I was really hoping it wasn’t going to be on that station:(

Oklahoma City Thunder 97 @ New Orleans Pelicans 89


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNqtiqfHR-E

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401655078

Thunder win series 4 - 0



Attendance: 18,487

Woo-hoo!

Would be cool to play the Clippers and have all former Thunder players PG13, Harden, and Westbrook back home in the building.

Definitely would be a cool back story to the series that will add to the national media attention.

Would be cool to play the Clippers and have all former Thunder players PG13, Harden, and Westbrook back home in the building.

Definitely would be a cool back story to the series that will add to the national media attention.
Thunder Real vs Thunder West.

Would be cool to play the Clippers and have all former Thunder players PG13, Harden, and Westbrook back home in the building.

Definitely would be a cool back story to the series that will add to the national media attention.

You may see this play out. Game 5 series tied 2 - 2 will be in L.A., the winner inches closer. It would be cool to see Westbrook, Harden, George on the floor against the Thunder opening in OKC.

Dallas (IMO) has been impressive with bigger players (defense) and rebounding.

I will take Clippers over Mavs all day. OKC's young guys can run them into the ground. Zubac cannot stop Chet. It would be nice for start time to play Dallas, but I will take the better matchup.


The biggest celebration after last night's sweep - I can now cancel BallySports!

The Clippers and Mavs running 6 games possibly 7 put us in the position not to have any weekend games. If either would of swept the other, we probably would of got a Saturday/Sunday afternoon playoff game.

But the way its playing out, the earliest Game 1 for us would be Monday, then Game 2 on Thursday. Late playoff games are brutal during the week...smh.

The Clippers and Mavs running 6 games possibly 7 put us in the position not to have any weekend games. If either would of swept the other, we probably would of got a Saturday/Sunday afternoon playoff game.

But the way its playing out, the earliest Game 1 for us would be Monday, then Game 2 on Thursday. Late playoff games are brutal during the week...smh.All day on the radio they've been saying if one team wins the next 2 we would play the winner Sunday. Not that they've never been wrong.

All day on the radio they've been saying if one team wins the next 2 we would play the winner Sunday. Not that they've never been wrong.

That is a possibility since game 6 is in Dallas and it would be a short trip to OKC for a Sunday night game. I still think they would start it on Monday though. If it goes game 7 Sunday afternoon game it would start Tuesday in OKC

Edit: Just looked Minnesota/Denver is schedule for Monday not sure they would have both Western Conference games on the same night. So Sunday night could be in Play

But looking at the Denver/Minnesota schedule, they get a 3 day break, and don't play game 1 until Saturday. So you would think there will be at least a 2-3 day break between rounds. With that being said, we are still looking at a Monday or Tuesday for Game 1. And thats only if either the Clips or Mavs can close the series out on Friday.

Hoping the Clips/Mavs goes 7, they would play that on Sunday. Then we would get a Game 1 on possibly Wednesday, then a Game 2 on Friday or Saturday!

And either the Clips/Mavs will be beat up and fatigued from a long 7 game series, while we have rested, lol.

A grinder series going to 6 or 7 with Clippers beating out the Mavs is our best scenario, IMO. OKC will be fresh, and hopefully this time be ready (unlike R1, G1).

The NBA has announced Tuesday as the first game of the Thunder's second round no matter what happens in the Dallas/Clippers series.

Am I the only one who is getting frustrated with all the "who will OKC seek out in free agency" talk? The names that have come up are Lebron, KD, Paul George and Klay Thompson, just to name a few. I feel like bringing someone like Westbrook back on a vet min (has a $4MM player option for 2024/2025) would be good, but I can't see us trading away a bunch of players that are in our young core (Lu, Giddey, JWill, Joe or Wiggins) would be good moral for the team right now. Especially if we are able to make a deep playoff run (maybe take Denver to 7?) I would think we would have learned from our mistakes in 2012 and aren't in a hurry to trade young talent away. Next year, we only have nine players on the books (not including Joe, Wiggins and Waters who are all team options).

2025-2026 is going to be a make or break year for the team because Chet, Giddey, Cason, O Dieng, JDub and JWill will all be on player or team options. In 2026/2027, the end of the SGA contract comes around, Lu, Kenrich and Cason all have team options and Chet, O Dieng and JDub are RFA.

^^^
Who are you listening to? I haven’t heard any of this talk. OKC isn’t getting a big free agent. They’re definitely not offering Russ, even on the minimum. Most money will go to re-signing our guys. Maybe a role player, but OKC doesn’t really do free agency.

