Category Archives: Thunder At a Glance

Thunder At A Glance – 25 September 2018

Thunder At a Glance, , , ,

img_4063All the player interviews from media day spliced together in podcast format. Enjoy!

Royce Young (ESPN) on the lack of uncertainty surrounding Paul George and the Thunder this season: “Absolutely,” Paul George told ESPN when asked if the Thunder are built to contend. “We’ve got the chemistry. Me being around these guys going on about to be two years now, there’s an expectation and a level we know we need to play at. I think the consistency part you’ll see with us now being able to play well against the sub-.500 teams. But I definitely think this team has a chance. The reason why I signed back here is because I believed in it. And everybody in here believes. It’s on us, we’ve got our work cut out and it’s not going to be easy, but we’re up for it.” Continue reading Thunder At A Glance – 25 September 2018 →

Thunder At A Glance: 24 September 2018

Thunder At a Glance, , ,

img_4063It’s the Thunder’s media day. Make sure you check back with NTTB and on my Twitter (@AlexRoig_NTTB) throughout the day for updates on media day.

The Thunder added a couple players to their training camp roster. Remember, they do have a roster spot open.

Shaun Powell (NBA.com) looks at a season preview of the Oklahoma City Thunder: “The biggest upset of the offseason happened on the first day of ’17-18, when OKC sold itself as a better option for George than the Los Angeles Lakers. Pundits had George, an unrestricted free agent over the summer, headed to Los Angeles even before he played a game for OKC. What could be better than spending your career back home in the sunshine, playing next to LeBron James and — snickered the critics — escaping the suffocating shadow of Westbrook?” Continue reading Thunder At A Glance: 24 September 2018 →

Thunder At A Glance – 21 September 2018

Thunder At a Glance, , , , , , , ,

img_4063Erik Horne (NewsOK) on who will decide who will start at power forward: “We have to let Billy make those decisions,” Presti said. “He’s in charge of what happens once the ball is tipped up and once we are competing. He makes all the decisions relative to what happens between the lines.”

Horne (NewsOK) on Presti talking about injury updates: “Presti added that he feels good that the Thunder will have both Westbrook and Roberson back at some point “relatively early in the year.” Westbrook underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last week and is expected to be reevaluated in three weeks, one week before the Thunder tips off against Golden State in the regular-season opener Oct. 16.” Continue reading Thunder At A Glance – 21 September 2018 →

Thunder At A Glance – 20 September 2018

Thunder At a Glance, , , , , ,

img_4063Erik Horne (NewsOK) on Abdel Nader being used to playing multiple positions: “Instead, it’s keeping Nader as not just the piece it acquired in a trade with Boston for Rodney Purvis, but as a tangible shift to more versatile frontcourt options. Nader’s $1.37 million salary essentially replaces that of 7-footer Dakari Johnson, who was traded to Orlando for Purvis in July.”

Michael Bohlin (247 Sports) looks at possible trade options for Jimmy Butler: “Another team that isn’t on Butler’s reported list of preferred destinations that could ultimately choose to make a run at acquiring a player like Butler, even if it is only as a rental player, would be the Oklahoma City Thunder as this is an approach that they already tried this past season by acquiring Carmelo Anthony.” Continue reading Thunder At A Glance – 20 September 2018 →

Thunder At A Glance – 19 September 2018

Thunder At a Glance, , , , ,

img_4063David Aldridge (NBA.com) with a status update on several players who were injured last season, including Andre Roberson: “The 26-year-old Roberson will be with the team when camp begins. He has been with the Thunder all summer and been on the floor doing drill work and shooting, though he is not yet cleared for either contact work or five on five play. The Thunder will obviously be conservative with him as he nears his return to play.”

Per the Thunder’s website, the team has entered into a 10-year partnership with OU Medicine: “As part of the agreement, OU Medicine will provide expertise and resources to help support the Thunder medical staff in creating elite conditions for player training, treatment and care. The two organizations will also work together on advocacy and public education to drive awareness on key health and wellness issues.” Continue reading Thunder At A Glance – 19 September 2018 →

Thunder At A Glance – 18 September 2018

Thunder At a Glance, , , , ,

img_4063Nick Gallo (OKCThunder.com) on Steven Adams being the Thunder’s center of gravity: “The same can be said of the Thunder big man’s impact on the defensive side of the ball. With precise and deliberate communication and quick feet, Adams helps guards stay in front of the ball in pick and roll coverage. He can even switch out to the three-point line when it’s necessary or there’s a good matchup. With each successive year, the force that Adams brings to the team continues to grow, and that consistent improvement is why he’s become one of the most essential players on the Thunder’s roster and one of the very best centers in the NBA.”

