OKC Thunder 2014 - 2015

[ljbab728]

KD is on the Tonight show tonight. Gee, I feel so sorry for him playing on a "small market" team. He gets so little publicity and his income suffers so much.

Kevin Durant | Guests | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | NBC

[Bellaboo]

I was just told that the pre-season game with Dallas is on NBATV...

[dankrutka]

The starting shooting guard spot and rotations will be a big storyline early in the year. With that being said, the starting lineup for the first preseason game tonight is:

PG: Russ
SG: Roberson
SF: KD
PF: McGary (Ibaka has a sprained ankle)
C: Adams (Perk is injured also)

So, Roberson is getting the first shot at shooting guard over Lamb, Jackson, and Morrow. Roberson is an elite rebounder and defender, but the question is, has his shot improved enough (to maybe 31-33% from 3) to keep defenses honest and/or can he contribute via hustle/garbage/cutting plays?

[Bellaboo]

The starting shooting guard spot and rotations will be a big storyline early in the year. With that being said, the starting lineup for the first preseason game tonight is:

PG: Russ
SG: Roberson
SF: KD
PF: McGary (Ibaka has a sprained ankle)
C: Adams (Perk is injured also)

So, Roberson is getting the first shot at shooting guard over Lamb, Jackson, and Morrow. Roberson is an elite rebounder and defender, but the question is, has his shot improved enough (to maybe 31-33% from 3) to keep defenses honest and/or can he contribute via hustle/garbage/cutting plays?

Thought I saw where PJ3 was starting at the 4 ? Maybe I read this in the paper today ?

[dankrutka]

Thought I saw where PJ3 was starting at the 4 ? Maybe I read this in the paper today ?

OKC Thunder to start Westbrook, Durant, Roberson, McGary, Adams in preseason opener | News OK

[BrettM2]

Damn it:

Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City Thunder has fractured foot - ESPN

Kevin Durant has a fractured foot and the NBA's MVP seems likely to be sidelined for at least the start of the season.

...

The Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday said Durant informed the team of "discomfort" in his right foot after practice a day earlier. He underwent tests and the team said in a statement he was diagnosed with a "Jones" fracture -- a broken bone at the base of the small toe. It's unclear how the injury happened.

The Thunder said traditional treatment requires surgery, and recent NBA cases have resulted in a return to play in six to eight weeks.

...

The Thunder open their season Oct. 29 at Portland. A six-week absence could have Durant back for the start of December, which would allow him to play about 65 games.

[Mel]

Yeah, Just got that tweet on my phone about Kevin. This sucks. A fracture in your foot is the dickens to get over. Especially if you make your living on your feet.

[Laramie]

What's really scary about this; once Durant returns, will he be on limited minutes?

It will give Coach Brooks an opportunity to extend the minutes of other players which could be curial for the playoffs.

Has anyone heard about the status of Reggie Jackson?

[Bill Robertson]

Has anyone heard about the status of Reggie Jackson?

Heard on the radio this morning that he's shooting with a brace. No timetable for his return to playing.

[dankrutka]

Heard on the radio this morning that he's shooting with a brace. No timetable for his return to playing.

I do not think Reggie is expected to miss any regular season time from what I have heard. They're being overly careful with guys because it's the pre-season, but only KD and McGary should miss regular season time.

Obviously, we have to hope KD comes back without any problems. Most players do from this injury but there are exceptions. This really could be an opportunity for some guys to gain confidence and grow. Let's hope Scott Brooks does a good job with his rotations.

[Laramie]

Funny,

Preseason has not been kind with injuries to McGary & Jackson.

A big mystery to me; when did Durant sustain his Jones' fracture?

[Mel]

Funny,

Preseason has not been kind with injuries to McGary & Jackson.

A big mystery to me; when did Durant sustain his Jones' fracture?

I have wondered this myself.

[dankrutka]

Funny,

Preseason has not been kind with injuries to McGary & Jackson.

A big mystery to me; when did Durant sustain his Jones' fracture?

These happen over time, not just in one moment. KD reported that his foot ached after a recent practice, the Thunder investigated it, and they found the fracture. He's probably already been playing on it and could have continued to do so, but catching it early should help his recovery.

