Seeing all these players out right before game time IMO is a head scratcher. Despite the losses, we're seeing the development of our Thunder. Keep the core players together, OKC should be competitive in 2021-22.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31083326/houston-rockets-trading-pj-tucker-milwaukee-bucks-sources-say

Well, looks like Presti got another 2nd round pick! At least we are not keeping that idiot Leonard! On another note, has anyone contacted Betts about her downed website?

Because you want to determine how good a player is excluding Rookie years. You want the information to be more current for value.

Looking at a smaller sample size does not help it be more "current." It makes it less accurate. The original argument is that Hami is a better shooter than Svi. Players have seasons that are aberrations all the time. You should look at their career numbers and trajectory and consider that with advanced scouting. Nothing is for sure and projections are wrong sometimes, but as of now, no one believes Hami is a better shooter than Svi. We'll learn what that means for their careers over time.


Seeing all these players out right before game time IMO is a head scratcher. Despite the losses, we're seeing the development of our Thunder. Keep the core players together, OKC should be competitive in 2021-22.

The Thunder are trying to lose by playing the really young guys a ton of minutes. Most of these scratches are not real injuries. To the young guys credit and Coach Dag, they're still fun to watch because they try so hard.

And, I hate to be the bearer of bad news (I actually think it's good news because it's a good strategy), but it's likely the Thunder will try to lose next season too. Presti wrote a long explanation of this plan in the Oklahoman. It's going to take a few high draft picks to "replenish" this roster (that's the term Presti used). Things can change if say, for example, the Thunder end up with two top 5 picks this year. But it's likely that they're going to try lose for 2-3 seasons. This is season 1 of that.

Looking at a smaller sample size does not help it be more "current." It makes it less accurate. The original argument is that Hami is a better shooter than Svi. Players have seasons that are aberrations all the time. You should look at their career numbers and trajectory and consider that with advanced scouting. Nothing is for sure and projections are wrong sometimes, but as of now, no one believes Hami is a better shooter than Svi. We'll learn what that means for their careers over time.



The Thunder are trying to lose by playing the really young guys a ton of minutes. Most of these scratches are not real injuries. To the young guys credit and Coach Dag, they're still fun to watch because they try so hard.

And, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it's likely the Thunder will try to lose next season too. Presti wrote a long explanation of this plan in the Oklahoman. It's going to take a few high draft picks to "replenish" this roster (that's the term Presti used).

You must not have read or I didn't explain very well, but I said Hami was not as good a shooter as SVI.

You must not have read or I didn't explain very well, but I said Hami was not as good a shooter as SVI.

Then... we're in agreement. Lol.

Thunder @ Hawks

Thursday, March 18

State Farm Arena, Atlanta

Fox Sports Oklahoma, 6:30 p.m.

Thunder 93 @ Hawks 116

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401307412

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE_1_1.jpg




https://kfor.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/11/thunder-houston-logos.jpg


Thunder @ Rockets
Sunday, March 21
Toyota Center Arena, Houston
Fox Sports Oklahoma, 1 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Houston%20Rockets/HOU_CE_1_3.jpg


NBA Standings 2020-21 - ,https://www.espn.com/nba/standings

Western Conference


12. Oklahoma City 17 - 24 .415

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401307412
Well, tonight Svi was 0-2 in 16 minutes, yes I know, just 1 game.
https://www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/3133602/svi-mykhailiuk
This season, shooting 37.7% from the field, 33.3% from 3.
Career:38.5% from the field, 33.3% from 3.

That's horrible for this season and Career. I think we have another Kyle Singler on our hands here. Lucky, he also is a restricted FA. We won't match.

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401307412
Well, tonight Svi was 0-2 in 16 minutes, yes I know, just 1 game.
https://www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/3133602/svi-mykhailiuk
This season, shooting 37.7% from the field, 33.3% from 3.
Career:38.5% from the field, 33.3% from 3.

That's horrible for this season and Career. I think we have another Kyle Singler on our hands here. Lucky, he also is a restricted FA. We won't match.

His career 3 pt is 36.7% and with his last team, Detroit, he shot nearly 39%

It's very possible that Svi is not in the Thunder's long term plans. I think we'll see the Thunder take a lot of fliers on guys that won't work out this year and next.

Ty Jerome had his best game against Atlanta. I really like the pace he plays with. I've said it a bunch, but even though we're going to see the losses pile up, these young guys are pretty fun to watch.

https://www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/4080610/hamidou-diallo

As you can see from Diallo's stats, he's not intended to be a 3 pt shooter at only 0.9 attempts per career, 1.3 this season. He drives to the basket. That's why his overall FG% is 46.2% career wise, MUCH better than the guy we traded for.

