Correct me if I'm wrong, but Reggie will be a restricted free agent after next season. We don't have him for 3 more years.

When has Reggie "said repeatedly that his goal is to be the best PG in the NBA"? I don't recall any such interview occurring.

The issue for Reggie is that he will never be a star. He's not quite gifted enough. The best he'll ever be is top 10/15 PG. He doesn't have the size nor athleticism to be a Top 5 PG. He's more probably a Top 15/20 player and can either start on a less/non-competitive team or play backup on a perennial conference finals team. Being the starting PG for Milwaukee may make you $2M/year more in the NBA, but in terms of endorsements and anything else, does it net you more than being on a consistent Western Conference champion team?

He'll never be a #1 guy, and probably never a #2 guy on a contending team. Right now, he's a #3/#4 type guy, and I'm not sure that he can really demand much more.

Wait. You're saying Reggie is a top 15-20 player in the entire NBA, but that he'd have to be a back up on a competing team. That doesn't make sense.

Second, check out Reggie's per 36 numbers and compare them to Harden's in his 3rd season and get back to me. Reggie's already a better defender. I don't think Reggie will be as good of an offensive player as Harden, but he's a heck of a lot closer than I could have imagined at this point in his career.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Reggie will be a restricted free agent after next season. We don't have him for 3 more years.

We drafted him and he started playing in the 2011-2012 season. This is only his third season with the Thunder. I was looking at the hoopshype website (HoopsHype - NBA Salaries - Oklahoma City Thunder (http://hoopshype.com/salaries/oklahoma_city.htm)) where it breaks down what every player makes and it looks like we have him this year and next year guaranteed and the following year it says, "Qualifying Offer" which means RFA. In other words, yes, you're right.

A side note but when I was working at the airport most pilots would call in range using the Oak City moniker. That is when they were calling in on company freq.

I went to a banking conference downtown several years ago and the woman speaking started out with "Good morning Oak City!" We all kind of looked around the room at each other until one who was brave enough said "No one who lives here calls it that. It's Oklahoma City, OKC or 'The City' if you live in the suburbs. Carry on..." It got awkward for a second then she apologized and moved on.

I went to a banking conference downtown several years ago and the woman speaking started out with "Good morning Oak City!" We all kind of looked around the room at each other until one who was brave enough said "No one who lives here calls it that. It's Oklahoma City, OKC or 'The City' if you live in the suburbs. Carry on..." It got awkward for a second then she apologized and moved on.

They pronounce it OakState so I've said Oak City a time or two and I've lived here for 32 years of my 35. At least she didn't say Okie City!

Wait. You're saying Reggie is a top 15-20 player in the entire NBA, but that he'd have to be a back up on a competing team. That doesn't make sense.

Second, check out Reggie's per 36 numbers and compare them to Harden's in his 3rd season and get back to me. Reggie's already a better defender. I don't think Reggie will be as good of an offensive player as Harden, but he's a heck of a lot closer than I could have imagined at this point in his career.

Top 15-20 PG.

Not that it is a major issue at this point in the season, but after tonight's losses by the Pacers and Spurs, no team has an advantage over the Thunder in the loss column and only the Pacers and Trailblazers match them.

Not that it is a major issue at this point in the season, but after tonight's losses by the Pacers and Spurs, no team has an advantage over the Thunder in the loss column and only the Pacers and Trailblazers match them.

If nothing else, it's a great reminder at how unbelievable this Thunder organization is. To be able to have as much instability as the Thunder have had over the last 4 seasons and yet still manage to put out a premier NBA product is nothing short of amazing.

It's also a testament to how great Kevin Durant is.

I've say it frequently, but it bears repeating on a regular basis. Kevin Durant is very likely the best player that will ever don a Thunder uniform. Fans need to really comprehend that and cherish it.

I just renewed my tickets for another 3 years, as long as KD is here, i'm in.

Nuggets tonight. Bulls on Thursday.

http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif Oklahoma City Thunder 118 Denver Nuggets 115

Nuggets will be out for revenge and Durant will make them pay.


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

I just renewed my tickets for another 3 years, as long as KD is here, i'm in.

If KD leaves then you're not in? ;) It'll be interesting to see how this city supports the team when they're not good. Luckily, if we can sign KD to another contract (which is no guarantee) after this one then we won't know what that's like for a while...

If KD leaves then you're not in? ;) It'll be interesting to see how this city supports the team when they're not good. Luckily, if we can sign KD to another contract (which is no guarantee) after this one then we won't know what that's like for a while...
Even if KD retires in OKC he will retire. The Knicks, Celtics, Suns, Jazz, Blazers and on and on have won titles but now are bad to horrible. There will be years or stretches of years that the Thunder will not be good. It happens to every team. To think the Thunder will be immune is unrealistic. I will be a fan if they go 0 and 82, just like I was one of the handfull of people in OU's seats during the Schnellenberger year.

