Tonight the Thunder take on the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. The Jazz are the archetype of what NBA basketball in Oklahoma City should look like. OKC is off to a good start what with choosing a singular nickname.
But more than a nickname the Jazz are the only professional game in town like OKC. They have been solid for going on three decades and the reason is continuity. We may never see a coach in any major league last as long as Jerry Sloan. He goes for his 1,000th career win against the Thunder tonight.
The Jazz also have the best crowd in the NBA. Whilst OKC would like to say they do they don't. OKC has to prove it for many years before such a claim can be made. The Jazz sellout every game, the fans are loud and they stick around the whole game.
What should give Oklahoma City hope is that other than beautiful scenery what advantages does Salt Lake City really offer that OKC cannot in terms of retaining talent year over year? Salt Lake City is probably the only NBA city with less black people than OKC. By virtue of the Mormon population the nightlife can't be better than OKC. You have to buy a membership to get into a bar. Seriously, if Utah can attract players why can't OKC?
From a basketball standpoint I don't like the chances for the Thunder. The Jazz are off to a 4-0 start without their best player, Deron Williams. The Jazz were 37-4 at home last season. Maybe the Thunder get off to another good start and steal one. I don't really see it.
And since I have nothing else to add, please enjoy this expose' on the Thunder Girls forthcoming calendar by the Oklahoman's Angi Bruss:
Friday, November 7, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Thunder v. Celtics- Drag Racing Gone Bad
The 1st quarter of the Thunder's 96-83 loss to the Celtics on Wednesday seemed like magic hour. The Thunder played their most inspired ball of the season. They got to the basket, hit shots, played solid D. They looked like a team. They sprinted to an 8-point lead to the delight of a crowd who was very into it.
And then, after scoring 29 points in that 1st quarter, the Thunder did their best impersonation of a Top Fuel Dragster crash, skidding to 26 total points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters combined. The Celtics, conversely, put the hammer down.
The Celtics not only got back into the game but took the lead for good with beautiful passing and tenacious rebounding and by forcing the Thunder to settle for jump shots which they did not often make.
The Celtics passing was awesome to watch. They whipped the ball around the perimeter in a blink with picks set up to give Ray Allen or Paul Pierce or whomever else an open look at the basket. Unlike the Thunder they hit many of these shots with deflating regularity.
No one believed the Thunder would win this game. No one certainly expected it so let's look and try to take some positives away.
And then, after scoring 29 points in that 1st quarter, the Thunder did their best impersonation of a Top Fuel Dragster crash, skidding to 26 total points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters combined. The Celtics, conversely, put the hammer down.
The Celtics not only got back into the game but took the lead for good with beautiful passing and tenacious rebounding and by forcing the Thunder to settle for jump shots which they did not often make.
The Celtics passing was awesome to watch. They whipped the ball around the perimeter in a blink with picks set up to give Ray Allen or Paul Pierce or whomever else an open look at the basket. Unlike the Thunder they hit many of these shots with deflating regularity.
No one believed the Thunder would win this game. No one certainly expected it so let's look and try to take some positives away.
- The Thunder did play absolutely beautifully in the 1st quarter. If they can replicate that for 4 quarters, in the same game, they can hang with anyone. It's great to see that a high level of play is possible for this team.
- Jeff Green played one of his best games probably. He definitely showed his range in scoring both inside and out. He finished with 14 points and 6 boards.
- After attempting only 10 3-pointers through the first 3 games combined, the Thunder connected on 6 of 13. Buyer beware; part of the reason for this is the Celtics defense forcing the Thunder into taking jumpers. Nonetheless, maybe these guys do know what that semi-circular line means after all.
- The babies, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook led the team in points and were the only three players in double figures. Glass half-full they played well. Glass half-empty, nobody else scored.
- While I was hoping the Thunder could narrow the losing deficit to less than 10, 13 isn't embarassing considering the competition. The line, I heard, was 23. Also, Doc Rivers played his starting lineup in crunch time to stave off the Thunder who did not quit.
Other notes:
- I didn't think I would miss the loud-asses who have sat behind us in each game thus far. However, when the Celtics started coming back it was as though the team and crowd were content watching them go to work. The loud-asses in 309 would have been an asset and I intend to tell them as much when they come back.
- Way way way too much Celtic green in the Thunderdome. I can understand people rooting for other teams when the Hornets were here but this is our team. I honestly don't know how you can live with yourself if you are from OKC and don't support the Thunder. There are very few excuses for this. So few, that I'll have to approve each of them in writing and consider them on a case by case basis. Submit excuses here. This has to be the worst it will be save maybe for the Lakers. I think I'm just sick of Boston sports and their bandwagon fans that literally canvas the entire country.