Of course his Basketball acumen may be questionable, we lost by 2. LMAO!
http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=30890556

Thunder 114 @ Rockets 112

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401307433



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30SHSk6Xsa8

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE_1_1.jpg



https://s.secure.espncdn.com/stitcher/sports/basketball/nba/events/401161325.png?templateId=espn.com.share.1



Thunder @ Timberwolves
Monday, March 22
Target Center Arena, Minneapolis
Fox Sports Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Minnesota%20Timberwolves/MIN_IE_2_2.jpg

NO TANK YOU, THUNDER!

Thunder 112 @ Timberwolves 103

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401307443





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38XlI2Kugqw

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Memphis%20Grizzlies/MEM_AE_1_1.jpg



Grizzlies @ Thunder
Wednesday, March 24
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
Fox Sports Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_CE_4_3.jpg

Add another team to allow fans and it's the worst team. That theory don't work for me that people won't want to go. The Minnesota Timberwolves will welcome fans back to Target Center starting Monday, April 5 against the Sacramento Kings.

This team just keeps finding ways to win while sitting 4/5 starters. I suspect Presti is going to trade away several more guys in the coming days.

Add another team to allow fans and it's the worst team. That theory don't work for me that people won't want to go. The Minnesota Timberwolves will welcome fans back to Target Center starting Monday, April 5 against the Sacramento Kings.

down to 7 teams (that have not started or don't have a announced start date) 4 california (state ban and teams have all said they will have fans when allowed) portland (state ban and team has applied for fans) as pointed out below Wizzards (have now applied for fans and will likely be approved soon.) the thunder .. (team choice)

the thunder are the only team not having fans at games by choice ...

https://www.bulletsforever.com/2021/3/16/22334307/dc-government-professional-sports-team-seating-waivers Probably another one. Of course California probably never will but the Thunder might be the Team in the NBA my Mid April with no fans Starting April 5th there are still 12 homes game for the Thunder.

This team just keeps finding ways to win while sitting 4/5 starters. I suspect Presti is going to trade away several more guys in the coming days.
And there's a possibility that the incoming players are guys that want to prove themselves, play their asses off and overachieve. Just like the current guys are overachieving. This is why I find rebuilding to be very scary.

down to 7 teams (that have not started or don't have a announced start date) 4 california (state ban and teams have all said they will have fans when allowed) portland (state ban and team has applied for fans) as pointed out below Wizzards (have now applied for fans and will likely be approved soon.) the thunder .. (team choice)

the thunder are the only team not having fans at games by choice ...

Still would like to know why they made that choice but we will never know? Was there no interest?

Season tickets renewals have started and I think you have until April 7th maybe 9th. Anyway I wonder how many will renew? Did people find it easier just to stay home an watch the games? Maybe some have money issues now or found they saved a bunch by not going to games? Did people realize just how much they miss going?

And there's a possibility that the incoming players are guys that want to prove themselves, play their asses off and overachieve. Just like the current guys are overachieving. This is why I find rebuilding to be very scary.

That seems to be the case for OKC, but this is abnormal. Most teams trying to lose, lose. OKC is the exception to the rule.

My ticket group renewed. Excited for games IN PERSON next season.

Still would like to know why they made that choice but we will never know? Was there no interest?

Season tickets renewals have started and I think you have until April 7th maybe 9th. Anyway I wonder how many will renew? Did people find it easier just to stay home an watch the games? Maybe some have money issues now or found they saved a bunch by not going to games? Did people realize just how much they miss going?This is just a radio guy's theory but I can see sense in it.
The team keeps winning when they shouldn't be. The management doesn't want positive energy in the arena to motivate these overachievers even more.
Again, just a radio guy's theory.

https://people.com/sports/miami-heat-create-vaccinated-only-sections-fans/ Could be they don't want fans to motivate them. I think they have one of the worst home records in the league.

https://people.com/sports/miami-heat-create-vaccinated-only-sections-fans/ Could be they don't want fans to motivate them. I think they have one of the worst home records in the league.

Thinking the same thing. I recall when SGA toured our city after being traded. He remembered the arena always being packed.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP4BTOb6x2A

Grizzlies @ Thunder
Wednesday, March 24
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
Fox Sports Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

According to Mark Daigneault, Shai is going be out "much longer than day-to-day" with plantar fasciitis.

Hope it's more of a minor, tanking move and less of SGA having actual plantar fasciitis because that's something that can linger with him throughout his career and be serious.

Grizzlies 116 @ Thunder 107

https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/cff5b9f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4006x2671+0+0/resize/840x560!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F81%2F40%2Fbfb76db774 d5dd09a87bc9126fb3%2Fae1067fce7dd4dee96322c0d2cbdd 908

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401307463

According to Mark Daigneault, Shai is going be out "much longer than day-to-day" with plantar fasciitis.

