OKC Thunder 2013 - 2014

[Laramie]

When Kendrick Perkins went out with that groin pull in the Miami game, many of you probably thought that we haven't lost much; just what the basketball gods ordered.

Sure, Perkins isn't a beast under the offensive glass with put backs--he has fallen arches and flat feet and can barely get off the ground; he went straight from high school to the NBA--playing on a college team could have helped him control his anger and over aggression.

What we do know about Perkins, he's a beast on defense and more than just a bully. He motivates the team to get tough when the game is in the trenches; that's what we didn't have against the Clippers down the stretch as L.A. just took over in the remaining minutes.

L.A. Clippers played the best game of their season in which their bench stepped up.

Perkins is not the dramatic shot blocker as we have in Ibaka.
Perkins is not the finesse shooter as we have in K.D., or the acrobatic rebounder as we have in the rhythmic leaping Westbrook.
Perkins is not the scorer you think he should be as seen with DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings big man with Perkin's build.

Perkins is Perkins, a true percolator of the defense, bitching, complaining, whining; making excuses--the big growling bear that no one including his own team mates wants to go near. He's a bang & bruiser type of guy who adds toughness the Thunder so desperately needs.

The Thunder has been out of rhythm the last two games. Our team loves to dribble, fake and shoot with the K.D., Westbrook, Jackson and sometimes hesitate Sefolosha ready to contribute when called upon. They have to get to the spacing (Brooks' stresses) and for God's sake improve on the simple things like passing the ball around and making every player get his feel of the game on the court; not just the high five feels before tip off.

This is our Oklahoma City Thunder; there's time to get back on track with Russell Westbrook. The Thunder is like a transmission--it has to be fluid with ALL parts moving in unison to accomplish its goal.

Oklahoma City Thunder will get its act together; deadly killer defense and offense we've seen previously.

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[warreng88]

Cue the trade Westbrook we were better off with Reggie people...

[Laramie]

Cue the trade Westbrook we were better off with Reggie people...

Let's give it time. Westbrook is clearly not back in rhythm and Reggie Jackson will need to anchor the reserves and work with the starters when OKC goes small.

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[warreng88]

Let's give it time. Westbrook is clearly not back in rhythm and Reggie Jackson will need to anchor the reserves and work with the starters when OKC goes small.

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

I know. I am a patient fan, but it frustrates me when people fly off the handle and think we immediately need to trade Westbrook because we were really good without him and have lost two games with him back in the starting lineup after being out for three months. Those are the same people who think we need to amnesty Perk because he doesn't add enough to the offensive side of the ball. Oh and our record is 43-14, best in the league.

[Richard at Remax]

Perk out for up to six weeks following surgery

[warreng88]

We will see how good Adams really is and if we really need him now. Perk might be an offensive liability, but he is also a defensive bully and we need that down low.

[Easy180]

We will see how good Adams really is and if we really need him now. He might be an offensive liability, but he is also a defensive bully and we need that down low.

Good time to try him out. Great experience before the playoffs begin.

[warreng88]

I read somewhere that LA is going after Melo after this season and KD after the 2015-2016 season. By that time, Kobe probably will have been retired and they will be looking for someone to take the reigns. I see RW going more than KD, but who knows.

[Bellaboo]

I read somewhere that LA is going after Melo after this season and KD after the 2015-2016 season. By that time, Kobe probably will have been retired and they will be looking for someone to take the reigns. I see RW going more than KD, but who knows.

It's well known that KD doesn't really care for the big cities. He chose Texas to get away from DC at the time. I think if the Thunder can sustain a winning culture with a few Chips, KD will stay..ala Tim Duncan.

[Teo9969]

I read somewhere that LA is going after Melo after this season and KD after the 2015-2016 season. By that time, Kobe probably will have been retired and they will be looking for someone to take the reigns. I see RW going more than KD, but who knows.

KD and Melo will never play for the same franchise.

Either one of them could leave under the right circumstances, but I can only imagine a handful of franchises landing either guy and then the situation will still have to make sense, and the Thunder's future will have to be far more bleak than it looks now.

[dankrutka]

It's well known that KD doesn't really care for the big cities. He chose Texas to get away from DC at the time. I think if the Thunder can sustain a winning culture with a few Chips, KD will stay..ala Tim Duncan.

KD loves big cities, has a place in downtown Miami, and loves DC. Not sure where you got this. He talks up OKC a lot, which is smart because he's here, but there's nothing that indicates that he dislikes big cities.

Also, virtually every team in the NBA will be coming at KD when he is a free agent. The key to keeping him is probably both whether OKC has won a title by then and the upcoming prospects for more titles.

[dagnyt]

Cue the trade Westbrook we were better off with Reggie people...

I agree. We need to get Westbrook out of the mix. He is not a team player. He is arrogant and wants to the the star and to he__ with the rest of the team. In the game against the Clippers we didn't see much scoring from players other than Westbrook and Durant. Durant plays for the good of the team. Westbrook plays for the good of Westbrook. There is some question as to whether that knee is going to hold up to ...

[dankrutka]

I agree. We need to get Westbrook out of the mix. He is not a team player. He is arrogant and wants to the the star and to he__ with the rest of the team. In the game against the Clippers we didn't see much scoring from players other than Westbrook and Durant. Durant plays for the good of the team. Westbrook plays for the good of Westbrook. There is some question as to whether that knee is going to hold up to ...

First, you clearly did not get that the post you quoted was being facetious. Second, nope. Nope. NOPE.

