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Thunder 85, Rockets 105

by Joe on October 19, 2009 at 10:33 pm 8 Comments

The Thunder looked like a much improved team if you just judged the game by the first quarter, or even the first half. Unfortunately the second half was pretty much just yucky preseason ball. The Thunder dropped 33 points on a good Houston defense in the first quarter shooting 54%. They were hitting the boards and hanging on to the ball. They also allowed 33 on the strength of Houston’s 4/5 shooting from the three point line. It looked like a shootout.

Both teams had a tougher time scoring in the second quarter and the Thunder were in the penalty with their sixth foul by three minutes into the quarter. Houston didn’t really make us pay for it though by missing a third of their free throws.

The third quarter was just difficult to watch with the Thunder shooting a very stinky 4/19 (26%) and had 5 turns. Meanwhile Houston re-found it’s stroke and put 26 points on the board. By early in the fourth Coach Brooks began giving Tre Kelley some minutes at the point which seemed to be the ceremonial white flag of surrender.

But again, it’s just preseason and our regular rotations weren’t in use. Coach was definitely trying to force feed Ibaka’s offense, giving Mullens a few touches and Keep Reading…

Thunder at Rockets: Preseason pregame primer

by Royce Young on October 19, 2009 at 2:12 pm 66 Comments

vs.

Oklahoma City Thunder (2-2) at Houston Rockets (3-3)

TV: None (But, click here and you can watch it on the Internet. Yay Internet!)
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM)
Time: 7:30 CDT

View from the enemy: Rockets Buzz

If there is anything to know about this game, it’s that Nick Collison is going to see his first preseason action tonight. The Thunder has struggled slightly on the glass with him out thus far, so hopefully with him back he can help right that. OKC was one of the better rebounding teams last season and Collison was a big part of that in his time off the bench. Keep Reading…

Report: Detroit Shock moving to Tulsa

by Royce Young on October 19, 2009 at 10:26 am 18 Comments

Wow. I’m shocked (see what I did there?). Via an AP report:

A Detroit Shock official says the WNBA team is moving to Tulsa, Okla. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to The Associated Press on Monday because he was not authorized to make the announcement.

Detroit made its debut in the league in 1998 and won titles in 2008, 2006 and 2003. The Shock lost last month to the Indiana Fever in the Eastern Conference finals after rallying to earn a playoff spot.

Good for Tulsa I guess. I have absolutely no interest in the WNBA and likely will soon forget there is even a team there, but that’s cool for them if they wanted it. So now we’ve pulled basketball teams from two different cities in two different leagues. Oklahoma: The Land of Relocation.

Monday Bolts – 10.19.09

by Royce Young on October 19, 2009 at 10:03 am 14 Comments

First and foremost, U2 was fairly amazing last night. I had no idea what to expect and wasn’t even planning on going until about an hour before. But we went, got excellent seats and enjoyed the heck out of the two-plus hour show. The stage was… incredible.

NBA assistant director of scouting, Ryan Blake, breaks down the rookie class: “Another guy I see making a major impact is James Harden. I’m really high on this kid. I think he’s going to be able to not only put numbers up on the board, but he makes other players better. I think he’ll be that combo guard as well. He’s going to be able to get the ball to the right people’s hands, he’s going to D up. He’s going to get inside and really be versatile and command a lot of attention and hopefully open up it up for other players on that young talented team.”

Darnell Mayberry writes about the Thunder’s tweeting habits: ”Half the Thunder’s roster has active Twitter accounts. Kevin Durant owns bragging rights with more than 75,000 followers. The team’s mascot, Rumble the Bison, even has an account. The furry creature doesn’t talk but does of course tweet. Some players use it as a free marketing tool. Others use it to stay connected. For many, it’s just quick, clean fun. By following Green’s updates, fans can learn little details they can only get from him. For example, did you know Green enjoys relaxing pedicures? Or that the 23-year-old is perfectly content with a night at home watching the Disney classic “Aladdin?”" Keep Reading…

2009-10 Oklahoma City Thunder preview

by Royce Young on October 19, 2009 at 12:48 am 14 Comments

(Note: This is my preview for Jeff Clark’s CelticsBlog preview series. I’ll have more preview stuff coming later on this month.)

Team name: Oklahoma City Thunder
Previous record: 23-59

Key Additions:
James Harden, Byron Mullens, Kevin Ollie, Etan Thomas, Serge Ibaka, Maurice Cheeks (coaching staff)

Key losses:
Robert Swift, Malik Rose, Desmond Mason, Earl Watson, Chucky Atkins

1. What significant moves were made in the offseason? Keep Reading…

A new wrinkle for Coach Brooks

by Joe on October 18, 2009 at 12:32 pm 6 Comments

scotty_brooks Something we don’t discuss too much on this site is the performance of Scott Brooks as head coach of the Thunder. I think most would be of the opinion that it’s much too early to form opinions about Brooks’ ability to steer the team going forward, having only 69 games to prove himself. But the opinions will begin to be formed during this upcoming season.

We all know he says the right things, and that he seems to be genuinely well liked by just about everyone. He seemed to be level headed yet passionate on the sidelines and I never really thought he was completely outcoached at any point last year (like I often did the previous season and early in ’08 under Pajamas Carlesimo). For me, a real defining time for Brooks came in late February when Kevin Durant went down for 7 games and 4 of those were also without Jeff Green. The team went 5-2 during that stretch and almost overnight got the team to buy into a lockdown defensive mode. It was genius. Coach Brooks really showed me he could coach.

Coaches work in the offseason too. The Oklahoman Keep Reading…

Oh hai teddybaby

by Royce Young on October 17, 2009 at 8:18 pm 5 Comments

This picture from Friday night’s Edmond Memorial game made me feel infinitely better after a rough day. I literally chuckle, if just for split second, every time I look at it. I’m just picturing some mom or dad handing KD their baby to hold for no reason. Just makes me giggle a little. Onward and upward with life.

Saturday Morning Cartoons: The only Longhorn I’ve ever loved

by Royce Young on October 17, 2009 at 7:30 am 5 Comments

(Happy day friends. Hope you’re enjoying your fall break. Thanks for your support of Daily Thunder. Isn’t there a football game today?)

Per Oklahoma state law, as a media member I must mention that the Red River game is today. So as my way of getting it done, let’s give it up to everyone’s favorite Whorn, Kevin Durant. He’s honestly the only person affiliated with Austin that I can say that I even remotely like. We all know who KD is rooting for today and that’s fine, but it’s good to know that he’s now with us and not against us.

Oklahoma City Thunder (2-2) at Houston Rockets (3-3)

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