DURANTULA. (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
First, the important thing: Oklahoma City beat Golden State 112-104, improved to 26-21 and is back tied for eighth in the Western Conference playoff race. That’s the important thing. But the awesome thing from this game?
Kevin Durant. Holy crap in a basket, Kevin Durant.
Often times, when KD is playing well, I try and remind myself about how he’s just 21 years old. I try and remind myself that he’s in his third year. I try and remind myself that we ain’t really seen nothing yet. But nights like this, Durant just punches you in the eye with his awesomeness and says forget about the future. IT IS NOW KIDS. How’s this taste: 45 points on 16-21 shooting, 11-11 from the free throw line, 2-3 from deep and oh yeah, here’s 11 boards, two assists and two steals. No words to quantify this. None.
Obviously, there is a disclaimer on this performance because it was against the ole defense of the Warriors. But to miss only five shots in a basketball game and score 45 points? As Simmons put it, “List of current/retired players who coulda pulled that off = short.” That’s high praise, but it’s truth. And again, the best part? He’s only 21 years old and he’s not close to a finished product yet. Who’s excited for the next 10 years? Read more…
I really like playing the Warriors. First of all, they aren’t that great. Second, they don’t play very good defense so there’s potential for big stat lines for Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green. And third of all, they’re kind of fun to watch. Read more…
(Hola angels. Thanks for your support of Daily Thunder. Shine on you crazy diamonds.)
I think this video fits the true spirit of this post. You could say this is an actual cartoon of sorts, or at least appeals to the demographic that still likes cartoons: eight-year-olds and Royce. And while this video about Rumble the Bison is old, I’ve never seen it. My favorite part is how they paint Rumble as a loner wandering the earth until he found a home with basketball players. I’m just thankful in his travels, Rumble didn’t stumble across John Dunbar, amirite? Anyway, soak up the story of Rumble while basking in the glory of that big win over the Nuggs last night.
It’s not how I envisioned Oklahoma City finally beating Denver. I pictured a full, roaring Ford Center. I pictured Carmelo and KD dueling down the stretch, trading buckets in a pressure packed fourth quarter and in the end, the Thunder making one big play to win it.
I didn’t really see it coming as a 17-point blowout, 101-84, in front of a sparse crowd with no ‘Melo. But all the same, it’s equally as sweet.
The Thunder needed this game. Not only to stop the three-game skid, but moreover, to restore some confidence in themselves. The lost the close ones last week. Then they dropped a bad one to Chicago two nights ago. People were starting to wonder if they were slipping. And though there was no Carmelo Anthony, OKC put a whipping on the division-leading Nuggets. It’s a good, good win for many reasons. I know ‘Melo didn’t play, but that hasn’t hurt the Nuggets in keeping their eight-game win streak going. So while that’s a fair point, the fact OKC was focused and fired up is what really proved to be the difference.
Everything clicked tonight. The offense was crisp. The defense was excellent. OKC rebounded the ball as good as ever. There was a real focus to the team tonight. Kevin Durant notched his 20th straight game with 25 points or more as he scored 30 on 12-19 shooting, but Russell Westbrook was quietly awesome. He had 12 points (5-11 shooting), eight assists, three rebounds and just two turnovers. And after J.R. Smith started hot from 3 (started 4-5, finished 5-10), Westbrook really turned up the heat on Smith playing some really solid defense. Read more…
(Channeling Les Miles) This is NOT what we wanted. It’s NOT what we planned, today. It’s not ideal for Oklahoma City to be 0-1 on this homestand facing a potential four-game losing streak against the very talented Nuggets. But if there is good news, it’s that Carmelo Anthony might not play. The Denver Postsays he likely won’t. (One reader emailed me when Tim Duncan didn’t play in OKC and said, “The evolution of an Oklahoma City NBA fan: Instead of being upset the other teams star isn’t playing, we now celebrate when he’s sitting out.” Yep, perfect example with ‘Melo tonight. Don’t play ‘Melo. Rest that ankle.) Read more…
KD reacts to being an All-Star: “Man, today’s been an unbelievable day for me, my family and the Thunder organization. I’ve been selected to play in my first-ever All-Star Game! This was something I’ve dreamed about since I was growing up and I’m just so fortunate to be named a Western Conference All-Star. Hopefully I’ll be able to maintain this level of play. I just really appreciate my teammates and my family for giving me support and thank the good man above for giving me these talents and this work ethic.”
