OKC Thunder 2014 - 2015

[OSUMom]

KD's quote after the game. "We got to get out of California". AMEN.

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City Thunder 99 Utah Jazz 94

Welcome to Oklahoma City!

The 'very capable' Dion... ...Dion's dagger:

Dion Waiters (15 pts.) provided clutch shooting off the bench went 7-14 (50%) FGM-A . Waiters, in his first home game with the Thunder since being acquired from Cleveland earlier this week, hit a 3-pointer on an assist from Durant with 23 seconds left to put Oklahoma City up by four.

Durant 32, game high (back in the saddle.)
Westbrook 25
Waiters 15
Ibaka 12
Jackson 5
Perkins 4
Adams, Morrow, Roberson 2 each

Utah Jazz vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - Box Score - January 09, 2015 - ESPN

[OSUMom]

Who here thinks that Presti doesn't NEED to dump Jackson and get someone for him in trade. Someone who can score. Someone who wants to play here. After the last few games it is clear he doesn't want to be here.

[dankrutka]

Who here thinks that Presti doesn't NEED to dump Jackson and get someone for him in trade. Someone who can score. Someone who wants to play here. After the last few games it is clear he doesn't want to be here.

It might happen. The problem is that we'll almost assuredly get a worse player in exchange. When Reggie is playing well he's the piece that could put OKC over the top. OKC probably goes out to Memphis in last year's playoffs without Reggie. I'm not sure we'd be good enough without him. We'll see...

[Jake]

Jackson is gone. I'd like to keep him but I think the writing was on the wall as soon as the Waiters deal was completed. Hopefully the team can get a decent backup PG that is actually a PG and/or maybe a decent big man. I want a big coming off the bench that isn't Kendrick Perkins or Nick Collison.

[Bellaboo]

Jackson is gone. I'd like to keep him but I think the writing was on the wall as soon as the Waiters deal was completed. Hopefully the team can get a decent backup PG that is actually a PG and/or maybe a decent big man. I want a big coming off the bench that isn't Kendrick Perkins or Nick Collison.

I hope that big coming off the bench is Mcgary, who will be able to score better than Perk or Nick. Health is the issue with him though. I also think Reggie is gone, lack of defense and too much dribbling has done him in. It was obvious when he sat the bench against the Jazz late in the game.

[Urbanized]

Assuming we get adequate value in return, good riddance.

[OKCJapan]

We are nearing the Mid season point. Want to make a few observations.

1. The Thunder must go 32-13 to reach 50 wins this season. A tall order, but doable. They just cannot have many more offensive-off nights like in the past couple of games.

2 Last years Western Conference playoff 4-8 seeded teams have improved upon last season. Making it that much more of a challenge for the Thunder to secure a higher seed than 8.

3. The Thunder have the potential to have a second half season that is one for the ages. That would be exciting to see. If that doesn't happen, I see the Thunder securing no higher than the 7th seed. Boy, I wish we were in the Eastern Conference.

4. In that playoff position, They would most likely play, Golden State, Portland, Memphis, or possibly Houson. I just don't see anybody beating GS in a 7 game series if they continue to have the phenominal season they are having. We have not fared well against Portland as of yet, Memphis or Houston would give the Thunder a better match-up advantage.

What does this mean for the Thunder? The only thing that is know is the Thunder are at 18-19. From the above observations, They are going to have to overcome alot of adversities to win a championship this season. The odds are not in our favor this season. is the time running out for OKC for a championship? The future of KD and the Thunder going forward after next season is uncertain. Thankfully, none of those uncertain questions have to be addressed until the end of next season.

My final though is that we have been blessed with not only a NBA franchise, but with great players. When and if those great players are gone, we must continue to show the League that we are one of the model NBA cities when if comes to supporting a team come good or bad.

[jn1780]

We are nearing the Mid season point. Want to make a few observations.

1. The Thunder must go 32-13 to reach 50 wins this season. A tall order, but doable. They just cannot have many more offensive-off nights like in the past couple of games.

2 Last years Western Conference playoff 4-8 seeded teams have improved upon last season. Making it that much more of a challenge for the Thunder to secure a higher seed than 8.

3. The Thunder have the potential to have a second half season that is one for the ages. That would be exciting to see. If that doesn't happen, I see the Thunder securing no higher than the 7th seed. Boy, I wish we were in the Eastern Conference.

4. In that playoff position, They would most likely play, Golden State, Portland, Memphis, or possibly Houson. I just don't see anybody beating GS in a 7 game series if they continue to have the phenominal season they are having. We have not fared well against Portland as of yet, Memphis or Houston would give the Thunder a better match-up advantage.

What does this mean for the Thunder? The only thing that is know is the Thunder are at 18-19. From the above observations, They are going to have to overcome alot of adversities to win a championship this season. The odds are not in our favor this season. is the time running out for OKC for a championship? The future of KD and the Thunder going forward after next season is uncertain. Thankfully, none of those uncertain questions have to be addressed until the end of next season.

My final though is that we have been blessed with not only a NBA franchise, but with great players. When and if those great players are gone, we must continue to show the League that we are one of the model NBA cities when if comes to supporting a team come good or bad.

OKC businesses probably hate the playoff outlook since it could mean Thunder gets knocked out faster. I think even a team that started the year healthy would have a hard time beating Golden State.