Hope it's more of a minor, tanking move and less of SGA having actual plantar fasciitis because that's something that can linger with him throughout his career and be serious.

I suspect it's the team being way overly cautious with something minor for tanking purposes. Worked tonight!

Really impressed with the Memphis Grizzlies franchise; they have a young core of players much like the Thunder. The Grizzlies have players who have height & length--very aggressive and well coached team.

Three team trade involving OKC, Philly and NYK:

OKC gets Tony Bradley, Philly's 2nd round picks in 25 and 26 and Austin Rivers
Philly gets George Hill and Iggy Brazdeikis
Knicks get Terrence Ferguson, Vincent Poirier, 2021 2nd round pick from Philly

All of this came from Kyle Neubeck.

I thought maybe OKC could get a little more for Hill and that others players might be moved today, but a couple seconds plus a prospect in Bradley isn't bad. I wonder if Muscala is still going to get anymore minutes this season now that the Thunder have 4 centers.

Oklahoma City Welcomes Austin Rivers

https://clutchpoints.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fclutchpoints.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F03%2FNBA-trade-deadline-George-Hill-Sixers-Thunder-.jpeg&w=828&q=75
Point Guard - HT/WT, 6' 4", 200 lbs DOB - 8/1/1992 (28) College, Duke

Thank you, George Hill, best of luck in Philadelphia...

rivers is a buy out candidate

400k +/1 is all it would cost him to just ask to be waived ..

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Boston%20Celtics/BOS_CE_1_3.jpg



Celtics @ Thunder
Saturday, March 27
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
Fox Sports Oklahoma, 8 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_EE_2_2.jpg

rivers is a buy out candidate

400k +/1 is all it would cost him to just ask to be waived ..

Thunder Acquires Tony Bradley, Austin Rivers, Two Second-Round Draft Picks and Generates Trade Exception: https://www.nba.com/thunder/news/acquisitions-210325

More second round draft picks. Hmmmmm. Someone needs to tell Presti we need more first round picks.

Oklahoma City Welcomes Tony Bradley

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/4065673.png&w=350&h=254
Center - HT/WT 6' 10", 248 lbs DOB 1/8/1998 (23) College - North Carolina


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ruroY4M9Ms

https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2021/03/Tony-Bradley-7.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1

Celtics 111 @ Thunder 94

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401307488

https://www.masslive.com/resizer/tfiRLImil5PqTJ8jmBjIfgsrdKc=/450x0/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/advancelocal/2XTK7NVRBRGHFHTV7WVIYAV2GY.jpg https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/mdjonline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/a0/5a0ec0c9-000b-511d-a5a1-14c99ec0bfb3/605fde7bcb167.image.jpg?resize=200%2C133

https://s1.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/UXCQPYCiJYDKxajtU4qxsQ--~B/Zmk9ZmlsbDtweW9mZj0wO3c9NjQwO2g9MzYwO3NtPTE7YXBwaW Q9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://s.yimg.com/hd/cp-video-transcode/prod/2021-03/28/605ff7cc4cd7fe5e11ca6803/605ff7d42db9c10001ad7dfd_1280x720_FES_v1.jpg

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Dallas%20Mavericks/DAL_AE_1_1.jpg



Mavericks @ Thunder
Monday, March 29
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
Fox Sports Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_IE_2_2.jpg

^^^^

Draymond looks scared.

https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6617/austin-rivers

<<News: 5 hours ago
Rivers (personal) has yet to join the Thunder and it's unclear if or when he may do so, Rylan Stiles of BricktownBuckets.com reports.

Spin: The 28-year-old was acquired from the Knicks at Thursday's trade deadline, but he's been unavailable due to personal reasons since March 10. There's been no indication if or when Rivers may join his new team, so he can be ruled out indefinitely until the Thunder update his status.<<

rivers is a buy out candidate

400k +/1 is all it would cost him to just ask to be waived ..

Good call, BoulderSooner...

Oklahoma City Thunder waive recently acquired Austin Rivers: Royce Young, ESPN Staff Writer, March 28, 2021 - 1:30 PM CT


https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2021%2F0328%2Fr833204_1296x518_5% 2D2.jpg&w=1296&h=518&scale=crop&cquality=40&location=origin&format=jpg

The Oklahoma City Thunder have waived guard Austin Rivers, the team announced Sunday.

Rivers, 28, was acquired at the trade deadline from the New York Knicks in a three-team deal that moved George Hill to the Philadelphia 76ers. With the Thunder focused on player development and playing younger players, Rivers wasn't in the team's future plans. Rivers is averaging 7.3 points and 2.0 assists this season in 21 appearances.

