A very interesting report from CBS Sports with a focus on KD and the Thunder.

Summer League Buzz: Looking ahead to the chase for Kevin Durant - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/25240123/summer-league-buzz-looking-ahead-to-the-chase-for-kevin-durant)

Not intended at a slight at posting the article above, just a personal opinion:

I have so little interest in the two thousand articles about KD's free agency chase simply because so much could change this season. It's all conjecture without nine months of evidence. I just wanting see KD playing again!

Not intended at a slight at posting the article above, just a personal opinion:

I have so literal interest in the two thousand articles about KD's free agency chase simply because so much could change this season. It's all conjecture without nine months of evidence. I just wanting see KD playing again!
As I've mentioned previously, this time of the year is rife with speculation. Some enjoy that and some don't.

Darnell Mayberry ‏@DarnellMayberry

Thunder sending Perry Jones, a second round pick and cash to Boston, according to @SteveBHoop

The Thunder will receive a protected second-round pick from Boston and a trade exception of about $2.1 million. But this is a salary dump.



Royce Young ‏@royceyoung

The Thunder are preparing to trade Perry Jones and a future second round pick to the Celtics. The deal will create roughly $7m in savings.


Anthony Slater ‏@anthonyVslater 13m13 minutes ago

The Perry Jones trade slices a chunk of the Thunder's tax bill and also opens a potential roster spot for Josh Huestis.

Man. I would have thought we could have received something for PJ3, but I guess not. We may have to give up a real asset to unload Novak.

Thunder roster additions (post draft, free agency) :



https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTDQr5LxJMeTJeIDOsn41KZhqA1GYtWG jj6Etp2mKEk18SYSPvm
Dakari Johnson - Center, Age 19, Height: 7-0, Weight: 255, (Kentucky)

https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HQ.281634031947&pid=15.1&P=0
Enes Kanter - Center, Age 23, Height: 6-11, Weight: 245, (Kentucky)

https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xaf1/t51.2885-15/s320x320/e15/11410521_835542209863496_597312411_n.jpg
Cameron Payne - Point Guard, Age 20, Height: 6-3, Weight: 185 (Murray State)

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT6dcaHWC6jesCmImfn0uLQUdgLAT6os tFBnuM1KzPJuwGZhTaWUw
Kyle Singler - Small Forward, Age 27, Height: 6-8, Weight: 228 (Duke)

Oklahoma City Thunder 2016 Team Roster - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/okc)

I'm sure you know, but Johnson almost assuredly will not be on the Thunder roster. Should join Christon on the Blue.

The Utah Jazz officially signed Tibor Pleiss on Tuesday and general manager Dennis Lindsey is thrilled to have the German center join the team as he brings a unique skill-set to the roster.

Utah acquired Pleiss, the 31st pick of the 2010 draft, in February from Oklahoma City as part of the Enes Kanter trade.


Report: Signing Pleiss pleases Lindsey - NBA - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/blog/nba/post/_/id/6336/report-signing-pleiss-pleases-lindsey)

Tibor Pleiss broke the contract with Barcelona, heads to the Utah Jazz (http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/spain/167907/tibor-pleiss-broke-the-contract-with-barcelona-heads-to-the-utah-jazz.html)

New alts inbound?


Andrew Lind ‏@AndrewMLind 14m14 minutes ago

A look at every new NBA alternate, pride, stretch, hardwood classic, and officials' uniforms, @UniWatch @PhilHecken:

http://i.imgur.com/PRS7tLL.jpg

Awesome news, if that's legit. That's more-or-less the alt jersey that I've been wanting for years.

I don't mind the orange jerseys in isolation, but there's barely orange in the color scheme. From the logo to the jerseys to the alternates, the Thunder are underwhelming in their design department. Check Milwaukee or Philly for some nice jersey updates.

What about the giant orange basketball in the logo?

What about the giant orange basketball in the logo?

I was referring to the jersey color schemes. Why not though? The first alternate was navy blue and white. There's just no consistency with the jerseys... So, why not have 4 jerseys of that are four different colors already (white, blue, navy blue, orange)? I'm sure yellow and then red jerseys are next. Lol.

From the logo to the jerseys to the alternates, the Thunder are underwhelming in their design department.

Totally agree. I wish they would go out and get a serious firm to revamp the entire brand. As much as I love the Thunder, I think the logo and jerseys are some of the most amateur/generic things out there.

