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Need reason to be excited about this season? Here’s 20

by Royce Young on October 28, 2009 at 11:08 am 51 Comments

I spent the whole summer being incredibly excited about this season one minute and then completely terrified the next. Excited for what could be, terrified for what might not. A summer of hype and potentially unreasonable expectation has scared me a little. Well, maybe scared me a lot. I don’t want to be let down. I haven’t soured by any means on the season, but I think I need to re-excite myself. So here’s 20 reasons to be fired up about this season even if you’re so terrified about it that you’ve changed pants four times already and it’s not even lunch.

1. Kevin Durant
He’s No. 1 for a reason. He is the absolute tip-top reason you should be pumped about this year. Nobody really knows what to expect from him. Twenty-five points per game? Thirty? More than 30? I feel like George Costanza asking Jerry how much he paid for his suede jacket. I’m walking out of here right now thinking KD could average more than 35 points this season, unless you tell me different. Most that claim to know stuff have eliminated his ceiling completely. But not only can we expect to possibly see KD step into the pagoda of the NBA elite in terms of gaudy offensive statistics, but he’s worked all summer upping his defensive game. He’s motivated and that’s scary. Forget reading the other 19 things I list. This should be enough. Keep Reading…

Wednesday Bolts – It’s Here Edition

by Royce Young on October 28, 2009 at 8:38 am 31 Comments

Finally. Finally. Finally. We play basketball and keep score tonight. After a long summer writing about meaningless crap, getting in arguments with radio hosts and hyping and trying to de-hype, I am glad we can turn our attention to actual basketball.

The Thunder Ally pregame party is back on Reno again this year: “The motocross stunt show, “Defying Danger FMX and Globe of Thunder”, produced by BMX stunt rider and Oklahoma native Mat Hoffman, will headline the Thunder Ally festivities. Two shows are scheduled on Reno Ave. before doors open and one after the game. Entertainment also includes a concert by country musician Mark McKinney, courtesy of Budweiser, interactive games, food, a Budweiser beer garden and an autograph session with the Thunder Girls.”

Another playoff prediction for OKC: “The Oklahoma City Thunder will be the breakout team this year in the NBA. The Thunder are led by the best young, pure scorer in the NBA in Kevin Durant. Durant will win his first scoring title this season. Alongside Durant is dynamic second year player Russell Westbrook who while not quite a PG, is perfect for the up and down style the Thunder will play this season. Jeff Green is a very underrated player while the top 5 pick of James Harden will prove to be a great pick. Harden is the ultimate glue guy and will give the Thunder the solid third option behind Durant and Westbrook.” Keep Reading…

Meet the only Thunder fan in Iceland

by Royce Young on October 27, 2009 at 11:57 am 36 Comments

What is Iceland known for? Ice? Land? That whole story you heard in fifth grade about Greenland and Iceland and some sort of confusion between the two in naming them (I obviously didn’t really listen to it)?

Whatever it is, I would think basketball would be relatively low on the list. And thus, one would assume, making it somewhat odd to be a fan of the NBA in Iceland. Somewhat odd. Not completely out of this world to enjoy it.

But what’s really odd – meaning more than somewhat - is being an Oklahoma City Thunder fan in Iceland, one of the least visible teams in the league. Which brings us to Hlynur Omar Bjornsson, the self-proclaimed only Thunder fan in Iceland. Let me ask it for you: “Huh? How? Why?” So I asked him, among other things.

You know if you look real hard, it kind of looks like OKC's logo.

You are a Thunder fan in Iceland. Simply, how and why?

I‘ve always liked basketball and the NBA. As a kid I started supporting the Sonics. First, because of Shawn Kemp and his monster dunks, but eventually Gary Payton became my favorite player. I‘ve never been to Seattle, but my father used to travel there quite a bit because of his work (visiting the Boeing offices) and he really liked the city, so at least I had some connection to the city.

When the team was sold and eventually relocated to Oklahoma City, I was pretty upset and thought that if there was any time when you were allowed to actually switch your allegiances and become a fan of another team, this was it. So I tried to find a new team to follow but none stood out. I then noticed that every morning when I checked the NBA news or the box score, the team I looked up first was the Thunder. How was my old team doing? How was Kevin Durant playing? I was really excited when the Sonics drafted KD so maybe I was just keeping track of him? Keep Reading…

Tuesday Bolts – 10.27.09

by Royce Young on October 27, 2009 at 8:48 am 30 Comments

Top pick Blake Griffin is out as much as six weeks with a stress fracture in his knee. How did he get this injury you ask? By getting drafted by the Clippers, that’s how. Not only is this a shame for the NBA, but out six weeks means he won’t be ready Nov. 15th for his Oklahoma homecoming. I’m so peeved. We can only hope he switches on Wolverine mode and heals this thing in four days like he did with his injuries at OU.

Mark Heisler of the LA Times picks OKC 13th in the West: “If this were a 25-and-under league, you’d really like their chances. Kevin Durant, who just turned 21, now must do the hardest thing of all: turn those stats into wins. Russell Westbrook, 20, and Thabo Sefolosha, 25, might be the game’s most athletic backcourt, with versatile Jeff Green, 23, alongside Durant. That leaves them one center and another year or two away.”

