Monthly Archives: July 2018

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 12 July 2018

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img_4063The Thunder website looks at the transformations the Chesapeake Arena has taken over the 10-year run of the Thunder: “It was the centerpiece of renovations that took place in the months that followed the inaugural season of Thunder Basketball – the new “Thunder Vision” scoreboard. At 31 feet tall and 35 feet wide, it was impossible to miss, offering 10 video screens and an LED ring. A unique feature of the scoreboard was the tilted video panels on the bottom of the scoreboard, a first in sports with the goal to provide easier scoreboard viewing for players, coaches, referees and fans in the lower seat levels.”

Nick Gallo (OKCThunder.com) looks at rookie forward Kevin Hervey, who was a fan of the team while growing up: “The Thunder selected the long, lanky and skilled big man – who played close to home at University of Texas-Arlington for his collegiate years – with the 57th selection in the 2018 NBA Draft. The kid who once cheered on Russell Westbrook will get to play alongside him. Well, eventually. For now, Hervey is in Las Vegas with the Thunder’s Summer League squad, and has been solid so far as he learns the NBA ropes.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 12 July 2018 →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 11 July 2018

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img_4063Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN) on the imminent departure of Carmelo Anthony from the Thunder: “The Thunder are working on trade scenarios in which Anthony, 34, would be moved as an expiring contract and waived, becoming a free agent once his $27.9 million 2017-18 salary clears waivers. Oklahoma City needs Anthony to waive his no-trade clause, which he has done to facilitate his exit, league sources said.”

Brett Dawson (NewsOK) says Terrance Ferguson’s summer league struggles are part of the developmental plan: “Ferguson came here to work on expanding his game, on playing with the ball as well as off it, on showing more than just spot-up jump shots and a transition finishes. But growing means learning, and the Thunder staff has taught him a lot. That’s why, Ferguson said, assistant coach Darko Rajakovic pulled Ferguson aside at a recent practice and preached patience.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 11 July 2018 →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 10 July 2018

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img_4063Nick Gallo (OKCThunder.com) on Nerlens Noel’s upcoming season of redemption: “This is something I’ve been really wanting my whole life, just to be on a talented team that can really complement my skill set and really show what I’m really about and go out on the court and play my game with no hesitation. Coach Billy has given me the utmost confidence since I’ve been talking to him day by day. Just go out there and play your game. There’s nothing in it besides basketball and just being yourself. I felt really accepted.”

Gallo (OKCThunder.com) on Hamidou Diallo’s potential in Las Vegas: “Offensively, Diallo broke through with an impressive performance that included 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting and 8 rebounds. He made a pair of made three-pointers with solid shooting form, hit a long two-point jumper and likely the play of the game, a vicious baseline drive that culminated in a two-handed flush. Diallo isn’t heralded as a scorer coming out of college, but as a 19-year old he obviously still has plenty of room to grow.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 10 July 2018 →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 09 July 2018

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img_4063Jack Maloney (CBS Sports) on the Thunder’s title odds increasing if/when Carmelo Anthony departs: “This, as Oh shows, is the epitome of addition by subtraction. In the end, it was probably a good gamble to take for the Thunder to acquire Anthony. You need as much talent as possible to challenge for a title, and Anthony was one of the only high-talent players available for the Thunder. It obviously didn’t work, as Anthony was further past his prime than people realized.”

Some pictures and videos from the Enes Kanter camp in Oklahoma City, which was held free of charge with no kid being denied entry.

