View Full Version : 2015-16 OKC Thunder
Pages :
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
[ 13]
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Laramie 03-05-2016, 11:06 AM I don't really pay attention to the guys who's job it is to just talk either. But I think it's safe to believe that guys like Desmond Mason or Royce Young who either played in the league or make a living doing nothing but following the Thunder know more than we as fans do. Much like I listen to doctors when they talk medicine or lawyers when they talk about the law.
Agree,
Mason & Young are among the best; like having good advice on investing in stocks & bonds.
Laramie 03-05-2016, 11:10 AM Team is reportedly going to sign Nazr Mohammed. Watch out, Golden State!
The veteran of eight teams in his 18th NBA season played in Oklahoma City once before, when the Thunder lost to the Miami Heat in the 2011-12 NBA Finals. He spent the previous three seasons with the Chicago Bulls in a limited backup capacity but has not played this season.
Good move to gear up for the playoffs; he's played on enough teams, so he shouldn't have any trouble making that adjustment.
Oklahoma City Thunder to sign center Nazr Mohammed (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14905312/oklahoma-city-thunder-sign-center-nazr-mohammed)
Are we 'fashion or fair weather fans' or are we 'true fans' dedicated to our Oklahoma City Thunder?
That's means supporting the franchise through good times & bad times.
Thomas Vu 03-05-2016, 04:00 PM Eh, I didn't think much of Mohammed when he was on the Thunder, and don't think so much now. Thunder is stacked at C as is.
As for Kanter, I'm often disappointed that he's not playing more as well. WIth the amount of minutes he plays he usually ends up getting around the same numbers as Ibaka, not to mention Thunder are paying him a lot.
Urbanized 03-06-2016, 12:34 PM Mohammed wasn't signed for his play. He was brought on to be a strong veteran voice in the locker room, which they have obviously been missing since Perk was dealt.
dankrutka 03-06-2016, 06:33 PM 38 year old, geez OKC is desperate. Too little too late, primary strategy of developing new talent has proven to be a failure ( in terms of putting together a championship level team for the near term).
He's just a positive locker room presence. Everything isn't negative.
Laramie 03-06-2016, 10:30 PM True, he's a good locker room veteran; Nazr Mohammed (6'10" - 250 lbs.) has some value in that can play backup center if one of your centers get injured, exhausted or in foul trouble.
He could also be used for special assignments like wrap up or hard fouls; Nazr will finish out the season (20 games) on a 2015-16 veteran salary scale (with 10+ years experience) minimum - $1,499,187 prorated .
NBA - CBA Minimum Annual Salary Scale - RealGM (http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/info/minimum_scale)
dankrutka 03-07-2016, 12:00 AM True, he's a good locker room veteran; Nazr Mohammed (6'10" - 250 lbs.) has some value in that can play backup center if one of your centers get injured, exhausted or in foul trouble.[/url]
I don't think he has any value as a player any more (as exhibited by no NBA team employing him), and I don't think the team would use Nazr even in case of emergency. They'd likely just play small. Seriously, you'd have to have injuries to at least three or t of Adams, Kanter, Serge, Collison, McGary, and KD before Nazr would get in a game. But it's good to have high character guys in the locker room.
Laramie 03-08-2016, 10:48 AM I don't think he has any value as a player any more (as exhibited by no NBA team employing him), and I don't think the team would use Nazr even in case of emergency. They'd likely just play small. Seriously, you'd have to have injuries to at least three or t of Adams, Kanter, Serge, Collison, McGary, and KD before Nazr would get in a game. But it's good to have high character guys in the locker room.
Consider what they are paying him, I see your point. Really don't think that Perkins' offered that much of a veteran's voice; his voice was more in the complaint variety. Notice how Westbrook has calmed down since Perkins' departure.
We'll see if they can use Nazr in some future match-ups or situations. Nazr can probably get you more points than Perkins .5 :D . Much will probably have to do with who is officiating the playoffs. Will they call a lot of 'tick tack fouls' or will they let them play . . .
