Daily Thunder.com

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 Thabo Sefolosha?

Second Team All-Defense. This is probably unrealistic. In the current landscape of the NBA, most postseason accolades are won over a couple of seasons by gaining reputation. And nothing is more true than in the All-Defense teams. A lot of those guys get by on reputation alone instead of actually being elite defenders. So if Thabo can spend a whole season catching people’s attention with his lockdown skills, maybe he can grab a little traction. Plays like this go a long way in building a reputation, so hopefully we have a season full of them. Read more…

Commentary Thabo Sefolosha

We’re just three weeks from training camp people. Three. Weeks. I didn’t think this summer would end but alas, here we are staring down the start of this thing. I’m pumped like Mike Golic at an all-you-can-eat ice cream bar.

Want to play for the 66ers? Here’s your chance: “The Tulsa 66ers announced today that the team will host an open player tryout on Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11 at the Tulsa Convention Center, located at 100 Civic Center in downtown Tulsa. All participants will compete during two sessions of the tryout on Saturday, from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Top players during the tryout will be invited back to the Sunday session.”

A huge fantasy preview on the Thunder: “Livingston, still just 23, is apparently nearly past his ugly knee injury, and he’s now Westbrook’s main backup at PG. Remember what a Fantasy darling he used to be? The fact that Livingston saw time at the two and three during Summer League suggests that the Thunder will try to employ his versatility this season, so he could very well get enough PT to be a Fantasy factor.” Read more…

Bolts

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 Russell Westbrook?

The previously mentioned 3:1 assist to turnover. That may be a little ambitious, but that’s a big time goal for him. I don’t think Westbrook will be a 10 assist a game kind of guy, but he’s got to limit turnovers. So if he can hover around six or seven a game and keep his turnovers under three, that’s what we’re looking for.

At least receive some votes for NBA All-Defense. Remember when Sam Presti drafted Westbrook? Remember the supposed reasons he was taken? He was an elite defender in college and that’s what he was expected to be in the NBA. And he was solid last year. At times he’d have lapses, but for the most part he played with great energy, made some plays and has good instincts. But he needs to take it to the next level. He needs to start catching people’s attention. A defensive backcourt of Thabo and Westbrook could be scary good. But Russ has got to pull his weight and get there. Read more…

Commentary Russell Westbrook

Today is the one-year anniversary of this blog (sort of). It all started out a year ago with a justification of the team name and logo and now some 700 posts later, here we are. So congratulations are in order. For me. Send all gift baskets to 742 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield, Ill. Oh, and we accept all forms of donations. Especially the money kind.

But the Game Is On says Kevin Durant is going to amaze this year: ”However, after spending some time with and watching Kevin Durant, I have realized that there might be a new guy on the block that has just as much talent as Kobe already (he’s in just his third year in the league), is fun to watch, has the desire and passion to be the best, and has a ceiling that could extend to a player that we have never seen before. Not Kobe. Not Michael. Even Better.” A lot of good stuff in this piece. Read it.

Steve Aschburner of SI on the Thunder and with Scott Brooks: “On midseason acquisition Sefolosha as a defensive stopper, maybe even defensive leader (the Thunder ranked 27th in opponents’ field-goal percentage): ‘Having him the whole year will help. The way he plays is contagious. Some guys can change the game and not score a point, and he can do that. He can defend the 1, 2 or 3, and he has a good knack for — and this is a talent — getting scored on and coming down the next time exactly the same way, giving the same effort, like it never even happened. Those are the great defensive players, like Bruce Bowen. Thabo has that same sort of mentality. Plus, his corner three ball has improved a lot.’” Read more…

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I’m a day late with this, but listen to yesterday’s B.S. Report and head to around the 27:30 mark. Some great stuff there about KD and also Simmons specifically gives a nod to the people of Oklahoma City for their support of the Thunder (34:00). Maybe Traber heard that.  Chad Ford also says the Rubio camp preferred OKC and Simmons thinks OKC could be a destination for LeBron. Interesting.