Thunder put their chips on 9 tonight, as http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif Thunder roll Nuggets 105 - 93.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT6Xw1mhfTzKAx_4Srm1HI5oYNsXi8B7 jYfv88aVAVzrANBZvAqhttps://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSzYU7CNHPtRRdZxz4e9MBYlXPa_Ex2u nXGl-cX_ZNisUfrhVzVqQhttps://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQdmAZGey6-dQ-VlRyX5ut1shtrG72KyEEP9Z0OeP9bRRmfAp_P

...and Ibaka answered with the first 11.




http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

Keep on predicting those scores Laramie! I predicted a 22 point 4th quarter and I was wrong too--in a good way!

I just renewed my tickets for another 3 years, as long as KD is here, i'm in.

I'm in, as long as the Thunder are in. Worst record in the NBA, I'm in. Best record in the NBA, I'm in. Everything in between. New arena, I'm in. Same arena, same. Whatever it takes to support and keep the team here.

Even if KD retires in OKC he will retire. The Knicks, Celtics, Suns, Jazz, Blazers and on and on have won titles but now are bad to horrible. There will be years or stretches of years that the Thunder will not be good. It happens to every team. To think the Thunder will be immune is unrealistic. I will be a fan if they go 0 and 82, just like I was one of the handfull of people in OU's seats during the Schnellenberger year.

The rest of your point is valid, but Portland is not bad to horrible right now.

I just renewed my tickets for another 3 years, as long as KD is here, i'm in.

Now i'm not saying I wouldn't go to games if and when I don't renew......just not all 40 plus....but as long as KD is the face of the team, i'll keep renewing.

The rest of your point is valid, but Portland is not bad to horrible right now.You're right this year. I guess I'm just used to them being bad.

The rest of your point is valid, but Portland is not bad to horrible right now.

The Suns and Celtics are two of the best stories in the NBA right now too.

You're right this year. I guess I'm just used to them being bad.

They've actually been a pretty successful franchise. They're rarely "bad." They've only had 3 or 4 losing seasons since 1990.

You're right this year. I guess I'm just used to them being bad.

Yeah, this is definitely an unusual year for them compared to the past couple of years, which were by no means terrible years. I completely overlooked it at first when you said Blazers because I usually think "Blazers, they're alright", but then I reread it & was like "wait, Portland is actually really good this year".

The Suns and Celtics are two of the best stories in the NBA right now too.

Definitely. I didn't expect much from the Celtics this year after that start they had & Phoenix is just playing really good right now. The season is still young, but both teams are staying pretty consistent.

The two best benches in basketball are the Thunder's and the Spurs'. The Spurs put up five foreign players at times who average as a bench about 46 ppg.
We match them in skill and almost match them in experience.
The game winner Saturday might foretell the Western champ.

Okay,

A little side note form last night's game in Denver. My son and his girlfriend who lives in Denver went to the game last night. They bought their tickets 3 rows behind the Thunder bench next to the aisle, kind of at the center where the coaches sit next to the players.

If you remember when Russell Westbrook went to rebound the ball with one hand and lost control and it went out of bounds ?? Well, I heard (on the TV broadcast) some one start heckling Russell, making fun of him and laughing real loud. Really dogging him.

My son said the heckler was sitting about 5 rows behind Brian Davis and Grant Long....that's why we were hearing the heckling so much.

He said at the next time out, Russell came over to the side of the court and stared the heckler down big time. He said he pointed to the heckler and told him twice to 'Shut The F**k Up !'......

Son said there was not another sound out of him... I'd say Russell got the point across.

The Suns and Celtics are two of the best stories in the NBA right now too.
I was looking at the last few years, not so far this year. OK, both of these and the Blazers look good 24 games into this season. But the season is young.

The game winner Saturday might foretell the Western champ.

Both teams look good, but games in December don't determine what happens in June. Don't put too much weight into early season games. The Thunder have a great approach of continual improvement and playing their best basketball at the right time, which is the end of the season.

After loses tonight by Portland and Indianapolis the thunder are alone at only 4 loses. Hopefully that will last for at least a couple of games.

As long as we go 12-0 for the next 12 games at home, we will be fine!

Some interesting statistics about the Thunder as we round out the month of December:

Home: 12-0 Road: 8-4

Northwest Division: 5-2
Western Conference: 14-4
Eastern Conference: 6-0

Winning streak: 7

Loss/rebound win:

@Minnesota 100-81/@Oklahoma City 113/103
@L.A. Clippers 111-103/@Oklahoma City 105-91
@Golden State 116-115/@Oklahoma City 113-112 OT
@Portland 111-104/@Oklahoma City Tue, Dec 31

Big game against Portland when the Trail Blazers visit OKC on December 31st.

