I hate this. If I’m going to move on from this whole Traber thing I’m either going to have to quit listening to the radio entirely or hope he shuts up. And I think we all know one of those things is definitely not happening. Now Trabes has put aside his war against Nick Collison and instead fired one up against Bill Simmons for his tweet.

Like I said, I agree with Traber in a sense that Simmons has gone over the top about this Seattle/OKC crap, but this is just going to end badly, even if some random act of God it picks up any steam. All that will happen is that Oklahoma City sports chatter will get humiliated once again on the national stage and Traber will have to field calls for another week about it. One thing that makes me want to headbutt my coffee table though is that Traber is acting like people like Simmons and myself aren’t any different than anonymous Internet commenters, except that we use our real names. THEN HOW ARE INTERNET COMMENTERS ANY DIFFERENT THAN YOU, JIM? Your platform is the radio. Bill Simmons’ is a podcast and a column for ESPN.com. What’s the difference? I truly think Traber’s mind exists in a parallel universe where he cannot see such logical things.

Then, to cap it off, he ripped Simmons for not allowing comments on his columns and then rips me for allowing them on mine. Face palm. And he seems to forget that he has a website with a message board with anonymous commenters and also works for a radio station with a message board with anonymous commenters. Please, a little respect, for he is Traber, Lord of the Idiots. Ok, done. Seriously, I’m done now.

Vince Thomas had an interesting piece on NBA.com about small market players and the supposed desire for the spotlight. I was just talking about that with some friends the other day. Thomas is so right. It is a myth. Sure, maybe one city can pay you more than the other. But in this day with the media’s arm reaching as far as it does, the Internet, social media and Youtube, a player can get all the exposure he wants even if he plays in Slapout, Oklahoma, as long as he’s good. Chris Duhon had a nice season last year. Did you hear people constantly talking about him? And he was in New York! I’m not worried about KD’s national exposure and I really don’t think he cares anyway. All that crap is overrated. Read what Thomas wrote. It’s exactly what I just said, but better.

Is there honestly a better feeling out there than tossing out a loud zinger in a crowded area and it landing perfectly? It’s like you’re the king of the crowd for 30 seconds. People are telling the people beside them what you said, guys around you are nudging you telling you well done and now you’re the spokesman for your section. Everyone looks to you for guidance on the next sarcastic comment. Now I can see why George went back into the theater to bless the audience with his “That’s GOTTA hurt!” line. But equally as bad is throwing out a line and it crashing like the Hindenburg. The reason I bring this up? Because I recently crashed and burned in a public place. And no, I’m not telling you the story.

One thing that makes me extremely nervous about this upcoming basketball season? Overreaction due to exaggerated offseason hype. What if the Thunder gets off to an 8-24 start? Will people be calling for Scott Brooks’ head? I would certainly hope not. Tempering expectation is a difficult thing to do, especially when everybody is telling you how good you are.

I know a lot of people are irritated about Brett Favre unretiring again, but I’m really not. As a new Vikings fan (only because of Adrian Peterson) I don’t care about the whole Packers/Vikings thing. And besides, Favre doesn’t care either. Rivalries are almost entirely fan driven. Players don’t care. Most times, they’re friends with a lot of the guys on the other team that they’re supposed to hate. And in the age of free agency, how can a player say no to a great fit or a great contract just because his old team’s fans don’t like this new team. Plus, with Favre, what’s wrong with him playing? He clearly loves football, loves playing football and as long as someone will pay him to do so, more power to him for keeping on. He could be setting a dangerous Roger Clemens-esque precedent by skipping training camp, but that’s really beside the point.

Over/under: Kevin Durant’s points per game – 29.5. I honestly have no idea. On one hand I could see more, but on the other with James Harden and Russell Westbrook developing, I could maybe see less opportunity and need to score. I’m torn.

How many times have you watched the Hyperizin’ commercial? Be honest. I didn’t count, but I would guess I’m at 10. And that doesn’t count the times I’ve made the entire room shut up when it actually comes on TV. Call me pathetic, but I can’t get enough of seeing Our Guy on national TV. I get a huge smile on my face and mumble along with Velvet Hoop. I guess I am pathetic.

