Happy Thunder’s Eve. Prayers out to Gordon Hayward. Wishing a speedy recovery for him.
Royce Young (ESPN) on recent 2-way contract recipient P.J. Dozier showing up to his first Thunder practice wearing a familiar jersey number: “It was an unusual sight walking into the Oklahoma City Thunder’s practice facility Tuesday and seeing No. 35 on the wing, attempting 3-pointers with assistant coach Vin Bhavnani. No, Kevin Durant was not visiting his old stomping grounds. It was the Thunder’s newest signing, undrafted rookie P.J. Dozier, who signed to a two-way contract Tuesday.”
Tony Heim (Thunderous Intentions) on Billy Donovan figuring out the rotation through a hypothetical conversation with Sam Presti: “This season is different though Billy. We can’t be a four-seed, we can’t play Golden State in the second round. We need to make the Conference Finals to convince PG and Melo to stay. That’s why I brought you in here today.”
Jimmy Do (OKCThunder.com) chronicles Dakari Johnson and Terrance Ferguson celebrating first responders: “Once the blast from the fire hoses violently upended the traffic cones outside, Terrance Ferguson with Dakari Johnson on his heels tore back inside through the fire station with the hustle of going after a loose ball. Decked out in full bunker gear, the Thunder teammates were jockeying for position where the lone portable basketball goal was located on the other end of Fire Station 5. Soon enough, the scrambling firefighters of Team Ferguson and Team Johnson made their way down from the roof to be the first ones to dish the inbound pass to their respective namesakes.”
A Mountain Dew-inspired Russell Westbrook Triple-Double breasted suit. I’d definitely rock it.
Some sick Russell Westbrook Jordan from Monday’s WhyNot? Jordan rally (via friend of the NTTB podcast Travis Singleton aka the Sneaker Reporter)
Players react to the Gordon Hayward injury with Paul George being front and center (after also suffering a grusome injury three years ago).
Ian Begley (ESPN) on Kristaps Porzingis having to guard Carmelo Anthony: “Porzingis said it will be “weird” to face Anthony for the first time as an opponent. He’s preparing to guard Anthony, who plays power forward for the Thunder, if the matchup presents itself. “I think everybody knows what he’s doing but nobody can stop him,” Porzingis said. “It’s going to be a challenge for me. I’m going to do my best.”
ESPN makes their postseason predictions.
Now That's Thunder Basketball 