Tag Archives: Billy Donovan

Daily Thunder Rumblings – 18 Oct 2017

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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.” Continue reading Daily Thunder Rumblings – 18 Oct 2017 →

Daily Thunder Rumblings – 13 Oct 2017

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Happy Friday the 13th, guys!!!

Paul Pierce is now my favoritest retired basketball player:

Tim Cato (SB Nation) on how the team’s culture actually became it’s saving grace: “For the Thunder, this didn’t take years. It took one summer. After Durant’s departure, the Thunder doubled down on Russell Westbrook and let him run rampant for an MVP. It was delightful, but an inevitable first-round defeat followed. They were a team built for two stars in a league that demands several of them, and Westbrook was but one. From atop the franchise, general manager Sam Presti preached patience. “We feel really good about the momentum that’s been created,” Presti said at the Thunder’s exit interviews last May. “We’re trying to do something here that I don’t think there’s a ton of examples of in the NBA.” Continue reading Daily Thunder Rumblings – 13 Oct 2017 →

NTTB Podcast (Episode 15) – Westbrook (finally!) signs his extension

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IMG_4109On Episode 15 of the NTTB podcast, we discuss the following topics:

  • Westbrook signs extension
  • Blue and White scrimmage
  • Hoodie Donovan
  • Thunder season preview
  • Preseason games
  • D-Wade chooses the Cavs
  • Lottery reform approved

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 under the NTTB Podcast. Make sure you leave us a 5-star review if you can. As always, Thunder Up!

Daily Thunder Rumblings – 28 Sept 2017

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I asked Carmelo Anthony a question on the lack of media coverage on Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria and this is his response (around 11:37 on the video). I urge my readers, whatever you can donate or give, please do. There 3.5 million AMERICANS that need your assistance on the island.

Vince Ellis (Detroit Free Press) on Reggie Jackson foreseeing the Paul George trade happening: “George and Jackson are good friends and share an agent in Aaron Mintz, who told both that the Thunder was a team to watch in the George sweepstakes. “We were actually on the video game when a few destinations popped up. I remember just joking with him, ‘There’s a sleeper in there,’ ” Jackson said. “Our agent kind of called it and he ended up there.” Continue reading Daily Thunder Rumblings – 28 Sept 2017 →

Daily Thunder Rumblings – 11 September 2017

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NBA.com previews the Oklahoma City Thunder: “Whoever had Oklahoma City in the George trade pool should go immediately to Las Vegas and bet heavy. Almost out of nowhere, the Thunder emerged as winners in the George sweepstakes and one year after losing Durant have added a star to side next to Westbrook. Not only did OKC pull it off, nudging aside other suitors such as the Cavs and Celtics and Lakers, but the price was surprisingly low. The Thunder surrendered Oladipo, a good but not spectacular guard that they foolishly paid like a superstar two summers ago, and Sabonis, their 2016 No. 1 pick who was inconsistent. The trade surprised many observers given what it cost OKC, and even if George turns out to be a one-year rental, it’s no big deal.”

Andre Roberson and Patrick Patterson make ESPN’s top 100.

If you’re into fantasy basketball, here’s your guide to the Thunder: “Thanks to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s offseason moves, Westbrook may have trouble replicating his league-winning impact from last season. Rather than playing alongside a marginalized Victor Oladipo in the backcourt, he’ll now have an All-Star teammate in the form of Paul George and a grizzled veteran in Patrick Patterson accompanying Steven Adams in the frontcourt. While OKC likely boosted its chances of a deep playoff run with its roster makeover, Westbrook should have less on his plate offensively this season.” Continue reading Daily Thunder Rumblings – 11 September 2017 →

Daily Thunder Rumblings – 29 August 2017

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img_4133-5Still feeling bad for Houston. Sending good vibes their way. Here are the Rumblings.

Former Thunder player Anthony Morrow was pulled over in Commerce, Ga, and had a less than pleasurable experience: “Next question out of his mouth is: ‘Are there any drugs or guns or large amounts of cash in this car?’ I’m like: ‘No, I don’t do drugs, I don’t smoke, I don’t do [any] of that’ He nods at my car, he says: ‘what’s that odor?’ I say: ‘That’s called a vape, it’s a vaporizer. You can buy it any store, it’s legal. It’s not even tobacco.’ OK, cool. He takes my registration and my license. He leaves, comes back. ‘Are you sure there’s nothing in this car that’s going to get you in trouble or get you, you know, in jail?’ Basically.”