Some posters may be concerned about the point differential in our rebound wins; remember, a win is a win and style points aren't factored into the standings.

2013-2014 NBA Regular Season Conference Standings - National Basketball Association - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/standings)

http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

Some posters may be concerned about the point differential in our rebound wins; remember, a win is a win and style points aren't factored into the standings.

I think as much or more than any other sport, NBA point differential is among the least relevant stats to analyze as the season progresses. Too many OT games that can turn into double-digit wins by virtue of just one or two turnovers, or one team gets on a hot streak from behind the arc, or another goes cold. Given that NBA games can swing wildly even among relatively close, good teams, point differential is a red herring.

Only thing that matters is the W's and the L's, baby :)

I am okay with all of those losses except the Clippers one. I know we already got revenge and Griffin got boo'd to all hell. But I won't be satisfied until we smoke them in a playoff series.

I think as much or more than any other sport, NBA point differential is among the least relevant stats to analyze as the season progresses. Too many OT games that can turn into double-digit wins by virtue of just one or two turnovers, or one team gets on a hot streak from behind the arc, or another goes cold. Given that NBA games can swing wildly even among relatively close, good teams, point differential is a red herring.

Only thing that matters is the W's and the L's, baby :)

Point differential in individual games is a useless stat, but as a compiled stat it's a good indicator of how good both your offense and defense are performing.

I am okay with all of those losses except the Clippers one. I know we already got revenge and Griffin got boo'd to all hell. But I won't be satisfied until we smoke them in a playoff series.

My hunch is that won't be until next year at the earliest. They won't make it out of the 1st round, which is almost sure to be a matchup between them and Houston.

My hunch is that won't be until next year at the earliest. They won't make it out of the 1st round, which is almost sure to be a matchup between them and Houston.

How can you say any match up almost sure at this point in the season? There's not one seed that is sure in the Western conference at this point. The Clippers could definitely make it out of the first round. Will they? Well, there's a lot of the season and their playoff match up left to be determined...

How can you say any match up almost sure at this point in the season? There's not one seed that is sure in the Western conference at this point. The Clippers could definitely make it out of the first round. Will they? Well, there's a lot of the season and their playoff match up left to be determined...

That latter statement was predicated on my first "hunch".

I know this is the Thunder thread, but I thought I would share it here instead of starting a new one:

Lakers lose Kobe Bryant again

Updated: December 19, 2013, 3:55 PM ET
By Ramona Shelburne | ESPNLosAngeles.com

Los Angeles Lakers star guard Kobe Bryant is expected to miss six weeks with a fracture of the lateral tibial plateau in his left knee, the team announced Thursday.

Bryant suffered the injury Tuesday in the Lakers' victory at the Memphis Grizzlies. An MRI exam Thursday revealed that Bryant actually played for a half against the Grizzlies with it.

The news comes as an undeniable blow to the Lakers, who in late November signed Bryant to a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension before the 35-year-old had made it back onto the floor from a torn Achilles.

Bryant returned to the court from the injury Dec. 8, and has averaged 13.8 points and 6.3 assists in six games since.

Kobe Bryant of Los Angeles Lakers likely out six weeks with injured knee - ESPN Los Angeles (http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10167684/kobe-bryant-los-angeles-lakers-likely-six-weeks-injured-knee)

I think it's safe to say Kobe won't ever be the same...Time for the Lakers to clean house and get young again

I think it's safe to say Kobe won't ever be the same...Time for the Lakers to clean house and get young again

I prefer them to be old and injury prone.

Pretty freakin scary that the Spurs can beat Golden State on the road w/o Ginobili, Parker or Duncan

Golden State can't turn the ball over like they did and hope to beat the Spurs, no matter which Spurs.. They weren't shooting that well last nigh either, although Curry had 30.

Clay Thompson has been in a slump lately. Shot 30 % last night and only 1 for 7 from three.......the Warriors have regressed lately.

I think it's safe to say Kobe won't ever be the same...Time for the Lakers to clean house and get young again

2013 The basketball gods weren't kind to the Los Angeles Lakers:

1. Kobe Bryant tears Achilles tendon.
2. Kobe Bryant out the next six weeks due to a fracture in his knee
3. The sky is falling in Laker land.

Remedy: Visit: :Smiley122 Miss Rudolph the voodoo lady in New Orleans: :rolleyes: ;) :D

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.5032822383708460&pid=15.1 TIPS: Don't forget to leave her a goose or a turkey...

http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.


:ot:

Serge Ibaka's two blocks on Joakim Noah, followed by a Kendrick Perkin's rebound and pass to K.D. with 2:50 left in the 2nd quarter leading to a fast break sparked by a Durant 3-pointer deflated the injury plagued Chicago Bulls en route to 107-95 victory.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YhI7bml7-g&feature=player_detailpage

I think it's safe to say Kobe won't ever be the same...Time for the Lakers to clean house and get young again

This is a really good article on OKC (Putnam City) product Xavier Henry, who seems to be hitting his stride with the Lakers.