Jersey Boss 03-08-2016, 11:40 AM I don't think he has any value as a player any more (as exhibited by no NBA team employing him), and I don't think the team would use Nazr even in case of emergency. They'd likely just play small. Seriously, you'd have to have injuries to at least three or t of Adams, Kanter, Serge, Collison, McGary, and KD before Nazr would get in a game. But it's good to have high character guys in the locker room.
Durant has what, seven years in the league? I would opine that is enough time for him to be the "veteran in the locker room" to provide the guidance and leadership a team of young guys would need. Nazr will bring zero to this team and is a waste of money.
Urbanized 03-08-2016, 11:44 AM This is Durant's 9th season. He does what he does, which is obviously amazing, but I don't think he will ever be the calming veteran voice in the locker room.
Jersey Boss 03-08-2016, 02:27 PM 9 seasons and he can't provide that kind of leadership. Not good.
dankrutka 03-08-2016, 02:28 PM Where is everyone getting their locker room info concerning KD's lack of leadership? I'm really looking forward to reading it.
Bellaboo 03-08-2016, 03:13 PM 9 seasons and he can't provide that kind of leadership. Not good.
Collison's been around since time began, where's his leadership ?
Jersey Boss 03-08-2016, 03:18 PM Where is everyone getting their locker room info concerning KD's lack of leadership? I'm really looking forward to reading it.
From the local press. Articles have been written about Perkins role in the past in providing this type of leadership in the locker room and the acquisition of a player (Nazr) who has not played this year on any other team to provide this leadership. If KD was filling this role, why the need for Nazr?
Jersey Boss 03-08-2016, 03:20 PM Collison's been around since time began, where's his leadership ?
No need to get defensive, just an observation. Collison is not of the stature of KD. No one ever called the Thunder "Collison's team"
Laramie 03-08-2016, 03:24 PM We'll find out pretty soon what's Nazr role.
Urbanized 03-08-2016, 04:20 PM Jersey Boss sortof answered it for me, but yeah, the fact that the media regularly discusses a need for a veteran voice in the locker room - despite having arguably two of the four greatest players in the world on the team, one 8 seasons in and one 9 - is evidence enough that KD probably isn't the locker room sage. And there is nothing at all wrong with that. I don't think Russell is, either; he is more of a floor general. Those are sometimes very different personality types. KD doesn't have to be the sage in the locker room; he just needs to be awesome. It's perfectly fine for someone else to fill that role.
And, regarding Nick, I think he is mostly a leader by example. He is relatively quiet, obviously lots of basketball smarts, but I just don't see him being the guy to get everyone fired up in the locker room or take the lead in calming everyone when the wheels are falling off. Basketball is a chemistry game, probably more than any other major sport.
dankrutka 03-08-2016, 04:30 PM From the local press. Articles have been written about Perkins role in the past in providing this type of leadership in the locker room and the acquisition of a player (Nazr) who has not played this year on any other team to provide this leadership. If KD was filling this role, why the need for Nazr?
Is it possible that it would be useful to have more than one leader in a locker room? To call out KD's leadership because the team brought in a veteran leader when they had an open spot on the roster that wasn't being used seems like baseless speculation. Maybe the Thunder management brought in Nazr because they are trying to recruit him to join the organization in some other capacity after his playing career? Maybe they brought him in to mentor the young bigs on defensive rotations? There are so many unknowns here that branding KD as a failed leader seems irresponsible, especially since I've hardly heard a single negative word about KD as a teammate since he arrived. In fact, I've read a ton of stories about the many ways he has been an exceptional leader.
dankrutka 03-08-2016, 04:34 PM Jersey Boss sortof answered it for me, but yeah, the fact that the media regularly discusses a need for a veteran voice in the locker room - despite having arguably two of the four greatest players in the world on the team, one 8 seasons in and one 9 - is evidence enough that KD probably isn't the locker room sage. And there is nothing at all wrong with that. I don't think Russell is, either; he is more of a floor general. Those are sometimes very different personality types. KD doesn't have to be the sage in the locker room; he just needs to be awesome. It's perfectly fine for someone else to fill that role.
And, regarding Nick, I think he is mostly a leader by example. He is relatively quiet, obviously lots of basketball smarts, but I just don't see him being the guy to get everyone fired up in the locker room or take the lead in calming everyone when the wheels are falling off. Basketball is a chemistry game, probably more than any other major sport.
