A bit more background on the unruly fan incident in Utah. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/opinion-no-excusing-fan-behavior-that-prompted-russell-westbrook-tirade/ar-BBUGHkt?ocid=spartanntp

The 'getting on your knees' comment, IIRC from history had a lot to do with slave owners & traffickers' sexual abuse of victims (female & male) being dominant demanding oral copulation from their victims--ole 'slob-on-my-knob' cliche.

This is highly offensive to any person of color, victims of sexual abuse regardless of sex or sexual orientation. Utah's organization has acted quickly to address this debacle.

A word to RW, stop this playful interaction with opposing fans; feelings turn sour and things get out-of-hand.

In general, NBA players like Utah Jazz center, Rudy Gobert supports Westbrook.


Gobert said he was also bothered when Westbrook was touched by a boy sitting courtside in Denver last month. Westbrook responded by briefly lecturing the boy and addressing his father and told reporters postgame that fans had "too much leeway," a point on which Gobert agrees.

"Sometimes it almost feels like a zoo," Gobert told ESPN. "People pay money to watch us and feel like they can touch us or do whatever they want. Because we make millions, we're just expected to shut up and take it. But they can't do whatever they want.

"It's really important that we hold those people accountable, because at the end of the day, those kids are the future of this country and the future of the world. We have to show them what's right."

Need to beat a Nets team that is sorta sneaky dangerous. Road game in Indy and then Warriors Saturday night. 2-1 out of that would be good with me.

KD is listed as OUT tonight at Rockets - Warriors are an underdog for the first time in 39 games. Will be curious to see if he is back by Saturday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYR-G2JhG_g

Brooklyn Nets @Thunder Box score: http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401071690



https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dwPX6xpVMxg/WqabZMygy4I/AAAAAAAACzo/HabIV_9tABsUgRkrMJXkK8EFAWmx_iDVwCLcBGAs/s400/El%2BThunder%2BHoodie%2BSweatshirt%2BHooded%2BSwea tshirt%2B1.jpg

Epic choke job by OKC up in Indiana. A lot of blame to go around. But one question I have is why does it seem Billy has the worst timeout calls ever? It seems the other team goes on a 12-15 point run before he even thinks about calling a timeout.

And tonight when PG stole a critical late possession and began falling out of bounds in front of the coach, he still didn't call timeout.

Oh well, hopefully the team is angry and comes out firing away in OKC Saturday night.

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Thunder @Indiana Pacers Box score: http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401071693

OKC was the last hold out.

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2019%2F0315%2Fr514688_1296x729_16 %2D9.jpg&w=570&format=jpg


http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26262269/okc-jersey-patch-deal-completes-sponsorship-all-30-teams

Barf.

The Thunder continue to have the worst branding in the NBA. This is the reason I've never bought gear. The only shirts I have are the free ones that they give out in the playoffs. I refuse and will continue to refuse to purchase this crap until they rebrand.

I used to think that the Harley logo on the Bucks was one of the worst because of how much it clashed, but I think this takes the cake. Complete garbage.

Worst ad patch to add to the worst logo. Hopefully, they can at least make the patch a little smaller. But, like the logo, we'll get used to it even if it's still bad.

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Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE_3_2.jpg

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Golden%20State%20Warriors/GSW_AE_1_1.jpg

Television: 7:30 p.m. on ABC (KOCO; Cox 8 / HD 705, Dish 5, DirecTV 5, U-verse 5 / 1005) from Chesapeake Energy Arena

Radio: WWLS the Sports Animal 98.1 FM, Oklahoma City & 97.1 FM; The Sports Animal, Tulsa & Affiliated Thunder Networks

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Golden State Warriors @Thunder Box score: http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401071711


San Antonio 108 - Portland 103
Utah 114 - Brooklyn 98
Denver 102 Indiana 100

Patch brought us no luck tonight! That was a beat down.

Warriors are simply head and shoulders better than the Thunder. Durant didn't even play. At least the Energy won, I guess.

Warriors are simply head and shoulders better than the Thunder. Durant didn't even play. At least the Energy won, I guess.

That was a beat down and pretty much what i expected? Do the Thunder do anything to make you think that they are contenders? This team does not play smart and they are very inconsistent not to mention frustrating. The first half of the season was a mirage as far as records go as the schedule was easy, now that the schedule is tougher the thunders true colors are shining. When golden state wants to play they are pretty much unstoppable and tonight even without K.D they looked primed for another championship. The question is are the thunder a first round exit again....if so i see some changes coming because you just cant spin doctor another early round exit with the "talent" we have.