Against the Clips, KD had 42, Serge had 20, Fisher had 15, and Thabo had 10 - all well above their season and career averages. Russ can't make the ball for Reggie (who went 3 of 12). Russ has consistently been in the top 10 in the NBA in assists. But, we wouldn't want facts to get in the way of the Westbrook-is-selfish Skip Bayless narrative, right? Russ is out-of-rhythm now, but he's a top 10 player in the league. All this should really go without saying at this point if you pay attention to games.

[td25er]

Russ needs time to shake the rust, but Brooks is horrible at getting the team ready. 5-5 the first 10 games Russ got hurt, then they were on fire. 0-3 w/o Perkins, who is a horrible player.

[Laramie]

The "two-men enter, one man leaves" theme is so alive and well at Thunder dome; Westbrook returns and Perkins leaves. Perkins' injury will not only affect the defensive toughness of the Thunder, it could have an adverse reaction on Scott Brooks' rotation. Those of you who don't like Scott Brooks; Avery Johnson & P. J. Carlesimo are available...

Wake-up folks, we're in the big leagues now--time to shed that college coach firing mentality.

You have the best patient, positive & upcoming coach in the NBA. He can only coach the team; it's encumbering team play that will determine how far the Thunder advances in the playoffs. The players will have to follow his direction concerning passing, spacing, moving, breaking and locking down on the defensive end.

Get well and good luck Kendrick Perkins!

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[Laramie]

As we continue life without Perkins; you'll see his value on the defensive end. Irving shredded our defense like lettuce tonight. Adams doesn't have a role model to show him direction--he had one good game (17 pts., @ Detroit Pistons) and everybody got all giddy...

K. D. is still scoring; however, he's got to get his mojo back down the stretch. Thunder lacks that extra hustle for loose balls. Passing and spacing on offense is lack-luster. Defense trust factor has eroded as players are double-teaming out on the perimeter when there is no need; someone needs to anticipate and play the rebound. Collison appeared to be the only player blocking out and attempting to rebound.

Last two home losses: Free throws: Clippers 28-39, Thunder 19-24; Cavaliers 23-24, Thunder 13-17. Our caliber of players should be getting the calls at home.
All Cavalier starters were in double figures; only Durant (28), Westbrook (24) & Ibaka (18) were in double figures with Sefolosha & Lamb 8 each, Collison 5, Lamb, Jackson & Adams 4 each, Fisher 3. The reserves have got to step up...

It's not going to get any easier with those banging, grit & grind Grizzlies coming to town.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - Box Score - February 26, 2014 - ESPN

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[Anonymous.]

Just a slump right now. Good news from last night, Russell looked to be more comfortable. Once his minutes go back to normal, I think he will be back in it, machine mode style.


I do wonder what the deal with Reggie and Jeremy is right now? They both seem to have gone Harden-Finals since the Allstar break.

[Anonymous.]

Another rare Friday night home game.

Hopefully we can avoid the 4L streak against Memphis. Going to lose the 1 seed if we keep this up. SAS only 1.5 game behind now.

[Richard at Remax]

Y! SPORTS

Caron Bulter to sign with Thunder

[Easy180]

Another rare Friday night home game.

Hopefully we can avoid the 4L streak against Memphis. Going to lose the 1 seed if we keep this up. SAS only 1.5 game behind now.

Don't matchup well with Perk out. Hopefully we can win with small ball tonight.

[FighttheGoodFight]

Y! SPORTS

Caron Bulter to sign with Thunder

Great signing. This gives the Thunder an option for defense and open 3s. Thabo has been in a slump so this could be a good answer.

[Laramie]

Now that we've got the train back on track; it's time to roll...

Welcome aboard Caron Butler!

Position: Small Forward and Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right, Height: 6-7 ▪ Weight: 217 lbs. Averaged 15.3 points per game over his 11-year NBA career.
Waived by current team: Milwaukee Bucks averaging 11.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

Memphis Grizzlies 107 Oklahoma City Thunder 113

Let's Go Thunder!

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[Laramie]

Kevin Durant is a class act!

I was working for Fox at the OKC Thunder game last night. After the game, one of our camera operators slipped and fell on the stairs last night. KD is about to walk his mother out, but sees this happen. He said to his mom, “Hold on a minute...”

Kevin Durant does nice thing, part five thousand | Daily Thunder.com

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[Laramie]

Thunder 116 - Bobcats 99

Are the Thunder back on track?

Westbrook had an incredible 25 minutes connecting on 10-12 field goals, 2-2 free throws and 4-5 on three point shooting for 26 points.
Durant played 38 minutes for 28 points; five assists and six rebounds. Our Durant-Westbrook dual is back.

Contributions from reserves: Jackson 17 points, Lamb & Collison with 7 points each. Perry Jones & Steven Adams filled in for starters (Sefolosha & Perkins) contributing 4 points each.

Wish Thabo Sefolosha a speedy recovery. We probably won't see Perkins until next season. Will they amnesty Perkins?

Caron Butler will add to the offense & defense in spreading the floor. Butler was on an $8 million dollar buyout contract at Milwaukee. This was a super pick-up by Sam Presti.

Miami Heat have lost out on three key pick-ups: Andrew Bynum (Pacers), Danny Granger (Clippers) and Caron Butler .

We can't afford any more injuries.

Charlotte Bobcats vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - Box Score - March 02, 2014 - ESPN

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[Stan Silliman]

It's hard to tell until we go up against an elite team. Right now the hot ones are the Spurs, Rockets, Blazers, Clips, Pacers, Heat, Suns and Net.
If we dominate these guys then we're back.