[Throckmorton]

Doctor Informs Kevin Durant He'll Never Dunk Again Without Cane

[dankrutka]

For anyone not paying attention, Steven Adams has been ridiculous in the preseason:

-Gm1: 15 pts, 7 rebs, 7/8 FG
-Gm2: 19 pts, 5 rebs, 8/9 FG
-Gm3: 22 pts, 6 rebs, 9/11 FG

He won't continue to put up those numbers, but if he could become a double digit scorer that would be a real boon to the offense. I just can't imagine Perk is getting his starting job back at this point, especially with KD out. Adams has scored 14 points in a quarter twice in three preseason games... Perk has scored 14 points in an entire game only twice in his Thunder career. It'll be interesting to see how Brooks uses Perk and how Perk handles a bench role.

[Laramie]

Perk has scored 14 points in an entire game only twice in his Thunder career. It'll be interesting to see how Brooks uses Perk and how Perk handles a bench role.

Steven Adams has exceeded expectations for a freshman drafted from Pittsburgh.

Mr. Perkins will make $9,654,342 this year; he knows that his NBA Thunder days are numbered. Perkins does take up the slack as one of the team leaders (enforcer division). The Thunder will benefit when his salary drops because his offensive production is a non factor.

[Anonymous.]

Years later, Presti is once again showing his chess moves. The only reason we have Adams is because of the Harden trade. Also Morrow is a legit 3point shooter.

[dankrutka]

I still think it's a bit early to evaluate the Harden trade, but we do know all the players the Thunder received in return now. Here's the details (I'm not including players that were waived):

Rockets received:
James Harden - He's the best shooting guard in the NBA. His defensive flaws have been exposed, but he's one of the best offensive players in the NBA. Probably a top 10-15 player in the league.

Thunder received:
1 year of Kevin Martin - Martin was a great scorer who helped the Thunder to the #1 seed, but was a poor defender who was inconsistent. Westbrook's injury prevented us from seeing how good the team could have been with him.
Jeremy Lamb - Lamb was good for the first half of 2013-2014, but it's yet to be seen if he can be a consistent contributor.
Steven Adams - Overachieved in rookie season and had looked great in preseason thus far. Hard to tell how good he can be...
Mitch McGary - Looked good in summer league as a more offensively capable (and defensively less capable) Collison replacement, but he already has a foot injury to go along with his history of back and foot injuries. That's ended many a big man careers. Hopefully he recovers fully.
Alex Abrines - Good shooter that I expect to join the team next season. Hard to know what he can do.

Argument against trade: As it turns out, the rising salary cap means that the Thunder might have only had to pay one year of the luxury tax if they kept Harden. Again, we can't evaluate the trade yet.... but if I went back in time, I wouldn't make it. I think the Thunder likely have a title already if they keep Harden, pay the tax for one to two years, and trade him later if need be. What has the Thunder really done with all their "financial flexibility?"

Argument for trade: However, if Adams turns into a top 5 center and McGary is the next Nick Collison and Lamb and/or Abrines turn into at least a semi-consistent role player then the trade is closer. The Thunder got a slew of cheap players on rookie contracts to put around their big 3.

Time will tell who won this trade... Maybe even by next season. If KD leaves then we'll pretty much be able to answer who won the trade because the Thunder aren't winning a title without him. But if he stays then we may have to wait 5 more years to fully evaluate it.

[Laramie]

Good analogy Dan:

It's encouraging to see the pieces that Sam Presti has put together with the recent draft pics. Later, we can bring in Tibor Pleiss & Alex Abrines staggered on rookie salaries.

Mitch McGary like Adams could turn out to be another 'diamond in the rough' for the Thunder. Harden was a plus for the Thunder's offense. Dan, you called it correctly--J. Harden was a defensive liability.

IMO Ibaka over Harden any day. It's tough to see the decisions a small market like OKC will have to make. Let's stash some funds away for the future core (Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Adams, McGary) of the team.

Jeremy Lamb & Andre Roberson need to stay on that 'yellow brick road' until they gain some consistency with their confidence. Roberson has the defensive energy; he has fallen into a slump with his offensive proficiency.

