Daily Thunder.com

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…

Riff Raff Jeff Green, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook

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.

No. 10:  Thunder wins first game ever, 88-85 over Minnesota

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.

Riff Raff

From Hong Kong (via his Twitter):

Riff Raff

Greetings Thunder junkies. It’s the slow time of the season so I thought I would spice up the doldrums with a challenge to the faithful Thunder news mongers. You’ve been reading Royce’s daily bolts for quite some time now, you are informed on everything Thunder. You know that B.J. Byron Mullins has a tat on both forearms and is from somewhere in Ohio; you know that Kyle Weaver is from Wisconsin and that Nick Collison is the sweatiest Jayhawk in the league. You  know that Kevin Durant  is dropping big points in Barry Farms pickup games and that Sam Presti is a great drummer. What do you do with these useless little nuggets of  Thunder knowledge and trivia? Simple, you try your hand at the first ever of it’s kind Thunder preseason crossword challenge.

I took all sorts of unbelievably useless and behind the scenes Thunder trivia and information from the last two seasons and plugged it into crossword puzzle generator and created a headache in the making. If you’re up for the challenge give it a go. Take your time, I don’t think it will be a breeze.

Here’s the framework: I used only clues and answers relating to the Thunder franchise from the time of the ’07 draft forward (the Durant/Green draft). The clues and answers will be team related obviously. Many of the players are on there and some who just had a cup of coffee with the team. Some draft picks, some coaches , some trivia and a surprising stat or two. Who knows what you will find? Read more…

Riff Raff Crossword

Kevin Durant returned to Barry Farms Monday night to play in the Goodman League. That’s the second time this year (that I know of) and third time he’s been in D.C. playing in a prominent league (he played at Georgetown Sunday). Denver Nugget rookie Ty Lawson joined him and for some reason they were on the same team. As if that’s fair. For those scoring at home, in three games at Barry Farms, KD is averaging 52.3 points per game. That’s pretty good methinks. From Dan Steinberg: “The one white person there files this report: ‘It looks like Kevin Durant has decided to dunk on everyone. On every possession.’”

Riff Raff, Video Goodman League, Kevin Durant

I don’t know if you know this, but there’s this thing called “Twitter” and some people use it. It has connected the world and become one of the biggest tools in social media. It’s all very meta.

Currently, there’s six players on the Thunder roster using Twitter – Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Thabo Sefolosha, Byron Mullens and Nick Collison. We know a few things about each player from following their accounts.

• Nick Collison is extremely witty and funny. He also likes nice weather.

• Kevin Durant likes movies, enjoys chatting with fans and at times, actually acts his age.

• Russell Westbrook does not enjoy proper English, nor complete sentences.

• James Harden tweets at extremely random times and tweets extremely random things.

• I think Byron Mullens forgot about his.

• Thabo’s is… let’s just say boring.

But what could we really know about each player from their Twitter? Is there more to it? Well, there’s this little website called TweetPsych and it does just that – it analyzes tweets and tells you what they really mean. Let’s investigate. Read more…

Riff Raff Twitter

The good people at the mothership have asked us TrueHoopers a simple question: Who is your second favorite team? Henry and Kevin compiled the result from the network and there’s a tasty post to read over at TrueHoop. Here’s my answer:

The idea of a second favorite team for Oklahoma City fans is a really weird one. Because in reality, the Thunder could really be considered a lot of OKC fans’ second-favorite team even now.

Some cling to the city’s first love, the Hornets. Some went with the closest regional team, the Mavericks. I didn’t have a previous favorite team so if anything, I was a Jordan leftover and still kind of rooted for the Bulls. But if there’s a team I secretly love besides my hometown Thunder, it’s the Trail Blazers. I love everything about them. The logo, the name, the uniforms, the players, the rabid supporters. It’s really what I envision happening to my team in my city, since we’re both one team professional towns. I’m jealous of what they’ve got and I hope the same kind of uprising hits Oklahoma City in full force soon.

I honestly was looking through the team list on NBA.com trying to figure out what my answer was. Who do I secretly root for? Did I pull for anyone I didn’t think I would in the playoffs? Who do I mind losing to the least? I never had a favorite team other than the Hornets for two years and when they left, so did my fandom. But like I said, the Trail Blazers are just a cool team to me.

A lot of it is envy for what they have. And when we get that here, I don’t think I’ll feel the same way anymore. But a lot of it is the huge respect I have for Brandon Roy. I’d say other than Thundermen, he’s got to be my second favorite player in the league right now.