I’d say that autoplaying videos rank in the top 10 things that piss me off. When you go to OKC’s ESPN clubhouse page, that video just starts up. IF I WANTED IT TO PLAY, I’D CLICK THE LITTLE ARROW THINGY. College students who bring their laptops to class are the ultimate victim of the autoplay. You’re positive you have your sound off – absolutely positive – so you’re browsing, making sure to not listen to the professor and then you lazily click over to ESPN.com and BOOM!!! the video starts playing and the sound is echoing through the room as if you hooked your computer up to five mega-stacks of speakers. You scramble to hit mute as fast as you can but you’re hitting everywhere around the button but the actual freaking button and the whole class does the half-turn to see who the idiot is that didn’t mute his sound. And you’re just sitting there trying to act like it wasn’t you. No, this has never happened to me.

Does anybody else sometimes kind of secretly wish that Kevin Durant wore a cooler number than 35? Now I know he wears it to honor a fallen friend, which is awesome, and it’s not like it makes me not want his jersey because I adore him, but still, No. 35 just isn’t quite as cool as No. 23 or No. 33. I don’t think I should have said this out loud.

I wish I understood the UStream/Tiny Chat phenomenon. I get Stephon Marbury, because well, that was like watching one of those top 50 lists on Best Damn Sports Show Period. You see two seconds of it and you better get ready for two straight hours. But I just sat and watched Kevin Durant listen to music and not do ANYTHING for 15 minutes. I don’t get it. Then he answered some questions like, “What kind of car do you drive?” and “How much do you like playing basketball?” in between mouthing the words to some rap song. What am I missing here?

I haven’t heard Serge Ibaka speak yet in an interview, but we can only hope he sounds like Dikembe Mutombo. I’d be thrilled at the prospect of hearing that voice for at least the next four or five years. But I think it’s very cool that Moses Ehambe has been serving as his makeshift interpreter. Just another wonderful example of how on top of things this franchise is. They’re bringing over a guy that speaks little to no English and so what do they do? Add a teammate to the roster that speaks his language and can help him feel comfortable while he learns English. The Oklahoma City Thunder: Ahead of the Game.

I have come to the conclusion that cycling is far more impressive than NASCAR. Blah, blah, blah they’re going 200 miles per hour and it’s super hot in their cars. I don’t care. Watch 15 minutes of those guys pedaling like crazy at speeds of 35 miles per hour while two inches away from each other. All while slamming down some water and eating a Gogurt or whatever the crap that stuff is. AND THEY’RE NOT JUST PUSHING A PEDAL SITTING ON THEIR BUTT. They’re riding like 75 miles a day on a bike. Tell me that’s not impressive. Boring to watch, yes, but impressive nonetheless.

Five things we learned this week in Orlando:

1) James Harden is pretty good, Serge Ibaka is better than we thought and Byron Mullens appears to be an upgrade from Robert Zartan Swift.

2) The Thunder takes these summer leagues very seriously, sending a lot of roster players and also having Sam Presti and Scott Brooks in attendance for every game.

3) Mike Sweetney is fatter than we originally thought.

4) Dante and Galante were definitely humorous, but could sometimes be frustrating when talking about a) People they know, but we don’t; b) Hangover jokes for far too long (please don’t turn that movie into Dumb and Dumber or Anchorman); or c) Saying everyone either “got punched in the face” or “hit right in the mouth.” I did enjoy their commentary though. If I wasn’t actually trying to figure out who scored that basket, they would be a lot more fun.

5) Russell Westbrook has been working on his game. He appeared to be out of control sometimes, but all in all, he slowed down, took better shots (he hit over 50 percent) and made smarter passes. It also looks like he’s been working on his jumper, as wonderfully shown when he backed down Blake Ahern, spun baseline and hit a fadeaway jay.

