Tag Archives: Russell Westbrook

Thunder At A Glance – 31 August 2018

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img_4063Erik Horne (NewsOK) on the Thunder waiving and stretching Kyle Singler: “By waiving Singler on Thursday, the Thunder beat the Friday deadline to use the stretch provision and have it apply to this season. The stretch provision allows the Thunder to stretch out Singler’s guaranteed money remaining over the next five seasons. The Thunder will have close to $1 million in dead money on its cap until the 2023-24 season, which should do minimal damage to its salary based on NBA salary cap projections.”

Ben Stinar (Amico Hoops) interviews Anthony Morrow who had some interesting things to say about Russell Westbrook: “Morrow also sees Westbrook as much more than just a point guard. “I used to tell (Westbrook) and people in the organization, that he really doesn’t have a position,” said Morrow, who finished 2017 with the Chicago Bulls but is now a free agent. “He’s really just a basketball player.” Continue reading Thunder At A Glance – 31 August 2018 →

ThunderChats Podcast – A Conversation with Steven Dolan of Thunderous Intentions

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thunder chatsLet me welcome Dylan “ThunderChats” Huntzinger to Now That’s Thunder Basketball. If you’ve followed Thunder Twitter at all over the last two months, you know Dylan has been gaining a following with his podcast and Thunder-related content. In addition, he will be providing NTTB with written content from time to time. You can start by reading his first article about quieting all the Russell Westbrook slander.

Without further ado, here is the inaugural episode of ThunderChats on NTTB. On it, Dylan talks with Stephen Dolan of Thunderous Intentions about the following topics:

  • Chris “Lethalshooter” Matthews article and the potential team impact
  • Kyle out, Dennis in
  • Start Patterson or Grant
  • Pick your poison with OKC’s roster
  • Critiquing Dylan’s article
  • And more

https://anchor.fm/thunderchats/embed/episodes/A-conversation-with-Stephen-Dolan-of-Thunderous-Intentions-e24dlq/a-a52lip

Thank you, David West

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On Thursday morning, two-time NBA champion David West announced his retirement from the NBA. West retires from the game as a two-time All Star, with per game averages of 13.6 points and 6.4 rebounds. His ability to step out and hit the mid-range jumper, while also being a banger in the post became the archetype for big men in this pace and space era of today’s NBA.

West will likely be remembered for his time with the Indiana Pacers or the Golden State Warriors. But it’s where he started his career that has the most impact for Oklahomans. While Chris Paul was Oklahoma City’s first superstar, West was OKC’s first cult hero. Take the first eight seasons of Russell Westbrook (the ultimate sidekick) and merge those with the no-nonsense play of Nick Collison, and you had David West to a tee.  Continue reading Thank you, David West →

Thunder At A Glance – 30 August 2018

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img_4063Jeff Siegel (UPROXX) on the crucial role Steven Adams plays on the Thunder: “While Westbrook certainly has moments in which he eschews his defensive responsibilities in favor of getting to the glass, there’s no ignoring the fact that letting their point guard grab and go immediately is a positive for the Thunder as a whole.”

Nick DePaula (ESPN) on the crazy colorways that are coming your way this season: “For the first time in league history, the NBA will allow players to wear sneakers of any color at any point during the upcoming season, league sources confirmed. The rule change is part of the NBA’s ongoing effort to allow its players to be expressive on the court.” Continue reading Thunder At A Glance – 30 August 2018 →

Thunder At A Glance – 28 August 2018

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img_4063Brett Dawson (NewsOK) on the Thunder’s signing of Clemson star Donte Grantham: “The 6-foot-8 Grantham averaged 14.2 points and 6.9 rebounds as a senior at Clemson, but his season was cut short on Jan. 20, when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.”

The Thunder’s G-League affiliate, the Blue, released their regular season schedule on Monday.  Continue reading Thunder At A Glance – 28 August 2018 →

Miss Me With That Westbrook Slander

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“Miss me with that bulls***”

Such a short statement in a long complex song. This quote, of course, is from the song “King’s Dead” by possibly the best rapper in the game currently, Kendrick Lamar.

There is something about the way that he begins the phrase.

“Miss me”

It’s like he’s saying, “Take all the shots you want, but don’t come at me weak because you have no clue what you’re actually talking about.”

At least, that’s how I take it.

Now I’m not one to curse. Personally, I don’t see the point. But that’s neither here, nor there. So while I agree with what Mr. Lamar is saying, you won’t ever hear me say that statement. Instead, I have actually taken the concept and simplified it so that you know exactly what I’m talking about. Continue reading Miss Me With That Westbrook Slander →

Weekend Programming

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They say the Mecca of basketball is located in Madison Square Garden. But I’d like to think, for this summer, at least, the Mecca of basketball is located in Rico Hine’s gym in Los Angeles. Enjoy! Is it October 16th yet?

Thunder At A Glance – 24 August 2018

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img_4063Dan Feldman (NBC Sports) on the Thunder’s spending ways this offseason: “Oklahoma City is on pace to pay more than $93 million in luxury tax next season, which would be a record. Perhaps, the Thunder will stretch Kyle Singler. That could drop them below the $90 million-plus the Nets paid in luxury tax in 2014. But Oklahoma City is in the same range despite not nearing Brooklyn in market size.”

Shannon Sharpe (Fox Sports)on Russell Westbrook’s unfair reputation. Continue reading Thunder At A Glance – 24 August 2018 →

Thunder At A Glance – 23 August 2018

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img_4063Charlotte Edmonds (The Observer) with a piece on Russell Westbrook that will have many of us nodding our heads in agreement: “I’m not trying to suggest that Westbrook is a great player by virtue of his commitment to one team. By that logic, Udonis Haslem would’ve been inducted to the Hall of Fame by now. Rather, I’m arguing that players like Westbrook represent one of the things that are still great about sports — standing by a community instead of trading in a “sacred legacy for cheap jewelry,” in the words of Reggie Miller.”

Micah Adams and Scott Rafferty (NBA.com) look at Kobe Bryant’s top 40 rivals as he turns 40 years of age: “Some of the biggest names in today’s NBA see shades of Kobe when they watch Westbrook. Even Kobe sees it. According to Lakers Nation, Kobe said Westbrook is the player who reminds him the most of himself. “When I turn on the TV and I watch players play, the player that plays with the same kind of emotion and grit and competitive intensity is Russell.” Continue reading Thunder At A Glance – 23 August 2018 →

NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 21 August 2018

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img_4063The Thunder will continue their long-standing relationship with WWLS: The Sports Animal: “The Sports Animal has been a tremendous and loyal partner since our inception in Oklahoma City in 2008. The station’s strong listener base and powerful reach have made it the ideal radio partner. We are excited to continue this successful relationship,” said Dan Mahoney, the Thunder’s vice president of broadcasting.”

Brady Trantham (The Franchise) on how new assistant coach Bob Beyer could help the Thunder: “With the Pistons, Beyer was pivotal in influencing the switch from a heavy based pick-and-roll offense for the first three years of his tenure in Detroit into a motion attack.” Continue reading NTTB Thunder Rumblings – 21 August 2018 →