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Thursday Bolts – 1.14.10

thunderbolt23Manu 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.”

David Thorpe’s rookie rankings are out. James Harden was seven, Eric Maynor 18, Serge Ibaka 23 and Byron Mullens 41. Thorpe said this about Maynor: “Traded from Utah on Dec. 22, Maynor looks to be a valuable part of OKC’s rotation. He has played solid minutes in every game since the trade and has been very reliable with the ball every time out. How reliable? He hasn’t committed more than one turnover in any game save one. And he didn’t commit any turnovers in four of those games. I cannot think of a better way to get in the good graces of his new coach than by playing error-free basketball.”

Another thing about the rookies: In key minutes last night late in the fourth, OKC had a lineup in with three rookies, a second-year guy and a third-year guy. That’s… crazy.

Last night on NBATV, Carmelo Anthony said Kevin Durant should absolutely be an All-Star. The world agrees with you ‘Melo.

Let it be known in my live draft diary last June, I wished for DeJuan Blair. SO DON’T BLAME ME: “So now we’re back on the clock. I’ll put my vote in for DeJuan Blair, Sam. I know you’re following along. And I know you care what I think.”

Ball Don’t Lie, behind the box score: “All Blair does is move into the open spots, and board. Any bit of penetration, anything that even just slightly distracts his man, and that’s all Blair needs. A missed shot, a contested missed shot, and Blair moves into that open space on the weak side, and he gets the board. Over and over, crimson and clover. 28 points and 21 rebounds, and it should have been more. A terrible refereeing crew fouled out the rookie on a series of awful, awful calls.”

Dime plays the What If game with Blake Griffin going to the Thunder: “What if the hometown team got its chance for the storybook beginning, with Memphis second, Washington third, and L.A. fourth? … Playing the LeBron-in-Ohio role for the Thunder at the box office, Blake doesn’t even have the pressure of saving the franchise because Kevin Durant is already there. With defenses focused on KD, Blake puts up 17 points and 10 boards a night and wins Rookie of the Year … The Grizzlies take Thabeet second, and Washington trades the No. 3 pick to Minnesota, who takes Rubio. (He still doesn’t play in the NBA in ‘09-10.) But able to land a slightly better player in the deal, the Wizards get off to a good start and Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton are too happy to have a play-gunfight … The Clippers decide to go with Jordan Hill at No. 4, and hire Mo Taylor as a special assistant in charge of teaching him the ropes of being a bust.”

Now this is a Thunder fan:

9lar

Whoa, Russell Westbrook ran a 7K yesterday? Oh yeah, I guess there can be more than one Russell Westbrook in the world.

OKC is No. 10 in BDL’s power rankings.

I was just looking at last night’s box score again, and holy crap, Russell Westbrook played 50 minutes. That’s like, a lot or something.

Feel free to nominate Daily Thunder for some Oklahoma Blog Award thing. There isn’t a sports category, but what the hey, just nominate us for everything. Especially in the Best Arts/Craft blog category. We deserve that for sure.

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People who shouldn't have guns

Gilbert arenas
plaxico burress
dick Cheney

@Todd
Should arrive any second. ;)

Nobody has mentioned that I'm a better version of Brad Pitt. This mystifies me.

This blog deserves the recognition though. I'm not usually much of a blog reader, but this one I make a point to read. You all do a very good job here. (The check is in the mail, correct?)

Again from the bolts:

"Let it be known in my live draft diary last June, I wished for DeJuan Blair. SO DON’T BLAME ME: “So now we’re back on the clock. I’ll put my vote in for DeJuan Blair, Sam. I know you’re following along. And I know you care what I think.”

How do we spell disappointment? ACL. Of course, if Blairzilla had two good ACL's he might not have been around long enough for OKC to grab him anyway. But I just looked up the word "Rebound," and his picture was there. No really, it was! Okay it wasn't. But it should be. Especially if an OKC player is in the picture. Sigh.

