Daily Thunder.com

There won’t be any Bolts Monday as I’ll be out of town. But I’ll have you covered everywhere else. HAVE NO FEAR.

There is a lot of talk about the Cavs reportedly tanking for LeBron, but Kelly Dwyer said this: “Everyone’s current darlings, the Oklahoma City Thunder, tanked last year, the year before, the year before that — and by not signing any money on free agents last summer, one could argue that they’re tanking this year, despite the team’s playoff potential.” I don’t really agree that not signing free agents equals tanking. Some might call that smart management. Read more…

Bolts

Before Darnell Mayberry came along and stole my, ahem, thunder by writing an article saying the Thunder would not be making any major deals this season, I had already researched what kind of major deals the team might make.  While Mayberry makes some pretty good points about not wanting to take time from the developing players to make a run at the playoffs prematurely, he also says:  “From the start, the front office has been fixated on finding long-term playoff success, not fiddling with moves that bring five more wins.”

Who is to say fiddling for five more wins now wouldn’t be the best way to set up long-term playoff success?  Think about it.  The core of the team, and most of the players expected to fill out the rotation for a long time, are getting plenty of playing time during the regular season.  As they have learned, usually through hard knocks, to win, the one thing that has not been simulated in playoff basketball.  The run-up and, hopefully, first taste of a playoff atmosphere could pay huge dividends in the long run…especially if the tweaks made do not handcuff the team financially.

There are some deals that could be made that could help the team now and in the future.  The questions then becomes, what does the team need and what can they give up?

As for what they should target, the first priority should be improved shooting.  Right now, the team really struggles at opening up the floor.  They have a couple of guys who can hit an open three-pointer (Jeff Green, James Harden) but when outside shooting is necessary, those guys can’t be counted on since the defense won’t sag to help in the paint.

Another way the team could improve is to acquire a dominant rebounder that would alleviate the need for the guards to crash the boards and hopefully stop turning the DeJuan Blair’s and Chuck Hayes’ of the world into superstars.

Now, as for assets the team could part with to improve these aspects of the team, a short list would include:

• Etan Thomas – who possesses an expiring contract (making him attractive to other franchises looking to alleviate long term payroll) and has fallen far out of the Thunder rotation.  Although, as a veteran big man, he should still have value.
• D.J. White – Great potential, good offensive big man.  Not cracking the Thunder rotation, though, means he’s expendable.
• Byron Mullens – Another guy with potential, his recent call up and game time could mean the team is showcasing him for potential trades as much as it could mean the team thinks he’s ready to contribute.
• Matt Harpring – His expiring contract, which is paid by an insurance company, will become tradable prior to the trade deadline.
• Two first round draft picks in the 2010 draft.  Neither is necessarily valuable to the Thunder who are already loaded with developing talent.
• Money — The Thunder are one team that is fiscally in shape to take on some extra salary or even add some cold hard cash as sweetener in a deal.

After the jump, I outline some deals that could potentially make sense.

Read more…

Commentary

Manu Ginobili on Twitter: “I wanna play OKC again soon. Percentages r w/me. 0/18 in 2 games!”

Ginobili’s play. It’s not the best look at it, but just watch it over and over, with each time getting angrier and angrier. Look how close the ball is to hitting the baseline. DARN IT ALL.

NBA.com rookie rankings: “Harden averaged 10.0 points in the Thunder’s back-to-back wins to close out the week. More importantly, he had five steals in those two wins. Harden may not be doing anything flashy, but he’s still sixth among rookies in scoring (9.6 ppg) and in the top 10 in almost every category. “I think that’s what makes us different from other teams,” Harden told The Oklahoman. “We stick to the easy plan, and we get the job done. It’s a good thing. I guess that’s the type of players that they want here in this program. … My game is simple, getting the job done, going out there and making the easy play.” Read more…

Bolts

BOX SCORE – ADVANCED BOX SCORE

(Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)

After Oklahoma City pummeled the Knicks Wednesday night, I wrote about how most of the time I like a good close game with big moments and clutch plays. Let me clarifiy: I’m pretty sure I only like close games like that when Oklahoma City wins.

