Interesting article that came across my phone this morning:

https://www.sportscasting.com/nba-trade-deadline-the-oklahoma-city-thunder-could-fix-the-lakers-91-7-million-russell-westbrook-problem/

Would ever happen, but a fun read nonetheless.

Westbrook was indeed a Thunder fan favorite. Hope to see his jersey # hanging in the rafters of Paycom Center.

During the rebuild, if he had taken the time to help make the players around him better (Something we saw with Chris Paul), he would still be on OKC's roster.

The Lakers have owners with deep pockets, they wanted all of these experienced veterans on their roster, they will just have to approve payments for Westbrook. There was a turning point in his career prior to K.D.'s departure where he had a chance impact the Thunder.

Westbrook & Durant couldn't break that habit of not following the head coaches instructions. His (RW) style of play is to free lance. Best of luck for Russell Westbrook.

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/01/22/NOKL/2abd662b-1000-4375-8daa-2313ecfe48db-USP_NBA__Oklahoma_City_Thunder_at_Charlotte_Hornet .jpg?crop=2781,2086,x318,y0&quality=50&width=640

Thunder 98 @ Charlotte Hornets 121

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360503


Attendance: 15,835

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE_1_1.jpg

Saturday, January 22,
Thunder @ Cleveland Cavaliers 7:00 PM
Bally Sports, Oklahoma,
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, OH

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Cleveland%20Cavaliers/CLE_SE_2_5.jpg

https://sportsnaut.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/17549671-748x420.jpg

Thunder 87 @ Cleveland Cavaliers 94

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360514

Attendance: 19,432

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Chicago%20Bulls/CHI_IE_3_4.jpg

Monday, January 24,
Chicago Bulls @ Thunder 7:00 PM
Bally Sports, Oklahoma
Paycom Center, OKC

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_IE_2_2.jpg

Chicago Bulls 111 @ Thunder 110

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360549

Attendance: 14,378

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Indiana%20Pacers/IND_SE_1_1.jpg

Friday, January 28, 7 PM
Indiana Pacers vs Thunder
Bally Sports, Oklahoma
Paycom Center, OKC

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_CE_1_3.jpg

Indiana Pacers 113 @ Thunder 110

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360560

Attendance: 15,106

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Portland%20Trail%20Blazers/POR_CE_2_3.jpg

Monday, January 31,
Portland Trailblazers @ Thunder 7:00 PM
Bally Sports, Oklahoma,
Paycom Center, OKC

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE_1_1.jpg

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_CE_1_3.jpg

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE_1_1.jpg

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_IE_2_2.jpg

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_AE_1_1.jpg

Pictured above are the four uniforms the Thunder have used for the 2021-22 season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out at least through All-Star break

Adrian Wojnarowski: Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a right ankle sprain and will be sidelined at least through the All-Star Break, the team says. Thunder say he’ll be re-evaluated after the break in mid-February.

Portland T-Blazers 81 @ Thunder 98

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360584

Attendance: 13,812




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUWjwFwtw8s

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_IE_3_2.jpg

Wednesday, February 2,
Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks 7:30 PM
Bally Sports, Oklahoma
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Dallas%20Mavericks/DAL_CE_1_3.jpg

https://www.inquirer.com/resizer/VZlvr4aS_hmGueogwyLQuPKuIEc=/760x507/smart/filters:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/pmn/WYZLSNEJ65HDVKZQWJ7Z2TPHII.jpg

Thunder 120 @ Dallas Mavericks 114 - OT

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360597

Attendance: 19,200





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4trscaLGzD4

If Tre Mann can develop to consistently shoot and play the way he did last night, he will be dangerous.

Mann played very well last night. Another great game by Giddey. Dort... damn, what a performance in OT. He is my favorite player right now. This team is awesome to watch while they are developing.

We lost our cable due to the storm just as the game started. Damn that hurt.

Mann played very well last night. Another great game by Giddey. Dort... damn, what a performance in OT. He is my favorite player right now. This team is awesome to watch while they are developing.

They are definitely fun to watch. I think they are awesome for a young team. Even if they are not winning right now. I saw somewhere today that the Thunder leads the league in comeback wins. For what it's worth.