I read a story yesterday about bringing KD back. Stuff gets crazier every day.

I keep wondering why they should bring anyone in? If they make the conference finals, or finals, it seems to me that they are loaded.

^^^
Who are you listening to? I haven’t heard any of this talk. OKC isn’t getting a big free agent. They’re definitely not offering Russ, even on the minimum. Most money will go to re-signing our guys. Maybe a role player, but OKC doesn’t really do free agency.

Online rags. I keep seeing them pop up in my facebook feed as click bait and I wonder if I am the only who thinks it is stupid. Apparently not :)

The only reason I could see them doing something is because they need to fill roster spots and we are short of the WCF or Finals due to something specific and whoever they bring in would help with whatever that is i.e. three point shooting, perimeter defense, etc...

I might have recency bias, but I think this is the most magical season I have ever observed in over 50 years of following pro basketball. Regardless of team.

^^^^^^^^^
I've been saying since about December that I *LIKE* this team better than even the OG Thunder squad. I like the style of play better, I like the personalities better, I like the effort better, I like the coaching better, I like the unselfishness, the fact that SOMEONE steps up when a star or stars have a slow night...this team is frankly more fun to watch, and THAT is saying something because the OG team was WAY fun to watch. I just love the way this team is built, and the way it plays. Perhaps not quite as talented at the very top, but not too far off there, either. I've mentioned this to a few people who acted like I was smoking crack, but whatever. This team is a joy to watch, period.

I read a story yesterday about bringing KD back. Stuff gets crazier every day.

I keep wondering why they should bring anyone in? If they make the conference finals, or finals, it seems to me that they are loaded.

Bringing K.D. back would not only be crazy but insane? After Durant signed with GSW--he showed us what he was all about. No way would Sam Presti sign him back. Durant (Suns) showed us that he can't make adjustments and that he's not a leader--Phoenix Suns lost series to Timberwolves 4 - 0.

Mark Daigneault have the Thunder playing as a team. Time to cherish what we have and look forward to a new Thunder era and a new downtown arena.

I've seen a zillion articles mentioning KD coming back. Seems crazy, I don't think anyone really wants him back. He's a great role player and scorer but he's not a leader and I don't see him helping anything in the locker room. Might not be a bad option to come off the bench but that's not happening. Really can't imagine Presti or any of the Thunder brass would welcome him back at this point. It's taken several years but we are better now than we were with him- at least I think we're going to be anyways based on where we already are at this stage. Then again I thought it was highly likely we would win multiple titles before with Durant/Westbrook/Harden and we know how that turned out. Reality was Durant could never be the guy to lead a franchise all the way we just didn't know it.

Yeah, screw that guy. He's a cancer. In no way worth the assets we'd have to give up, just to have him come in and poison the team. Thank goodness literally nobody with the organization would want to do that, either.

I think Kevin Durant is a great player, and I have zero ill will toward him. I don't think he fits the current, and short term, Thunder plans. But, dang!! He still a great scorer!

Odds on KD to OKC (and other teams):

https://clutchpoints.com/thunder-news-kevin-durant-oklahoma-city-reunion-betting-odds

^^^^^^^^^
I've been saying since about December that I *LIKE* this team better than even the OG Thunder squad. I like the style of play better, I like the personalities better, I like the effort better, I like the coaching better, I like the unselfishness, the fact that SOMEONE steps up when a star or stars have a slow night...this team is frankly more fun to watch, and THAT is saying something because the OG team was WAY fun to watch. I just love the way this team is built, and the way it plays. Perhaps not quite as talented at the very top, but not too far off there, either. I've mentioned this to a few people who acted like I was smoking crack, but whatever. This team is a joy to watch, period.

100% agree. This team is far and away more entertaining and exciting than the OG team. With the OG team, play was predictable though high level, the bench was rarely great, and no one would step up if Russ or KD was off. Speaking of predictable, every single play out of a timeout or clutch time play was so predictable, if Vegas allowed you to bet on it, you'd make a killing. This team is far more exciting and, next year, potentially the best team we've ever had.

Odds on KD to OKC (and other teams):

https://clutchpoints.com/thunder-news-kevin-durant-oklahoma-city-reunion-betting-odds

Not just no, but hell no!

Am I the only one who is getting frustrated with all the "who will OKC seek out in free agency" talk? The names that have come up are Lebron, KD, Paul George and Klay Thompson, just to name a few. I feel like bringing someone like Westbrook back on a vet min (has a $4MM player option for 2024/2025) would be good, but I can't see us trading away a bunch of players that are in our young core (Lu, Giddey, JWill, Joe or Wiggins) would be good moral for the team right now. Especially if we are able to make a deep playoff run (maybe take Denver to 7?) I would think we would have learned from our mistakes in 2012 and aren't in a hurry to trade young talent away. Next year, we only have nine players on the books (not including Joe, Wiggins and Waters who are all team options).