Do the Thunder do anything to make you think that they are contenders?

I mean, no. I didn't say they were contenders.

They give me Chris Paul/Blake Griffin Clippers vibes. Pretty good, but not good enough to do anything of note.

I mean, no. I didn't say they were contenders.

They give me Chris Paul/Blake Griffin Clippers vibes. Pretty good, but not good enough to do anything of note.

I guess the thing the frustrates me the most and i bet i speak for quite a few fans, is that at one time we were so close and the future looked so bright with 3 future hall of famers on the same team and it looked quite possible to have at least one championship if not more. We were going to be Golden state before they were but alas things dont always work out and now we are forever trying to get back to that level and it looks like the window is closing more and more every year.

I don’t disagree that GS is heads and shoulders above, but “contenders” in terms of making it to the West. Conference finals - I do think they could do that. Warriors were unconscious shooting almost 70% from 3 early in the game and Thunder couldn’t buy one. No question they were totally dismantled, but depending on playoff seeding they could still win a couple of series. If they stay a 5 seed then it would be more like one series! The last 12 games (8 home and 4 road) will be really interesting in terms of where they end up and how the playoff standings shake out.

First round exit to me means bye bye Billy and I think it's time to trade Adams. We need a mobile big that can step out and make shots. Adams can only make a shot if it's pretty much handed to him 5 feet away.

First round exit to me means bye bye Billy and I think it's time to trade Adams. We need a mobile big that can step out and make shots. Adams can only make a shot if it's pretty much handed to him 5 feet away.

niether one of these things are true

While I think that would be nice, it doesn't stop people like Capela, Gobert, or Nurkic from being successful.

Adams has his upside inside the paint. We've seem improvement on offense--blocking out inside the paint and rebounds or slap outs leading to 2nd chance opportunities.

Steven doesn't shoot outside the 3 point perimeter, he's not a consistent rim protector; the guy is tough, intimidating and does pose a threat to alter shots or make players think twice before entering his domain .

First round exit to me means bye bye Billy and I think it's time to trade Adams. We need a mobile big that can step out and make shots. Adams can only make a shot if it's pretty much handed to him 5 feet away.

Who is this mobile big you want to trade Adams for?

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Miami Heat @Thunder Box score: http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401071727


Utah Jazz 116 Washington Wizards 95
Denver Nuggets 114 Boston Celtics 105
San Antonio Spurs 111 Golden State Warriors 105
Portland Trailblazers 55 Indiana Pacers 48 Half-time

Home team in bold letters

Looks like we’re headed for the 8 seed and a sweep in round 1 by GSW.

The Love’s patches seem to have destroyed what little swagger the boys had left. And with good reason: it’s a terrible patch. It clashes with the rest of the branding.

https://sportsdaydfw.imgix.net/1528744360-NS_winglede_0603spo_JL_08.jpg?q=50&auto=format&w=900

Never thought the NBA would give in to any kind of advertisements on uniforms. IIRC, the experiment started with the WNBA; it's just a matter of time before you will find yourself (if you're male) standing at a urinal looking at electronic ads stream while you're streaming right before your eyes or sitting inside a stall with ads streaming on the inside door stall while you make a non banking deposit. :D

Recall when the Vancouver Grizzlies relocated to Memphis; they wanted to rename the team the Memphis Express, hence FedExp (Federal Express); they managed to obtain the naming rights to their arena; then Commissioner David Stern fought to keep team nicknames and ads off the uniforms. No offense to Love's, but that patch looks like something you would have promoted with the pregnancy patch.


https://journalrecord.com/files/2019/03/Jerami-Grant-Loves.jpg

http://news.sportslogos.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Memphis-Grizzlies-New-Uniforms-Unveiled-2018-2019-NBA-Season-Statement.jpg
Gotta give it up to Memphis, they have two great Fortune 500 companies in support of their community (FedEx & Auto Zone.

OKC has lost 10 of the last 15 and we are about to play a home/away with arguably the best team in the East.

Good times...

I'm old. After 50 years of watching NBA basketball (or as much as an OKC person could back in the day) the one thing I have learned is to wait until the playoffs happen. I recall Gregg Popovich saying that he had lost in the first round as a number 1 seed and won the title as a number 8.

