Category Archives: NTTB Rumblings

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 13 July 2018

NTTB Rumblings, , , , , ,

img_4063

Shout-out to NTTB co-host Anthony Montero (@Montero_A13) who celebrates a birthday today. Y’all send him some birthday love via the Twitter.

Erik Horne (NewsOK) recaps the Thunder’s 92-85 loss to the Grizzlies in the summer league playoffs: “Hamilton after halftime. The 2016 second-rounder was particularly good in the third quarter, probing in the halfcourt and initiating the fast break with good decisions for five assists. Hamilton committed just two turnover after halftime, his pace and decisiveness in transition helping the Thunder surge back in the second half.”

Nick Gallo (OKCThunder.com) chronicles Devon Hall in summer league: “We feel like we know him really, really well,” Dawkins said. “He’s a guy that was an All-ACC defender. He’s a guy who improved his shooting every single year he was in college, attempts and accuracy. He’s able to play on the ball, off the ball. We’re interested in seeing him just kind of get on the floor and just fit in with our other wings and have a chance to play there.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 13 July 2018 →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 12 July 2018

NTTB Rumblings, , , , , ,

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

NTTB Rumblings, , , , , , , , ,

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

NTTB Rumblings, , , , , ,

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

NTTB Rumblings, , , , ,

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 Thunder Rumblings – 06 July 2018

NTTB Rumblings, , , , , , ,

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 →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 05 July 2018

NTTB Rumblings, , , ,

img_4063

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 →

NTTB’s Thunder Rumblings – 03 July 2018

NTTB Rumblings, , , , , ,

img_4063On the 10-year anniversary of Clay Bennett announcing OKC officially had a team, here are 10 defining moments from the Thunder’s website.

Royce Young (ESPN) on the Thunder signing maligned big man Nerlens Noel: “Noel dealt with a thumb injury that caused him to miss a lot of time last season, and was suspended five games in early April for violating the league’s anti-drug program.”

Ron Matthews (OKCThunder.com) looks at the 10-year anniversary: “Thanks to superstar players like Russell Westbrook and a fan base that is impossible to miss, the letters OKC are as universally known throughout the world as PHX, MIA, ATL and other metropolitan cities. Thunder jerseys and merchandise are commonly spotted at airports and other high-traffic venues throughout the country.” Continue reading NTTB’s Thunder Rumblings – 03 July 2018 →

NTTB’s Thunder Rumblings – 02 July 2018

NTTB Rumblings, , , , ,

img_4063Royce Young (ESPN) on how the gamble the Thunder took on Paul George a year ago paid off: “But at a private party on Saturday hosted by Russell Westbrook at a mansion near Lake Arcadia, music from echoing off the tall Oklahoma oak trees, George walked onstage, fresh off a private jet, and grabbed the microphone.”

Brett Dawson (NewsOK) on the Thunder’s interest for a big man this offseason: “Though Paul George and Jerami Grant are committed to Oklahoma City, the Thunder still has moves left to make. Reports indicate Oklahoma City at least is taking a look at backup centers on the free-agent market.” Continue reading NTTB’s Thunder Rumblings – 02 July 2018 →

NTTB Rumblings – 18 June 2018

NTTB Rumblings, , , , , , ,

img_4063Happy belated Father’s Day to all the Thunder daddies in the world. May your Sunday have been as rocking as your paternal instincts.

Brett Dawson (NewsOK) on the firing of Thunder broadcaster Brian Davis: “The statement read: “The Thunder has made a decision to go in a different direction. We greatly appreciate Brian’s contributions to the Thunder organization over the past 10 years and we wish him well in the future. In conjunction with Fox Sports Oklahoma, the Thunder will now begin the search for a new play-by-play announcer.”

Dawson on an ad companies sales pitch to one, LeBron James: “Reince is the digital and national sales coordinator for Lamar Advertising in Oklahoma City, and he’s the man behind electronic billboard displays you might see on Friday, reading in white writing against a dark background, “#LeBron2OKC.” Continue reading NTTB Rumblings – 18 June 2018 →