Some GMs spend farrrrrrrr too much money. And teams wonder why they get in these holes and then four years from now everyone is after their hot expiring contracts. I’m talking to you Cleveland and Detroit. $90 million for Charlie Villenueva and Ben Gordon? Seriously Joe Dumars? I like the Presti approach better. So what that you have some cap space? If the players available aren’t going to make a positive impact on the team for the long-term, then screw it, we’ll wait. Some GMs are like a kid that found four dollars on the sidewalk and then run to blow it at the arcade. Presti finds that four bucks, puts it in his pocket so that maybe he can buy the arcade in a few years.

I was thinking about the prospect of signing aging, yet quality free agent veterans to one-year deals earlier this week and so I emailed Henry Abbott getting his thoughts.

My idea: I was thinking about the possible idea of GMs signing somewhat decent players to one-year deals, but purposefully overpaying them. With how valuable expiring contracts are and so many teams positioning for the 2010 free agency run, signing say, Joe Smith or Theo Ratliff to a $4-5M deal for one season could put you in position to make a trade at the deadline for a guy you want. Sam Presti seems to prefer to trade rather than sign because trading he doesn’t have to negotiate. He can pick a player with terms he likes and go after him and can skip all the negotiating crap. So in a sense, would it be a slick move to sign a couple valued players this offseason, overpay them a little on a one-year deal using the extra cap space OKC’s got and then use that to pull away a solid player from a team that’s just looking to free cap space for next summer? Stupid thought or possibly insanely super-brilliant?

Henry response: “It’s a great idea! But players won’t do it. When $40 million contracts are going around, no one wants to sign a $10 million one, even if the number of years is very different. It’s an artifact of the guaranteed contract. However much you sign for, you keep no matter how badly you get injured, or how poorly you play. Getting to free agency with your value intact, and not getting one of those big deals? It’s just considered poor strategy. And a few players have done it and had it not work out …” So I guess I’ll have to put my being an NBA GM on hold for just a little while.

I hope this season James Harden gets put on the Kiss Cam, and he just lays one on his hand.

You know what blows my mind? That Shaun Livingston’s knee injury was so bad that that they nearly had to amputate his leg. I’m totally ready to read at least 2,000 “Shaun Livingston is back and thankful for it” articles this year and I won’t complain a bit. And I don’t think you’ll hear him gripe a bit when he gets asked about it in every city he goes to this year. When you almost have your leg amputated, you relish the fact that you actually have the chance to be asked those comeback questions.

Someone remind me again, why do I pay six bucks a month to Cox for NBATV again? That’s right, to watch games from 1982, not to see actual games actually going on right now. I remember now.

I have a confession: I love Entourage. Evidently, it’s un-hip to like that show now, when it was insanely cool to like it four years ago. Funny how that stuff happens. Something rises in popularity at an incredible rate to the point where it’s no longer kitschy and cool to like it. Now you’re just one of millions of fans. So therefore people start picking the thing apart and finding ways it’s stupid and therefore, you’re stupid if you like it. Dane Cook met this fate a year or two ago, as did Coldplay. The really great stuff can plow right through it (Seinfeld, South Park, Mitch Hedberg, Lindsey Lohan… wait). But the stuff that’s just “ok” eventually succumbs to being uncool to like and is dismissed as dumb programming. Regardless of all that, I’m looking forward to the season premiere Sunday night.

Who wins the Thunder coolest name contest: Serge Ibaka or Thabo Sefolosha?

I’m not seeing Bruno based on pure principle. For the next year and a half college frat boys are going to be quoting that thing and if I haven’t seen it, then I won’t know what they’re talking about. Sure, the movie’s bound to have a few laughs, but it’s not worth it. If I could go back and have skipped Borat not only would I have been spared seeing some fat guy’s everything plastered across the biggest movie screen in Oklahoma, but I wouldn’t know what people were talking about when they were saying, “Verrrie naice,” every 15 seconds.

I think with B.J. Mullens now going by Byron, D.J. White should embrace his first name as well. Dewayne White anyone?