He was a lottery pick after a one-and-done at Kansas and then bounced around, but he's still only 22 and is crazy talented:

The resurrection of Lakers forward Xavier Henry - Grantland (http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/10120670/the-resurrection-lakers-forward-xavier-henry)

This is a really good article on OKC (Putnam City) product Xavier Henry, who seems to be hitting his stride with the Lakers.

He was a lottery pick after a one-and-done at Kansas and then bounced around, but he's still only 22 and is crazy talented:

The resurrection of Lakers forward Xavier Henry - Grantland (http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/10120670/the-resurrection-lakers-forward-xavier-henry)

I went to school with him at PCO & man, he was good. I'm a basketball player myself & I could make it in the NBA if that was the direction I wanted to go, but Xavier is a whole lot better than me (at least at the time we played together, he's probably on a different planet than me now with his NBA experience). I'm glad to see he's making a mark with the Lakers, he's a pretty good person from my time with him so he deserves the opportunity.

That was an impressive win tonight over the Spurs while leading for most of the game. We are now 2 - 0 against them for the season and broke a losing streak against them in San Antonio. If they stay focused for the next four games they should have a 13 game win streak when Portland comes here on New Years Eve.

That was an impressive win tonight over the Spurs while leading for most of the game. We are now 2 - 0 against them for the season and broke a losing streak against them in San Antonio.
Very impressive. Especially when you consider that KD only scored 17. The team as a whole looked really good.

You're witnessing a carbon copy of the Spurs when they went on their championship runs spanning 1999, 2003, 2005 & 2007. You have different guys stepping up on any given night. This is our recipe to success. Durant or Westbrook can have an off night.

This was a signature win for the Thunder as they continue with their winning streak and went into San Antonio where they lost six previous meetings. Popovich rested his big three as they had a night off prior to this game. They definitely can't complain about the calls--the Spurs got the benefit of the doubt.

Nick Collison was a key to the Thunder success against the Spurs tonight as he and Reggie Jackson manned the offense and defense for the second team with a spice of Westbrook and/or Durant.

Thunder Put Away Spurs - ESPN Video - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=10179068&ex_cid=espnapi_public)

http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

This is looking like most complete Thunder team yet. Really impressive win. I LOOOOOVVVEEEDDD how Brooks stuck with the bench in the 4th quarter longer than normal. We need play like this in April/May/June... #ThunderUp

Interesting site on NBA & ABA Players Born in Oklahoma:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/birthplaces.cgi?country=US&state=OK


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

Toronto comes to town tonight. Their stud is DeMar DeRozen who wouldn't have been at USC except for this guy:

Percy Miller (http://www.sillimanonsports.com/PercyMiller.html)

If nothing else, it's a great reminder at how unbelievable this Thunder organization is. To be able to have as much instability as the Thunder have had over the last 4 seasons and yet still manage to put out a premier NBA product is nothing short of amazing.

It's also a testament to how great Kevin Durant is.

I've say it frequently, but it bears repeating on a regular basis. Kevin Durant is very likely the best player that will ever don a Thunder uniform. Fans need to really comprehend that and cherish it.

I often fear that because of how great the Thunder have been, that the fans may start to feel a little entitled. And like you said, I don't think people comprehend how great KD is and understand how big of a blessing it is to have him represent this team and city. The Thunder are having their best start to a season since they've been in OKC and I already hear people talk about how there are fans leaving games early. I'll admit, it is tough to continually get amped up over and over again as a fan for games that aren't "prime time" games. I just graduated from KU this last year, and as a student who didn't miss a single home KU basketball game over a VERY dominant stretch for KU basketball, I can attest to seeing fans get spoiled by success. People just expect you to win every game regardless of the type of environment the home crowd provides.

If they stay focused for the next four games they should have a 13 game win streak when Portland comes here on New Years Eve.


Well, so much for that idea. LOL

One of those games where you can't take your foot off the gas pedal. Toronto hit key shots down the stretch...

Great minutes for the bench. Let's hope K.D. can maintain his concentration and get his groove back.

http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

Well with a loss at home look for Presti to fire Brooks any day now

Well with a loss at home look for Presti to fire Brooks any day now

Come on now Easy180--take it easy; let's have a better attitude than that. A momentum shift in which Toronto took full charge.

Glad we got that home streak where we can put it behind us. The Raptors hit some shots in which they were well guarded by the Thunder.

Thunder shot 36.8% and the Raptors shot 39.6% from the field. We were 30.4% from the three point line and they shot 40.0%.

Tough loss for our Thunder tonight after coming off that big win in San Antonio.

http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

If anything, Easy180 was being sarcastic.

If anything, Easy180 was being sarcastic.

That was exactly how I took it.