I've been really pleasantly surprised by Tre Mann's development. I wasn't a big fan of the pick at the time, but he has elite footwork and a smooth stroke. He does need to become a great scorer because I don't think he'll ever be a good defender even though he has been trying harder on that end.

Stinks that JRE is out for 6 weeks, but these rookies are a fun group.

I've been really pleasantly surprised by Tre Mann's development. I wasn't a big fan of the pick at the time, but he has elite footwork and a smooth stroke. He does need to become a great scorer because I don't think he'll ever be a good defender even though he has been trying harder on that end.

Stinks that JRE is out for 6 weeks, but these rookies are a fun group.
Wait... JRE is out? I thought it was just SGA.

Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries https://www.espn.com/nba/team/injuries/_/name/okc

Wait... JRE is out? I thought it was just SGA.

JRE’s injury is way worse. Broken foot. He’ll be out for a long time, maybe the season.

https://images.seattletimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/urn-publicid-ap-org-d86b6b2a0230f7aafee82e041f9c1357Thunder_Trail_Blaz ers_Basketball_59763.jpg?d=780x563


Thunder 96 @ Portland Trailblazers 93

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360614

Attendance: 15,329




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAL5u6gFsdE

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_AE_3_2.jpg

Saturday, February 5,
Thunder @ Sacramento Kings, 9:00 PM
Bally Sports, Oklahoma,
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Sacramento%20Kings/SAC_IE_1_2.jpg

These are fun wins and all, but they might need to assign LD to the Blue for a few months.

Losing more power lotto balls than we probably should.

These are fun wins and all, but they might need to assign LD to the Blue for a few months.

Losing more power lotto balls than we probably should.

LD (Luguentz Dort), why would you need to assign him to the Blue...

LD (Luguentz Dort), why would you need to assign him to the Blue...

So we will lose more games for more ping pong balls.

For a better draft pic.

These are fun wins and all, but they might need to assign LD to the Blue for a few months.

Losing more power lotto balls than we probably should.

IF we don't finish with the 4th worst record in the NBA I'll be kind of upset. I think this team is pretty good but still a superstar or two away from being really good. I don't think we can get in the top 3. Houston, Detroit, Orlando are really bad. Fourth is still going to get us a really great player and with some luck still land in the top 3.

https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/18e2cae/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4928x3280+0+0/resize/840x559!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F50%2F22%2F0289c16969 ff19ed381a3b652fe8%2F7bf7cfaa8aa04daabb2746fe0bd96 62f

Thunder 103 @ Sacramento Kings 113

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360620

Attendance: 14,097

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Golden%20State%20Warriors/GSW_IE_2_2.jpg

Monday, February 7, 7 PM
Golden State Warriors @ Thunder
Bally Sports, Oklahoma
Paycom Center, OKC

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_AE_1_1.jpg

Each guy is playing for his future. Don't think for one minute he gives a 'hoot' about ping pong balls, picks or losing games to get that accomplished.

Last season's draft was the result of 'bad luck' if you were looking for a higher pick. We did great with then 18 year Josh Giddey as our 6th pick; he still has much to be desired in development.

Sending Luguentz Dort to the D League; all in fun, I now understand his LD comment.

Play the game and get better, the ping pong balls are left up to chance--better luck in 2022-23.

IIRC OKC's highest draft pick was Westbrook at #4 in 2008 the first year the franchise operated in OKC. So if some Seattle fans and media get their kicks from wanting to see the franchise fail in OKC, don't hold your breath.

I suppose getting Bronny and LeBron isn't a thing?

I suppose getting Bronny and LeBron isn't a thing?

Would create a lot of excitement and put butts in the seats and the spotlight on OKC or any market. The two packaged together would come at a price.

I suppose getting Bronny and LeBron isn't a thing?


https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UZpjmS8I9Vs_TXXVB4FhDIjhkfg=/0x0:5472x3648/920x613/filters:focal(1993x629:2867x1503):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70472173/1358528699.0.jpg

Create a lot of excitement and put butts in the seats and the spotlight on OKC or any market. The two packaged together would come at a price. We don't have an arena big enough to recoup the costs.