But make no mistake, the Thunder’s 109-108 overtime loss to the Spurs was an excellent game. Definitely the best of the season thus far. If Russell Westbrook’s jumper as time expired didn’t hit back-iron and had fallen and the Thunder had won, this one would have been tucked away in a special place for me. Like as in, best professional game I’d ever attended. But it didn’t. So I’m not too keen on storing this one in the memory banks.

OKC dug a 19-point hole early that it couldn’t get all the way out of until there were two minutes left in the third. The Spurs jumped out early in the fourth, but a couple big time stops and great execution on the offensive end forced the game into an extra frame. And then it wrapped up the way any great game should – star players made plays, the officials made questionable calls that one side loved and the other side hated and it all came down to one final possession. There were highs and lows, but in the end, pretty much all lows. Read more…

Recap San Antonio Spurs

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San Antonio Spurs (23-13, 6-7 road) vs. Okla. City Thunder (21-16, 11-8 home)

TV: KSBI-52 (Cox 15, HD 715)
Stream: Click Here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CST

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 106.1 (20th), Spurs– 111.5 (4th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.4 (7th), Spurs – 104.2 (8th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.4 (17th), Spurs– 91.2 (25th)

View from the enemy: 48 Minutes of Hell

A note: While discussing the game this evening, please keep your language clean. Please.

I’m ready for a statement. There have already been a few (Orlando, at Phoenix) but this one would catch some attention, especially with the team being five games over right now. No longer would it be seen as a “Oh, that’s cool. The Thunder surprised the Spurs,” but maybe now it would be, ” Oh man, this Thunder team is serious.” Read more…

Preview San Antonio Spurs

Thunder reaction to the haunted Skirvin: ”When asked about the Skirvin during a press conference Tuesday, Presti joked that the hotel many visiting teams use could become the Thunder’s secret weapon. “Some locker rooms are really small and really hot,” Presti said. “I guess that’ll be our thing.”

A wonderful feature from Britt Robson of SI about Kevin Durant’s improved defense: “But Durant has made that a moot debate this season. By any measure, the guy has suddenly become a stalwart individual and team defender. For those who prefer visual evidence, consider Monday’s game against the Knicks. In one sequence, Durant left his man, Danilo Gallinari, to intercept a pass on the wing, only to discover that he’d fallen for a fake and the pass was going to Gallinari for a three-pointer in the corner. He stopped in his tracks, wheeled around and leaped, up and sidewise, far enough to block Gallinari’s quick-release jumper. Gallinari, who came into the game averaging 14.5 points, was shut out (on 0-for-7 shooting) in 32 minutes.” Read more…

Bolts

Kevin Durant really likes to do these little quick Q&A’s on Twitter, which is one of the reasons I think it’s insane for certain unnamed people to act like the fans don’t know him. And today, there were a couple of treats within. Observe:

MagicCarter15: Do you want to finish your career with the Thunder? KD: Yessssir.

The_Real_Jaryd: What’s the best thing about playing in the NBA? KD: Playing basketball everyday all day.

Redjor: Who’s the funniest guy in your team? KD: Serge Ibaka.

Thrilla24x7: Who is the best defender you’ve faced so far? KD: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Ron Artest.

DarrenDioti: How do you like living in Oklahoma City? KD: Love it.

HarlemHutch: What do you think is your natural spot on the floor? 2, 3 or the 4? KD: 3

And my favorite question: DavefromPhilly: What kind of car do you drive? KD: Minivan.

Yes, it sounds like Kevin Durant drives a minivan. I guess he’s the soccer mom for this team they like to call a family. His explanation? “[It] has a lot of room.” Fair enough. Also, I was informed that Durant has two tattoos on his chest which completely ruins my Thunder Tattoo Continuum. Great. Just great.

News Kevin Durant

But not the supernatural powers of Kevin Durant. Nope. The ACTUAL supernatural. From Frank Isola of the New York Daily News:

The Knicks were afraid, very afraid. And it had nothing to do with the Oklahoma City Thunder. For two days, several players had trouble sleeping because they were convinced that their downtown hotel is haunted.

“I definitely believe it,” Jared Jeffries said. “The place is haunted. It’s scary.”