[dankrutka]

It's tough to see the decisions a small market like OKC will have to make. Let's stash some funds away for the future core (Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Adams, McGary) of the team.

How is being a small market applicable? OKC had the fifth highest profit margin in the NBA last season. If our owners refuse to go into the tax for an opportunity to add a key piece then all the national criticism will be justified. I have suspended my judgment assuming they're stalling the repeater tax and/or waiting for the right opportunity. I truly hope that's the case.

[Laramie]

How is being a small market applicable? OKC had the fifth highest profit margin in the NBA last season. If our owners refuse to go into the tax for an opportunity to add a key piece then all the national criticism will be justified. I have suspended my judgment assuming they're stalling the repeater tax and/or waiting for the right opportunity. I truly hope that's the case.

The Thunder have marketed its brand over the years; they lost approximately $130 million +/- which included the relocation process.

Losses and fees.

Seattle - 2006-07: Loss - $30 million inadequate arena
Seattle - 2007-08: Loss - $25 million inadequate arena
$30 million relocation fee ($1 million per team, $ 1 million to NBA)
$45 million to break the 'iron clad' KeyArena Lease & payoff the '96 renovation finances left on KeyArena.

Seattle had decent attendance numbers; however the building lacked the amenities necessary to make operations profitable. Professional Basketball Club LLC lost somewhere in the neighborhood of $130 million in Seattle which included relocation.

A 'small market' doesn't possess the corporate base (sponsors) of a large market. The life of an NBA arena is about 20 years. We may need to replace the Chesapeake Energy Arena (2025) sooner than expected with something around 19,000 - 20,000 seats with amenities; the owners will probably be asked to contribute this time.

Purchase investment ($350 million) for the Supersonics. The Thunder are worth $590 million (Forbes 2014); that's the current value of the team.

Seattle	Attendance	Oklahoma City	Attendance
2006-2007	15,955	2008-2009	18,693
2007-2008	13,355	2009-2010	18,003
		2010-2011	18,148
		2011-2012	18,203
		2012-2013	18,203
		2013-2014	18,203

2013-2014 NBA Attendance - National Basketball Association - ESPN

[Laramie]

NBA revenue sharing revamped formula is one factor that helps smaller NBA markets.

NBA: 2013-14 season:

When fully phased in by the 2013-14 season, it will see a stunning $140 million in additional revenue sharing coming into play compared with last year, moving money through a complex formula that shifts some of the financial wealth of big-market NBA teams to the league’s neediest teams, each of which could receive up to $16 million a year as part of the plan.

Some team executives said that while the system does not completely close the financial gap between high- and low-revenue teams, it is the most progressive form of revenue distribution in the league’s history.

Each team’s total top line revenue already includes shared national revenue from TV and sponsorship at roughly $30 million for each team. So, obviously, teams with high local revenue will contribute the most into the new system as the amount of shared revenue grows from $60 million last season to roughly $200 million when the plan is fully implemented.

Inside NBA's revenue sharing - SportsBusiness Daily | SportsBusiness Journal | SportsBusiness Daily Global

[dankrutka]

I'm pretty sure OKC pays into, not takes out of, revenue sharing because of its profits. Again, that's why I was pointing out that OKC is not operating like a typical small market team right now.

[Laramie]

I'm pretty sure OKC pays into, not takes out of, revenue sharing because of its profits. Again, that's why I was pointing out that OKC is not operating like a typical small market team right now.

I thought about that when I was researching a number of articles.

First thing that popped in my head: Are we contributing to the franchises like Milwaukee, Sacramento, Memphis, New Orleans etc., or are we receiving from franchises like Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami...

Those two years of bleeding in Seattle were written off since we have had six years of momentum (profits) since relocation--they have this whole market to themselves.

You're right Dan, we're contributors...

[Laramie]

Anthony Morrow is out!

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Anthony Morrow (MCL sprain) out 4-6 weeks - ESPN

We can't get through exhibition games or practice without losing players.

What's next?

McGary, Jackson, Durant, Perkins, Lamb & Morrow...

This season will be a living hell until players get healthy and return.