Category Archives: NTTB Rumblings

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 01 August 2018

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Bryan Kalbrosky (HoopsHype) on the possibility of Kevin Durant returning to the Thunder: “Westbrook and Durant played together on the All-Star team last season and they’re currently practicing alongside each other for Team USA. While it’s likely not something they’re constantly discussing, it’s hard to imagine the topic has not even come up in conversation while in such close proximity.”

The Thunder announce their 2018 preseason schedule.

Ti Windisch (FanSided) is not a big fan of Dennis Schröder playing alongside Russell Westbrook: “Billy Donovan will not have it easy with that decision. He might even catch the blame for those two not working together, which is tough. Schroder just isn’t useful without the ball in his hands, and he’s not nearly good enough to justify Russell Westbrook not having it when they’re on the floor together.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 01 August 2018 →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings -31 July 2018

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img_4063Nick Gallo (OKCThunder.com) on the reliability that Raymond Felton provides to the Thunder: “Felton has played all but 4 games over the past three years, for the Mavericks, then the LA Clippers and then the Thunder. This July, the 34-year old Felton re-upped with the Thunder for another run to play behind, and sometimes alongside, Westbrook and newcomer Dennis Schroder in OKC. Few in the league play with as much passion, intensity and fire as the Thunder’s All-Star point guard, but Schroder and Felton provide a similar dynamic as the floor generals for the bench group. Felton and Westbrook built an incredible connection last season that helped shape the locker room.”

Erik Horne (NewsOK) with 7 highlights from Steven Adams’ autobiography: “One of Adams’ older sisters, two-time Olympic shot put gold medalist Valerie Adams, was the only family member with media experience. She suggested the best thing to do was for Steven to say nothing, even thought the stories circulating about his family didn’t accurately depict the caring unit of brothers and sisters who worked together to ensure his future.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings -31 July 2018 →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 30 July 2018

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img_4063Make sure you check out the new episode of the NTTB Podcast where we look at the possible return of Kevin Durant to Oklahoma City and the team’s two superstars in Las Vegas for the Team USA minicamp.

Erik Horne (NewsOK) looks at Kenny McFadden, the man that make Steven Adams (and New Zealand basketball) what he is today: “The NBA has shifted to a small man’s league, but Adams has thrived because of McFadden, the man who went to New Zealand 35 years ago, dedicated his life to training youth basketball players, and eventually set the foundation for Adams to become one of the league’s most versatile centers.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 30 July 2018 →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 27 July 2018

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Marc J. Spears (ESPN) interviews Paul George on his decision to stay in OKC: “It was absolutely tempting,” George said. “Honestly, I wanted to come back home. But again, I got traded to Oklahoma. Loved the situation. Loved where I was at. I decided to stick around a little longer.”

Jemele Hill (The Undefeated) interviews Carmelo Anthony on his one season in OKC: “To get bought out, to get waived, you were looked at like, you’re done,” said Anthony, who was in Washington, D.C., to attend a private Nike event Wednesday night. “Now, it’s just almost like the norm. If something doesn’t work, go ahead and get a buyout or go ahead and get traded. That’s the new norm in our society in basketball. I had to get over that.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 27 July 2018 →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 26 July 2018

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img_4063Zac Oakes (A Sea of Blue) on Hamidou Diallo signing with the Thunder: “He came close to never playing a game for Kentucky, as he put his name into the draft in 2017, though he withdrew and returned to Kentucky. He would go on to finish fourth in scoring for Kentucky this past season, averaging an even 10 points per game.”

Erik Horne (NewsOK) on what the signing of Diallo could mean to the rest of the roster: “In order to free up a roster spot and alleviate luxury tax burdens this season, the Thunder could stretch Singler’s contract over three seasons at an average of $1.6 million per season. But, like the Carmelo Anthony trade which was finalized on Wednesday, the Thunder would prefer to get return via a trade rather than waiving Singler.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 26 July 2018 →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 24 July 2018

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img_4063Tim Bontemps (Washington Post) says the Thunder didn’t make a mistake in trading for Carmelo Anthony: “Before the Anthony trade, the Thunder was a franchise in a state of flux. Russell Westbrook had yet to sign a long-term contract extension, and there was no guarantee he would. Paul George had been acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Indiana Pacers three months earlier, giving Oklahoma City a second star to pair with Westbrook after Kevin Durant departed in free agency, but there was no indication George would stick around for the long term.”