Thunder are 8th in the NBA in team merchandise sales which actually has slipped a little. They were in the top 5 following the trip to the finals. Those numbers are of course fueled by KD and Westbrook sales.

Curry overtakes LeBron for most popular jersey in NBA | NBA.com (http://www.nba.com/2015/news/06/30/curry-overtakes-lebron-james-for-nbas-top-jersey.ap)

I was referring to the jersey color schemes. Why not though? The first alternate was navy blue and white. There's just no consistency with the jerseys... So, why not have 4 jerseys of that are four different colors already (white, blue, navy blue, orange)? I'm sure yellow and then red jerseys are next. Lol.

Don't forget about those horrible sleeved white jerseys from late last season. Really hope those are gone for good.

Ready for some of this -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6rRHHrmQds

Staying: Josh Huestis

Thunder sign Josh Huestis (http://dailythunder.com/2015/07/thunder-sign-josh-huestis/)

Good luck to you, Josh Huestis.

Going: Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman

Nancy Lieberman expected to become Kings assistant coach | The Sacramento Bee (http://www.sacbee.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ailene-voisin/article29576944.html)

And good luck to you, Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman.

Are you ready for some vintage Kevin Durant?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckMremirNcw&feature=player_detailpage

NBA 2015-16 schedule out tonight at 5:00 CST.

The video clips of KD moving around recently gives me goosebumps. League better be put on watch. OKC got that injury revenge mode this season.

Oklahoma City Thunder 2015-16 schedule released:


October: 2 GP: 1 home/1 away

November: 16 GP: 10 home/6 away
December: 15 GP: 9 home/6 away

January: 16 GP: 7 home/9 away
February: 11 GP: 6 Home/5 away

March: 16 GP: 7 home/9 away
April: 6 GP: 1 home/5 away

April: First 4 of 6 games on the road (Houston, Denver, Portland & Sacramento); then home against Los Angeles, close out the season @San Antonio.

Nationally televised: ESPN: 10 - NBA TV (blacked out): 9 - TNT: 9 - ABC - 5 (24 nationally televised games).
Turner Media NBA version: http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/media/2.0/teamsites/thunder/ThunderBroadcastSked-201516.pdf
ESPN version: http://espn.go.com/nba/team/schedule/_/name/okc

5 abc games again, woohoo. Awesome to be considered a Top Marquee team! and 3 of those are in OKC, great to show off the city to a expanded nationwide audience.

anybody know how many games OKC ended up having nationally televised last year? IIRC, it was a record amount.

.
'Nobody is going to beat this juggernaut as you call them; because I think they have arrived...'--Skip Bayless.

Get ready, have the pieces arrived--Donovan, Williams, Cheeks... ...Durant, Collison, Westbrook, Ibaka, Adams, McGary, Roberson, Morrow, Waiters, Kanter, Augustin, Singler, Novak, Huestis & Payne.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=w6rRHHrmQds
Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the Thunder.

NBA: Five Players Poised To Make The Jump Into Stardom This Season (http://sircharlesincharge.com/2015/08/12/nba-five-players-poised-to-make-the-jump-into-stardom-this-season/)


1. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
2. Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors
3. Otto Porter, Washington Wizards
4. Enes Kanter, Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Danilo Gallinari, Denver Nuggets

If Enes can really improve his defense, he'll be a beast down low.

If Enes can really improve his defense, he'll be a beast down low.

It's not just defense. He needs to improve in a lot of areas. Here's a good breakdown:
Exploring the Stats World of Enes Kanter ? Vantage Sports (http://www.vantagesports.com/story/VcEmXh0AAB0A3MlZ/exploring-the-stats-world-of-enes-kanter)

I'm a Kanter skeptic. He might have been the worst defender in the NBA last season. Most players don't show improvement all of a sudden after four years of being bad at something. His offense will be less valuable if everyone is healthy. I suspect all his offensive stats will go down this season. We'll see... Prove me wrong, big man.

It's not just defense. He needs to improve in a lot of areas. Here's a good breakdown:
Exploring the Stats World of Enes Kanter ? Vantage Sports (http://www.vantagesports.com/story/VcEmXh0AAB0A3MlZ/exploring-the-stats-world-of-enes-kanter)

I'm a Kanter skeptic. He might have been the worst defender in the NBA last season. Most players don't show improvement all of a sudden after four years of being bad at something. His offense will be less valuable if everyone is healthy. I suspect all his offensive stats will go down this season. We'll see... Prove me wrong, big man.