Nick Collison congratulating teammates: “Congrats to @KevinDurant35 for making the allstar team. He deserves it. Nobody works harder. Also congrats @russwest44 & @jHARD13 aka JimboSlice aka kindegarten RickRoss for making rookie/sophomore game.” A couple of great teammates.” Jimbo Slice… heh heh. Read more…
It’s official. Kevin Durant is in. Down your cider KD, you deserve it. I don’t know why this is so exciting, but I feel like we just put away some kind of trophy. It honestly just feels important for some reason.
Not to pull out the sappy card, but this is Oklahoma City’s first All-Star and everybody will be watching the game. And to know we have representation with our star, well, it just means a lot. This is just the first in what will surely be many, many more All-Star appearances, but I just think the first is kind of the most special.
Anyway, KD joined the TNT crew after the announcement and here’s a few of his comments: Read more…
According to a report from Ball Don’t Lie, the West’s All-Star reserves are out of the bag. And Oklahoma’s favorite basketball player has made it: Kevin Durant will be in Dallas playing in the big game. I’m so happy.
This report came out almost an hour ago, but I was initially hesitant to post it because I’m terrified to be the guy that ruins the surprise for KD. He’s said that he wants to watch on TNT tonight at 7 p.m. and find out then if he made it. And if I was the one who blew it, well, I think I’d force myself to drink hot poison.
But anyway, I’ll update the story tonight when the official announcement is made and include some quotes and thoughts. But since a lot of people use this here site for their Thunder news, I thought it was necessary to go ahead and get it out there. Congrats KD. Even though I hope you’re not reading this.
(edit – I’m about to go all mommy blog on you guys, so I apologize in advance.)
Walking through the front door on Friday, Mrs. Matthews instantly accosted me with a, “Look what your son came home with.” My first reaction was a little fear: “Did he get a black eye rough housing with one of the bigger three year olds in his new class trying to teach him that he’s no longer the alpha dog?” or considering he’s still working to perfect potty training, “Does he have a bag full of soiled clothing?” It was neither. He brought home a white towel, and I’ve never been prouder.
I should probably back up a little.
On Fridays at the ClarkPupp’s daycare, the kids get to pick a present they get to take home with them when they leave for the week. On this day, according to my wife, our son came running up to her the second she came in the room. “We have to get something from the treasure chest!” He grabbed her hand and transported her to a box filled with toys that you would expect to find in a Happy Meal at a pace suggesting they had no time to lose. Without hesitation, he grabbed a white towel with the Thunder logo and the team’s marketing slogan underneath it. “It’s a Thunder Up towel, mommy!” he said with great pride.
The teacher informed Mrs. Matthews that he had been scoping that out since the treasure chest came out, and he seemed legitimately nervous that some other kid would select it before he had the chance. While this exchange was going on, another little girl’s mother came to pick her up. “She’s going to pick a toy,” said my son dismissively as he waved his new favorite possession.
And with that story, I now love the typically derided “Thunder Up” slogan.
A piece from Empty the Bench looking the best contracts: “The traditional preamble every time we’ve brought up Sefolosha over the past, oh, 3 years is that he’s an underrated gem in this league and one of our favorite players with untapped potential. Well, young Thabo is now a ripe 25 years old, in his fourth NBA season, and doesn’t look like he’ll ever be a dynamic scorer or shutdown defender. That’s fine, I’m not sure that he needs to be either one to make a sizable impact for the fledgling Thunder franchise.” I think I’d disagree about not a shutdown defender part.