Haley O’Shaughnessy (The Ringer) on where Carmelo Anthony may end up: “These aren’t your mom’s Clippers anymore—they’ve traded Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan is now in Dallas for real, Austin Rivers and all nepotism is gone, and Jerry West is in the corner burning sage; finally, L.A. has a fresh start. There is a catch in losing three stars, even if those stars were, in the end, dragging the franchise down: The front office has to prove it can cater to a star once again.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 09 July 2018 →

NTTB Podcast – Episode 36 (Happy PG Day)

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IMG_4109On Episode 36 of the NTTB podcast, we discuss the following topics:

 

  • Nerlens Noel signing
  • Raymond Felton re-signs
  • Carmelo Anthony and Thunder definitely heading towards a split
  • Options for Melo’s departure
  • Reviewing Paul George’s decision to stay
  • Summer League recap
  • Deonte Burton sign a 2-way contaract
  • NBA News

Intro/Outro music provided by OSC Productions

Thank you for listening. We will be doing a podcast once a week. If you have any Thunder or NBA related questions, make sure you hit us up on Twitter (@alexroig_NTTB or @Montero_A13).

We are on ITunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Tune In under the NTTB Podcast. Make sure you leave us a 5-star review if you can. As always, Thunder Up!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/111153/745263-episode-36-happy-pg-day.mp3?download=true

Thunder vs. Hornets Preview (Summer League Game 1)

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  • When: Friday, 06 July 2018 at 4:30 pm CST
  • Where: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV
  • TV: ESPNU

Every time summer league approaches, I get giddy with anticipation. I know it usually won’t amount to anything in the future, but it’s always fun to see a random Robert Vader or a Ryan Reid “career” game in summer league. It’s great to see a second year player like Reggie Jackson go off in the second half of a summer league game while the team’s last 21 points and bringing the team back to victory.  Continue reading Thunder vs. Hornets Preview (Summer League Game 1) →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 06 July 2018

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img_4063NTTB previews the Thunder’s summer league squad: “For the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team will be looking for their youngsters to show improvement from where they were just 2 months ago. Even though the Thunder were one of the most veteran-laden teams in the league last season, they still counted on a couple rookies to provide valuable minutes throughout the season. Terrance Ferguson and Dakari Johnson showed that they belonged in the league last year. Now, the team will be looking for them to be consistent contributors on the roster.”

Erik Horne (NewsOK) on why Devon Hall has a shot at making the Thunder roster: “I know it was a big jump, but it was an uncommon work ethic,” Virginia coach Tony Bennett told The Oklahoman. “You watch him before practice, after practice, he had a routine. He was workmanlike or a pro in terms of his approach in practice, pre-practice and his shooting. He absolutely wore out his mechanics, shot and practice habits in the right way.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 06 July 2018 →

Summer League Preview for the Thunder

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dakariIt’s that time of year again. A time to dream. A time to hope. A time to….oh, what’s that? The Golden State Warriors acquired DeMarcus Cousins for just $5 million dollars. Oh, well. It’s still a time to play. And for many of us who haven’t seen our teams lace them up in over a couple months, it’s a brief respite into competitive basketball and a slight glimpse into the future. Some of the players that will step foot on the Thomas & Mack Center (or Cox Pavilion) will be the superstars of tomorrow. But for many of the players that will play in the Las Vegas Summer League, the court in the Mojave Desert will be the closest they ever get to donning an NBA jersey.

For the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team will be looking for their youngsters to show improvement from where they were just 2 months ago. Even though the Thunder were one of the most veteran-laden teams in the league last season, they still counted on a couple rookies to provide valuable minutes throughout the season. Terrance Ferguson and Dakari Johnson showed that they belonged in the league last year. Now, the team will be looking for them to be consistent contributors on the roster. Continue reading Summer League Preview for the Thunder →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 05 July 2018

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Hope everyone had a great 4th of July. Probably the best one in the last two years.

The Thunder website chronicles some of the on-court aspects in their 10 year history: “In his twilight years with the Thunder, Collison jokingly referred to himself as a team dad, responsible for the development of younger big men like Steven Adams. His willingness to do whatever he could to help the team win, regardless of the prominence of his own role, was Collison’s defining quality.”

Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN) says the signing of Raymond Felton pushes the Thunder’s total salary cap bill past $300 million: “Felton’s signing will push the Thunder’s payroll and luxury tax hurtling past an historic NBA threshold: $300 million. The Thunder are responsible to pay $150 million in tax on the 2018-19 season’s roster, if the roster stays intact through the end of the season.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 05 July 2018 →