Eddy Curry claims he slept for only two hours Sunday night because he couldn’t stop thinking about ghosts roaming the hotel. For years, guests staying at the Skirvin Hilton have reported ghost sightings and strange noises. Legend has it that sometime in the 1930s, a woman jumped to her death while holding her baby in her hands.

“They said it happened on the 10th floor and I’m the only one staying on the 10th floor,” Curry said. “That’s why I spent most of my time in (Nate Robinson’s) room. I definitely believe there are ghosts in that hotel.”

Assistant coach Herb Williams teased Jeffries and Curry for believing that the Skirvin is haunted, but Curry wasn’t laughing. “There are too many stories,” Curry said. “Something is going on there.”

I’m sitting here trying to come up with something. So you lost last night… because of ghosts? So many ways to go with a potential joke – a cliche “I see fat people” Eddy Curry joke? A “REDRUM” zing? Eh, I think the story itself is enough comedy. Two things though: 1) I have stayed at the Skirvin (on my wedding night) and I didn’t hear any nonsense. Other than what was coming from my own room. Hi-oh! And 2) You have to love Eddy Curry is the one making a big deal about it. You know, the guy that didn’t play one second of the game. And why was he all alone on the 10th floor? Nobody like Eddy?

Whatever the case, maybe this is a good idea to put away a few home wins. Freak your opponent out before the game by making them stay in a haunted hotel and then pummel them on the basketball court. That right there, is a formula to winning basketball.

Riff Raff New York Knicks

As you’ve probably heard, NBA Jam is coming back and this time you get to vote for who you want to represent OKC. However, there is no Serge Ibaka on the list, which is a giant sized bummer. He would have boom-shakalaka’d like no one before him.

Commenter Vega, visionary: (On Oct. 1): “I guarantee that New Orleans will ship Hilton Armstrong off to Sacramento or OKC. Put it in the Smart Thoughts or something so that it will officially be on the record.” And what happened? Hilton Armstrong was shipped to Sacto. Points for you sir. Read more…

Bolts

BOX SCORE – ADVANCED BOX SCORE

I like a good close game. I love the intensity it brings, the edge-of-your-seat moments and the sheer explosion of joy when a big play happens in your favor. Those type of games are what make this whole thing so darn fun. But watching your team completely outclass another squad can sometimes be just as, or even more fun.

We were due for one of these. Oklahoma City hasn’t put it on easy street against a team since, well, really back in November versus Orlando. And the Thunder pretty much put the Knicks away early, running out to 63 first half points en route to a 106-88 win. And it wasn’t that close. With five minutes left, OKC led 100-71.

The Thunder played really lose offensively, taking good shots in rhythm, making nice passes and just sharing the ball all over. But what keyed this one was just flat out excellent man-to-man defense. Every shot was challenged. I’m talking, every shot. Passing lanes were closed. New York didn’t have any room to breath at any point and it forced them into 20 turnovers and held them to 38 percent from the field. There was just a great energy and focus for OKC right from the opening tip. The offense and defense, plus great hustle. Every loose ball went the Thunder’s way it seems. Plus they were making shots. Which helps. Read more…

Recap New York Knicks

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New York Knicks (15-21, 6-11 road) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ( 20-16, 10-8 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 753)
Stream: Click Here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CST

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 106.0 (21st), Knicks – 106.6 (17th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.8 (7th), Knicks – 107.6 (19th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.3 (18th), Knicks– 93.9 (9th)

View from the enemy: Knickerblogger

NOTE: Recap will be up a little late tonight. But it’s coming.

The Knicks don’t stink. They may be 15-21 but bear in mind, they started 4-15, meaning they are 11-6 in their last 17 games. This is a dangerous game because when they get rolling, they can obviously score the ball. But typically, good defense beats good offense, especially when the opposing defense isn’t very good. So that should make you feel better. But the Knicks have beat good teams. They have wins against Atlanta (twice), Phoenix, New Orleans and Portland. So yeah, I’m a little nervous about it. Read more…

Preview New York Knicks

(Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)

Against Indiana Saturday night, Kevin Durant absolutely took over in the fourth quarter. The Pacers had cut an 18-point Thunder lead to just five at 93-88 and with 6:31 Durant checked back in. Indiana then got it down to 93-92 and what looked to be an easy, coasting victory was now going to need some serious effort. And that’s when KD went to work.