He takes pressure off of KD. Teams have double and triple teamed KD in the playoffs, because they never respected Perkins (and Sefalosha). This is partly why we see so many 1-10 from 3 games from Russ. Kanter helps this.

I think we'll see improvement in Kanter and McGary this year on defense, especially with Kanter going through training camp. McGary getting hurt last year set him back, but one of these 2 could very well pick it up.

I was looking at the schedule for some highlight games and one which normally would not have been so great, but might be really interesting is the Pisons (and Reggie) on Fri. Nov. 27th (night after Thanksgiving). I think it will be REALLY fun to watch Westbrook go at Reggie. Should be fun.

Oklahoma City Thunder-Seattle Supersonics' shared history.

Seattle was granted an NBA expansion franchise in 1967; its glory lasted 41 years with the conclusion of the Sonics' era in 2008. Oklahoma City was approved for relocation (2008-09 season) as the NBA welcomed the Sooner State market as the Thunder ignited a new era.


As part of the settlement of a lawsuit between the Bennett ownership group and the city of Seattle, the colors, logo and SuperSonics nickname would remain in Seattle. The franchise history moved with the club to its new home on the Great Plains.

Thorough analysis and observation of the 25 best players for the Supersonics-Thunder teams.


Who knew the origin of a franchise could be controversial?

But when one looks at the lineage of the Oklahoma City Thunder, there will inevitably be squawks. Leave out the history of the Seattle SuperSonics and there will be complaints. Include the history of the Seattle SuperSonics and, well, there will be complaints.


Oklahoma City Thunder: 25 Best To Play For The Thunder (http://hoopshabit.com/2015/08/14/oklahoma-city-thunder-25-best-players-play-thunder/?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email)

Hope you will appreciate the history of our team from its original home in Seattle to its present day in Oklahoma City.

It's 2015. Why is there Seattle Supersonics stuff in the yearly Thunder thread?

Because Laramie.


I was looking at the schedule for some highlight games and one which normally would not have been so great, but might be really interesting is the Pisons (and Reggie) on Fri. Nov. 27th (night after Thanksgiving). I think it will be REALLY fun to watch Westbrook go at Reggie. Should be fun.

I've got Sunday, December 6th marked in red on my calendar, for that is the day Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman returns to Oklahoma City. Not as a television analyst, but as an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings.

I'm glad this poll gave the only two logical answers. HELL YES!

I've said this before, but I'm not surprised others see it too... The Thunder organization is really terrible when it comes logos/uniforms/etc. I actually think the Thunder have the worst logo, worst uniforms, worst color scheme, worst alternate uniforms, and worst D-League logo. Anyway, Grantland ranked the Thunder logo as the worst: The Definitive NBA Logo Rankings « (http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-definitive-nba-logo-rankings/)


Like, what is this? Thunder higher-ups hoped fans would think of two things when they heard the name — storms and rampaging bison — but they didn’t want to commit visually in either direction. A stormy logo might marginalize the bison, a key symbol for local Native Americans, and the staid Thunder thought it would be silly to have mature adults wear jerseys with animals on them. “We didn’t feel like having professional players represented by [an] animal was where we wanted to be,” says Brian Byrnes, the team’s senior vice-president for sales and marketing. Besides, Byrnes says, “the bull was already taken.”

Straddling the fence resulted in this vanilla mishmash. “It might be the best D-League logo ever made,” says Tom O’Grady, who served as the NBA’s first creative director before leaving to found Gameplan Creative, a Chicago-based branding consultancy. Team officials say the shield hints at a leader charging into battle, and that the upward rising “bolts,” which don’t look like bolts at all, symbolize a young franchise growing up.

No team has worse art, top to bottom, and Nike will push for an overhaul once it replaces Adidas as the league’s apparel partner in 2017. Nike and the Thunder are already talking, and the Thunder “haven’t ruled out” a more explicit weather-related secondary mark, Byrnes says.

Bad news: Oklahoma City seems locked into the shield motif and likely won’t replace it with a bison — or anything else. “To some extent, we are committed to the idea we have,” Byrnes says. “But we would not dismiss good feedback, particularly from Nike. We’re open to modernizing the logo, but we don’t have an appetite to overhaul it.”