Toronto Raptors at Oklahoma City Thunder

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Toronto%20Raptors/TOR_IE_3_2.jpg

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE_3_2.jpg

https://cdn.nba.net/nba-drupal-prod/styles/landscape_2090w/s3/2018-05/nick-collison-rebound-thunder.jpg?itok=kxXXUPHZ
Nick Collison's No. 4 jersey will be retired by the Thunder.

Thunder's first game played in Oklahoma City.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6y0Kf9TrNc

Day of Thunder


Attendance 19,143

The Love’s patches seem to have destroyed what little swagger the boys had left. And with good reason: it’s a terrible patch. It clashes with the rest of the branding.

Definitely wish it was required to be monotone similar to the FedEx seen above. No reason to have all those colors on there.

Definitely wish it was required to be monotone similar to the FedEx seen above. No reason to have all those colors on there.

Yep. There are ways to make it fit with the rest of the color scheme. Of course, part of the problem is the Love's logo is very, very antiquated. But I'm sure Tom wouldn't want to replace 3 million Love's signs with updates.

Yep. There are ways to make it fit with the rest of the color scheme. Of course, part of the problem is the Love's logo is very, very antiquated. But I'm sure Tom wouldn't want to replace 3 million Love's signs with updates.

Seems like antiquated logos are 3-5 years from becoming "beautiful retro designs". By the time they change out most of the signage there will be facebook groups devoted to preserving the few remaining originals.:wink:

I'm old. After 50 years of watching NBA basketball (or as much as an OKC person could back in the day) the one thing I have learned is to wait until the playoffs happen. I recall Gregg Popovich saying that he had lost in the first round as a number 1 seed and won the title as a number 8.

Totally agree (even if I'm quite sure the Spurs never won a title as an 8 seed). The team is playing really poorly. They really, really need to stay out of that 8 spot though.

Westbrook needs to keep his pie hole shut and play basketball. If he claims the mantle of leadership he should act like one and not a whining baby. He also needs to quit with the childish "Next question". He is getting paid millions and is proving on a daily basis money does not buy maturity.

I am sure that Westbrook will stop the next question answer when the media stops asking questions that he will be fined for if he answers frankly.

I'm going to the game tonight. Does CHK arena just let people in whenever? I always wonder how there are a ton of people already in the building when there's a huge line outside that isn't moving

I'm going to the game tonight. Does CHK arena just let people in whenever? I always wonder how there are a ton of people already in the building when there's a huge line outside that isn't moving

Doors open 90 minutes before tipoff. As a reminder, tonight's Nick Collison's jersey retirement which should start around 8:00 (30 min. prior to tipoff).

Doors open 90 minutes before tipoff. As a reminder, tonight's Nick Collison's jersey retirement which should start around 8:00 (30 min. prior to tipoff).


Thanks! That's why I'm going. Shame Lowry is out though.

I am sure that Westbrook will stop the next question answer when the media stops asking questions that he will be fined for if he answers frankly.

Westbrook has that immature respose whenever Trammel asks a question, such as Durant coming to the ceremony tonight. It's not fresh and is a bad look for the team

Totally agree (even if I'm quite sure the Spurs never won a title as an 8 seed). The team is playing really poorly. They really, really need to stay out of that 8 spot though.

Agree, assuming GS actually gets the 1. Nuggets are tied with them in the loss column at the moment (GS 5-5 in last 10). Have to think GS will get the 1, but makes it hard to know where you want to end up! Could get 7 and still get GS which would be the proverbial turd in the punch bowl.

Undoubtedly, Westbrook has a childish demeanor. The remaining games to finish out the season are crucial at this point. Agree Jersey Boss, RW needs to lead. Not so much to shut up; but know when to stop flapping & flossing his jaws to the officials on a bad call.

He does need to be careful because some questions are front loaded (controversial or unjustified assumption); if he answers them truthfully he will get fined. The media has the responsibility to ask questions; some media members love to agitate and get players fired up.

Westbrook doesn't need to be fired up; his emotions are on autopilot--and they know it.

We are getting swept by GSW in the first round, aren't we?

What happened to this team?

You just kinda have to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all and hope the team can somehow improve next year. We don't have any cap space, but maybe a trade? I don't know, this is as bleak of an outlook I've had of the franchise since Durant left.

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Toronto Raptors @Thunder Box score: http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401071745

We are getting swept by GSW in the first round, aren't we?

What happened to this team?