You can keep Father & Son, doubt if Presti would chew on that fat . . .

https://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2022/0207/ss_20220207_222642525_1883142/ss_20220207_222642525_1883142.jpg

Golden State Warriors 110 at Thunder 98

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360632

Attendance: 17,009

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Toronto%20Raptors/TOR_SE_3_2.jpg

Wednesday, February 9,
Toronto Raptors @ Thunder 7:00 PM
Bally Sports, Oklahoma,
Paycom Center, OKC

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_AE_1_1.jpg

Toronto Raptors 117 @ Thunder 98

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360646

Attendance: 13,858

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_CE_1_3.jpg

Friday, February 11,
Thunder @ Philadelphia 76ers 6:00 PM
Bally Sports, Oklahoma
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Philadelphia%2076ers/PHI_IE_1_1.jpg

Welcome to Oklahoma City

K. Z. Okpala

HT/WT 6' 8", 215 lbs., Forward, Age: (22) College Stanford Draft Info 2019: Rd 2, Pk 32 (PHX) Status: Out





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-Ij3eYoUGQ

https://b.fssta.com/uploads/application/nba/headshots/3270.vresize.350.425.medium.15.png

ESPN NBA Oklahoma City Thunder roster https://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/okc

^ K. Z. Opala added to Thunder roster ^

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/S05Ywj3ntnP8Aau4MmpErg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQyNg--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/GGl99uYSuX7vBo8tP0OlzA--~B/aD0yNjYxO3c9NDAwMDthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/ap.org/3afff511c4dc2b77198f1339e93da977

Thunder 87 @ Philadelphia 76ers 100

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360659

Attendance: 20,669

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE_1_1.jpg

Saturday, February 12, 7 PM
Thunder @ Chicago Bulls
Bally Sports, Oklahoma
United Center, Chicago, IL

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Chicago%20Bulls/CHI_AE_1_1.jpg

https://b.fssta.com/uploads/application/nba/headshots/3270.vresize.350.425.medium.15.png

ESPN NBA Oklahoma City Thunder roster https://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/okc

^ K. Z. Opala added to Thunder roster ^



And... he's gone.

And... he's gone.

Yep, in and out the barn door as fast as we got him.

Meet an Oklahoma City Thunder addition

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1456081513611735040/C8pW-h9N_400x400.jpg

Lindy Waters III

6' 6", 215 lbs., College - Oklahoma State, Status Active, Experience: Rookie, Birthplace: Norman, OK

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Zmuie8vEdIS1CEJen1AoiA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQyNw--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/m7wv4yJL_roDCZ_kZcWESw--~B/aD0yNDgxO3c9MzcyMTthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/ap.org/44b4d08e69e4837df1aac01a0ad9ab4d

Thunder 101 @ Chicago Bulls 106

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360671

Attendance: 20,072

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE_1_1.jpg

Monday, February 14,
Thunder @ New York Knicks 6:30 PM
Bally Sports, Oklahoma,
Madison Square Garden, New York N.Y.

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/New%20York%20Knicks/NYK_AE_1_1.jpg

https://sportsnaut.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/17685815-748x420.jpg


Thunder 127 @ New York Knicks 123

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360679

Attendance: 18,433




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMRu-3BrDEQ

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/San%20Antonio%20Spurs/SAS_AE_2_2.jpg

Wednesday, February 16,
San Antonio Spurs @ Thunder 7:00 PM
Bally Sports, Oklahoma
Paycom Center, OKC

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_IE_2_2.jpg

Yep, in and out the barn door as fast as we got him.

From https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/how-the-heat-and-thunder-hid-one-of-the-most-creative-trades-in-recent-nba-history-inside-of-a-kz-okpala-deal/:


So the Heat found a workaround. On Wednesday, they made a seemingly innocuous trade with the Thunder, sending KZ Okpala to Oklahoma City for a second-round pick. Hidden deep in the press release, though, was the revelation that the Heat and Thunder had also agreed to amend the protections on that pick. Now, instead of conveying between 2023 and 2026, it can only convey in 2025 or 2026.