He scored 10 of the Thunder’s final 15 points, going 3-4 from the field and 4-4 from the line. It was reminiscent of the way Kobe Bryant sat on the bench last year in Oklahoma City as the Thunder ran a big Laker lead down only for Kobe to check in with about six minutes left and score a bundle of buckets to tear out OKC’s heart. It’s something KD is improving at. He’s learning how to become The Closer. Another good example was in Phoenix, finishing off the Suns.

But he’s inconsistent with it. Sometimes, like against the Hornets last week, he only takes two shots. He doesn’t totally have that closing role down yet. Understandably so, seeing as he’s just 21 and that typically is one of the final steps a superstar takes. Figuring out how to take over for your team in crunch time isn’t an easy thing to do. But it’s what the top stars in this league do.

Right now, KD is fourth in the league in scoring at 28.7 a game. He’s shooting an incredible 48 percent from the floor. In his last 25 games, he’s hitting over 35 percent from 3. But if there is one tick against him, it’s that he sometimes fades out in the fourth quarter. Consider: In the first three quarters, KD shoots 51.3 percent from the floor. In the fourth, he hits just 39.2 percent. He averages just 5.9 points in the fourth quarter, while averaging 7.7 combined for the other three. He gets to the line less, shoots lower from 3 (34 to 30) and his turnovers go up. Sometimes when it matters most, Durant’s numbers go down. Read more…

Commentary Kevin Durant

David Kahn insists Al Jefferson is not for sale: ”Minnesota Timberwolves president David Kahn insists that Al Jefferson has not been made available — to anyone — in advance of the Feb. 18 trading deadline. “As I’ve said publicly,” Kahn told ESPN.com, “I have no intention of trading any of our core players this season.”

Darnell Mayberry writes a big trade is unlikely: ”But Thunder heads shouldn’t expect their team to make a blockbuster deal with an eye on punching its playoff ticket. Sorry to spoil the fun folks, but there are many more reasons to believe the Thunder will stand pat than make a splash. From the start, the front office has been fixated on finding long-term playoff success, not fiddling with moves that bring five more wins. Add to that, the Thunder’s meticulous management still hasn’t deciphered what pieces it does and does not have. Making a move now could add an unnecessary piece, or worse, destroy the puzzle before the picture becomes clear.” Read more…

Bolts

Box  Score
Advanced Box

The Thunder did what they needed to do tonight in protecting the home court and beating a team that they are supposed to beat.

It had the makings of a snooze of a game with each team sort of just playing “quiet” if you know what I mean. Neither team seemed to make much headway or make a big run until the third quarter. Finally the Thunder got their game on and dropped 34 on the Pacers who started to look tired in their back to back effort.  In that quarter the Thunder shot 13/21 (62%) and finished it up with a comfortable 13 point lead.

I was sort of taking notes and I wrote ” Pacers seem like they are going through the motions; dispassionate–like they don’t want to be here“.

Then the fourth quarter happened and the thing got interesting.  A.J.Price, probably the last guy you would expect on an offensively loaded Pacers team, dropped 19 4th quarter points going 7/10 including three-3 pointers to open things up and get the score within 1.

But as I said, the Thunder did what needed to be done and made some stops and hit some buckets and got the W.

Read more…

Recap

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Indiana Pacers (11-24, 3-15 road) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (19-16, 9-8 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 753)
Stream: Click Here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CST

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 106.0 (20th), Pacers – 100.6 (27th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.9 (7th), Pacers – 106.7 (16th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.0 (19th), Pacers – 97.3 (2nd)

View from the enemy: Eight Points, Nine Seconds

Let’s put forth our due diligence here: Indiana has a capable roster with Danny Granger, Troy Murphy and the emerging Roy Hibbert leading the way. They won five straight earlier in the year and have beaten Boston, and well, I guess Boston is really their only impressive win. But they aren’t a complete bunch of pushovers. Read more…

Preview Indiana Pacers