I would like to think they can find a way to win a few games, before the end of the season, and somehow crawl back to atleast the 6 spot. Thunder has the tie breaker with Portland, so assuming they can match their record, and possibly slide into that 6 spot. Either way, an opening series against Golden State, Denver, or Houston pretty much ends the season.

I remember at the close of last season how many were making the claim how much better this team would be without Carmelo. Funny how that worked out.

Team is in a funk, no question. But these last 10 games are going to be interesting and in my view exciting to see how it all settles. This team can play defense (currently 4th in league), so I’m not ready to throw in the towel.

Unfortunately, as we all know, they are not good shooting the 3 (or free throws). Last night at one point Thunder was 3-11 from the ft line and Raptors were 7-10 from 3. They played the 4th quarter last night like they played games during that great stretch prior to the All-Star game, so lets have more of that.

Last 3 games - two have been against possibly the best two teams in the league and the other was without RW.

In the meantime looking forward to a little March Madness.:)

The Thunder have lost their MoJo and better find it soon. They are playing prob. their worst basketball of the season right now and coming into the playoffs they should be doing some fine tuning. They are just trying to survive. This team is so inconsistent that you never know what will happen. They can look like the best team in the NBA one minute then look like the worst the next minute.

Thunder's schedule?

Can't say it was created by design, not sure how you could predict with accuracy how teams would perform. Thunder have a very tough schedule with the games remaining on their schedule.

You would think that after all these year they would be Sleepless in Seattle--Seattle Times NBA forum: http://forums.seattletimes.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=44http://

Yes, they are 8-10 vengeful posters (Can't help but laugh) who can't let go of their Supersonics; they'll accept any moral victory that gives them solace in their life long suffering. :D

Reminds me of a dead carcass holding out hope that their final nerves will regenerate life.

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Flashback

2008: It was the worst of times in Seattle:


Sequence of Significant Events


Apr 18, 2008 - The NBA Board of Governors voted overwhelmingly today to approve the Sonics' move from Seattle to Oklahoma City. Sonics owner Clay Bennett is trying to get out of the lease to play at KeyArena through 2010 and move the team before next season. ... NEW YORK — NBA owners overwhelmingly ...

September 13, 2008: Oklahoma Sooners 55 - Washington Huskies 14 @ Husky Stadium, Seattle

August 31, 2008: Oklahoma State Cowboys 39 - Washington State Cougars 13 @ Qwest Field, Seattle


https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51A1PRStCJL.jpg https://www.cityartsmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/sonics.jpg

Jazz lose tonight and Thunder jump from 8th to 5th on that alone. Amazing how tight the standings are. Gonna be a wild last 10 games!

I remember at the close of last season how many were making the claim how much better this team would be without Carmelo. Funny how that worked out.

The team is better without Carmelo.

the team is better without carmelo.

a+

Winning % at the end of the regular season last year was .585. With ten games remaining this year it is now .583. My point was that the removal of Carmelo from the roster did not translate to new heights of success.

Winning X number of games does not represent the quality of the team.

The 2015-16 Warriors had the bet record in NBA history. But you would get laughed out of the building if you claimed that past Warriors team is "better" than their current 2018-19 roster.


Tonight is a huge game, the Thunder needs to win a game not only for record-sake, but for their own pride and sanity. Surely the players themselves are beginning to have some doubt build in. Especially our younger role player guys.

Winning X number of games does not represent the quality of the team.

The 2015-16 Warriors had the bet record in NBA history. But you would get laughed out of the building if you claimed that past Warriors team is "better" than their current 2018-19 roster.


Tonight is a huge game, the Thunder needs to win a game not only for record-sake, but for their own pride and sanity. Surely the players themselves are beginning to have some doubt build in. Especially our younger role player guys.

The loss at Indiana really got into the Thunder's head...

Tonight is the biggest game of the season so far IMO. They have to get the ship righted. A big win tonight could get them going.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FywCBnWhdU

Thunder @Toronto Raptors Box score: http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401071756

Westbrook triple-double: 31 PTS, 12 RBS, 13 ASTS

@Houston 111 - San Antonio 105

Heck of a win!

Gotta admit I was channel flipping a lot between that and the Liberty-MSU game. Nice Friday night of lots of sports!

Nice game last night beating the raptors. If the Thunder could capture that type of play for the rest of the season they can go far. But we been saying this all season. lets hope this is the springboard they needed to play their best the rest of the way. Had to be a huge confidence booster to the team.

Maybe these guys will figure out that defense is the key to their success. Great defense leads to great offense.