From the bolts:

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

That's too funny. I've taken to calling him Batman after his little incident with that bat a while back. After last night, and that save he made where he literally flew after the ball and blindly swatted it behind his back to a teammate for the winning score, maybe Batman is a good name for him. Of course, I wanted to call him something else last night, but since this is a family board I'll keep that to myself. :)

Dirk Nowitzki future version of Byron Mullens?

The one positive thing about last night's game is that Blair is on my fantasy team.

I am in Austin this week and the game was not being shown on TV. I feel like I missed a good game but after some of the comments about officiating I may have thrown a lamp through the window of my hotel room during the game.

Rhett :Wilt Chamberlain is a better version of Ron Jeremy.

... who is a better version of Tiger Woods

Wilt Chamberlain is a better version of Ron Jeremy.

Duncan :
Best Arts/Crafts blog?
I would say the awesome DT shirts would definitely qualify in that area.

Now we're talking.

And Traber may have me with needlepoint, but my crochet skills are off the chain.

Jim Trabor said he could still needlepoint circles around you though...

Best Arts/Crafts blog?

I would say the awesome DT shirts would definitely qualify in that area.

The DON :

Dylan :First off, I’ll never watch that Ginobili play again as long as I live. The fact that we shut down one of my least favorite playrs the entire game, only for that to happen, well, it’s just too much.Secondly, Dejaun Blair should have fouled out in the second quarter. He can go to hell, too.

I am beginning to come around to and appreciate your passion that borders on hate. As you might have been able to tell by now from my posting, I can relate to it. And by relate to it I mean I am the same way
*sticks needles in a ginobili voodoo doll*

Don't think those thing is gonna work on Ginobili... He said he slept like a baby at the so called "Haunted Hotel"... So, don't think voodoo will work on him... lol...

@Royce

I've got all the Wordpress hacks.

I just told Manu Ginobli I was mad at him, but I gave him props for the dive. He laughed at me. I hope we crush them next time.

MartzMimic :I think the most egregious call – at least that wasn’t overturned by replay – was the blocking foul late on Harden. The replay clearly showed that he stepped out of the restricted area and set his feet before RJ (?) ran over him.

Yes. That was a very, very bad call.

@justin
I swear you go into Wordpress and look at what I've been writing. I literally JUST finished something about this.

Russell Westbrook has had a very interesting season so far if you look at his monthly splits.

October + November

17 Games. 16.8 points / 6.7 assists / 4.6 rebounds / 1.0 steals / 3.76 turnovers on 42.4% FG

December

15 Games. 14.9 points / 7.5 assists / 5.2 rebounds / 1.1 steals / 2.58 turnovers on 35.7% FG

January

6 Games. 19.5 points / 8.7 assists / 6.3 rebounds / 1.5 steals / 2.33 turnovers on 44.9% FG

The most obvious trend is that his assist totals have been rising while his turnovers have been declining. I think coming into the year, and after his mediocre November, the one thing we'd want Russell to improve on more than anything is taking care of the ball and setting up teammates better. I believe that he's made a tremendous leap forward in both those respects. He's making better decisions with the ball.

His FG% is the strangest thing. He was halfway decent in November and even shot 33.3% from three point range, but was horrid in December, and now benefitting from a few good games has starting to look better in January. He's currently shooting a hair above 40% for the year. This was common with Russell last year, too, having long streaks of decent shooting and poor shooting.

One thing I noticed so far this month is that he's only had three 3PA this month in six games (making none). I think that's a good sign that perhaps he's learning not to shoot those long jump shots when he can get close to the basket. He had a hot November from 3PT range before shooting 20% from that distance in December, shooting an average of two threes a game. That brings his offensive efficiency way down, and who knows how many long two pointers he was attempting during that time also.

Russell should limit his offense to 15 feet in, much like Rajon Rondo does for the Celtics. It's tough for him because he's sometimes forced to create something when the offense (frequently) stalls around him, but I don't think he benefits the team shooting from further than the foul line extended, especially when he can practically get where he wants to go against anyone.