So what are we going to do with ourselves after Vegas is over? I guess I could write a couple hundred season preview stories or break down every single play from last season. Oh, oh, how about a countdown of the top 100 Thunder players ever? No. 100… uh, let’s make that the top 15 Thunder players ever, starting with No. 15, Robert Swift. All I know is that October can’t get here fast enough. Never thought I’d say that.

• Reader Ransom had an outstanding observation about the combine numbers: “So while its not really Thunder related, does anyone else find it odd/funny/disturbing that Dwight Howard dunked a basketball easily on a 12-foot rim, yet no one in this years draft combine could even touch a 12 foot rim if they tried?” I never even considered that. I have an all new appreciation for Howard’s dunk now. He made it look so easy that no one was really all that impressed at the time. But if you look at Blake Griffin, a guy that is an incredible athlete, only got to 11-feet, 8.5-inches. And Howard dunked two-handed, EASILY on a 12-foot rim. Unreal. This truly blows my mind.

• I hate to be “that guy” but with the Finals starting tonight, I’m really just hoping for a good series. I didn’t even really care all that much about the Kobe-LeBron thing. As long as the games are good, it could be Pietrus-Fisher and I wouldn’t care. Plus, we do get to maybe settle the Morrison-Redick debate once and for all.

• I’m really going to have a close eye on Trevor Ariza this series. He’s had a really nice postseason and you have to be careful of rewarding a player with a big contract just based on that, but it’s hard to ignore him. He’s an unrestricted free agent this summer and though he would probably be another more expensive Thabo Sefolosha, you always better with two good players instead of one. I have a feeling Ariza is going to want big time money and OKC isn’t going to offer that, but still, the Thunder is going to be a major player in this market and Ariza is going to be a pretty good prize.

• Speaking of, this series has got a couple of potential targets. Of course Ariza, but then there’s also everybody’s favorite Polishman, Marcin Gortat. Hedo Turkoglu has an ETO, Lamar Odom is unrestricted and even Shannon Brown, who has played well in spurts, is open. Not everyone fits OKC, but there’s definitely reason to watch. While you want to see a guy like Gortat play well in his minutes, you don’t want him to play too well if Presti is really targeting him because every extra rebound, every extra block, every extra point is a couple more thousand tacked onto that salary.

• Reader Jax has come up with some interesting in-house trades: “Here’s a trade that I’d love to see; swap jumpshots between Damien and Thabo. To even things up, we’ll also trade hairstyles, and extend Damien’s contract for another 3 years … The next in-team trade I make is between Swift and Green. Jeff keeps all his normal talent, but get’s Robert’s height. He’s no longer playing out of position, and his matchups with other teams is a nightmare. To even things out, Jeff also has to take on the red afro hairdoo and the tattos and the emo fingernails, making him the weirdest looking African American ever. Robert gets to shed his freak show routine, and return to normal life as an average citizen, except with a very cool 3-year NBA salary in his backpocket. To sweeten the deal, we give him an assistant coaching position with the Drillers.” I must say, I love both deals. I bet Big Robert wouldn’t veto that deal either.

• We’re all kind of wrapped up in the upcoming draft and what Oklahoma City will do. I understand. It’s kind of a big deal. But for some reason, I wondered to myself recently (very quietly, mind you): Whatever happened to DeVon Hardin? So with the help of this really cool thing called the Internet, I found out. Hardin was the 50th overall pick in the 2008 draft, but didn’t make the team. Though he wasn’t signed to a contract, the Thunder still owns the rights to him. Hardin suffered a stress fracture in his right foot in late 2008 and was released by the Turkish team Mersin BB for not recovering properly from it. He was then signed in February by Egaleo AO, a team in the Greek league and played in 11 games, averaging 6.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. It’s doubtful that we’ll ever see him, but he’s 6-11, extremely well built and very athletic. He just doesn’t have the whole, “good basketball player” thing down.