Just to understand your thinking, who do you consider "locker room sages" around the league?
Urbanized 03-08-2016, 05:13 PM Who knows? I've never been in an NBA locker room. When players are in there, anyway. That is for a general manager to figure out, and to a lesser extent for sports journalists to decipher and report. All I know is that if a guy - apparently - doesn't fill that role after 8 or 9 seasons in the league, that probably isn't going to ever be his strong suit. And that's cool, as long as he's bringing other things to the table. Locker room glue guys are usually pretty cheap. All-world players are not.
Laramie 03-08-2016, 08:01 PM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoRCSwaRHkg
Enough said, don't mess with Nazr Mohammed!
...did you ever see Perkins react like this.
Bellaboo 03-08-2016, 08:31 PM I remember Perkins told some player, maybe Z-Bo, that he wanted to meet him in the parking lot behind the bus.
Bellaboo 03-08-2016, 08:33 PM No need to get defensive, just an observation. Collison is not of the stature of KD. No one ever called the Thunder "Collison's team"
This is in relation to years in the league, to which you brought up.
SouthsideSooner 03-08-2016, 09:49 PM I think this goes a long way in explaining the signing...
"So what's an example of the kind of value Mohammed can bring? Kevin Durant explained, referring back to a 2012 slump during Mohammed's first stint with the Thunder.
“We were going through the same thing we are going through right now,” Durant said. “Lost a few games in a row, we were struggling a bit, locker room was down. We were expected to be a contender. Nobody knew it from the outside, but the inside we were going through it a bit. And after every game, Nazr would invite all of us to his house. It would be Reggie (Jackson), Lazar Hayward, Royal (Ivey), myself, (Derek Fisher). We would just all hang out at his house after every game."
"He opened his doors for us and his wife was amazing just letting the boys hang out. It was just cool, man. It was something I always thought about when he left and all the other guys left. Just going through a tough time and he was always a guy to lean on, someone you could talk to about anything. Like a big brother.”
I think it was a great move on Prestie's part...
Thunder journal: Kevin Durant explains the value of a locker room voice like Nazr Mohammed | News OK (http://newsok.com/thunder-journal-kevin-durant-explains-the-value-of-a-locker-room-voice-like-nazr-mohammed/article/5483248)
Urbanized 03-09-2016, 08:32 AM That says it all. Again, veteran leadership that has been lacking since he and others left. From Kevin Durant's own mouth.
dankrutka 03-09-2016, 08:53 AM That says it all. Again, veteran leadership that has been lacking since he and others left. From Kevin Durant's own mouth.
Wait. Where in the quote above does it say leadership has been missing? It just says that Nazr was a good leader, not that there's a been a void of leadership, right?
Laramie 03-09-2016, 08:59 AM Dion Waiters' brother passes.
Waiters family is no stranger to death; 4 hours after Dion was born his grandmother died.
Fox29 in Philadelphia
has reported that Dion's brother was murdered. He was among six people murdered in the city on Tuesday.
Dion Waiters' Little Brother Passes Away - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/31423558/dion-waiters-little-brother-dies-in-philadelphia)
Wish to bestow our condolences to Dion, his mother & father (Monique & Dion Waiters) and family.
Oklahoma City Thunder Nation.
Urbanized 03-09-2016, 02:53 PM Come on, Dan. You are trying to twist this into something that it is not, which is not at all like your normal posting. I never said that there is ZERO leadership. Only that it obviously has not been there in the way it used to be, which is precisely why they signed Nazr. Durant CLEARLY states this; that it was something that had been missing since the departure of Mohammed and others:
..."It was something I always thought about when he left and all the other guys left. Just going through a tough time and he was always a guy to lean on, someone you could talk to about anything. Like a big brother.”
A team doesn't have to be completely devoid of leadership to still really, REALLY need more of it. The Thunder obviously needed more of it, and KD doesn't shy away from saying so.
dankrutka 03-09-2016, 08:52 PM I'm really not trying to twist anything. I may have missed that second bolded sentence though. And I don't disagree at all that the Thunder may need some form of leadership. I just think it's overly speculative to assume KD is not a leader, which others besides you posted.