They already have plenty of nice bison illustrations, courtesy of Dick Sakahara, a California designer who consulted with the Thunder during the team’s creation.

“I have a lot of bison that never got to be,” Sakahara says.

The Thunder do a lot of things really well as an organization and, like everyone else, I've long grown used to the logo and home/away uniforms, but I just think the organization needs to realize that they're failing in this respect and up their game.

Thunder Media Day is Monday.

Training camp begins next Tuesday. The NBA season is right around the corner.

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQKmviR-_kKQH-_y4Rk6jhtQZQBambpHxJFSt5s_W1pyGgtBL03
101 N Main St, Newcastle, OK Population 9,155 (from I-44, 90 US 62 south of Oklahoma City) http://va.hudl.com/0747/18504/efb/54c42b4b0cd8492d644c8efb/bjij/flowhighlights/1316_XXL.jpg?v=11D386701D1DD208


That means OKC's annual preseason scrimmage is coming to a local high school. On Tuesday morning, the team announced this year's version of the Blue and White game would be played at Newcastle, set for Sunday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m.

“The Newcastle community has shown its loyal support for our team and its excitement to host this event at every stage of this process,” senior vice president Brian Byrnes said. “The annual Blue and White Scrimmage gives us an outstanding opportunity to connect with communities across the state and recognize Thunder fans in their hometowns.”

Past events have been staged in Choctaw, Bixby, Bethany, Yukon, Midwest City and Moore.

The Newcastle administration is distributing tickets to its community.
Source: Oklahoman Sports - September 23, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKiWpjgD24Q

Kevin Durant 2015-2016 HYPE "The Return" HD

11553

Thunder Sunset Uniforms | Oklahoma City Thunder (http://www.nba.com/thunder/video/sunset_uniforms_150925)

I think they look awful. I like the OKC but the "sunset" color is awful.

From the news release (http://www.nba.com/thunder/news/release_sunset_uniforms_150925)

The full schedule for when the team plans to wear the sunset alternate is as follows (home games in bold):

Sunday, Nov. 1, vs. Denver Nuggets
Sunday, Nov. 8, vs. Phoenix Suns
Sunday, Nov. 15, vs. Boston Celtics
Sunday, Nov. 22, vs. Dallas Mavericks
Sunday, Dec. 6, vs. Sacramento Kings
Sunday, Dec. 13, vs. Utah Jazz
Sunday, Dec. 27, vs. Denver Nuggets
Wednesday, Jan. 6, vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Sunday, Jan. 10, at Portland Trail Blazers
Sunday, Jan. 17, vs. Miami Heat
Sunday, Jan. 24, at Brooklyn Nets
Saturday, Feb. 6, at Golden State Warriors
Sunday, Feb. 21, vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Sunday, March 6, at Milwaukee Bucks
Wednesday, March 16, at Boston Celtics
Monday, March 28, at Toronto Raptors
Sunday, April 3, at Houston Rockets
Saturday, April 9, at Sacramento Kings

I think they look awful. I like the OKC but the "sunset" color is awful.

I like these fine on their own, but they just had to ridiculousness that is the Thunder's all-colors scheme. There's just no continuity among these alternatives and the standards. Everythink is a new color with a new design. Anyway, I'm really excited for the season.

Love the huge "OKC!

Been lobbying for that for a long time.

It would look more like a "sunset" if it faded from light orange to dark orange. It would also look a lot better than just dark orange. We aren't the Phoenix Suns.

I'd rather it be "sunrise". The term "sunset" has too much potential negative connotation considering certain soon-to-expire player contracts.

http://i.cdn.turner.com/drp/nba/thunder/sites/default/files/0_westbrook_sunset_150925.jpg https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQOlZkxEjFXGsfsecTIsLYrIKpdZ95xf LlV1ocCHKNYJhJNZLui https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTz3BuQR1Y1cnRKN5H0HR0DiMUMr1juo FPxS6ty12UC5zKl9PW1https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRwPJNTgCa-y6bP81qlt-H_WlN9RjV9CKJRFJwkp_hoIQDa_EFI

Love the black trim with the OKC script.

Is that black or navy blue?