• Watching the Lakers literally turn it on in the fourth quarter was like watching Mine That Bird wait in the back and then kick it into high gear to win the Derby. They waited, sitting calmly in the middle of the pack, even letting Denver stretch out a little lead. Then when it was time, they got spurred and boom! they erupted to take the lead. Really something to watch. Bold prediction: The Lakers finish off the Nuggs in Denver this weekend.

• Since everybody is making ridiculous trades, how about Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook for the No. 1, 2 and 3 picks so that OKC can take Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio and James Harden. Just wipe the slate clean and start over with a new Big Three. But seriously, all this trade talk is getting a little ridiculous. Every writer in every market is throwing out outlandish deals that brings Griffin to OKC. And the worst part is, just because someone has a “bright” idea, it then gets regurgitated as a “trade rumor,” when it was nothing more than just talk. But I’ll admit, I spent a solid 30 minutes on the Trade Machine today wheeling and dealing. I don’t plan on posting a trade speculation column, but I’m not making any promises. Ah, who I am kidding – get ready for one. Probably next week. Try not to hate me.

• At this point, I don’t think we’re that far off from someone suggesting Earl Watson straight up for Blake Griffin. People are just nuts with this stuff. On one end they want WAY too much (see: Ted Green of the LA Times) and on the other, they are talking about a bag of rocks for the top pick (see: local sports talk radio callers and hosts).

• Speaking of trade talk, yesterday when I saw the proposed trade by D.J. Foster of Clipperblog that included Thabo Sefolosha, I was actually kind of mad at it. Trade Thabo? NO WAY! My initial reaction to seeing Thabo’s name in a trade told me that I think he’s more untouchable in my mind than Jeff Green. Is that weird? Or maybe crazy? There’s just something I really like about Thabo and I highly enjoy employing a nasty defensive stopper. Obviously, Uncle Jeff is a better player and a much better asset, but I guess I’m just trying to say I’d rather not trade Thabo Sefolosha.

• Let’s say for fun that Blake Griffin decided to go back for his junior year and that Rubio couldn’t get his contract thingy settled. Who is the top pick? I think most would say Hasheem Thabeet, but seriously, Hasheem Thabeet No. 1 overall? Would it be the big guy or would someone else sneak in? And would this be the worst draft (on paper) ever? No clear-cut prize, no intriguing prospect and just a bunch of solid players. I actually could see someone like Demar DeRozen or Brandon Jennings jumping up to one, just because of their upside. We will never know, but this didn’t stop me from thinking about it.

• Is there anyone more normal, yet awkward looking than Pau Gasol? He’s got these freakishly long dangly arms, the poofy hair and it seems like he’s always puckering his lips because his mouth sticks out for some reason. It’s like he’s got a cantaloupe slice stuffed in his upper lip. He moves extremely well for a big man, but yet, he looks a tad bit uncoordinated at the same time. I don’t know what the deal is, but I almost can’t enjoy watching him play because of this.

• HoopsWorld speculated that Joe Smith may want to come back to OKC next year and may sign here in the offseason. While I’m not sure there’s going to be a spot for him, I’d welcome him back with open arms. I think you’re always better off with a savvy veteran. There’s a reason teams were after him this season – he’s a good player and a good leader. Every young team needs guys like this and Joe Smith is an excellent person to help tutor the Thunder’s young guys.

• Nick Collison’s Twitter is extremely entertaining. If you’re not following it or at least checking it, you should be. All the cool kids are. I’ll admit, I don’t really understand what Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are saying half the time, but Nick is throw out some nice one-liners. My favorite: “Visiting grandma in the nursing home…saw a little kid in the hall….or is it ben button?” He’s got some classics in there.

• Seeing as my pop is going to be participating in the Ford Center renovation by handling the masonry, what kind of special “touch” can the readers of Daily Thunder put on the new building? Someone already suggested burying a Sonics jersey in there for good luck (but I guess that could be taken two ways… hmm). Any other ideas?