[warreng88]

Question for the board: What player would you be willing to give up to get Kevin Love? Obviously Westbrook and KD are not options, but who else? Several years ago, Love expressed interest in playing with Westbrook, his old teammate at UCLA. Obviously, Perk would be a great bargaining chip because he is an expiring contract worth $9.6MM. Reggie Jackson wouldn't like going there because they already have Kyrie Irving, but another team could be worked in the trade. Lamb and Perry Jones are other guys people have said can be used as trade bait. Thoughts?

[Anonymous.]

Cleveland gave up Wiggins for Love. They won't let him go for expiring contracts and bottom feeders. CLE essentially made their beds when they punched Love's ticket out of MIN. Now it looks as if that could have been a poor decision. Love is playing a lot like our Jackson right now, uninspired bball.

Honestly I don't really care for Love. If I had to pick a current player out there that would be a good fit for OKC, it would (unfortunately) be Harden. With the extra money coming to the new NBA deal - the Harden trade looks a lot worse. It was imposible to be seen by Presti, though. So there is no one to blame, just sheer bad luck. This also raises the question that Harden would have wanted to stay anyways and play (6th man/closer).

[warreng88]

Cleveland gave up Wiggins for Love. They won't let him go for expiring contracts and bottom feeders. CLE essentially made their beds when they punched Love's ticket out of MIN. Now it looks as if that could have been a poor decision. Love is playing a lot like our Jackson right now, uninspired bball.

Honestly I don't really care for Love. If I had to pick a current player out there that would be a good fit for OKC, it would (unfortunately) be Harden. With the extra money coming to the new NBA deal - the Harden trade looks a lot worse. It was imposible to be seen by Presti, though. So there is no one to blame, just sheer bad luck. This also raises the question that Harden would have wanted to stay anyways and play (6th man/closer).

Kevin Love is only signed a two year deal, the same as Lebron and Mike Miller with only this year guaranteed and next year as a player option. So, if things aren't going well (which it doesn't seem like they are) he could leave for another team after this year even without a trade. He is set to make 16.7MM next year. This year is the last year of deals for Perk, Collison, Telfair and Ish and they make a combined $13.6MM. That would put us $10MM over the salary cap with the ability to shed Jackson and Garrett for $4.3MM and then do some trades of Lamb and Jones for future first round picks. That would put us $500,000 over the cap and I am sure the Thunder would figure that part out. Again, not saying it will happen, but it could due to how his contract was set up.

As to the Harden thing, he said after the Finals (in regards to keeping KD, Westbrook, Harden and Serge together) that they would have to sacrifice. Well, Westbrook and Serge definitely sacrificed financially. Harden could have taken $5MM less and played with the Thunder but he chose not to. When asked about "sacrificing", he meant coming off the bench, not financially. He said he was ok with that.

[Laramie]

Kevin Love can lite any team up on any given night. Much like Jackson, he's a liability on the defensive end.

[Anonymous.]

Finally back at it tonight. Visiting Houston on the end of their back-to-back where they just lost to Orlando.

Good opportunity to instill some confidence and beat a good team. And then hope it carries over to tomorrow night in the 'Peake.

[OSUMom]

Well so much for instilling confidence.

[king183]

Time to fire Scott Brooks. He can't motivate, he can't instill discipline, he can't draw up plays, and he doesn't know how to use the talent he has. I seriously question whether he has the IQ of a tangerine after watching his coaching this year. Get rid of him.

[Jake]

The Thunder suck now. Should have tanked when they had the chance. If they somehow limp into the playoffs, they're a first round exit. Maybe they'll do better next year with Durant's looming FA as motivation.

[Laramie]

Help is on the way?

Brooks Lopez: Age: 26 - 7'0" - 275lbs., Center - 14.6 PPG, 6.3 RRG
This guy look like he could go bear hunting with a switch...

Report: Nets talking three-way trade with Hornets and Thunder | ProBasketballTalk

[dankrutka]

This is the worst they've looked in years, but teams go through bad stretches. It's January. I'm not panicking... Yet.

[s00nr1]

The only good news for Thunder fans is the Scott Brooks era is nearing its conclusion. Nearly identical to the Avery Johnson era in Dallas before he was canned in favor of Rick Carlisle.

[Anonymous.]

Every chance we had @ full momentum swing, Russell shot a 5 on 1 transition 3 with 20 seconds on the SC. I don't understand this bball play in any situation other than a "2 for 1" at the end of quarters.

It has been too many years of this for it to go on. The coach is soft, the players know it all too well now.

[jn1780]

Last night pretty much showed how much of a mistake it was to get rid of Harden.

[OSUMom]

I'm getting tired of us getting these 'good shooters' and they can't hit the basket more often than not. Where were the points from Morrow last night? Everyone has an off night once in a while, but when the good shooting nights are once in while and not being able to shoot is the usual, then what exactly did we acquire him for?

[Richard at Remax]

Roberson needs to not start anymore. We have Waiters and Reggie off the bench so I think Morrow needs to start. And Roberson needs to get fined $10K every time he attempts a 3.

[Bellaboo]

Roberson needs to not start anymore. We have Waiters and Reggie off the bench so I think Morrow needs to start. And Roberson needs to get fined $10K every time he attempts a 3.

I wonder myself how an NBA starter can air ball an uncontested 3 on a regular basis ?
From the 'shooting guard' position.