Anyway, glad to have Nazr back. He's easy to like.
Jersey Boss 03-09-2016, 09:24 PM Dan, what is your belief on why the Thunder would give up their last roster spot to a guy who has not played in a year and a half? He might be easy to like but c'mon its about winning a championship and this is not a move to get there.
dankrutka 03-09-2016, 09:45 PM Not sure I understand your question. Nazr is clearly just on the team for veteran leadership. There were no available players at this point that would help on the court.
Laramie 03-09-2016, 11:37 PM .
Oklahoma City Thunder 120 - Los Angeles Clippers 108
Clippers vs. Thunder - Box Score - March 9, 2016 - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400828842)
Jersey Boss 03-10-2016, 09:31 AM Nice game by the Thunder, especially Westbrook and Durant. Hopefully there will come a time for some payback on Paul for blasting Durant in his package in the second quarter.
Bellaboo 03-10-2016, 12:39 PM Nice game by the Thunder, especially Westbrook and Durant. Hopefully there will come a time for some payback on Paul for blasting Durant in his package in the second quarter.
Chris Paul did that a Wake Forest one time...... he should be suspended. Durant was fired up at the official about it. I'm surprised they didn't get a review on it and suspend CP for the second half.
My Wife still thinks it's funny when I flinch and cover and go owie when I see something like that. CP should have got a adios for that.
Urbanized 03-10-2016, 02:29 PM I'm really not trying to twist anything. I may have missed that second bolded sentence though. And I don't disagree at all that the Thunder may need some form of leadership. I just think it's overly speculative to assume KD is not a leader, which others besides you posted.
Anyway, glad to have Nazr back. He's easy to like.
I personally never said that KD is not a leader; only that it appears that he won't ever be the "calming veteran voice in the locker room" that they are/were obviously in need of. There certainly are multiple opportunities for leadership on a team, and multiple people can be leaders. I think the type of leadership that KD already exhibits is by example. For one thing, his work ethic is reportedly second to none.
But again, by his own admission he is not currently the "big brother" type that settles everyone down, picks up the team emotionally when they are experiencing a rough patch., etc., etc.. And there is no reason that has to be the responsibility of your star player. You're appearing to interpret these comments as attacks on KD and they absolutely are not.
Again, veteran leadership is cheap and plentiful; all-world talent is not. Just let KD be KD and hire to fill in the gaps where he isn't best suited. And not to beat a dead horse, but after nine years in the league, it becomes obvious even through his own quotes that he's in no danger of being the calming veteran "glue" guy anytime soon. Who cares? That's why you sign guys like Mohammed.
Laramie 03-10-2016, 06:22 PM My Wife still thinks it's funny when I flinch and cover and go owie when I see something like that. CP should have got a adios for that.
https://blog-blogmediainc.netdna-ssl.com/upload/SportsBlogcom/1225215/0462441001447861894_filepicker.jpg
Paul is the first one to complain every time a player blows his breath or brushes up against him--he wants a foul called.
He's not the same player we so admired when he played for the New Orleans-Oklahoma City Hornets. Now, he's one of those players you just can stand.
Jim Kyle 03-11-2016, 09:33 AM Not sure I understand your question. Nazr is clearly just on the team for veteran leadership. There were no available players at this point that would help on the court.After all the comment about never putting Nazr in a game, did anyone else notice that he DID get on the floor in the final minutes of the Clippers match?
dankrutka 03-11-2016, 10:02 AM After all the comment about never putting Nazr in a game, did anyone else notice that he DID get on the floor in the final minutes of the Clippers match?
The point is that he will not be in the rotation playing meaningful minutes. I don't think anyone thought he wouldn't get in in meaningless, mop-up time.
Laramie 03-11-2016, 10:05 AM After all the comment about never putting Nazr in a game, did anyone else notice that he DID get on the floor in the final minutes of the Clippers match?
Glad you brought that up, Jim. We have some upcoming youth who will need guidance; Nazr offers 'old school' experience ingrained in him that you don't see among veterans on the team today. Perkins did help make them tough; Mohammed will make them tough and smart.