The 2009 Eurobasket kicked off yesterday and Thunderman Nenad Krstic had a strong showing for Serbia in a 66-57 upset of Spain. Krispy had 17 points and six boards leading a team full of teenagers over the Gasol brothers, Juan Carlos Navarro, Rudy Fernandez (didn’t play) and Ricky Rubio. Because I know you care, Rubio finished with six points and three assists in 28 minutes. (Box score)

Kevin Durant has been tearing up Twitter. Some highlights: “#wheniwaslittle i thought topanga from boy meets worlds was the baddest thing walkin lol … #wheniwaslittle i wore a size 14 shoe…i was 10 yrs old … #wheniwaslittle there was no twitter so i got on the computer to play solitaire and paint on windows 95 … #wheniwaslittle i watched angels in the outfield and sandlot every saturday.” Topanga. Heh heh. Read more…

Bolts

From Hong Kong (via his Twitter):

Riff Raff

The OC Register ranked the top players under 24 and Kevin Durant came in No. 1. But Russell Westbrook was also No. 3. Basically, almost the entire Thunder roster could be in a top players under 24 list.

Dime ranks the top “JV Teams” and OKC was No. 1: “I know by me throwing the Thunder in the number one spot, I am giving into this Thunder fad that’s sweeping the hoops world as of late. But as trendy as they are, they have the players to make some serious noise in ’09-10. Kevin Durant, who is the current Dime’s cover boy, is on the cusp of being a top five NBA player. Russell Westbrook opened a lot of eyes last season and will be even better this year. Jeff Green’s versatility will allow him to contribute wherever is needed and they got a proven shooter and scorer in draft pick James Harden. If they can find away to keep this core together than you can expect to raise a couple of banners in the rafters of the Ford Center.”

HoopAngle is taking a look at all 30 teams and this weekend it was the Thunder: “Everyone knows about Durant and Green’s skills. Heck, James Harden has already been dubbed the safest pick in the 2009 draft, so we almost know the kind of production we are going to get from him. Westbrook on the other hand, is a complete unknown. He had such an abbreviated collegiate career, and even in high school didn’t really blow up on the recruiting scene until late in his senior year before UCLA made him a last minute scholarship offer. Obviously, we know about his athleticism and his defensive abilities, and no one questions those skills. His offensive point guard skills have been called into question though. For a guard, he shot a low percentage from the field as a rookie, and also has struggled from 3 point range; these are essential for an elite point guard because an effective shooter can stretch even the best defense. After a good showing at Team USA minicamp, it’s a pretty good bet that young Westbrook will flourish in his first full season as the point guard of the Thunder, but at this point we can only hope.” Read more…

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(What’s happening party people? Who is ready to watch some bodies smash together and people get knocked down? I know I am. Thank you for your continued support of Daily Thunder. Shine on you crazy diamonds.)

While I was flipping around on the Internet looking for a good cartoon for this lovely college football Saturday, I stumbled across this one. And while I’ve seen it probably 50 times and it’s awesome every time, I just had to post it. I’m super psyched about college football kicking off today. It’s been the sport we’ve all looked forward to in this state for… well, forever. But this video reminded me how much I love the NBA now and this team and while college football is incredibly awesome in its own right, I’m still freaking fired up about the start of the Thunder’s season. Mainly, because I know we’re going to get a few moments like this.

Video Jeff Green, Pure Awesomeness

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. Everything sic’d.

I don’t know, the Oklahoma City AIDS has quite a ring to it. (Jax Raging Bile Duct): In my opinion, the subject of team nicknames, color schemes and logos should stay in where it belongs, in 7th grade. I realize a team needs these things, but the fact that anyone really cares about it is beyond me.

I remember reading several times where people were opposed to the Thunder as a name because “Thunder doesn’t scare anyone”. Why this is important is again, beyond me. Maybe we’d have won 50 games last year if we were the OKC AIDS, or the Oklahoma H1N1, or maybe even the OK City Taxes, Lawyers, Needles, Heights or First Dates. Kobe would shiver if we were the AIDS, and Chris Kaman wouldn’t take the floor if we were the First Dates.

