Smart Thoughts of the Week: Oct. 16 – 23
Throughout the week some of you drop some brilliant or at least somewhat thoughtful comments and so
this is a try at highlighting some of them. Disclaimer: It’s not that I necessarily agree with all of them, but they were interesting and for the most part, well put. Consider everything [sic’d].
Well isn’t that slightly embarrassing. (J.G.): Apparently Darnell didn’t consult with fellow Oklahoman writer Mike Baldwin before running his article and then asking us to chew on Durant’s words about the game when Durant also had this to say about it:
“We’re not concerned at all,” Durant said. “We can’t think about this game. We’ve got to let this game go. (What I liked most in preseason) is every practice was an A-plus. Guys brought it every day.”
Newsflash – The game didn’t matter, AT ALL, it was a pre-season game. They mean more to the guys trying to make the team and the young guys trying to get their feet wet than any final score therein. Hence why Westphal (Kings coach) even said that he thought both team’s held back from showing some wrinkles in that game since they’d be playing each other again in 6 days when it really counts.
I’m usually behind Darnell, but that article wreaked of sensational journalism when there was no cause (5 starters averaged 21.6 minutes in that game for crying out loud) or justification for a Chicken Little take on the matter. Just have a look at what the Nuggets did in the pre-season and you’ll get my point (went 3-4, got CRUSHED by the Jazz (by 16), Pacers (by 18) and Lakers (by 17) in three of the four losses).
A chance at redemption. Or a chance at embarrassing failure. (KingGondo): At least we have a rare opportunity: a game in 5 days against the same team, with 4 practices in between. In a game that actually means something. If there isn’t substantial improvement in perimeter D between now and then, THEN I think it’s valid to question the coaching and effort. But until then I’m going to hope for the best.
As Mr. Traber would say, we’re big league now. (Dooney): I’m not a big fan of the WNBA but I really want to see the new team in Tulsa do well, both in league play and fan support. It just says a ton about the state to have these two teams succeed.
Not that smart, but man, it made me laugh out loud. (Warren): Rumor has it that before Ruffin was actually waived, he took his stuff and threw it in the air. Don’t know if there is any truth to it. I hope they leave the 15 spot open, but I think that Presti will keep Ryan Bowen. He is a practice all-star. (click for this video that will make the zing make sense -ed.)
How dare you turn on us. How dare. (Clark Matthews): Thunder Up is growing on me. I mockingly asked my two year old if he could say “Thunder Up” and he did, with a lot of gusto, pumping his fist in the air as he said it. It reminded me of “Thundercats, ho!” which no one in my generation would dare to disparrage. Of course, that’s also the problem with Thunder Up. It’s built for kids. Then again, cultivating a younger demographic would speak to the team thinking ahead to the long term success of the team in this region.
