Oklahoma City Thunder 2017-18

[Anonymous.]

KD needs to see a specialist. Not even joking.

How in the hell is he trashing a coach and team that took the greatest team of all time to 3-1, minutes away from the finals with HIM as the main option?! His historical revisionism is so incredibly sad. He is literally doing everything possible to justify his move. If he just said all these things and was straight up, it would be better than everything him and his PR team have done so far. The 'hater' shoes, the alternate social media accounts... And this is in the last 2 weeks. I mean is this guy for real?

Softest player in sports history.

[Urbanized]

^^^^^^^
100% agree. Just smile and flash your ring at people and shut up.

Here's all he needed to do/say when he left: "I know this is disappointing to OKC fans and my teammates, who have supported me and seen me through so much. This in particular made it a hugely difficult decision for me. But I just felt like Golden State was a better fit for me at this point. I will always treasure my time here, and I hope there comes a time when the people who have been so great to me will understand my decision and forgive me for leaving. Until then OKC will always have a special place in my heart and I wish everyone the best." And after that, SHUT UP. Talk about your new team. Talk about the Bay Area. Whatever. If OKC comes up in conversation stick to the script I just laid out above.

If he said something along those lines in his departure and then shut the hell up about it, mark it down on his return he would have gotten very few boos, and tons of applause, and NONE of the vitriol and national derision he is now experiencing. He has made this so much more difficult than it had to be. His victim narrative is so transparent. What a weak-minded insecure individual he is. It is crazy.

[d-usa]

His own argument makes a point against him as well. "The team was weak, if Westbrook was out we didn't have anyone to pick up the slack", and he was right. Turns out a Thunder without Westbrook was worse than a Thunder without Durant. That says more about KD than the Thunder though.

I'm only a casual follower of the NBA, and I have to say that prior to last year I always felt that Westbrook was the asshole of the team. Turns out I was wrong, and that probably came from me only seeing his game-time persona.

[Urbanized]

Since 2008 I have been on the Russ train and I was always a bit suspicious of KD's heart, determination and sincerity. I have had many spirited discussions with friends, on social media and even on this board when I said in the past that if we lost one guy I'd rather it be KD. I have always thought that Russ was the guy I'd rather build a team around, warts and all. As far as I'm concerned KD will likely never be more than the greatest role player of all time. He is the OPPOSITE of a leader.

[dankrutka]

Softest player in sports history.

Would you say KD is as soft as a cake? Not even a big cake, but maybe a small cake that can fit in a cup.

[Urbanized]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...elf/682654001/

[OKC_on_mines]

^^^^^^^
100% agree. Just smile and flash your ring at people and shut up.

Here's all he needed to do/say when he left: "I know this is disappointing to OKC fans and my teammates, who have supported me and seen me through so much. This in particular made it a hugely difficult decision for me. But I just felt like Golden State was a better fit for me at this point. I will always treasure my time here, and I hope there comes a time when the people who have been so great to me will understand my decision and forgive me for leaving. Until then OKC will always have a special place in my heart and I wish everyone the best." And after that, SHUT UP. Talk about your new team. Talk about the Bay Area. Whatever. If OKC comes up in conversation stick to the script I just laid out above.

If he said something along those lines in his departure and then shut the hell up about it, mark it down on his return he would have gotten very few boos, and tons of applause, and NONE of the vitriol and national derision he is now experiencing. He has made this so much more difficult than it had to be. His victim narrative is so transparent. What a weak-minded insecure individual he is. It is crazy.

But that's why we should ignore and press on. Screw him dude. His insecurities and childishness show up consistently. But who cares. He isn't here anymore. It infuriates me when those dopes at ESPN pretend like we cared about him choosing to leave. Nahhhh bruh, he is a grown man. Its not that he left, its the fact that the guy conspired with members of our rival BEFORE he left and then when we had the chance to finish them off the guy went 7-40 and he jacked up bricks all game long. Only for him and his family to take cheap shots at OUr city after we showed them love while they were here????

Yeah im pissed too. But I don't care to give them any of my energy or let them take up any space in my head. On to the next is how I see it. Westbrook is better than that string bean anyway. And if Westbrook leaves then im still gone rock my THUNDER gear anyway.

Eff durant, eff his family, Eff ESPN, Eff those socks with the bell on them and Eff everything they stand for.....OUr jerseys are blue and OUr sky is too. This is OKC.

We don't look back because were too busy looking forward to all that GOD has in store for us!