2025-2026 is going to be a make or break year for the team because Chet, Giddey, Cason, O Dieng, JDub and JWill will all be on player or team options. In 2026/2027, the end of the SGA contract comes around, Lu, Kenrich and Cason all have team options and Chet, O Dieng and JDub are RFA.

Bringing Westbrook back would be a horrible idea. He’s a shell of himself and absolutely not a fit for this team or coaching staff in style of play or personality.

There's two ways to look at bringing in a veteran player. One, he could be a positive presence in a locker room of guys who are still learning the ways of the NBA. And two, he could somewhat to completely screw up the very good chemistry our guys have. And to watch this team play I don't think they need much in the way a of lessons from a veteran.

Tickets on sale today at 10am for round 2!

I kind of look at it a different way. Who would you rather have. Giddy or Durant for the next 2 years? As long as Durant thinks it's his team and can take a roll when he just shows up to play the game and leave all the other drama behind him I would take him. Plus not sure how Salary works but after 2 years when our big 3 are all due their money Durant money can come off the book. It's going to be hard to pay SGA. Jdub, Chet, Giddy, Dort in 2/3 years. Someone is going to have to come off the payroll

KD has been a cancer to every organization he’s been a part of since leaving golden state. Only way I’d want him back was on a veteran near minimum after his contract expires.

I kind of look at it a different way. Who would you rather have. Giddy or Durant for the next 2 years? As long as Durant thinks it's his team and can take a roll when he just shows up to play the game and leave all the other drama behind him I would take him. Plus not sure how Salary works but after 2 years when our big 3 are all due their money Durant money can come off the book. It's going to be hard to pay SGA. Jdub, Chet, Giddy, Dort in 2/3 years. Someone is going to have to come off the payroll
Easy choice. Giddy. The chances of KD coming back and not being, well, KD is practically zero. This team is where the are because they're a TEAM. KD would almost certainly ruin that. And he's past the point of being able carry a team on his shoulders.

Easy choice. Giddy. The chances of KD coming back and not being, well, KD is practically zero. This team is where the are because they're a TEAM. KD would almost certainly ruin that. And he's past the point of being able carry a team on his shoulders.

I meant to say as long as Durant thinks it isn't his team. I agree with you he can't carry a team but we don't need him to carry us. We are not going to be able to pay everyone 2/3 years from now. I wouldn't mind going after Nurkic myself.

Tickets on sale today at 10am for round 2!

173 a ticket for last row upper deck ... not secondary market

I have to be in Dallas Tuesday and Wednesday for work so can’t attend the game. Guess I will need to find a Mavs sports bar and wear some Thunder gear!:)

I meant to say as long as Durant thinks it isn't his team. I agree with you he can't carry a team but we don't need him to carry us. We are not going to be able to pay everyone 2/3 years from now. I wouldn't mind going after Nurkic myself.
So you're suggesting that we ignore all the effort put into building this very special team and get a KD or Nurkic to win one championship now. Then we'd be starting all over again after that. Yes we'll have to lose a couple guys in a couple years. But before Hardin got away, KD bailed, PG came for 1 year and demanded a trade, so we let Westbrook go so he could be on a competitive team. That's unlikely to happen twice. This current team has a chemistry maybe never seen before and it would be a crime to ignore that to try to chase 1 ring.

PG came for 1 year and demanded a trade

PG didn't demand a trade. He resigned with OKC (big party at Jones Assembly). This was huge because it enabled Presti to make the SGA trade + a gazillion draft picks and swaps with the Clippers. If it weren't for PG resigning we wouldn't be anywhere close to where we are now.

I wouldn't mind going after Nurkic myself.

This tells me that you only saw Nurkic in the game against the Thunder where he had 31 rebounds. He is not a Thunder type player. Not a 3 pt. threat and doesn't create for others. There are plenty of big men out there who are a better fit for the Thunder including Jaylin Williams.