Maybe we should have enlisted one of those heavy metal artists to design our logo. One look at it and your soul goes straight to Hell. Whew. I feel better now that I’ve got that off my chest.

Talking alternate jerseys. Because in the end, looking good is really the most important part. (Dylan): Now the question becomes, is the alternate colored yellow (too Lakers), dark blue (too Knicks), or orange (too OSU)? I doubt they go orange, as it’s a color despised by 75% of the state’s sports fans and I doubt they go dark blue, since it’s too similar to our current roads. I think a yellow alternate with some super retro looking front (the bison is a great idea) would work pretty well. And I am definitely in favor of splitting Oklahoma and City up on the road jersey. As it is, it’s too top heavy. Read more…

Smart Thoughts

Fanhouse talked with Jerry Colangelo about the selection process for the 2010 World Championships: “So which of the young players have the best chance to earn trips to Turkey? Colangelo mentioned four who participated in Las Vegas. Durant, Rudy Gay and the guard from Oklahoma City, (Russell) Westbrook. And Derrick Rose,” Colangelo said. “(Rose) can play better than he did (in Las Vegas) but we don’t base our decisions just on two or three days of camp.”

Reader Joel sent this in: “StubHub doesn’t think very highly of Thunder playoff chances. Otherwise they would have bothered updating our name.” (StubHub)

The Orlando Sentinel on KD’s Hong Kong tweet from yesterday: ”They’re all so young. And weren’t much good last year. So it’s no surprise the Oklahoma City Thunder aren’t internationally known. Donyell Marshall offered this advice to Durant via his twitter: “@KevinDurant35 Well it’s up to you and Jeff Green to make them know who your team is” And Durant replied by mocking him: “@Uconn42 yessir…wats up wit u old man..im surprised u kno how 2 work a computer”

Etan Thomas wrote a rap song with Demarr Johnson about overcoming adversity and sports media. Listen here.

Read more…

Bolts

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the “official” creation of the Thunder franchise. At Leadership Square last year, Chairman Clay Bennett announced the team’s name and colors and unveiled the logo the team would stand by. There was a lot made of it back then as people critiqued it in every way possible. Any time something new comes out, people are going to criticize and critique. I was one of those people. I didn’t care for the name (still don’t, but I’m used to it and over it) and didn’t really love the logo (I actually think it works just fine now). So I thought it would be interesting/embarrassing to look back on the post that kicked this whole thing off for me: “The Name Doesn’t Totally Thundersuck.”

Originally published September 9, 2008

It sucks, but not that bad.

Regardless of the name I have a favorite team. When a team is yours, they are your favorite no matter what they are called by. It’s unfortunate that ownership went with such a cheap, corny name, but hey, at least a ball will bounce in the Ford Center this fall. They could have called them the Oklahoma City Cuddlestorm or even worse, the Oklahoma City Energy and I’d still be calling the box office getting my Loud City seats.

Let’s face it though – it’s a WNBA name. It’s true. I know it. You know it. The Sky, the Storm, the Fire. The OKC Thunder vs. the Atlanta Dream… TONIGHT! But that doesn’t mean I won’t support them. It’s just a name. It doesn’t count toward wins or losses. Maybe it makes for an easy target during a drunken bar argument, but as far as I know, nobody has walked out onto the court and before tip-off the ref said, “OK, Portland wins because honestly, that logo really sucks.”

