We took a look at a list of goals for the entire Thunder team a couple weeks ago. But let’s get detailed. Let’s get specific. I’m going to dig in and hit on some individual goals for a few players that would define a successful season. So what meters for success should we set for Nick Collison and D.J. White?
Nick Collison
Restore his numbers to his previous two seasons. Last year was a down year for Collison. And before he got it going in March and April, it was a really down year. He got his numbers close to his career average by the end of it (8.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg) but for a while he was a around 5.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg. He did shoot a higher percentage from the field than ever (56 percent) which was very nice, but he also took two less shots a game. The ironic thing is that his PER finished right in line with his two best years of 2006-2008, but yet his numbers were down. Collison needs to be the rebounding force on this team and having a guy lead your entire team with just 6.9 a game is kind of stinky.
Seven rebounds a game. Likewise, he needs to get this number up. I put it at seven because I’m not sure how many minutes he’ll get with Ibaka and White now competing for time. But he’s always been a solid player and productive when he’s on the floor. He’s the worker on the team and the little plays he makes are surely appreciated. But depending on the improvements of Kevin Durant and Jeff Green in the rebounding area, 6.9 boards a game isn’t great and shouldn’t lead a team. Read more…
Serge Ibaka, James Harden, Kyle Weaver and Byron Mullens all took in the UFC Fight Night in Oklahoma City last night. Said Harden: “This UFC fighting is no joke!!!”
Ball Don’t Lie has the top 10 feel-good moments of the last decade and No. 1 involves a new Thunderer: “Everything about what Cheeks did just defined cool. He had to be 25 feet away from Gilbert as she first started to break up, separated by team employees, camera crews, wires, obstacles, whatever. But he managed to bound over there in seconds. Cheeks has never wanted much to do with the spotlight, from his playing career until now, and yet he didn’t hesitate for a second to make himself part of this story. Because this kid, this scared kid, needed help with her story. For character to be revealed so swiftly, like that, so definitively, it just makes you feel … well, good.” Read more…
For a second straight time, Kevin Durant made a shot to put Oklahoma City up and Carmelo responded to take that lead away. This game wasn’t quite as intense as the previous one, but yet it was still a wonderfully played game. Both teams shot over 50 percent. The stars played well for both squads (Durant had 31, Jeff Green 24, Russell Westbrook 20, Melo 32, Nene 20). Both teams turned it over just 28 times total and it wasn’t a game dominated at the free throw line. It just came down to a final possession, and again Denver got the best of the Thunder. Read more…
One major wish I had for James Harden was for him to fit in. Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are already best buds, so with Harden coming in, he needed to crack the clique. Why I thought he wouldn’t, I’ll never know.
But a good example of how these guys are bonding and/or bonded popped up in the form of some video game smack talk last night on Twitter. It started with Harden talking a little junk. “About to smack @kevindurant35 in madden then @russwest44 in 2k9.” Two different games, two different showdowns. I’m sure the stakes are high when these guys are playing. From what I hear, Westbrook can talk some pretty mean trash.
But evidently it didn’t go so well for Harden. Said Durant: “Jus smacked @jhard13 n madden…35-14…he’s a bum!!! @russwest44 is next.” Ouch. If they were playing the traditional five minute quarters, 35 points is a lot to give up. Who was Harden’s defensive coordinator, Bill Young? (I kid, I kid.)
But Russ didn’t fare too well against the buzzsaw that is Kevin Durant. “Jus beat @russwest44 in madden 21-zilch.” So Durant is 2-0 with wins against both. He’s given up just 14 points in two games and has outscored his opponents 49-14. I’d say he’s doing pretty good. He’s the clear favorite here. But there was a rematch and Westbrook got the best of KD. “Yoooo im soooo heated i lost to @russwest44…he playing @jhard13 now its 7-0, i got next.” Said Westbrook:“I CANT LOSEE IN ANY GAME……..ASK @kevindurant35 and @jhard13 im tooo nice.” Evidently Russ forgot about their first meeting… Read more…
First and foremost, a giant happy birthday to my older brother who is 28 today. And congrats on starting the fantasy season 1-0. Drew Brees was a wise pick my friend.
The UFC comes to Oklahoma City tonight and Sherdog had this to say in its preview: “Oklahoma City, a home to both good in mega-baller Kevin Durant and pure evil in Garth Brooks, will play host to its first UFC card since Yeltsin’s booze-fueled heyday.” For once someone nationally recognized the Thunder instead of college football or weather. Moving on up people!