- The sportglasses I purchased were probably the best $25 I've ever spent and easily paid for themselves the first time the Thunder Girls took center court for a dance routine. Thank you Hans Lippershey.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
KD Speaks
This is The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry speaking to Kevin Durant at practice. I can hardly understand what they are saying. Evidently, Mr. Mayberry makes these videos himself. I appreciate his efforts nonetheless but think it's hilarious the difference in size between these two guys.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
Yes We Can!
Yes we can , Thunder fans. We can beat the Celtics. The long road ahead will be daunting, the price steep. (In a low whisper, yet optimistic) Yes we can. Shooting will be difficult, stopping the Big 3 of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen nigh on impossible. But from the humble beginnings of a 1-2 season to the promise of a greater tomorrow with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder can seize control of it's destiny and set itself on the path towards greatness with a victory over the Boston Celtics tonight at the Thunderdome. (Now in a more guttural roar) Yes we can!
Apologies, I got a little overwhelmed there by the election.
Seriously, it's going to take a herculean effort from the boys tonight to pull this one out. A fast start will be key, especially from KD. The Thunder need to run and gun and get to the foul line a lot more than the Celtics. The Thunder need to rebound even better than they did against Minnesota. In short, the Thunder will need to play their best game yet to have a shot.
There is a chance though. The Celtics have shown they can be prone to turning the ball over. They are playing the second game of a back-to-back. Houston pushed them pretty hard last night.
Still, these are the champs. Let's prove we're not the chumps.
In other news:
The Thunder signed seven-footer Steven Hill. Hill is the defending SEC Defensive Player of the Year. But by all indications Hill will most notably serve as a warm body in practice and at the end of the bench as well as being another goofy white guy for Robert Swift to talk to.
Monday, November 3, 2008
John Lucas III We Hardly Knew Ye
John Lucas III was released by the team today. From an OKC fans perspective you hate to see a "hometown" guy go. Even if he was a Cowboy. Nonetheless it's a business this NBA. He had virtually no chance of seeing any significant time. He hadn't dressed for any games to this point.
Still, this leaves the Thunder one under the roster limit of 15. Very intriguing. Are they positioning for a move, a waiver wire pickup or just content with what they have?
A reliable outside threat would be ideal but so would a true big man. It seems to me the lean would be towards a shooter though since the Thunder have Mo Sene and Robert Swift who are still getting back to 100%.
Kyle Weaver seems like a big X-Factor to me. He's played barely a minute so far this season. He's obviously not a point guard. He must be a shooter right? This Wednesday against Boston isn't a good place to find out. Unless it gets ugly (and it could). According to his bio he does a little bit of everything, most notably defense.
In any event it's interesting to think of trade possibilities given that the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets just traded Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess for Allen Iverson.
Still, this leaves the Thunder one under the roster limit of 15. Very intriguing. Are they positioning for a move, a waiver wire pickup or just content with what they have?
A reliable outside threat would be ideal but so would a true big man. It seems to me the lean would be towards a shooter though since the Thunder have Mo Sene and Robert Swift who are still getting back to 100%.
Kyle Weaver seems like a big X-Factor to me. He's played barely a minute so far this season. He's obviously not a point guard. He must be a shooter right? This Wednesday against Boston isn't a good place to find out. Unless it gets ugly (and it could). According to his bio he does a little bit of everything, most notably defense.
In any event it's interesting to think of trade possibilities given that the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets just traded Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess for Allen Iverson.
Not Just Any Victory
The Thunder's 88-85 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night was more than just the franchise's first victory. It marked an important step in developing synergy between the team and its new fans.
I think it's fair to say that many season ticket holders are either bigger fans of OKC than NBA basketball or bigger fans of the "Hornets Circus" than basketball. That's fine, especially in the case of wanting to support OKC.
That said, the crowd, along with the team, learned just how much they are going to mean to each other this season. As the second half began and Minnesota went on a 10-0 run, it was the effort of the players who got the crowd going. Then it was the players,now feeding off the crowd, who held the TWolves to 12 4th quarter points and a huge first victory.
I think the crowd began to realize that, more than just blindly throwing themselves behind whatever cast of characters we got from the move, this is a team of hard working players who dislike losing as much as anyone else.
Everyone got into it. Kevin Durant had some ferocious dunks, Jeff Green got it going, Desmond Mason hit a big time shot to end the 3rd quarter. Nick Collison kept doing the little things that has him on the fast track to becoming a fan favorite. Russell Westbrook continue to gets better and better. Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith played solidly and even Earl Watson played in control.