Think it's navy. Syracuse-esque

"Sunset" as in Phoenix Suns

As usual ESPN is clamoring for Durant to leave OKC and join Miami/New York/LA and they already project Cleveland will win the title. If the the Thunder were lucky enough to make it to the final, I just don't see them beating Cleveland in a 7 game series. Well hopefully I'm wrong.

Kevin Durant:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNt7bJpWG68


Striving for Greatness

Courtesy of Luxcetus

RW's fun new commercial.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIvSY_qvAw8

Oh, it is SO ON!

Stephen A. Smith is now openly threatening Kevin Durant on television - SBNation.com (http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/10/5/9454515/stephen-a-smith-kevin-durant-first-take-rant-threat-nba-what-even)

Steven A Smith or KD, who do you take in a fight? My guess is KD would throw his scrawny ass out the window.

SAS is just after a little pub.

Starting to get excited for the season. I'll still be in college football mode for a bit..but am really hoping for a big season. It is amazing to me that it seems as if people forgot how good KD truly is, after only 1 season away from the game. I hope he comes back this year, in MYP form. Championship or bust!!!!

It's obvious that Smith picks a fight with Kevin Durant to draw attention to himself.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQUNIOTJIeLL1jl-Jf2j9_Az5kbtGGnvwzSyujseVKEat5QZBM7jw

Liar, Liar pants on fire...

Stephen A. Smith Goes Off on Kevin Durant on ‘ESPN First Take’: “You Do Not Want to Make an Enemy Out of Me.": https://news.yahoo.com/stephen-smith-goes-off-kevin-155551442.html

As grandma use to say: "Don't make me laugh."

Stephen A Smith is a "Reporter" A Reporter's job is to report the news by stating facts not fiction. Stephen A Smith needs to do his job and Report the news. Rumors he has heard from reliable sources is not News. KD said if it doesn't come from his mouth personally or his agent then it is not true. I was lucky to attend a Chalk Talk with Sam Presti yesterday. He doesn't seam to worry when asked a general question about KD and his free agency. The person who asked the question did a clever way of wording the question. All Presti could say was the organization has the resources to pay KD and Russ. So it is pretty much generally up to the player. You look at what OKC has to offer and plans they have to do with their Practice facility and the future of the Organization. They are the premier franchise. What can you get with a older larger market? Older facilities you don't get that personal attention. With today's World It doesn't matter where you live it is how you live and KD and Russ only thing that will lure them away is if they want to play in their hometowns. They have the means to hop on a plane for a weekend and visit family etc. Money is not a priority for them and championship is a priority that is all they are thinking about this season. So let the Rumors fly KD and Russ right now there focus is not on their free agency it is on securing a championship they have the pieces around them finally for the first time in their career. I bet if they land that championship they will stay together here in OKC and be Franchise players. I am ready for this season. THUNDER UP!!!

Just pre-season but I have a feeling we're going to be real good.

Just pre-season but I have a feeling we're going to be real good.

They toyed with the Timberwolves like a Tom Cat playing with a field mouse as an entrée.

Donovan has a lot of work to do. What you see so far is that Durant & Westbrook appears to have bought into his system; a damn good sign.

The Cam Payne crash into Coach D was pretty funny - nice start for a rookie..ha. Sounds like he is making a decent case to get some minutes.

Stephen A (asshole) Smith is an idiot and played the race card to get a reporter's job when he doesn't have the crednetials for it. I hate to agree with him though as predicts the Thunder won't go far in the playoffs this year as it looks like Houston is the odds favorite to win the west.

^Rockets are not even in the top 4 odds TO WIN THE WEST. Spurs, G-State, Thunder and Clippers per most every oddsmaker. As for the NBA Championship - Cavs, Spurs, G-state, Thunder and Clips. Rockets 6th but tied with Bulls for that. In fact Thunder odds are twice as good as Rockets to win the West at +450 compared to Rockets +900. For that matter Thunder odds are better to win the NBA championship (+850) than the Rockets odds to win the west.

Stephen A (asshole) Smith is an idiot and played the race card to get a reporter's job when he doesn't have the crednetials for it.

Stephen A. Smith is indeed an idiot just like his colleague Skip Bayless, but this is a pretty big claim. Do you have some evidence or articles showing that he used his race to get his job? This doesn't pass the smell test since ESPN has plenty of options of any race or creed as the premiere sports station.