More on the Durant/Wale… thing: “After the concert, Wale’s making a short trip up New York Avenue to Love, where he’ll join Suitland native and Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant for a joint and sure-to-be-lavish birthday party. Neither is actually celebrating his big day — Wale turned 25 last Friday, Durant hits 21 on the 29th — but it’s still a party, with an open bar from 10 to 11 and free admission until midnight when you grab a pass from Love’s site.” Read more…
We took a look at a list of goals for the entire Thunder team a couple weeks ago. But let’s get detailed. Let’s get specific. I’m going to dig in and hit on some individual goals for a few players that would define a successful season. So what meters for success should we set for Uncle Jeff Green?
25 double-doubles. This number may be a wee bit high. Last season, he recorded 11. But that’s with 20 games or so at small forward where he had far less opportunity to board. Green isn’t a bad rebounder by any means (6.7 a game last season), but he’s not great either. The Thunder is missing a guy that can put up consistent double-doubles and Green is the best candidate. He’ll see the minutes, he’s in the position and he’s got the ability. It’s just a matter of him getting it done. Read more…
Etan Thomas discussing the NBA age limit with Dave Zirin: “My position on the NBA’s age limit has always been that I am against it. My mother and I actually have debated this issue many times as well. Her being a teacher, she feels very strongly that there should be an age limit and the fact that so many young people are not taking advantage of an education is not only catastrophic but a sad day. My mother’s position is that our people had to fight so long for the right to be educated and now young people are not valuing that struggle and are essentially throwing their education to chase a dream that has been dangled in front of their faces like the horse with the carrot. I can’t disagree with her point and we go back and forth on this topic. Now, I stayed in school for four years. Had a wonderful experience at Syracuse University. Got my degree in business management, met my wife, grew as a person and it prepared me for life. But that’s my case. Is it fair to force someone who wants to take a different path to attend college?”
Chris Silva with James Harden: ”As for turning 20 years old on Aug. 26, Harden said it was light on celebration. “Nothing at all,” he said. “It’s business time. I want to get a head start on the season, so I’m out here just preparing.” Harden has been in business mode ever since the Thunder made him a lottery pick on June 25. He made a name for himself at the Orlando and Las Vegas summer leagues, where he showcased his potential and athleticism with averages of 14.7 points, 50.6 percent shooting and 3.3 rebounds in nine games.” Read more…
We took a look at a list of goals for the entire Thunder team a couple weeks ago. But let’s get detailed. Let’s get specific. I’m going to dig in and hit on some individual goals for a few players that would define a successful season. So what meters for success should we set for Nenad Krstic and Shaun Livingston?
Nenad Krstic
Average at least seven rebounds a game. Here’s something that might shock you: Nenad Krstic is 7-feet tall. He also averaged just 5.5 rebounds a game last year. Now I realize Krispy is a jumpshooting, finesse big man that’s not going to grab 15 rebounds any given night. I know this. But the Thunder needs him to at least be a little stronger on the boards. They can’t afford him to be overmatched by other big men in the league. He’s big enough, strong enough and smart enough to post this number. I think it comes down to being consistent on a night-to-night basis for him. He grabbed 254 boards out of a possible 2,216. That’s just an 11.5 percent rebounding percentage. In other words, not great.
Likewise, record at least 15 double-doubles. Last season in 46 games Krstic had just four double-digit rebounding games with a high of 15 against Sacramento. When you’re a big man that can score, double-doubles should be there for the taking. It’s about effort and position and Krstic should be able to at least score 15 of them. Read more…
How about a little countdown leading up to training camp (just two weeks away!!!)? Everybody knows once you get sucked in to a countdown, there’s no leaving it. That’s why for some reason I get trapped watching things like “Top 50 Ugliest Celebrity Divorces” and “Top 20 Irish Folk Songs from the 70s.” If you show me No. 20, I’ve got to know what No. 1 is. Just got to. So here we go.
It’s almost no fun to count this game because it came during the Dark Times. It happened when Coach Peej was leading the team and we were about to watch a brand new team with a ton of excitement start 1-16. But regardless, this win was the first one and it was a pretty good game. Ahead by one with 30 seconds left Nick Collison hit a runner to put OKC up 88-85. After a big stop, Jeff Green was fouled and made one of two from the line missed both. But the Thunder got the stop they needed, locking up an 88-85 win.
Kevin Durant had 18, Collison finished with a double-double and Russell Westbrook started his breakout with 14 points and a couple excellent defensive plays late. Sure, the next win wouldn’t come for another 27 days, but maybe that’s what kind of made this one so special.