So we ask you, who is your second favorite team? The Teacher, San Antonio? The Other-Kind-Of-Local-Team, the Mavericks? Or maybe it’s The Wagon, the Lakers? And OU or OSU don’t count. So what say you, Daily Thunderers?

Riff Raff Your second favorite team

What: The 2009 NBA Draft
When: Coverage begins at 6 p.m CST. The draft starts at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Madison Square Garden
TV: ESPN (Cox 29, HD 720)
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM)

The draft starts in seven hours. You ready?

As tough as it is to get a read on Sam Presti’s direction, I think we can narrow the Thunder’s draft night options down to four: James Harden, Ricky Rubio, Hasheem Thabeet or Stephen Curry. Barring a trade or something all too shocking, one of those guys will be in a Thunder uniform. Hey, three out of four ain’t bad right?

So what do you want to see happen tonight? James Harden? Rubio? Curry? Thabeet? Something completely different? Vote. Or die.

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Riff Raff Polls

Who wants something free? Well, if you do then get ready to join the first ever Daily Thunder Mock Draft Contest. Basically, it’s simple:

• Predict what happens with both the Thunder’s first and second pick. 10 points awarded for nailing the first, 15 for nailing the second. 5 points if the player is taken one spot (on either side) of your pick.

• You can predict a trade, but don’t try and include players. But you do have to predict who OKC traded with. That counts as getting the pick correct. (Example: If you think OKC trades either it’s pick or the player they are drafting, just put “OKC trades third pick to Toronto.”)

• Also, select ANY four other teams (except one can’t be the Clippers) and predict their FIRST ROUND pick (if the team has two in the first, just pick one and specify the number). Trade predictions still accepted. 10 points for nailing it, five for being within one on either side. Doesn’t matter what teams. I’d advise against Orlando though. They don’t have one.

Highest point total wins something wonderful (and gets acknowledged for being smarter than all of their Thunder peers). Maybe it’s a Chucky Atkins banner. Maybe it’s courtside season tickets. Maybe it’s Major League II on DVD. The only way to find out is to enter and win. Second place may or may not receive a congratulatory email from me. We’ll see how I feel that day.

Email your picks to royceyoung41@gmail.com. I promise I’ll be fair. Unless your last name is “Young” and you happen to be my wife. Then all bets are off.

Riff Raff Contest

Where: NBA Entertainment Studios, Secaucus, New Jersey
When: 7:30 CST
Where to see it: ESPN

Tonight that whole lottery thing happens. We finally can quit speculating about if we pick here or if we land there. It will be nice to stop wondering. It all just comes down to those 119 lottery balls and where they land. It’s really all out of our hands now.

Or is it?

You’re probably asking yourself, “But Royce, what can I do to help?” Well here, let me give you some essential things to do today in preparation for tonight’s lottery.

• Buy a custom Thunder No. 23 jersey with GRIFFIN on the back right now. Make sure it’s non-refundable. And one of the $250 kinds. Go big or go home.

• Urge Sam Presti to make a promise to sign Taylor Griffin. Blake only plays with Taylor. Everybody knows that.

• Ask Gary England to make it thunder today.

• Play ESPN’s lottery generator until Oklahoma City gets the top pick 23 times.

• Like Silas in the Da Vinci code, put yourself through Blake’s transgressions: take a shot to the nards, get tripped while running, take a phantom elbow and get a concussion, hit your face on the backboard (ladder/trampoline may be required), get judo-flipped onto your back and make your nose bleed every 15 minutes.

• Promise your husband or wife that you’re naming your first born (or next child) Blake – boy… or girl.

• If you’re already done having children, legally change the name of your first born to Blake. Or just have another one. Whatever’s easiest.

• Make outlandish, over-the-top statements about what you’ll do if OKC lands the top pick. If we get the No. 1 pick, I’ll sleep on broken lightbulbs for a year. Or,  if we get the No. 1 pick, I’ll let someone shoot me in the chest with one of those police bean bag guns. Or, if we get the No. 1 pick, I’ll swim across Lake Hefner… naked. Or, if we get the No. 1 pick, I’ll personally pay Blake’s salary. You get the idea.

• Make out with a picture of Blake. Like MAKE OUT with it.

• Don’t let any “Hey, maybe I’d be OK with getting the No. 2 pick anyway” thoughts creep into your head. I know. I’ve been fighting them too. There’s just something about that Rubio guy that is so dang likable. (But I will take number two David. It’s better than six.)

• Watch the following video 119 times.

• Send a letter to your congressman. I have no idea what that does, but everyone always says to do it when you want something.