Erik Horne (NewsOK) on the Blue’s acquisition of KJ McDaniels: “G-League contracts are with the league, not with the parent teams. McDaniels currently doesn’t have an NBA contract, but if he were to enter into a G League contract, the Blue, not the Thunder, would own his rights. The Blue would also own McDaniels’ rights if he were to play overseas, then return and sign a G League contract.” Continue reading Thunder At A Glance – 18 September 2018 →

Thunder At A Glance – 17 September 2018

Thunder At a Glance, , , , , , , ,

img_4063Grant Afseth (OKC Thunder Wire) looks at 6 adjustments the Thunder will need to make if Russell Westbrook misses any time in the regular season: “It’s important to note that many backup point guards are not used to shouldering a high usage rate but that isn’t the case with Schröder. He had a 30.5 percent usage rate last season and has had a usage rate above 27 percent for four consecutive seasons.”

A sneak peak at the Jordan Why Not Zer0.1 University Reds (via Sneaker News). Continue reading Thunder At A Glance – 17 September 2018 →

Thunder At A Glance – 14 September 2018

Thunder At a Glance, , , ,

img_4063Terrance Ferguson and Tyler Davis visited the OKC Police Athletic League to play some volleyball and football with some kids.

Erik Horne (NewsOK) on the Thunder players listed on SI’s Top 100 list: “Sports Illustrated released its list in segments throughout the week, culminating in the Top 10 on Thursday. Steven Adams (No. 38) and newly-acquired guard Dennis Schroder (No. 80) were also on the list.”

Here is Sports Illustrated’s full list if you would like to see it: “Playing in Oklahoma City works for him. George does his best work when he doesn’t have to handle the ball on every possession, which is never really a problem with Russell Westbrook around. Both operate in ways that make the other’s job easier: Westbrook’s shot creation is a relief to George, who can do more of his work off the ball. Meanwhile, George is enough of a draw that a defense can’t just load up against Westbrook’s drives. One pushes, the other pulls.” Continue reading Thunder At A Glance – 14 September 2018 →

Thunder At A Glance – 13 September 2018

Thunder At a Glance, , , , , , ,

img_4063Royce Young (ESPN) on the news of Russell Westbrook having arthroscopic knee surgery on his right knee: “Westbrook experienced some stiffness in the knee over the past week during individual workouts while preparing for training camp. He elected to have a standard scope as a pre-emptive “maintenance” procedure rather than potentially dealing with issues throughout the season.”

Erik Horne (NewsOK) talks to NBATV about the Westbrook surgery. 

OKCThunder.com looks at the summer that Alex Abrines had: “Abrines took the leap with his longtime girlfriend Carla this summer, and the Thunder will be looking for him to do the same on the court heading into training camp and the 2018-19 campaign. In a league that relies massively on shooting and playmaking from the perimeter, Abrines holds the qualities that could make him a crucial member of the rotation. The key, however, is for those offensive gifts to be combined with a defensive integrity and versatility that fits into the Thunder’s gameplan.” Continue reading Thunder At A Glance – 13 September 2018 →

Thunder At A Glance – 12 September 2018

Thunder At a Glance, , , , , ,

img_4063Jon Hamm (Bleacher Report) on the Thunder need to show before they can become the West’s 2nd best team: “But in order for that to happen, Westbrook is going to have to surrender a degree of control, since he can’t pass the ball to himself. Having continuity with center Steven Adams and George, plus the addition of Schroder may make him more comfortable with relaxing his grip on the offense.”

Michael Bolin (247 Sports) says former Thunder center Dakari Johnson will sign with a team in China: “According to a report from the Chinese newspaper Jinan Times, Johnson has come to an agreement with the Qingdao Eagles on a deal that will bring the former Kentucky Wildcats standout to Asia as a professional for the first time in his career.” Continue reading Thunder At A Glance – 12 September 2018 →