Zach Harper of Hardwood Paroxysm on Russell Westbrook with a few contributions from a really smart person: “Watching him play is like watching the future unfold in front of your eyes. We’ve been moving this way for a while with basketball players. Extra athletic players that aren’t exactly reliable in shooting the ball but also, not really a liability either in that department. And after seeing what Westbrook was able to do as a rookie with next to zero experience, it’s kind of scary to see him make the leap into next season. He reminds me of Allen Iverson in many ways without having any semblance of the same skill game as A.I. did as a young’n.”
HoopsWorld has questions for the Northwest Division: “Thunder – Are Veterans Necessary? The Thunder has three players with more than five years of NBA experience: Etan Thomas, Nick Collison, and Kevin Ollie. Outside of Collison it’s doubtful either of the other two really gets too much run on the floor, but how much of an impact are the veterans really? Thomas and Ollie are definitely good locker room guys and will help guide the growth of the fantastic young talent the Thunder has put together, but does the veteran need to play as well?”
A good reminder of how Kevin Durant is still just a kid. He basically live blogged last night’s VMA’s (They still do those? Is Room Raiders still on too?). Some highlights: “Time for the VMA’S!!!!!! … Lady GaGa is trippin lol…i jus threw up n my mouth … wow taylor swift won over beyonce and lady gaga???? congrats to her!! buuuuut kanye trippinnnnnnn, that was disrespectful … Can i have Megan fox for dinner tonight?” Read more…
(Good day Thunderpeeps. As always, much appreciation for the support of Daily Thunder. Viva la college football.)
I realize everybody has spent the last week putting together clip shows and commemorative columns about Michael Jordan. So what I have to say isn’t revolutionary or really all that insightful. But I have to take this spot to give it up to No. 23.
I think just about anyone else near my age group has to admit he’s the first and maybe only reason we fell in love with this game to start with. I mean who didn’t dribble around in their driveway with their tongue hanging out? Who didn’t beg their mom to buy them the newest pair of Air Jordan’s? Who didn’t fight with other kids on their pee wee league to wear No. 23? Who did try to back down their friend on a Nerf goal and then spin and fadeaway? Who hasn’t shrugged after hitting a 3, jumped up and pulled out the Craig Ehlo fist pump or tried the up and under move? He’s an icon’s icon and bigger than life. He’s freaking MJ.
And just like MJ brought so many of us into the world of the NBA, we can probably thank him for the likes of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook and most every other under 30 player. Instead of using their insane athletic abilities in another sport they probably chose basketball so that they could be like Mike.
So here’s my favorite Jordan moment. Maybe it’s not your favorite and maybe not the most memorable for you. We all have Our Moment. But I remember exactly where I was when I watched this – on the floor in front of my TV sitting Indian style with my older brother. The flu game is emblazoned in my brain like nothing else. It changed the way I thought about Jordan and still remains as one of the top five or six sports moments I have witnessed live.
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.
Points for Keith. He called it. (Vince): I think the idea that we should COMPETE for a playoff spot is the best measure of success. That doesn’t necessarily mean we’re playing for keeps the last week of the year, but in February and March we need to be on this board saying things like, “You know, Phoenix is headed on the road for four games, and if we can put together a little streak here we might have a shot.” It’s key for a young team to play 70 meaningful games to get that experience for 2010-11 when the playoffs will be THE goal, not a hypothetical.
I also think it’s important for the team and the fan base to get people talking about the team. Our attendance was excellent this year — and the passion on this blog is to be admired — but TV ratings for the Thunder were very poor this year. People are impatient nowadays, and a few February sellouts with potential playoff implications can help grow the fan base and bring over some converts from the Mavs, Cavs, etc. (the Lakers fans can stay where they are, no one’s interested in them). Read more…
We took a look at a list of goals for the entire Thunder team a couple weeks ago. But let’s get detailed. Let’s get specific. I’m going to dig in and hit on some individual goals for a few players that would define a successful season. So what meters for success should we set for James Harden?
Average at least 25 minutes a game. The top worry for every rookie is the haul of 82 games. It terrifies them. And so for a guy like Harden, not only do we want him to stay healthy, but we want him to be able to take the wear and tear of a season and still be able to play 25-30 good minutes each night. The Thunder’s track record shows they want to let rookies play. Russell Westbrook was seeing legit minutes from opening night on. Kevin Durant and Jeff Green were linchpins for the team in 2007. So there’s a willingness to let rookies play as long as they’re productive. So if Harden is seeing 25 minutes a night that means he’s doing something good.