• Come up with three totally awesome nicknames for Blake that only work with Oklahoma City or Thunder.

• Remind David Stern about how Blake Griffin is, you know, from here and all. And how that will be good for the league. And how much money that could make the league. And also about that Tyson Chandler deal that we gave back to help NOLA save face. Yeah, remind him about all that.

• Promise to hurt yourself badly if Oklahoma City doesn’t get the No. 1 pick.

• Promise not to cry, NO MATTER WHAT.

• Create a player named “B. Griffin” on NBA 2K9 and put him on the Thunder. See what I did there?

• Ask Randy Roper to sprinkle some holy water on our 119 lottery balls.

Most importantly, mentally prepare yourself for the fourth pick. Convince yourself that it’s probably better to get the fourth slot than the first anyway. Because that’s what’s going to happen. So just get ready for it. Just spend the rest of the afternoon getting ready for disappointment. It should make the let down a little more gentle. I know that’s what I’m doing. I just picked up a THABEET No. 34 Thunder jersey today. Non-refundable too.

Commentary, Riff Raff Lottery

Still don’t have a Mother’s Day gift? Are you standing at Walgreens staring at cards and wanting to jump into a lake of thumbtacks? Do you know, no matter you do, your gift is going to suck?

Then let Ebay help! Because I was bored, I searched “Oklahoma City Thunder” on Ebay. And as I was looking through some of the exquisite merchandise, I thought to myself, “You know, I’m sure I could turn this into a gag column somehow. Hey! Mother’s Day is this weekend!” And here we are.

10. Two tickets to the Thunder-Raptors game that happened over a month ago. Just $20 with free shipping! How could you say no? So what that the game was March 27 and Toronto already won, 112-96. Pretend it’s like live DVR. Go to Air Canada Arena, walk inside and visualize Oklahoma City getting absolutely pounded for four quarters. You better hurry, because I’m staring down that Buy It Now button right now.

9. D.J. White’s rookie card. I’d buy the card for D.J.’s insanely awesome smile and pose alone. Seriously, take a gander at that. I also like that at the time the card was made, OKC didn’t have uniforms, so D.J. was in the generic Adidas warmups. That’ll make it rare in 50 years.

8. Framed Kevin Durant signed picture. For the low price of  $149.99, you can have KD’s signature to look at all the time! How awesome! I’d buy this bad boy just to burn it. In Royce’s “Top 50 Things That Piss Me Off,” a grown man getting an autograph of an athlete ranks right around 42, but a grown man getting an autograph and then promptly turning around and selling it, is definitely in the top 10. I think it should be federal law that if you are over the age of 16, you aren’t allowed to get an autograph unless you have signed documentation proving it is for a person under 16. And also, if you are attempting to get an autograph from an athlete with the intention of selling it two days later, you will immediately be set on fire. I’m sure when KD signed it that person said, “Thanks Kevin. You’re the man. You’re the MAN! Thanks so much!” when they were really thinking, “Thanks KD for making me 150 bucks. Amazing that me standing here and having you scribble something on your picture is going to make me this much money. I bet that dumb kid behind me wishes he was me right now. Too bad he forgot to bring a pen. Idiot. Now I’m going to go kill a puppy.”

7. Wait a second, ANOTHER D.J. White rookie card. Yes!

6. Thunder floor mats for your automobile. I think this item really speaks for itself. You’ve got to love sports marketing. “Uh, what else can we slap our logo on and sell? Can we put it on Bible’s? Can we do that? How about garden tools? You think someone would buy that? Or better yet, people’s lawns. Let’s get a decal that covers someone’s entire yard.” Read more…

Commentary, Riff Raff

Man I really wish Oklahoma City was in the playoffs. It just looks like so much fun.

But since we’re not, who will you be rooting for? Everybody’s got that backup team that they’d like to see win if your team can’t. I would have said Portland until Jason Quick informed me that “OKC blows”. But you know what? I like Kobe. I don’t know why, but I just do. So I wouldn’t mind seeing the Lakers win. I would say the Jazz because I love Jerry Sloan and I’d love to see him get a title, but come on, they’ve got no shot. Also, for some reason I’ve always liked Mark Cuban, so the Mavs making a run would be all right with me. This year’s playoffs should be awesome and even though my team’s not involved, I’m still excited to watch. So who’s wagon are you jumping on?

(Also, Hardwood Paroxysm is hosting the TrueHoop Network Playoff Smackdown. My first round picks are in so click there if you want to know the correct picks. Because you know, I’m never wrong. Except in my March Madness pool where I finished fourth. Darn you Louisville.)

Riff Raff, Video