#OKC_ON_MINES

[OKC_on_mines]

Would you say KD is as soft as a cake? Not even a big cake, but maybe a small cake that can fit in a cup.

Cupcake lmbo!

[ShadowStrings]

Carmelo to the Thunder! Trading Kanter and McDermott.

[Roger S]

Yep.... We may struggle on the defensive end a bit but they may have to change the nets after each quarter with all the points Russ, PG13, and Melo are going to be scoring.

[dankrutka]

Yep.... We may struggle on the defensive end a bit but they may have to change the nets after each quarter with all the points Russ, PG13, and Melo are going to be scoring.

If anything this makes OKC better defensively. Kanter and McBuckets were maybe the two worst defensive players on the team. When Melo plays the 4 he can be average. OKC's defense actually might still be better than the offense. I think OKC has a top 5, maybe top 3 defense.

[dankrutka]

OKC will have some chemistry role issues to work out (Melo and PG will need play the 4), but this really raises OKC's ceiling a lot. Kanter and McBuckets were not helpful against OKC's primary competition at the top of the league, especially Houston and Gloden State. Melo at the 4 is much more useful. In short, this really raises OKC's ceiling, especially in the playoffs.

Having said all that, I will really miss Enes. No player has embraced OKC like him. I also appreciated that he spoke out for justice (particuarly in regards to Erdogan's dicatatorial and abusive regime) and embraced diversity. Enes constantly talked about Oklahoma being home and used the hashtag #OklaHome regularly. He was always so positive. I'm going to miss him being on the team.

[Laramie]

Carmelo Anthony added Thunder to his list of preferred destinations; then got traded to them.

SB Nation: https://www.sbnation.com/2017/9/23/1...-oklahoma-city

Westbrook - Anthony - George = WAG

Game on, the Thunder are ready to challenge any NBA team for the NBA championship including Cupcake & his Golden State Buns.

[Easy180]

Reallly excited for the season now but wondering how bad our bench will be scoring wise.

[dankrutka]

Reallly excited for the season now but wondering how bad our bench will be scoring wise.

The bench should be fine, in my opinion. The bench will now have Patterson, Abrines, Felton, and Grant, which makes for a solid 9-man rotation. When the Thunder go deeper then they will have to go to some unproven guys. But more than anything, Donovan should be staggering Russ, PG, and Melo's minutes so one of them is always on the floor.

Or, if we want to get crazy, there's already some rumors about adding D-Wade if he is bought out as is expected.

[Laramie]

ESPN: Oklahoma City Thunder Roster update includes Carmelo Anthony - http://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/...thunderhttp://

Russell Westbrook $28,530,608
Carmelo Anthony $26,243,760
Paul George $19,508,958

[dankrutka]

I could see OKC having to waste an asset like a future pick to get rid of Singler's contract and avoid more of the tax.

[Urbanized]

In my ticket draft I got the opening game with Knicks (and Enes) visiting their former teammate Carmelo, AND I got the first GSW game. Hello, StubHub! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Urbanized]

The bench should be fine, in my opinion. The bench will now have Patterson, Abrines, Felton, and Grant, which makes for a solid 9-man rotation...

Two guys who have been regular starters on good teams and two guys with tremendous upside and potential to become starters free or somewhere in the future.

[Jake]

Much better starting lineup with a deeper bench than last year's. If Westbrook George, and Melo all leave, the Thunder have shed all their awful contracts and will allow them to start the rebuilding process faster.

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City Thunder's big three has game...

[Thomas Vu]

The most gung-ho guy about being in Oklahoma and on the Thunder. Gets traded. I think I'm in the minority in saying that I'll miss him.

[Roger S]

The most gung-ho guy about being in Oklahoma and on the Thunder. Gets traded. I think I'm in the minority in saying that I'll miss him.

Don't know about the minority... I hate to see him go too due to his enthusiasm about being here.

Unfortunately as we both know.. It's a part of the business.

[chuck5815]

The most gung-ho guy about being in Oklahoma and on the Thunder. Gets traded. I think I'm in the minority in saying that I'll miss him.

Sure, but his contract was absolutely terrible, and he was a complete liability when playing teams like GSW and SAS. Of course Carmello isn't necessarily known for his defense either, but we should be able to score with just about anyone at this point.

[Easy180]

The most gung-ho guy about being in Oklahoma and on the Thunder. Gets traded. I think I'm in the minority in saying that I'll miss him.

He will be missed for sure but today’s game doesn’t work well with two bigs.