The important thing for the players to know is that as long as they can keep it close the crowd will always be there to help push them over the top.
What was really cool to see was the players getting more and more involved as the fans got louder and louder. Then to see Joe Smith, the oldest player on the team, start waving his arms asking for more crowd noise. They all had smiles on their faces that you could even see from Section 309. The entire team stood along with the fans. And, collectively, everyone realized how much fun winning is.
I think it's fair to say that many season ticket holders are either bigger fans of OKC than NBA basketball or bigger fans of the "Hornets Circus" than basketball. That's fine, especially in the case of wanting to support OKC.
That said, the crowd, along with the team, learned just how much they are going to mean to each other this season. As the second half began and Minnesota went on a 10-0 run, it was the effort of the players who got the crowd going. Then it was the players,now feeding off the crowd, who held the TWolves to 12 4th quarter points and a huge first victory.
I think the crowd began to realize that, more than just blindly throwing themselves behind whatever cast of characters we got from the move, this is a team of hard working players who dislike losing as much as anyone else.
Everyone got into it. Kevin Durant had some ferocious dunks, Jeff Green got it going, Desmond Mason hit a big time shot to end the 3rd quarter. Nick Collison kept doing the little things that has him on the fast track to becoming a fan favorite. Russell Westbrook continue to gets better and better. Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith played solidly and even Earl Watson played in control.
The important thing for the players to know is that as long as they can keep it close the crowd will always be there to help push them over the top.
What was really cool to see was the players getting more and more involved as the fans got louder and louder. Then to see Joe Smith, the oldest player on the team, start waving his arms asking for more crowd noise. They all had smiles on their faces that you could even see from Section 309. The entire team stood along with the fans. And, collectively, everyone realized how much fun winning is.
The Long Awaited Opening Night Video
Enjoy (As I've been reminded it's of a quality worthy of Section 309)
Sunday, November 2, 2008
What a Difference a Day Makes
On opening night the Thunder showed just how far they had to go. On Saturday night against Houston, a team with lofty expectations, the Thunder showed glimpses of growth.
Kevin Durant put on a display going for 26 points and five boards. The Thunder held their own and led the Rockets in most categories yet still lost by 12.
The Thunder shot 40% from the field versus 36% for Rockets, had fewer turnovers 14 to 16 and beat the Rockets 21-7 on the fast break. Moreover, even facing Yao the Thunder dominated in the paint 48 to 32.
So what happened? Two keys. The Rockets were 6 for 21 from 3 point range and the Thunder were 0-4. Also, the Rockets made three times as many free throws as the Thunder, 27 to 9. Ball game.
Most discouraging has to be the three point shooting. The Thunder are just 1-10 through two games. Ten attempts. Conversely their opponents have 39 total attempts and have hit on 13.
Look at this starting lineup. Kevin Durant, Earl Watson, Jeff Green, Nick Collison and Johan Petro. Watson is the obvious 3 point "threat" but he's not a very good shooter (a team low 28%). Durant can shoot it but it's not his primary option (he's 0-3 from 3 so far).
Westbrook is the only guy who's made a 3 pointer and he's made one. Absolutely crazy.
So, while the Thunder looked downright proficient at times against Houston the lack of a 3 point threat absolutely killed them and will continue to do so. If the Thunder continue to lose by 8-15 points this will probably be the reason.
Kevin Durant put on a display going for 26 points and five boards. The Thunder held their own and led the Rockets in most categories yet still lost by 12.
The Thunder shot 40% from the field versus 36% for Rockets, had fewer turnovers 14 to 16 and beat the Rockets 21-7 on the fast break. Moreover, even facing Yao the Thunder dominated in the paint 48 to 32.
So what happened? Two keys. The Rockets were 6 for 21 from 3 point range and the Thunder were 0-4. Also, the Rockets made three times as many free throws as the Thunder, 27 to 9. Ball game.
Most discouraging has to be the three point shooting. The Thunder are just 1-10 through two games. Ten attempts. Conversely their opponents have 39 total attempts and have hit on 13.
Look at this starting lineup. Kevin Durant, Earl Watson, Jeff Green, Nick Collison and Johan Petro. Watson is the obvious 3 point "threat" but he's not a very good shooter (a team low 28%). Durant can shoot it but it's not his primary option (he's 0-3 from 3 so far).
Westbrook is the only guy who's made a 3 pointer and he's made one. Absolutely crazy.
So, while the Thunder looked downright proficient at times against Houston the lack of a 3 point threat absolutely killed them and will continue to do so. If the Thunder continue to lose by 8-15 points this will probably be the reason.
Subscribe to:
Comment Feed (RSS)