This has enormous short-term trade implications for the Heat. Since they aren't giving away a first-round pick until 2025, they suddenly have access to either the 2022 or 2023 pick for a possible deal. They could use that pick to upgrade at the deadline, or they could save it for the offseason and package both of them together for something bigger. The Stepien Rule does not work backward. Once the Heat actually make their 2022 pick, the Stepien Rule doesn't apply to it, theoretically allowing them to make the pick on behalf of another team before consummating a trade. If the Heat go hunting for another superstar this offseason as they so often do, having multiple upcoming first-round picks to dangle will likely be quite helpful.

The agreement might benefit Oklahoma City just as much. The Heat are almost certain to be a playoff team in 2023 considering their present-day talent. That would have given the Thunder a selection likely to fall in the teens or 20's. Even if Miami miraculously fell off of a cliff, the Thunder would still have to survive two more lottery seasons from the Heat to get to an unprotected pick in 2026. Now? They only need Miami to miss the playoffs once, in 2025, to get that unprotected choice.

Giddey is really fun.

I have 2 tickets for tonight if anyone wants them. Weekday games are impossible to sale and get rid of.

San Antonio Spurs 114 @ Thunder 106


https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f3f29fa/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3907x2604+0+0/resize/840x560!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F84%2F55%2F3e37637318 21e0c45827d57f458d%2F64fc0c4a23984f7aa2da2830a878e 894

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401360700

Attendance: 14,920

https://cdn.nba.com/manage/2022/01/20222-all-star-logo-padding-featured-e1645043975995-784x329.jpg

February 18th, 19th & 20th

https://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/2/cleveland-ohio-skyline-frozen-in-time-fine-art-photography.jpg

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/iVBNh8C49jTVPCb6UBcAYQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTM2MA--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/wUwX0LTK9qrl.nPTUMTYrQ--~B/aD0xNDQwO3c9MjU2MDthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/rookie_wire_usa_today_sports_articles_968/cafd21a65ae219e9620dde852c4e0572
Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder
The sixth overall pick of the 2021 Draft, Team Worthy, Chlorox Rising Stars,
Friday, February 18, 8 p.m. TNT



All Star Weekend Link: https://www.nba.com/news/2022-all-star-schedule-of-events



https://www.neosportsinsiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Rocket-Mortgage-FieldHouse-.jpg
Home of NBA Cleveland Cavaliers

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHmCVgiXkAE3hBB.jpg

https://images.fineartamerica.com/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/2/salt-lake-city-skyline-with-wasatch-john-telford-photographs.jpg

https://www.nowplayingutah.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/www.nowplayingutah.com/images/2016/04/vivintarenacropped.jpg

Portland, Sacramento, Memphis, and Oklahoma City are the only current NBA cities that have not yet hosted an NBA All-Star Game; Salt lake City hosted the 1993 NBA All Star Game.

NBA small markets under 2 million MSA (40. Milwaukee, 41. Oklahoma City, 44. Memphis 46. New Orleans & 47. Salt Lake City.

https://1xxzky61i8s2s7c6jtzb4miw-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/The-Grand-America-Hotel-GBAC-1-1536x864.jpg
Little America Hotel has 850 rooms and Grand America Hotel has 775 luxury rooms (1,625 Luxury Rooms) .

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Phoenix%20Suns/PHX_IE_1_1.jpg

Thursday, February 24, 7 PM
Phoenix Suns @ Thunder
Bally Sports, Oklahoma
Paycom Center, OKC

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE_2_2.jpg

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/U0lDAsFABNU3REFk9ViHrg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQyNg--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/JAflPLjIGvt0Ag4N5iPLGQ--~B/aD00MzM7dz02NTA7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/cp.org/6816f6a3d52cede4946eda0fee4b989f

Phoenix Suns 124 @ Thunder 104

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401360712

Attendance: 14,176

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_CE_1_3.jpg

Friday, February 25,
Thunder @ Indiana Pacers 6:00 PM
Bally Sports, Oklahoma,
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2021/uniform/Indiana%20Pacers/IND_SE_1_1.jpg