Thunder Notebook: Saturday, April 14
Injury Update
According to ESPN’s Royce Young, Corey Brewer went through portions of today’s contact practice and Alex Abrines, despite ramping up his activity, is still in the league’s concussion protocol. Their status for Game 1 vs Utah will remain up in the air until tomorrow.
Tip-off is at 5:30 PM CT at Chesapeake Energy Arena in OKC. We’re inching dangerously close to important Terrance Ferguson playoff minutes.
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Playoff P
At today’s media session, Paul George was asked about the prospect of guarding Donovan Mitchell in the upcoming series with Utah. During his response, he unveiled a postseason alter-ego: Playoff P.
Paul George on the responsibility of guarding Donovan Mitchell: “Y’all ain’t met Playoff P yet, huh?” pic.twitter.com/j4USQ6LvC8
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) April 14, 2018
Fascinating. Can’t wait to meet him.
Regular Season P shot 50 percent or better from the floor just once over the final 23 games, so let’s hope the playoff iteration carries the offensive rhythm he established in the season finale vs Memphis. The Thunder can become a different animal and the same beast if he pulls that off. (Explanation of that final line)
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More on Brian Davis
The discussion surrounding Thunder play-by-play guy Brian Davis has carried on into the weekend. Both George and Westbrook addressed the situation at today’s media session.
Russell Westbrook on Brian Davis: “Obviously what he said wasn’t OK and we understand that.” pic.twitter.com/8F2xHrQcmf
— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) April 14, 2018
Russell Westbrook’s comments on Brian Davis situation.
"Obviously Brian's been here for a while and I know him personally. What he said wasn't ok but he definitely came in and talked to us. The team made a decision to do what needed to be done and we have to move on from it. "
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 14, 2018
Paul George on Brian Davis addressing the team: “He owned up. He took it head on. That’s not where our focus is right now.” pic.twitter.com/4ATzHn2kho
— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) April 14, 2018
I’m with Playoff P on this one. The focus has shifted. Moving on.
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Expert Opinions
ESPN’s NBA experts have made their first round predictions. The final tally was 13 votes for OKC to advance, with nine picking Utah to end OKC’s season early. None of the 22 individuals picked the series ending in fewer than six games — half of them saying it will go the full seven.
I’m taking Thunder in six — with the full expectation of it being a dogfight every step of the way.
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Downtown Ready
Are You Ready?#ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/JIDuFji3d0
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 13, 2018
This is always a cool thing to see. There’s a storage facility somewhere in the metro area with oversized images of KD, Russ, Harden — and soon to be Paul George and Carmelo Anthony — stashed away. Pretty incredible to stop and think about.