Kevin O’Connor (The Ringer) on how the acquisition of Dennis Schröder may help change Russell Westbrook: “But Oklahoma City’s style needs to change, and Donovan knows it. The Thunder have ranked near the bottom of the league in passing metrics—from possession time to assists—during Donovan’s tenure, but he regularly says during his press conferences that he wants better movement.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 24 July 2018 →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 23 July 2018

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img_4063Make sure you check out the latest episode of the NTTB Podcast.

Lawrence George (Thunderous Intentions) looks at three things Dennis Schröder brings to the Thunder: “However, the OKC Thunder have taken risks on restoring players reputations (insert Dion Waiters and Enes Kanter) before, thus Schroder certainly fits the mold. He’s had his fair share of off-court problems in Atlanta (clashing with coaching, fellow players and a pending court case) but Schroder holds tremendous value for the Thunder.”

Erik Horne (NewsOK) says Dennis Schröder is the Thunder latest reclamation project: “The Thunder, however, has done its due diligence on Schroder, just like it did with prior players that teams gave up. Those players didn’t come with legal trouble, but trouble all their own.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 23 July 2018 →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 20 July 2018

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img_4063Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN) on the Thunder trading Carmelo Anthony to Atlanta in exchange for Dennis Schröder: “Along with Anthony and his $27.9 million expiring contract, the Thunder will send a 2022 protected first-round pick to the Hawks for guard Dennis Schroder and forward Mike Muscala. The 2022 first-round pick is protected 1-14, and becomes two second-round picks if not conveyed in that first year, league sources said.”

Tamberlyn Richardson (Thunderous Intentions) with some takeaways from the Melo trade: “Despite adding two players to the roster (arguably upgrades) OKC will also save $73 million. Additionally, OKC shave their luxury tax hit from $150 million to $88.8 million, a $62 million savings in 2018-19.  This could be reduced even further dependent on whether OKC make additional moves. Of note, teams final luxury tax is calculated based on where the team resides with player salaries on last day of season.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 20 July 2018 →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 18 July 2018

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img_4063OKCThunder.com looks back at the lighter side of having a professional team in town: “I was told, ‘GO, GO, GO’ along with hand gestures waving me to start running and I was gone! I remember the crowd cheering as I ran across the court and the pure excitement for a few seconds before I turned the corner and the excitement turned to panic. When I stopped and turned around, expecting to see the other six Storm Chasers holding their flags, there was no one! I was afraid that the Storm Chaser behind me fell and everyone fell over each other. That was not the case.”

Noah Schulte (Thunderous Intentions) looks at the unique weapon the Thunder got in Deonte Burton: “So when he finally got his chance to play in front of NBA scouts during Summer League, he took full advantage of it, averaging 10.6 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, and 3 assists on 59 percent shooting and even hitting a huge game winner. This came after the OKC Thunder signed him to a two-way deal and punctuated why the franchise made the offer.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 18 July 2018 →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 16 July 2018

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img_4063Brett Dawson (NewsOK) on Thunder summer league (and Blue) coach Mark Daigneault: “He learned basketball from Jim Calhoun, for whom he worked as a student manager at UConn, and Ralph Willard, who hired him as an assistant at Holy Cross, and from Billy Donovan, who brought him on at Florida as a graduate assistant and ultimately followed him to Oklahoma City.”

Erik Horne (NewsOK) looks at the rotational players for the Thunder during summer league: “Diallo shouldn’t have lasted until the No. 45 pick in the draft. In Las Vegas, the 19-year-old showcased elite athleticism, was efficient (20-of-41 shooting), rebounded well (4.8 per game) for 6-5, and showed the ability to handle the ball on the fast break. Could he make a Thunder roster that wants to play faster? The Thunder minimized Diallo’s responsibility on offense in Las Vegas and he needs to continue to improve his perimeter shot, but purchasing his draft rights from Charlotte was a nice, low-risk play by Sam Presti.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 16 July 2018 →