Look I want to keep this team for 9 years but no way it's going to happen money wise. Amazing how everyone is now in love with Giddy all of a sudden. Yes he is playing well and i think he is a great player but he needs to have the ball in his hands and with Jdub and SGA it don't always work. There been some games he hasn't been playable at the end of games. I would still take Nurkic or Durant not both over him for the next few years. Oh and I'm not giving up the farm for either player. Giddy maybe Kendrick Williams and a couple first round picks. I'm sure the Suns want a lot more for KD Nurkic we might be able to get with just Picks and that I would do. We need another big

PG didn't demand a trade. He resigned with OKC (big party at Jones Assembly). This was huge because it enabled Presti to make the SGA trade + a gazillion draft picks and swaps with the Clippers. If it weren't for PG resigning we wouldn't be anywhere close to where we are now.
Help me. Please….

Paul George decided he wanted to leave OKC and go to the Clippers. Isn’t that correct?

Help me. Please….

Paul George decided he wanted to leave OKC and go to the Clippers. Isn’t that correct?

Nope, PG resigned with the Thunder after his first year with us. The next summer Kawhi Leonard was a free agent and wanted to go to the LA market. The 2 teams were in a bidding war. Kawhi said he wanted to play with PG. The Clippers knew they wouldn't have gotten Kawhi w/o PG so they had no choice but to overpay OKC for PG.

Look I want to keep this team for 9 years but no way it's going to happen money wise. Amazing how everyone is now in love with Giddy all of a sudden. Yes he is playing well and i think he is a great player but he needs to have the ball in his hands and with Jdub and SGA it don't always work. There been some games he hasn't been playable at the end of games. I would still take Nurkic or Durant not both over him for the next few years. Oh and I'm not giving up the farm for either player. Giddy maybe Kendrick Williams and a couple first round picks. I'm sure the Suns want a lot more for KD Nurkic we might be able to get with just Picks and that I would do. We need another big
In a trade you have to consider matching salaries, and possibly exemptions. KD alone is $50 million.

Nope, PG resigned with the Thunder after his first year with us. The next summer Kawhi Leonard was a free agent and wanted to go to the LA market. The 2 teams were in a bidding war. Kawhi said he wanted to play with PG. The Clippers knew they wouldn't have gotten Kawhi w/o PG so they had no choice but to overpay OKC for PG.

Yes, PG re-signed with OKC, thus playing for 2 seasons. And then he asked for a trade. OKC traded him to the Clippers. I don't understand saying he didn't ask for a trade. He did. Obviously it worked out though.

Look I want to keep this team for 9 years but no way it's going to happen money wise. Amazing how everyone is now in love with Giddy all of a sudden. Yes he is playing well and i think he is a great player but he needs to have the ball in his hands and with Jdub and SGA it don't always work. There been some games he hasn't been playable at the end of games. I would still take Nurkic or Durant not both over him for the next few years. Oh and I'm not giving up the farm for either player. Giddy maybe Kendrick Williams and a couple first round picks. I'm sure the Suns want a lot more for KD Nurkic we might be able to get with just Picks and that I would do. We need another big

Tell me you don’t understand how trades work without telling me.

Giddey has started to adjust to his role and has shown that he can play off the ball as well over the last few months…which is why people generally want to find a way to keep him now. Do you watch the same games that we do?

Yes, PG re-signed with OKC, thus playing for 2 seasons. And then he asked for a trade. OKC traded him to the Clippers. I don't understand saying he didn't ask for a trade. He did. Obviously it worked out though.

You're right. I had forgotten that PG asked for a trade.

Yes, PG re-signed with OKC, thus playing for 2 seasons. And then he asked for a trade. OKC traded him to the Clippers. I don't understand saying he didn't ask for a trade. He did. Obviously it worked out though.Maybe when I said demanded a trade that was too strong a word. But I remember him as telling the Thunder he DID NOT want to stay here.

The OKC-DAL series will be great. Kinda jealous though that Dallas gets scheduled two Saturday home games. And we get none, not even a Friday or Sunday home game either...SMH.

^Yes, thumbs down on TWO Saturday games in Dallas.

Oklahoman:

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2024/05/03/okc-thunder-playoff-schedule-2024-nba-playoffs-second-round-how-to-watch-tv-streaming/73551808007/

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GMtUjF_XwAA3v6j?format=jpg&name=small

The OKC-DAL series will be great. Kinda jealous though that Dallas gets scheduled two Saturday home games. And we get none, not even a Friday or Sunday home game either...SMH.

If prices are within range, I'm hoping to make game 2 in OKC and game 3 in Dallas. Pretty excited for this series!

If prices are within range, I'm hoping to make game 2 in OKC and game 3 in Dallas. Pretty excited for this series!

Just checked Seat Geek and saw some tickets under $80 and a bunch under $100. Not cheap by any means but more affordable than I thought they’d be at this point.