The point is, the name is new. It stinks because it’s new. I remember a few years ago when Charlotte called itself the Bobcats, everyone hated it. That’s the way it goes. The colors, the logo, the name all suck because it’s new and different. In 10 years it will be as household as the Orlando Magic and we’ll forget all about it. Toronto Raptors. Toronto… RAPTORS. Worst. Name. Ever. But you know what, it works now. Because it’s just become a household name. We’re used to hearing it, we’re used to reading it, we’re used to seeing it. And in time, the same thing will happen to “Thunder”. Read more…

Commentary Logo, Retrospective

Kevin Durant from Hong Kong: “Everytime sum1 ask me who i play for and i say Oklahoma city they say “if u work hard, maybe u will be a pro” Nobody knows about us yet..YET.”

Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul all donated autographed jerseys to an Ebay auction benefitting the family of Tracy Brogdon, a friend of Nick Collison that passed away in a car accident last July. (Paul’s jersey, Durant’s jersey, Wade’s jersey.)

Empty the Bench grades OKC’s logo: “Yet another team whose logo is their name and a basketball. Many of those other teams (Knicks, Lakers, Clippers, etc.) received a C for their logo because they at least kept it simple and didn’t add crap to it. Well here’s one that added crap to such a bland, basic concept. The OKC font is awkward. There are a blue and orange marking (eyelashes? grains of rice?) in the background.” Read more…

Bolts

A group of 53 NBA experts predicted win totals for every NBA team. starting with the East yesterday and the West today.  And the average total for Oklahoma City? Thirty-two.

Their comments:

No West bandwagon is more crowded than OKC’s, with our panel seeing the team that started 1-16 a year ago making the leap to mediocrity. Given the age of Kevin Durant (20), Russell Westbrook (20), Jeff Green (23) and newcomer James Harden (20), it’s not hard to see what the excitement is about. But it will be hard to see them on TV.

So… if I were to set an over/under at 32, what would you take?

It’s really tough for me to say because I’ve been saying all summer I see this team in the 32-36 win range. I feel safe with those numbers, unless Russell Westbrook makes The Leap and becomes an elite point guard. Then I see this team winning 40 or more and potentially challenging for a playoff spot. Kevin Durant is going to score, Jeff Green will be again solid but also better and the addition of James Harden is no small thing. Add in quality role players like Thabo, Nick Collison, Nenad Krstic and Shaun Livingston and that’s a nice rotation right there. Surely better than the 23-win team for last year. Right? Right. Read more…

Commentary 2009-10 Season

Sactown Royalty is asking a question about whether or not Tyreke Evans and Kevin Martin can co-exist in the backcourt, but Ziller dropped this little dime about Russell Westbrook: “No one comes into the league as a stopper — it took Rajon Rondo one season (and an injection of KG) to figure it out, and Russell Westbrook is the sort of hypercosmic freak you can’t base hypotheses on.”

The Hoop Doctors rank the top 75 fantasy basketball players and Kevin Durant comes in ninth, Westbrook 52nd and Jeff Green 68th.

Vince Thomas of NBA.com asking questions to himself using “celebrities”: ”Mike Gundy – Q: We have an enormous game against the Sooners on Thanksgiving weekend. I’m hoping it’s for the Big 12 title. Meanwhile, I’ve been hearing good things about this upstart Thunder squad, too. What did they win, like, 20-something games last season? What’s the likelihood that, just a month into their season, they’d have as many as wins as us in late-November? A: Coach, you’re the man. You’re 42. Sorry. Had to do it. But, let’s look at schedules, here … OK, I have you losing your season-opener to Georgia and your Halloween slugfest against Texas. So coming into your season-ender against your cross-state rivals, I have you guys with nine wins. On the flip-side, I have Oklahoma City going 8-8 during that same span. So, no, the Thunder will be a shade under your win total. Although, for a young squad, with a good amount of games against probable playoff teams to open up the season, going .500 would be one of the bigger NBA stories of November.” Read more…

Bolts

An excellent 10-minute documentary has surfaced about new Thunderer, Serge Ibaka and his trip to the NBA. It’s just so cool to see the journey some of these guys take to make it to the league. Ibaka’s story has your typical bumps, making his success even more feel good-y. Watch, learn and get to know one of the most intriguing prospects in the league.

Video Serge Ibaka