Jeff Green and Kevin Durant have been named captains. Captain KD has quite a ring to it. Captain Uncle Jeff… not so much. Keep Reading…

Kevin Durant’s brother apparently not a fan of Oklahoma City (or is he?)

by Royce Young on October 26, 2009 at 3:12 pm 43 Comments

This little topic came up in the comments Saturday afternoon and we talked about it: Does Kevin Durant’s brother hate Oklahoma City? And of course the sinister, don’t-talk-about-that underlying question: Does that mean KEVIN DURANT hates Oklahoma City?

“What, why?” asks the non-comment reading Daily Thunder patron. Well, because of some tweeting of course. What else would start a controversy nowadays? (Some coarse language ahead. I apologize in advance.)

(Somebody asked why Tony was still in OKC): “it sure as hell aint nothing hur ( in my @boozye and the rest of Oklahoma City voice)” [via]

“i miss my big sis @BettyBoopEyes i wish i was at home with yall instead of Oklahoma Shitty” [via]

shit chillin in wack ass OKC u get my DM [via]

Man this security guard in the mall said its mall policy that u can’t wear a hood on ur head in the mall only in OKC [via]

We talked about it. Thought about it. Marinated, stewed over and chewed on it. I kind of decided it wasn’t worth getting anyone riled up over, but then again, is it? (Obviously it is, because here I am writing about it.) I envisioned KD being pissed that he’s having to sit and answer questions about some stupid tweets his brother put up. I pictured Tony Durant feeling stupid and just awful that he put his brother in this position. But then again this isn’t some wild Jenni Carlson/Jim Traber speculation based on a couple weather comments. Tony actually refers to Oklahoma City as (again, pardon the language), “Oklahoma Shitty.” That’s not just “It’s hot in Oklahoma exclamation point!!! Well, he did have a few things to say about the weather: Keep Reading…

TrueHoop Network 2009-10 Previews: Oklahoma City Thunder

by Royce Young on October 26, 2009 at 9:30 am 34 Comments

Last Year’s Record: 23-59

Crystal Ball
The consensus prediction of the TrueHoop Network bloggers … and the best hopes of Daily Thunder.
Crowd Says: 34-48
Daily Thunder Says: 34-48

Yes We Can!
The sun is out. The seas have parted. The basketball gods are shining upon us!

A lot of teams define success by the playoffs or 50 wins or some even a championship.

But in OKC’s case, steady improvement was a strong measure of success.

After starting their inaugural season 3-29, the Thunder went 20-30 to close the season, including 13-12 at home since New Year’s Eve. So while last season’s 23-59 doesn’t look all that excellent, all things considered, it wasn’t that bad.

With the core of that team back and with another year of experience under their back, things should just get better for the Thunder. The average age of the team is under 25 and the Thunder’s first eight average 23. The team is young, but extremely talented. Kevin Durant is obviously a superstar, but Russell Westbrook was surprisingly good in his rookie campaign and Jeff Green is a steady sidekick. Keep Reading…

Monday Bolts – 10.26.09

by Royce Young on October 26, 2009 at 9:07 am 10 Comments

Kevin Durant was answering some fan questions on Twitter last night and here are a few good ones: “do u think you will be labeled as on of the greatest wen u retire?(idk thas da plan tho) … If there was one thing you could change about the NBA, what would it be?(nothing) … if u weren’t a bball player what would u be doing now and where?(I have no clue,didn’t have a 2nd option) … If the NBA said u couldnt wear #35 anymore what number would u choose?(42) … If you could choose one: gold medal or NBA champ ?(tuff question!!! Idk gimme sum time to think) … who was your idol growing up?(Vince Carter) … wen OKC make the playoffs ima drive there from NJ, can u hook me up wit 3 tix???(of course) … whats the hardest place to play in the NBA?(Utah, they say anything to u lol) … Odds of you sending me an autographed jersey?!( wats ur location).”

John McGrath of the Tacoma News Tribune apologizes to Oklahoma City: ”Which is my way of saying: I’m sorry, Oklahoma City. When the SuperSonics relocated to the American Heartland after 40 years in Seattle, I put the place down with all the knee-jerk stereotypes. You know, a dusty, boring, smelly cowtown in the middle of nowhere, full of tobacco-spitting hicks unworthy of appreciating any sporting event that didn’t include ropes and horses. This is nonsense. Oklahoma City is an agreeably thriving metropolis more than capable of supporting an NBA franchise. Because it’s difficult to escape for a weekend in the mountains, or a day trip to the ocean, the Oklahoma fan’s affection only figures to intensify for a basketball team mired in Year Four of a rebuilding project that’s produced minimal improvement.” Keep Reading…

Ryan Bowen makes Thunder roster

by Royce Young on October 25, 2009 at 4:37 pm 5 Comments

Veteran journeyman and apparent practice All-Star, Ryan Bowen, has apparently made the 15-man roster. For now:

“I spoke with coach after the last game and he said for now you’ve made the team,” Bowen said. “Obviously, I was excited about that. I know I’ve still got a long way to go with the thing about my situation. But I’m happy to be here and help in any way I can.”

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