Knock down open 3s consistently. And by consistently I mean like at least 37 percent of the time. He showed in Summer League that he can hit 3s. He’s not going to shoot a ton of them, but he’ll go 1-2 or 2-5 on a pretty consistent basis methinks. With all the penetration Westbrook will do, a lot of kickouts should be available to Harden. The key is making the shot. That’s something OKC missed (get it? harfharfharf) last year and by missed, I mean like last in the league in 3-point shooting.Read more…
Around the TrueHoop Network, folks are discussing retired numbers and who might should be added. I wanted to join in on the fun, but, well, you know. Who could the Thunder retire? Earl Watson? But in all seriousness, if OKC was going to retire any player in the near future, I do think Desmond Mason is a semi-candidate. Just for the reasons I wrote here. Or possibly the fans like Sacramento did. Or maybe even Clay Bennett or Mick Cornett or something. I don’t know, it seems like it would just be best to wait for Kevin Durant because our options are kind of limited. Any ideas? [NetsAreScorching, Hornets247, Hoopinion, Bucksketball]
Obligatory congratulations Michael Jordan mention. And also to John Stockton, David Robinson and Jerry Sloan.
Peter Vescey’s bad Hall of Fame speech has been the talk of the NBA world today, so be sure to read Jeff Pearlman’s account: “He seemed to have no notes. No thoughts. No … nothing. He began not by expressing his appreciation, but by rattling off all the shunned players he believed belonged in the Hall. From there, he just … babbled. About this. About that. He seemed to be drunk, but I don’t think he was. The man was just, well, lost. He used language one doesn’t use in a Hall speech. He called out people’s names (”Calvin Murphy! Tiny Archibald!”), and you could literally see the men squirming in their seats. I was sitting about 10 feet from David Stern, who—throughout the ceaseless banter—dismissively shook his head while checking his Blackberry. Jordan, the star of the weekend, walked out. Just left, and never returned.” Read more…
Jim Brylewski, President of the Tulsa 66ers, was kind enough to give me a few minutes to ask him about the state of the 66ers and the relationship between them and the Thunder. Among many interesting things, one is that the 66ers will be unveiling a new logo and new colors to match the Thunder within the month, Brylewski said. But there’s lots of good info like the advantages of having a D-League team so close, the way the franchises integrate between each other and how the 66er franchise sees itself within the Thunder organization.
Daily Thunder: How big was it for the 66ers to move to downtown Tulsa?
Jim Brylewski: For us right now, the growth of downtown Tulsa, by April every team will be playing in downtown Tulsa. So we think it’s instrumental to the growth of the city and we think there’s some synergy now for everybody to be playing essentially within blocks of each other.
DT: And the team is playing in the… Civic Center?
JB: We’re playing in the Tulsa Convention Center. It is in the process of being renovated and will be completed by early November.
DT: Are there any aspirations to ever move to the BOK Center?
JB: Right now, from a financial standpoint, what the other teams pay in rent is not feasible from a cost standpoint.
DT: The Thunder made a slick move when it purchased its own D-League franchise. Why do you think other teams haven’t done this?
JB: I don’t know. I think that Houston just entered into an agreement where they’re handling the basketball operation in Rio Grande Valley. It’s a slow approach but I think once some of the other NBA teams see the value from a developmental standpoint that you’ll see that grow. I think that initial expense may hold back some. But from a developmental standpoint, but for us on the basketball side, if Shaun Livingston pans out the way that it looks like he’s going to, that’s the value of the franchise. So I think once other NBA franchises see that and see the benefit, that you’ll see it slowly turn that way. Read more…
I am against it. My mother and I actually have debated this issue many times as well. Her being a teacher, she feels very strongly that there should be an age limit and the fact that so many young people are not taking advantage of an education is not only catastrophic but a sad day. My mother’s position is that our people had to fight so long for the right to be educated and now young people are not valuing that struggle and are essentially throwing their education to chase a dream that has been dangled in front of their faces like the horse with the carrot. I can’t disagree with her point and we go back and forth on this topic. Now, I stayed in school for four years. Had a wonderful experience at Syracuse University. Got my degree in business management, met my wife, grew as a person and it prepared me for life. But that’s my case. Is it fair to force someone who wants to take a different path to attend college?”
“Watching him play is like watching the future unfold in front of your eyes. We’ve been moving this way for a while with basketball players. Extra athletic players that aren’t exactly reliable in shooting the ball but also, not really a liability either in that department. And after seeing what Westbrook was able to do as a rookie with next to zero experience, it’s kind of scary to see him make the leap into next season. He reminds me of Allen Iverson in many ways without having any semblance of the same skill game as A.I. did as a young’n.”
here we might have a shot.” It’s key for a young team to play 70 meaningful games to get that experience for 2010-11 when the playoffs will be THE goal, not a hypothetical.
in on the fun, but, well, you know. Who could the Thunder retire? Earl Watson? But in all seriousness, if OKC was going to retire any player in the near future, I do think Desmond Mason is a semi-candidate. Just for the reasons I wrote 