It's no slap in the face to Durant & Westbrook to have Nazr on board as a locker room General. It's all about TEAM. Mohammed's experience with the Thunder was under Brooks' regime; he should fit in with the sets & ball movement you see transiting under Donovan.
.
Thomas Vu 03-11-2016, 09:38 PM That was a funny game. Was it bad execution on PnR, or did Min keep busting it up?
Sonny_Crockett 03-11-2016, 09:51 PM 2016: First Round Exit
2017: 3rd Pick in the Lottery
2018: Westbrook wins a title in L.A.
The Thunder are more cursed than the Chicago Cubs. This is not their year.
Easy180 03-11-2016, 11:08 PM Oh well. Good not great. Could be worse. Could live in Philly.
OKCRT 03-12-2016, 04:25 PM Oh well. Good not great. Could be worse. Could live in Philly.
This team is not responding to Coach D. Or maybe Coach D doesn't know what he's doing.
Thomas Vu 03-12-2016, 06:09 PM Who's coach D? Did Brett Brown leave?
Sonny_Crockett 03-12-2016, 10:02 PM Oh well. Good not great. Could be worse. Could live in Philly.
76ers will reach the Finals before the Thunder reach the Western Conference Finals. Bill Donovan will be fired next April and Westbrook will be bringing showtime back to the Lakers while the Thunder will be in the lottery for a spell.
SOONER8693 03-12-2016, 10:03 PM Another 4th qtr meltdown. Same ole, same ole. It's reached the point now, you expect them to meltdown and lose. Just another L.
kwhey 03-13-2016, 08:43 PM https://blog-blogmediainc.netdna-ssl.com/upload/SportsBlogcom/1225215/0462441001447861894_filepicker.jpg
Paul is the first one to complain every time a player blows his breath or brushes up against him--he wants a foul called.
He's not the same player we so admired when he played for the New Orleans-Oklahoma City Hornets. Now, he's one of those players you just can stand.
That's not true. He has always been a scumbag. He did that at Wake Forest too.
Laramie 03-14-2016, 09:31 PM Oklahoma City Thunder 128 - Portland Trail Blazers 94
Trail Blazers vs. Thunder - Box Score - March 14, 2016 - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400828880)
Anonymous. 03-15-2016, 08:03 AM That's the team we should see every night. Hopefully we can build some momentum.
Also, I must say... Having Payne and Morrow taking Waiters minutes is pretty nice so far.
^Letting Kanter have more minutes is very refreshing.
Thomas Vu 03-15-2016, 10:55 AM Add Serge being the Serge we know to the list.
Laramie 03-16-2016, 08:43 PM .
Oklahoma City 109 Thunder 130 - Boston Celtics
Thunder vs. Celtics - Box Score - March 16, 2016 - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400828890)
Laramie 03-18-2016, 09:37 PM .
Oklahoma City Thunder 111 - Philadelphia 76ers 97
Thunder vs. 76ers - Box Score - March 18, 2016 - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400828908)
Laramie 03-19-2016, 08:59 PM .
Oklahoma City Thunder 115 - Indiana Pacers 111
Thunder vs. Pacers - Box Score - March 19, 2016 - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400828918)
Los Angeles Clippers 102 - Memphis Grizzlies 113 (Final)
Thunder now hold a 4 game lead over the Clippers. OKC has played 2 more games than L.A.
Good game tonight. Did anyone else have sub-par audio on TNT tonight?
Laramie 03-22-2016, 09:55 PM Good game tonight. Did anyone else have sub-par audio on TNT tonight?
Did have to adjust the audio once the game started. Could barely hear it.
Laramie 03-22-2016, 09:57 PM Oklahoma City Thunder 111 - Houston Rockets 107
Rockets vs. Thunder - Box Score - March 22, 2016 - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400828941)
Thunder 49-22 (GP-71) are 5 games up on the Clippers 43-26 (GP-69) who have played 2 less games.
Bill Robertson 03-23-2016, 09:04 AM Did have to adjust the audio once the game started. Could barely hear it.I guess it was just as well then that I was playing league pool in our dump of a home bar without sound.
|
|