentially?) playing at once gets me a liiiiittle excited in ze pantaloons, good sir. It might be frustrating to watch at times, but that would be a fast and hectic backcourt I would enjoy watching harass and run the opposition off the court.
@Godofserenity if you want to see a russ lite, watch jerryd bayless. He can be really good sometimes, but mostly is a bad player.
@Godofserenity Liked for use of "pantaloons".
@Arent @Godofserenity Reggie sucks on 2K. Missed like 8 open jumpers.
@Godofserenity for me thats just too much honey badger. Maynor is a nice change of pace and he really knows how to run the offense. Russ is frustrating enough to watch and he is one of the best players in the league...i dont know if a want a russ light
@persiansooner13 I understand it's limitations and I'm not sure I'll want it after I see it a few times. But god help me, I'm curious.....
Hey all, thunder down under reporting for duty. Long time lurker (was 'around' when Thunderchick joined, pre livefyre, how crow got his avatar and okc baby was the resident punching bag). Felt too stalkerish just lurking, just wanted to say hi finally, maybe join in the convo from time to time if you'll have me. :-) Oh and, I absolutely cannot wait for the season of redemption to begin. Thunder Thunder Thunder!!! Oi Oi Oi! :-D
@Godofserenity Love the Aussie Aussie Aussie thing.. I do it sometimes around here at work, and people look at me like "what is this fool doing?".. lol I've been to Hobart, my closest experience to Aussie-land. Loved it.
@Tronchaser Hobart is nice for scenery but a bit quiet for my taste. You should give the mainland a try if you get a chance. What were you doing down there if you don't mind me asking? Closest I've come to OKC is LA but the gf and are planning on catching a home game next time we're in the states.
@Godofserenity @Tronchaser Navy, our aircraft carrier pulled in there for a week. Had to anchor out in the bay since the Aussies didn't like our nuclear reactor so close to the city. :)
@Godofserenity
Get in line bro. Prepare to get owned. Whats nice about this site it archives the ownage. Ask Justin about Sef..............
http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/_img/chars/char_18626.jpg
@OkcBaby @Godofserenity i remember the days even i used to get on okc baby for hating on russ and hero ball. have got to say- uve pretty much stopped that okc baby.but i respect ur support for emayn
@Thunder S @Godofserenity I remember those days 2. Glad those days are behind us. Russ has improved tremendously in this area
@OkcBaby Oh don't worry. I'm prepared for the worst, though at this point, I kinda have more on them than vice versa. For the record, lots of love for what Thabo brings to the table when healthy. If he can splash a three every now and again, bonus.
Can we keep politics out. K thanks
@OkcBaby
Thought you were serious 'til I saw that you joined the conversation below. You mean you want OTHER PEOPLE to keep politics out. Got it. :)
Real basketball will probably "cure" the political talk soon enough . . .
@ThunderChick2010 Im a jokester
@OkcBaby Vote yes for Maynor for the Hall of Fame, 2012.
http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/29319/nba-finals-preview-can-the-thunder-beat-the-heat
this is awesome. Would love for some more player movement on offense.
As Sebastian pruiti noted in one of his posts, " they are so individually talented offensively that even a little bit of player movement will make them that much more difficult to guard"
Its incredible we had such an efficient offense with very little weakside movement.
http://youtu.be/h7VlyeWgL8E Storytime with Jalen Rose: The Day Kobe scored 81 on Us