• Shane Battier became a basketball cult hero this season with Michael Lewis’ Moneyball article on him and then with his outstanding defense on Kobe during the Western semis. So it seems to me that other GMs would be looking for a guy to mimic Battier. And so while I was thinking of college prospects that could be the next Battier, one guy popped in my head – Thabo Sefolosha. Both are 6’7″, both are extremely lengthy and both take pride in their defense. Battier has been in the league for four more years than Thabo, but I can definitely see Thabo becoming an elite defensive stopper for this team. And if he develops a nice three-pointer like Battier has, well then color me excited.

• I absolutely can NOT wait for next season. I don’t know what the deal is right now, but watching the playoffs, I just can’t wait to watch my team again. I was excited for this season, but it was more of a shock I-can’t-believe-a-team-is-really-here type of excitement. Now I’m genuinely psyched for basketball next season. Almost as much as college football. Almost.

• I really wish Oklahoma City’s in-game production people would take the Laker approach instead of the Cleveland one. Instead of clips of Kashmir and other rap and rock songs mid-game, I’d much prefer the more classic organ-ish music. I love the way it sounds. It’s much better than hearing the same stinking songs every game. The organ (thing) is so much more classy. And I think that’s the type of organization the Thunder wants to be. So drop “Sexy Back” and bring in an organ version of Rocket Man Benny and the Jets.

• A lot of people seem to be curious about what Jeff Green’s potential role will be with this team based on what happens tomorrow night. But really, I watch a guy like Lamar Odom and see a lot of similarities between him and Uncle Jeff. Odom is more of a “point forward” that can handle the ball out front, but both are true tweeners that can go at the four or the three. Odom has been fine coming off the bench, starting at power forward or starting at small forward. Odom has been a bit of a disappointment throughout his career due to his insane skillset, but I think Jeff Green could learn a lot from watching Odom’s game – hit the boards hard, use your size to create mismatches, pass and handle the ball well on the move and knock down open jumpers with consistency.

• Season finale of 24 tonight. Do you guys think Jack will save the world? I dunno… I have my doubts. Just seems like he never comes through.

• I watched Kobe Doin’ Work Saturday night and I must say, I enjoyed the crap out of it. I got the feeling that Kobe was acting a bit with all the team love and such on the bench, but it made me want to see similar documentaries over people during games. What’s Kevin Durant like for 48 minutes? Is he that vocal? What about Jeff Green? What about other sports? I’d love to get that same look at say, Peyton Manning for a full game. But watch Kobe Doin’ Work – it’s pretty good. I think I’d like to watch more NBA games in that style.

• Something I have always wondered – why don’t NBA players wear t-shirts under their jerseys like some college players do (James Harden is what got me thinking about this)? Is that against the rules? Or just “uncool” to do so? So I looked it up. It’s against the rules evidently. Who would have thunk it? Let’s hope Tony Crocker knows about this.

• What’s the one team that if they win the lottery, will actually piss you off? I think it’s the Pacers for me. Seriously, screw them. I hope they don’t win it. What do they need Blake Griffin for?

• Just because I know you care, I like the Cavs in 6 and the Lakers in 7.

• TNT showed Stan Van Gundy’s pre-game pump-up speech yesterday and literally not a single player was listening. I actually think Hedo Turkoglu had headphones on. They were all taping ankles, looking around and basically just doing everything in their power not to hear a word he was saying. I really think that team is self-coached and everyone knows it… except Stan Van Gundy.

• So this writer from Lawrence, Kansas wrote this little piece “remembering” Wayman Tisdale. It basically just states that Wayman was “on hand” for this net-cutting incident that happened at Allen Fieldhouse in 1984. Safe to say, it was a complete crock of crap. It pissed me off so much, I actually called the sports editor there. I never do that type of stuff. He was neither apologetic nor embarrassed about it, even though his writer and his paper is being ripped unmercilessly across the country. He kept saying, “I just don’t really understand how this is offensive to Wayman Tisdale.” And that sir, is why you’re an idiot. If you can’t understand why rehashing a negative story that happened 25 years ago by linking it with the horrible death of Wayman, then, well there’s no hope for your soul.

• Hey, isn’t the lottery tomorrow? Yeah, I think it is.