Tag Archives: Terrance Ferguson

Daily Thunder Rumblings – 18 July 2017

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img_4133-5Hello Tuesday. Hopefully everyone is over their weekend/Game of Thrones coma. Here are the DTRs…

Just when you think the awards are done, here comes Sports Illustrated crowning Russell Westbrook the most fashionable athlete for 2017: “Why not? This is the two-word mantra by which he shops, but also by which he practices, plays, walks, talks, dresses and eats. It’s the phrase he wears on an orange silicone bracelet on his wrist. It’s the phrase that helped him reap the 2017 MVP award after averaging a triple double, a feat no NBA player had achieved since Oscar Robertson in 1961–62, while piling up a record 42 of them. It’s the phrase that appears in the name of his charity organization, the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation. It’s the phrase he hashtags on his Instagram posts, which often show off his unorthodox attire. “It goes across so many things, not just in fashion but your whole self,” says Westbrook. “It’s so important to remember to be yourself, regardless of what others think.”

Erik Horne looks at four questions still unanswered for the Thunder this offseason: “It’s been almost a month since the NBA Draft, and the Thunder rookie still hasn’t signed his contract. Ferguson’s clearance is still being worked out with the International Federation of Basketball (FIBA), as the 19-year-old played in Australia last season. The biggest potential benefit to Ferguson getting his deal done has already passed. The Thunder would have liked to have him play Summer League, but now that it’s over there’s no rush in getting him signed. He should have his deal done in time for training camp in September. Last offseason, rookie Domantas Sabonis didn’t sign his contract until Aug. 12.” Continue reading Daily Thunder Rumblings – 18 July 2017 →

Seven things from Summer League

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Charlotte Hornets v Oklahoma City Thunder

With Thursday’s loss in the 3rd place game, the Oklahoma City Thunder finished out the 2017 Orlando Pro Summer League with a record of 2-3. After winning their first 2 games of summer league, the Thunder went on to drop their next three to finish in the fourth position of the 8-team league.

There honestly isn’t much that can be gleaned from this year’s summer league team. When you are a perennial playoff team, summer leagues are usually to see what you have in the cupboard, as the main dishes of the team usually don’t have to play summer league. Of the 13 players who were available to play for the Thunder, only about five have realistic chances of playing in the league.

Here are seven things from summer league: Continue reading Seven things from Summer League →

Daily Thunder Rumblings – 26 June 2017

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Hello, Monday. Don’t be mean. Let’s Thunder Up with some DTR.

ESPN’s Royce Young looks at the Thunder selection of Terrance Ferguson: “If he had gone to college, maybe Ferguson would have caught more attention and shot up draft boards. He certainly wasn’t that impressive in the NBL, averaging just 4.6 points on 38 percent shooting while playing only 15.2 minutes per game. But Ferguson’s size, length, athleticism and speed made him an attractive prospect, especially to Oklahoma City. The Thunder prioritize certain qualities in players, such as size at their position, and Ferguson checked a lot of boxes.”

Oklahoma City signed OKC native Rashawn Thomas to a partially-guaranteed contract.

Malcolm Hill, formerly of the Fighting Illini, will play for the Thunder during summer league.  Continue reading Daily Thunder Rumblings – 26 June 2017 →

The Terrance Ferguson press conference

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Terrance Ferguson had his introductory press conference today at the CHK Boathouse. While you could notice his youthful nervousness, Ferguson had an air of confidence about him that will likely fit in well with this team. Here are a couple highlights from the presser.

​On what Ferguson can bring to the Thunder

​​​​On what Oklahoma means to him and what the journey to get to where he is now means to him

On what it was like when he heard his name on draft night Continue reading The Terrance Ferguson press conference →

Daily Thunder Rumblings – 23 June 2017

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Honestly, I went into draft thinking the Thunder would draft like 8 guys, but they only came away with one. Here’s the Terrance Ferguson edition of DTR.

