Tuesday Bolts: 12.09.19
Brandon Rahbar’s Daily Thunder recaps are must-read material for Thunder fans, and his piece on last night’s OKC win over the Jazz is no exception. Tell your ma, tell your pa.
Shams Charania (The Athletic) reports that the Thunder could be taking back worse contracts in trades this season: “Rival teams tell The Athletic that they have been surprised about the Thunder’s willingness to absorb their unwanted salary in potential trades. Several teams have approached the Thunder early this trade season, and have noticed Oklahoma City is open to accepting the higher salaries that rivals want to move, including long-term deals.”
Aside from the no-brainer asset play this is for Sam Presti, just how long bad money comes back will be an indicator of how long the team is comfortable being in rebuild mode (a lot longer than most think, IMO).
Carmelo Anthony tells Nick Friedell (ESPN) that he warned Chris Paul about getting wronged by the Rockets. He comes across like someone with less humility than Paul throughout the interview: “Anthony and Paul exchanged hugs before Sunday’s game and are enjoying the fact that they get to face off at least a few more times in the league. But Anthony noted that after Paul was dealt from the Rockets, the veteran point guard didn’t call to tell him that his prediction about how Paul’s future in Houston might unfold had come true. “No, he didn’t say I was right,” Anthony said. “He was in Vegas when all of that happened, so we was talking. And when I talked to him, he was like, ‘Man, look, I understand it. It’s messed up, but I understand it.’ And for me, I’m like, ‘Yo, it took me months to kind of, like, get past that.’ My pride was hit.”
Erik Horne (The Athletic) on Lu Dort’s first Thunder minutes: “My main focus was to guard them at a high point — two steps above the 3-point line,” Dort said, admitting he was a little nervous. “Then just getting over the screen and playing hard. “Playing hard is something I always do. Every time I step on the floor, I’m always ready to compete.” Dort certainly did that. The undrafted rookie fouled out in 20 minutes. He shot 1-of-4 from the floor, missing three 3-point attempts. But Dort, 20, put in an all-effort defensive shift that had some savvy and self-control sprinkled in.”
Justin Hickey’s piece for Daily Thunder on Dort’s development is still timely.
If it’s not already, the Clairvoyant Bill Simmons bit needs to be retired.
The community predictions have been updated for the week. Someone tell OKCJim tanking this contest won’t help the Thunder in the lottery.