Russell Westbrook offers a sneak-peak at some of the new Thunder Nike gear.  Continue reading Daily Thunder Rumblings – 29 August 2017 →

Daily Thunder Rumblings – 28 August 2017

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Well wishes for the people of Houston and Southeast Texas. Harvey hit harder than expected, but we will overcome as we always do. If you would like to help out, text 90999 to make a $10 donation to the Red Cross to help relief efforts. Here are the Rumblings.

Doug McDermott tell Nick Gallo of OKCThunder.com he is not content on just being a spot-up shooter: “The NBA is a league of “more”. More skills, more star players, more athleticism, more defense, more leadership, more shooting. Really, what every player and every team wants, for the most part, is more of everything. The more a player can do, the more worth they have to their team. The more a team can do, the higher they can climb in the standings. So that’s what Doug McDermott, and the Thunder, are determined to do. With the addition of Paul George, Patrick Patterson and Raymond Felton, the Thunder checked a lot of those aforementioned boxes with its swing-for-the-fences off-season. Filling in the seams of those big puzzle pieces that are inserted into the mix will be players like McDermott.”

Scott Brooks spoke to CSN MidAtlantic about the difficulties in keeping a good core together: “Before taking over as coach of the Wizards, Brooks spent seven years leading the Oklahoma City Thunder. They rose very quickly to reach the NBA Finals in 2012, his fourth season on the job. But not long after that their core was dismantled, first by the trade of James Harden to the Houston Rockets, a casualty of the salary cap. Last summer, one year after Brooks had been dismissed, OKC traded Serge Ibaka and saw Kevin Durant sign with the Golden State Warriors in free agency. That’s three very good players the Thunder had drafted and developed who left all in just a few years time.” Continue reading Daily Thunder Rumblings – 28 August 2017 →

Daily Thunder Rumblings – 22 August 2017

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img_4133-5Hopefully everybody still has their eye-sight. Here are the Rumblings…

The Ringer looks at the Clippers’ hiring of Michael Winger: “If Winger, just 37 years old, accepts the job in L.A., he’ll report to Lawrence Frank, the former veep under Rivers who was promoted to Doc’s old position. Just like with West and Golden State, there’s much front-office strategy to be learned from Winger, who served as an assistant under Sam Presti for seven seasons, and the Thunder, an organization that has become something of an executive factory in recent years, spawning Charlotte’s Rich Cho and former Magic GM Rob Hennigan. We’ll call the following the tenets of the OKC front office that could be applied in L.A.—Clippers fans can call it more evidence for hope.” Continue reading Daily Thunder Rumblings – 22 August 2017 →

Daily Thunder Rumblings – 21 August 2017

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img_4133-5Let’s start things off right this week. Wait, why has the sun disappeared??? Here are the Rumblings for Monday.

Billy Donovan gave a coaching clinic this weekend and here are the highlights from it.

One of Sam Presti’s assistant GM’s, Michael Winger, has been offered the GM job for the Los Angeles Clippers: “Winger, a lawyer and salary cap expert, has been with the Thunder for seven seasons after coming over from the Cleveland Cavaliers and is one of the most well-respected young executives around the NBA. He would work directly under new Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, who was recently hired into that position. The Clips have shaken up their front office this summer, promoting Frank and bringing in NBA legend Jerry West while sending Doc Rivers back to just a coaching role.” Continue reading Daily Thunder Rumblings – 21 August 2017 →

Daily Thunder Rumblings – 18 August 2017

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img_4133-5Hello, Friday. Hopefully, it’s a payday for you. Here are the Rumblings.

Nick Gallo chronicled Paul George’s visit to Castaic Lake with Russell Westbrook and other members of the Thunder organization: “This day was very special,” George explained. “Everyone here had a wonderful time. This has been a dream of mine for a very long time, to push it out of its nest and hopefully let it take off and be something down the road. About an hour later, a sports car pulled into the parking lot near the west ramp of Castaic Lake. Fresh off of an airplane, Russell Westbrook had just cruised up the 405 to meet George at his event. A large contingent of Thunder players, coaches and staff who had attended a staff member’s wedding reception the night before had boarded a 6 a.m. flight out of Oklahoma City on Sunday morning, including the league’s reigning MVP. Per usual, the ever-punctual Westbrook was the first to make it from LAX to George’s event.” Continue reading Daily Thunder Rumblings – 18 August 2017 →