Hakeem Olajuwon is a more experienced Serge Ibaka :P

@MartzMimic

Godd call.

That foul call had me rabid!!!

Dylan :
First off, I’ll never watch that Ginobili play again as long as I live. The fact that we shut down one of my least favorite playrs the entire game, only for that to happen, well, it’s just too much.
Secondly, Dejaun Blair should have fouled out in the second quarter. He can go to hell, too.

I am beginning to come around to and appreciate your passion that borders on hate. As you might have been able to tell by now from my posting, I can relate to it. And by relate to it I mean I am the same way

*sticks needles in a ginobili voodoo doll*

I think the most egregious call - at least that wasn't overturned by replay - was the blocking foul late on Harden. The replay clearly showed that he stepped out of the restricted area and set his feet before RJ (?) ran over him.

How 'bout Steve Nash is a better version of Scott Brooks?

oh yeah didnt get that far down the list of cast members, and the last tiem i saw that movie i was too young to know who they were,lol.

@Dylan
If it's any consolation, the Spurs are on the way out. Within 2-3 years San Antonio will be rebuilding, and we'll be the ones making playoff runs.

I don't like moral victories either, but the squad can hold their heads high. They were down by 19 in the first quarter, and it took a miraculous save and buzzer-beater by Jefferson to beat us in OT. And that's with the terrible reffing and interior domination by Blair.

@f5alcon
Yeah. They're credited as "Buffy" and "Suzie"

@Mark!
wait what?

my reference is to he got game with ray allen http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124718/

@f5alcon
Let's not go too far. Jesus had a thing with Jill Kelly and Chasey Lain. What's KD done?

Check out the picture I added. Wow, huh?

@Dylan
I couldnt agree more with the ginobli comment.

@Mark!
bill simmons is just a better version of traber

Royce is just a better version of all other bloggers

kevin durant is just a better version of Jesus Shuttlesworth

First off, I'll never watch that Ginobili play again as long as I live. The fact that we shut down one of my least favorite playrs the entire game, only for that to happen, well, it's just too much.

Secondly, Dejaun Blair should have fouled out in the second quarter. He can go to hell, too.

justin :@Clark
Matthews
Tim Duncan a better version of Nenad?!

haha, well maybe from a physical size standpoint he is right, just not on any stats or post skills

@justin
I like this game!

Jordan is just a better version of Thabo.

justin :@Clark
Matthews
Tim Duncan a better version of Nenad?!

And Shaq is just a better version of Tractor Traylor.

@Clark Matthews

Tim Duncan a better version of Nenad?!

Honestly, I think Poppovich knew the tendency of those referees was to allow physical play in the paint. That would explain why he scratched Tim Duncan (who is basically a better version of Nenad, so not as much of a mismatch) at the last minute. Blair, on the other hand, is exactly the kind of player the Thunder have had trouble with all season. It's why Pop is one of the best.

White was in a suit last night.

Was he just brought here for practice or what?

whoops, I posted the wrong email. It should be:

2009okieblogawards@gmail.com

This blog deserve recognition. You guys do a LOT of work here. It's not a coincidence that this blog generates a ridiculous number of comments while several other ESPN TrueHoop network blogs generate ZERO comments. Don't be above campaigning. You guys deserve the recognition. How about this?

Email 2009okieblogsawards@gmail.com

You must include:
Your Name
Blog Name (Daily Thunder)
URL (www.dailythunder.com)
Category (Best Single Topic Blog)

Let's get this done, people.

Awful calls? Should be awful non-calls. I didn't get the see the whole game, but I saw several times where our guys were basically slammed down low or KD was grabbed/pushed/whatever. Sometimes it felt like the Ford Center should have thrown up a cage and had a royal rumble.

yeah his 50 mins might be why he clanked that last shot, though i dont see why thabo was still on the floor, would have been better to put another shooter maynor in, or put in somebody like white who can set a pick and take an open jumper if its there