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TGR #78: Thunder Prospectus with Kevin Pelton

by Thunderground Radio on October 25, 2012 at 1:26 pm 706 Comments

Welcome back to Thunder Ground Radio. Your old pals, Joel & Brad are joined by Kevin Pelton of Basketball Prospectus to talk about statistical analysis predicts the season will turn out for the NBA and the Thunder specifically.

This episode also includes a recording of David Stern’s mom’s message to her baby boy…

Download, listen and send us your comments.

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Thursday Bolts – 10.25.12

by Royce Young on October 25, 2012 at 11:17 am 113 Comments

Kevin Pelton of Basketball Prospectus on Serge Ibaka’s 3-point shooting: “Something noteworthy happened during the third quarter of Tuesday’s innocuous preseason game between the Chicago Bulls and the Oklahoma City Thunder: Serge Ibaka made a three-pointer. During his first three NBA seasons, the promising young forward made just two three-pointers in six attempts. Ibaka has surpassed both figures during the exhibition campaign. After splitting his two attempts from downtown Tuesday, Ibaka is 4-of-7 on three-point attempts in five games. Air Congo might have a slightly different meaning this season. These games being all about practice, Ibaka may just be working on adding a new element to his game that will not last into the regular season. However, Scott Brooks‘ comments to reporters on Monday suggest he’s comfortable with Ibaka continuing to fire from long distance at times when the results begin counting.”

Sean Deveney of Sporting News picking breakout preseason players: “It is possible that, as Oklahoma City weighs how to keep guard James Harden without breaking the bank, Aldrich could wind up replacing center Kendrick Perkins, whose contract has been outweighing his production. With that in mind, there have been some positives for Aldrich in the preseason. He is still mostly rough edges, and it’s doubtful he will ever be a real offensive threat, but he has shown that he can rebound and sets good screens. Aldrich is not very agile, and that hurts him defensively, but he is a respectable rim-protector (1.6 blocks) and considering what the Thunder have gotten from Perkins, Aldrich could be a viable future option.” Keep Reading…

Thunder 88, Mavericks 76: Five thoughts

by Royce Young on October 24, 2012 at 9:32 pm 390 Comments

BOX SCORE

The Thunder finished off their preseason slate of games with an 88-76 win over the Mavericks to go 4-3 overall. Kevin Durant led the way with 18 points, James Harden had 16 and Serge Ibaka added 15, all in the first half.

That puts a lid on the preseason for Oklahoma City, which is excellent news because it means actual games that count are the next thing on the schedule. Woo.

Here are five quick takeaways from the preseason finale: Keep Reading…

Mavericks vs. Thunder: Open thread

by Royce Young on October 24, 2012 at 4:25 pm 1,083 Comments

The last preseason game before the real stuff starts in a week. Hooray.

The Thunder are expected to play their full complement of players, but with this being the last chance for the non-guaranteed guys to impress, there’s potential to see a good bit of them as well. Maybe Scott Brooks will show his hand with playing time. Maybe the first half will mimic how he plans to approach his regular rotation for the season. Maybe we’ll really learn something.

Tip is at 7:00 CT in Wichita. And on local TV too! Here’s a stream for all you out-of-towners.

Wednesday Bolts – 10.24.12

by Royce Young on October 24, 2012 at 10:11 am 303 Comments

Darius Soriano of PBT on role players for contenders: “Maynor also offers them lineup flexibility, giving them a key contributor to any small-ball lineup Brooks wants to deploy. For example, a grouping of Maynor, Westbrook, Harden, Durant, and Ibaka gives the Thunder a unit that can match up with the position-less Heat lineup that gave them so many issues in the Finals. There’s no hiding defenders against a lineup like that. Word is that Maynor is fully recovered from his knee injury and should be ready to return to the form he showed before he got hurt. If that’s the case, one of the best teams in the league just added another fantastic young talent to flank their already stacked core. If he’s not, the Thunder will once again be stuck playing below replacement level players behind Westbrook.”

Zach Lowe of Grantland says OKC will re-sign Harden before the deadline: “With the amnesty option in the bag, and no tax money due this season, re-signing Harden now makes the most sense — and doesn’t prevent Oklahoma City from exploring future trades. Dealing Harden for a wing shooter who can play defense and handle a bit, plus draft picks, makes some sense in theory; Harden’s best skill is his ballhandling and pick-and-roll creativity, and he doesn’t get to use it to the optimal degree playing alongside two ball dominators. There’s a reason Harden comes off the bench despite quite obviously being one of his team’s three best players. Making that kind of deal while on the precipice of a title would be almost unprecedented, but the “Thunder model” itself is basically unprecedented. The odds are always against a trade like this, especially during the season, but you can bet the Thunder will kick it around.” Keep Reading…

Bulls 94, Thunder 89: Five thoughts

by Royce Young on October 23, 2012 at 10:00 pm 300 Comments

Gary Dineen/NBAE/Getty Images

BOX SCORE

Main lesson from the Thunder’s 94-89 preseason loss to the Chicago Bulls: Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are important.

Playing without their two superstars, the Thunder struggled to find consistent offense, primarily relying upon James Harden and Serge Ibaka. Ibaka stepped up big, scoring 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting in 29 minutes, while Harden struggled mightily, scoring 13 points but on just 2-of-17 shooting.

Five big thoughts from OKC’s second-to-last preseason game: Keep Reading…

Thunder vs. Bulls: Open thread

by Royce Young on October 23, 2012 at 4:50 pm 1,274 Comments

Good news: The game is on TV tonight (NBA TV)! How about that?

Bad news: Neither Kevin Durant nor Russell Westbrook will be playing.

The Thunder have whittled one man off the roster and with only two preseason games remaining, this one could be a big one for the remaining non-guaranteed guys. Especially with playing time available since Westbrook and Durant are out.

Here’s a stream for the game.

Tip is at 7:00 CT.

Tuesday Bolts – 10.23.12

by Royce Young on October 23, 2012 at 8:54 am 334 Comments

The annual NBA GM poll came out yesterday. A few notes: The Thunder gathered only 6.7 percent of the vote that they’d win the NBA title, 36.7 percent have OKC in the Finals, 30 percent have KD winning the MVP, 13.3 percent say Serge Ibaka is the best defender in the NBA, 30 percent say OKC is the most fun team to watch, 46.7 percent want KD taking the final shot in a game and 70 percent say OKC has the best homecourt advantage.

Matt Moore of CBSSports.com: “But the cap is here; it’s push-come-to-shove time. The Thunder were a fun team but not a playoff team. Then a playoff team but not a team that could win in the playoffs. Then a team that could win in the playoffs but not one that could make the Finals. They made the Finals, couldn’t win the title. Now they either win the title or they regress. But they have so much going for them. Durant’s superb standard, Westbrook’s incredible production, Harden’s prolific support, Serge Ibaka’s versatility, Kendrick Perkins‘… Perkinsness? Scott Brooks has improved each season along with the team, and they have great depth that only got better in the offseason with the return of Eric Maynor. There’s no reason to think this team won’t be back in the Finals … except for maybe the Lakers. And that’s going to be something we’ll be talking about the whole year through. But this division? It’s already wrapped up.” Keep Reading…

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  • Kevin Durant donates $1 million to disaster relief
  • Serge Ibaka named first team All-Defense
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