Just checked Seat Geek and saw some tickets under $80 and a bunch under $100. Not cheap by any means but more affordable than I thought they’d be at this point.

Where are you seeing these prices? I already have OKC tickets. I need Dallas and the cheapest I’m seeing is $180, with fees that’ll be about $200 per ticket.

.


https://media.giphy.com/media/xUPGcwcfdAQdeyR7Vu/giphy.gif


Here is the list of all NBA cities ranked by their altitude above sea level from highest to lowest.


_1. Denver - 5280 feet
_2. Utah - Salt Lake City - 4265 feet
_3. Oklahoma City - 1199 feet
_4. Phoenix - 1086 feet
_5. Atlanta - 1023 feet
_6. Detroit - 968 feet
_7. Minnesota - Minneapolis - 845 feet
_8. Charlotte - 721 feet
_9. Indiana - Indianapolis - 707 feet
10. Cleveland - 669 feet
11. San Antonio - 641 feet
12. Chicago - 593 feet
13. Milwaukee - 593 feet
14. Dallas - 426 feet
15. Toronto - 260 feet
16. Memphis - 250 feet
17. Los Angeles - 239 feet
18. Orlando - 106 feet
19. Portland - 92 feet
20. San Francisco - 52 feet
21. Brooklyn - 49 feet
22. Washington - 46 feet
23. Houston - 45 feet
24. New York - New York City - 35 feet
25. Sacramento - 34 feet
26. Philadelphia - 18 feet
27. Boston - 10 feet
28. Miami - 5 feet
29. New Orleans - 2 feet

Takeaways



This list shows that the only teams that truly have any meaningful potential advantages due to elevation are the Nuggets and Jazz. They live, practice, and play in these locations, and the players should be somewhat used to the high altitudes.

Where are you seeing these prices? I already have OKC tickets. I need Dallas and the cheapest I’m seeing is $180, with fees that’ll be about $200 per ticket.

Sorry, that's for OKC. Didn't realize you were looking in Dallas.

.

https://media.giphy.com/media/xUPGcwcfdAQdeyR7Vu/giphy.gif


Here is the list of all NBA cities ranked by their altitude above sea level from highest to lowest.

_1. Denver - 5280 feet
_2. Utah - Salt Lake City - 4265 feet
_3. Oklahoma City - 1199 feet
_4. Phoenix - 1086 feet
_5. Atlanta - 1023 feet
_6. Detroit - 968 feet
_7. Minnesota - Minneapolis - 845 feet
_8. Charlotte - 721 feet
_9. Indiana - Indianapolis - 707 feet
10. Cleveland - 669 feet
11. San Antonio - 641 feet
12. Chicago - 593 feet
13. Milwaukee - 593 feet
14. Dallas - 426 feet
15. Toronto - 260 feet
16. Memphis - 250 feet
17. Los Angeles - 239 feet
18. Orlando - 106 feet
19. Portland - 92 feet
20. San Francisco - 52 feet
21. Brooklyn - 49 feet
22. Washington - 46 feet
23. Houston - 45 feet
24. New York - New York City - 35 feet
25. Sacramento - 34 feet
26. Philadelphia - 18 feet
27. Boston - 10 feet
28. Miami - 5 feet
29. New Orleans - 2 feet

Takeaways


This list shows that the only teams that truly have any meaningful potential advantages due to elevation are the Nuggets and Jazz. They live, practice, and play in these locations, and the players should be somewhat used to the high altitudes.





I'm kinda shocked that we're third on that list. I probably shouldn't be given that most teams are in cities closer to the coast but its still surprising to see it.

Whenever you take the Turner Turnpike to Tulsa, it seems as though you are traveling up to a higher elevation and upon return, it feels like you going down to OKC. Actually the differences in elevation between our two largest cities Oklahoma City 1199 feet - Tulsa 637 feet is 562 feet.

It feels to me that Tulsa has a higher elevation; however based those figures, there's a big difference--like OKC is
the height of the BancFirst Tower (second tallest building in OKC).

Whenever you take the Turner Turnpike to Tulsa, it seems as though you are traveling up to a higher elevation and upon return, it feels like you going down to OKC. Actually the differences in elevation between our two largest cities Oklahoma City 1199 feet - Tulsa 637 feet is 562 feet.

It feels to me that Tulsa has a higher elevation; however based those figures, there's a big difference--like OKC is
the height of the BancFirst Tower (second tallest building in OKC).

You right, it does feel like you’re going down hill from Tulsa to OKC.

I agree. It does feel like you go uphill to Tulsa. It feels like I go even further uphill on to St Louis but they're 499'.