Daily Thunder.com

Forbes on Russell Westbrook joining Jordan Brand: “Adding Westbrook to the Jordan Brand line is a smart move for both the player and the brand. Although there are more than a dozen basketball player endorsers, Westbrook joins Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony as the top NBA endorsers of Jordan Brand. As if joining the ranks of Paul and Anthony aren’t enough, Westbrook can be rest assured that whatever Jordan Brand merchandise he’s repping will be very well marketed. Paul’s elaborate “Frozen in Time” stunt showed last week is proof enough.”

Sean Deveney of Sporting News says Westbrook is like Tiny Archibald: “Like Archibald, Westbrook is not much of a perimeter shooter, though he has been making progress in that area. And also like Archibald, Westbrook’s style has made him something of a lightning rod around the league—he is an aggressive scorer, and even if his shots are not falling, he will continue to shoot.” Keep Reading…

Bill Simmons of Grantland says the Thunder should pay James Harden now: “Is there some wealthy maniac out there who would pay 30 percent over that Forbes sticker price without blinking? The short answer: YES! That’s why the NBA owners were so disingenuous during the lockout — they were crying poverty, and meanwhile, they had a waiting list for new owners! And we fell for it! Never again. That’s why I think Oklahoma City’s owners are full of an entire sewage system of shit. Let’s just say it wouldn’t be the first time. So don’t settle for less than what you’re worth, James Harden. They’re playing possum. They will cave. You will get paid. Let the dynastendery begin.”

Jonathan Feigan of the Houston Chronicle: “Even with Westbrook dominating the first quarter and Durant taking over in the second, the Rockets’ starters played the Thunder evenly while running few plays, but running the floor well. Kevin Martin played only in the first quarter, making 3 of 4 shots for his 11 points. The starters overall made 16 of 31 shots. At halftime, when Westbrook and Durant were done for the night, it was a one-point game.” Keep Reading…

John Hollinger of ESPN.com’s forecast: “And still, it may not matter if Perkins becomes a reasonable facsimile of the player the Thunder thought they were getting two years ago. Nonetheless, it’s a lingering problem, and one that may only worsen once Maynor goes. With all that said, it’s hard to see much empty in this glass. The Thunder have four All-Star-caliber talents in their early 20s, and if they can lock all four up for the long term it will take very little in the way of support to put them over the top. For that reason, I’d bet on a return engagement with the Heat this June … even if they have to a win a series or two on the road to get there.”

Nolan Clay of NewsOK on how one Thunder fan is suing a another over season tickets: “He said he got his share of the tickets last season but Strube has refused to turn over his share for this season. He said a check for the tickets was returned. Friesen told District Judge Bill Graves in his lawsuit that he had a verbal contract for the tickets. He is asking the judge to order Strube to turn over his tickets. The lawsuit also seeks “damages in excess of $10,000 for fraud, attorney fees, costs and other just and equitable relief the Court deems just and equitable.” Keep Reading…