Tim Kiernan of Sports Illustrated grades the Thunder’s selection of Terrance Ferguson: “Ferguson shut down his workouts late in the predraft process and was believed to have a promise somewhere in the first round. The Thunder may have been that promise. OKC takes a nice upside swing here in a draft where three-point shooting is at a premium.”

Basketball Insiders looks at the Thunder’s selection: “Known for his athleticism and perimeter defense, Ferguson presents qualities that ideally fit today’s league as a “3-And-D” player. Oklahoma City will likely elect to use him at the shooting guard or small forward position, as he has a 6-foot-7, 190-pound frame. Ferguson has length that will allow him to disrupt passing lanes and contest shots, which will definitely help the Thunder get out in transition.” Continue reading Daily Thunder Rumblings – 23 June 2017 →

The Thunder select Terrance Ferguson at 21

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With all the build-up to this draft, the Oklahoma City decided to stay at 21 and selected hometown kid Terrance Ferguson. The 6’7″ wing last played for the Adelaide 36ers of the National Basketball League in Australia. He played in 30 games averaging 15 minutes per game. He scored 4.6 points on 39.1% shooting from the field and 31.3% shooting from deep.

Ferguson was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but grew up in Dallas, Texas. After high school, he had many scholarship offers from different universities, most notably Alabama and Arizona, but instead chose to go overseas to pursue professional opportunities. He signed with Adelaide and played in 30 of their 31 games. The one game he did miss was due to suspension after striking Mark Worthington of the Cairns Taipans a player from another team. He helped lead the 36ers to the league semifinals, where they eventually lost to the Brisbane Bullets in the 3rd game of a 3 game series.  Continue reading The Thunder select Terrance Ferguson at 21 →

Thunder Draft Options: Standing Firm at 21

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NCAA BASKETBALL: JAN 02 Indiana at Nebraska

Oklahoma City comes into this draft with only one pick: no. 21 in the first round. There are options to move up, move down, or trade. But another scenario would be the Thunder staying at 21 and drafting a player there. Luckily for them, this is an incredibly deep draft with talented players scattered all they way into the first third of the second round. With that said, there are also disclaimers. Picking in the 20’s is a crap shoot. For every Reggie Jackson or Serge Ibaka the Thunder have drafted in the 20’s, there’s also a Mitch McGary or Byron Mullens.

There are a number of factors that could come into play with this draft pick. Are the Thunder looking for someone that could play immediately as a role player? Or are they looking for someone with more upside that could possibly be more than a role player once they fully develop? Players that can fit into a role immediately are usually older players that have several seasons of either college experience or international play under their belt. A good example of that from the Thunder would be Alex Abrines, who was able to step into the role of floor spacer after about the first quarter of the season. Domantas Sabonis, on the other hand, had only two years of experience at Gonzaga, and is more of a developmental project for the Thunder. The Sabonis the Thunder get in 2 years will likely be a much different player than the Sabonis they had last season.

With that said, here are 5 options the Thunder may choose from their draft spot at 21. Continue reading Thunder Draft Options: Standing Firm at 21 →

Daily Thunder Rumblings – 19 June 2017

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I hope all the father’s had a great Father’s Day yesterday. Lots of draft talk coming this week. Here’s Monday’s DTR to start your week.

A recap of Russell Westbrook’s Father’s Day.

Welcome to Loud City looks at Oklahoma State’s Juwan Evans for 21: “Running an offense, playmaking, and executing the high pick-and-roll are all directly in Jawun’s wheelhouse–it’s his bread and butter. Last season at OSU, Evans had an assist percentage of 43.6%, and a usage rate of 32.7–both of which are the highest in the draft. Evans also gives this team another thing they desperately need–especially when Russell goes to the bench—a ball handler that doesn’t have an issue creating contact and getting to the free throw line. He averaged 7 free-throw-attempts per 40 minutes last season. Obviously, after scoring 19 points-per-game last season at OSU, Evans can put the ball in the hoop, but it’s his decision making that really opens the door for his role in Oklahoma City.” Continue reading Daily Thunder Rumblings – 19 June 2017 →