# # #

SBNation: Report: Milwaukee Bucks Are Leaders to Sign Austin Rivers https://www.brewhoop.com/2021/3/28/22355315/report-milwaukee-bucks-are-leaders-to-sign-austin-rivers-jon-horst

More second round draft picks. Hmmmmm. Someone needs to tell Presti we need more first round picks.

I am sure there is a method to this madness, but I can't for a second understand what it is. I would assume it is stockpiling assets and trading up in the 2021 draft. I don't think they will try to have a bunch of assets to trade for role players or anyone.

I am sure there is a method to this madness, but I can't for a second understand what it is. I would assume it is stockpiling assets and trading up in the 2021 draft. I don't think they will try to have a bunch of assets to trade for role players or anyone.

I think you actually nailed Presti's plan. He is stockpiling assets to use. Picks have value and OKC is well positioned to trade up in the draft or even trade for a player that becomes available and fits the Thunder's plan. Any player that is not in the long term plan will be available for any assets. Meanwhile, OKC is using it's roster to give players with potential a chance (see Moses Brown), develop young guys (see Poku and Theo), and build value of other guys to flip them. The short term goal is to lose and get a high pick in this loaded draft. If OKC gets a bit of luck in this draft (the dream is two top 5 picks) then it could potentially shorten their tanking timeline. I think the Thunder want to get to at least the 6th worst record, which would give them almost a 40% chance at a top 4 pick. You can find pick odds here: http://www.tankathon.com/pick_odds

Mavericks 127 @ Thunder 106

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401307502



https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/03/88d64-16147436678877-800.jpg

It's kinda strange the Thunder website gave Rivers a number (8) but it doesn't sound like he had any intention of coming here.

It's kinda strange the Thunder website gave Rivers a number (8) but it doesn't sound like he had any intention of coming here.

Noticed that also, which gave me hope that he would be willing to take advantage of an opportunity to be in a leadership role along with Shai. Like the aggressive play against a seasoned Dallas team.

Give the guys another year, seems they're on a path to development. Want to give a thumbs up to new Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, appears he's gaining confidence and respect from the players.

Noticed that also, which gave me hope that he would be willing to take advantage of an opportunity to be in a leadership role along with Shai. Like the aggressive play against a seasoned Dallas team.

Give the guys another year, seems they're on a path to development. Want to give a thumbs up to new Thunder coach Mark Daigneault, appears he's gaining confidence and respect from the players.

Rivers hasn't suited up since March 10th. Personal reasons.

Rivers has been waived. He'll never step foot in OKC. Reports already indicated that he's planning to sign with the Bucks.

There was some talk about viewing habits either on this thread or on the general NBA thread so i will post it here. Viewing habits based on social justice of the league.

https://sports.yahoo.com/nearly-half-of-americans-changed-sports-viewing-habits-because-of-social-justice-192601834.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=tw&tsrc=twtr

Interesting. I wonder how close self-reports compare to reality. Since this became a partisan issue, I wouldn’t surprised if conservatives responded they watched less even if they didn’t watch before.

Regardless, it’s always the right time to do the right thing. People forget MLK was deeply hated by White people in the United States for his social justice activism before his assassination.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Toronto%20Raptors/TOR_SE_1_1.jpg



Raptors @ Thunder
Wednesday, March 31
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
Bally Sports Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE_2_2.jpg

https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c3a159a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4352x2901+0+0/resize/840x560!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1a%2F4a%2F62ddad1f1f a065aa6055a16598f3%2F39b412bc5bc54b5e9ddeaaa57394e 5dc


Raptors 103 @ Thunder 113

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401307517



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhzJnkmDi2c

It's such a paradox watching this team. It was fun to see such a group or fringe NBA players take down a talented team like Toronto. At the same time, wins like this could really set OKC back in their rebuild. The Thunder really need to drop below teams like Toronto in the standings and this game really put that in doubt. Anyway, Tyler Parker wrote an excellent article on the paradox of rooting for a team you want to lose (https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/3/12/22327449/tank-diaries-oklahoma-city-thunder-dort) if y'all are interested.

OKC is arguable playing the worst lineups they could and is still scraping out some Ws... Presti facepalming.

Yes we need to lose out.

Poku being hurt hurts. He’s always part of the worst possible lineups. I think our worst lineup possible is Poku, Josh Hall, Isaiah Roby, Moses Brown, and Tony Bradley. It’s still probably succeed. Lol

We shouldn't have any trouble losing the next two.

Just thinking through it, I wonder if Presti is building up for two things: 1. 2021 draft and 2. 2022 Free Agency. Some of the biggest names come back on the market in 2022, and three of them I doubt would be coming back to OKC (KD, WB, JH), but a lot of others are out there as well. Developing the young players, getting really good picks in the next couple of drafts and a big free agency could spell a great future for OKC.