If you haven’t heard by now, Kevin Durant has said that he wants to find out if he’s an All-Star like everybody else – in front of his TV. The team finds out a few hours before, but KD has said he wants to watch on TV with friends and family. Clearly this is about to be a dream fulfilled and Durant wants to soak it up. I find that very cool. Read more…
This was a game Oklahoma City needed. Coming off two straight heartbreakers, the best medicine to heal the wounds from the road was sure to be the start of a nice four-game homestand. But it was not to be. Chicago pummeled the Thunder in the fourth quarter, outscoring OKC 28-20 in the final frame to win their fourth straight, 96-86.
What disappoints me most isn’t just the loss. It’s the way it all went down. With 8:30 left in the fourth, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook checked back in with OKC trailing by eight. It was time for the two studs to pick up a team that was struggling offensively. They didn’t. Let me put it this way: The Thunder didn’t make their first basket until there was 3:53 left in the final frame and started out the quarter 0-14. Not awesome.
KD hit a couple shots late after the Thunder fell behind by 16 to make it all feel a little bit better. But still, the offensive ineptitude can’t be ignored. After the Bulls put in 56 first half points, OKC locked down holding Chicago to just 12 points in the third. It felt like last time. The Thunder was going to tighten the screws, make some plays in the fourth and take care of business. But in order to do such a thing, you have to put the ball in the basket. The Thunder shot 36.9 percent from the field. That’s not putting the ball in the basket. Jeff Green was stellar, but for the most part, if Kevin Durant doesn’t play like his normal self, this team isn’t scoring and sometimes winning. And that’s not encouraging. Read more…
Now starts a four-game homestand. And it’s not an easy one. Chicago, Denver, Golden State and Atlanta all stop by the Ford Center (and hopefully stay at the Skirvin amirite?) in the next week. And while coming home 2-2 from last week’s road trip was acceptable, a 2-2 stretch at home would be slightly disappointing. But with a loss tonight against Chicago, I think we might have to be hoping for 2-2. So this game is definitely important. Read more…
Oklahoma City Thunder guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook lead a list of 18 players selected for the 2010 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam to be held on Friday, February 12 at American Airlines Center in Dallas during NBA All-Star 2010.
The participants in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam were selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot.
The Rookie team: Omri Casspi, DeJuan Blair, Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans, Jonny Flynn, Taj Gibson, James Harden, Brandon Jennings, Jonas Jerekbo.
The Sophs: Michael Beasley, Marc Gasol, Danilo Gallinari, Eric Gordon, Brook Lopez, Kevin Love, O.J. Mayo, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook.
I don’t think there’s any question the Sophomores have an advantage. Obviously Tyreke is awesome, but top to bottom, the Sophomores are pretty stacked. Especially in the backcourt. Mayo, Rose, Gordon and Westbrook. That’s good stuff. Of course, we all remember Kevin Durant taking game MVP honors with an All-Star Weekend record 46 points last year. Maybe Russ has something special in store for us this year.
The Bulls are staying at the Skirvin. MWUAHAHAHA: ”Especially some of these [scared] guys. Some of these veterans are [scared],” Hunter said. “Like Luol [Deng], I’m glad you told me. I’m going to tell him, ‘You know the hotel’s going to be haunted.’ He’ll be scared to death.” If the Bulls’ winning streak disappears on Wednesday night when they face the Oklahoma City Thunder, now you’ll know. Kevin Durant is scary … but not as scary as a ghost.”
Ziller looks at parity in the NBA and wonders if it’s lost: ”But the NBA? Parity has been a struggle for decades, and nothing the league has done works. Despite the creation of the luxury tax system, the past decade hasn’t seen noticeable improvement in league parity. In fact, using the Noll-Scully metric, NBA parity has been as bad over the last two seasons than at any point in the last two decades.” Read more…
