Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Let's End 2008 with a Win!

The Golden State Warriors make their return trip to Oklahoma City tonight to take on the Thunder team that they beat 112-102 a few weeks ago. The Warriors built up a 21 point lead at halftime before getting out-pointed by the Thunder in both the third and forth quarters. The majority of the lead was created in the second where Golden State scored 32 to OKC's 17.

Durant had a massive night with 41 points followed by Collison coming off of the bench with 15. Otherwise, it's pretty easy to say that none of the other Thunder players really showed up for the game.

The Thunder probably cannot expect such a big game out of Durant tonight (nor Collison for that matter). However, Durant only had 18 points Monday night which is the same number of points he had in the game prior to the one against the Warriors. Perhaps lightning will strike twice, and if so, we will need quality games out of Green and Westbrook to complete an upset.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Krst-mas Come Late

The center of the future is hopefully now a part of the team. Nenad Krstic moves from the Nets to the Thunder after a pitstop in Russia. New Jersey didn't match the offer Oklahoma City made, and Krstic becomes the center with the most experience on the roster.

Steven Hill was let go to clear roster space, and Joe Smith is rumored to be on the move as well. Various teams are said to be interested with Toronto the latest on the prowl. OKC's front office has made no comments on Smith's availability, but at least six teams are known to be interested.

While the revolving door at center is hopefully fixed, another rotation spot is very much open. Rookie Kyle Weaver is getting a look at the back-up shooting guard role while Damien Wilkins hasn't made it off the bench. Look for Weaver to contribute more in the upcoming weeks as the Thunder become better acquainted with Krstic and his abilities.

No Good News

Oklahoma City is not catching any breaks right now. The Thunder played as well as possible to start the Phoenix game and even caught a break when Steve Nash had to leave the contest. But the Suns showed poise, and the veteran squad took advantage of OKC's mistakes down the stretch.

Phoenix won 110-102 on the road, snapping Kevin Durant's streak of 20+ points games in the process. The Thunder are also still waiting on word from the New Jersey Nets about center Nenad Krstic, who could join the team as early as today.

All in all it was not a good night for anyone rooting for the home club. Russell Westbrook dominated the first quarter, but his turnovers in the final minutes doomed OKC. Jeff Green played well at both ends of the floor, but he only made 1-4 from 3-point range.

Joe Smith wasn't available due to injury, and the lack of skilled big men made it easy for the Suns' Shaq to dominate. Durant struggled early and often, hitting only five of the 17 shots he attempted. His recent string of good fortune from beyond the arc also ended as he missed on all five tries.

I will be back later today with an update on the Krstic situation, and a look at a young player getting an opportunity.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Nets on the Clock

Today is the deadline for New Jersey to match the offer sheet signed by Nenad Krstic. He won't be playing for Oklahoma City tonight either way, but he could offer a big lift to the sinking team. While the Thunder await the Nets' decision, other moves may be in the works. The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 19, and some of the OKC veterans are targets for teams with playoff aspirations.

Tonight's opponent has already been active on that front, adding a piece to the mix. Phoenix dealt for Charlotte's Jason Richardson to give the Suns another potent scorer. These two clubs met before the trade, and it was much the same story for the Thunder. OKC jumped out quickly and led going into the final quarter before falling apart in a big way. Phoenix used a 29-17 advantage in pulling out a one-point win at the Ford Center on Nov. 25.

Now over a month later, both teams look much different. Kevin Durant is on a ten-game stretch of scoring 20 or more points, solidifying his place as an All-Star caliber player. Shaquille O'Neal didn't play in the first match-up, but he and Richardson offer different obstacles for OKC.

O'Neal dominates the post, and he should continue that trend against the undersized Thunder post players. Richardson is an explosive combo player that should create problems for both Durant and Desmond Mason. Coach Brooks will have his hands full trying to play defense against the Suns. Phoenix is 5-5 the last ten games but has also played a rough schedule.

If any game of the year should be played with attitude, it is this contest. OKC had the win before and is also coming off a terrible road trip. Durant needs help but might be enough by himself to keep the score close. Jeff Green may be the difference maker from outside, and a shooter's roll is what the Thunder needs right now.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Are You Flipping Kidding Me?!?!?

In a very disappointing fourth quarter collapse, the Thunder lost last night to the Washington Wizards in a "battle" between the NBA's two worst teams. Making the loss extra depressing is the fact that Washington's leading scorer, Caron Butler, missed the game with a sprained left ankle.

The game was very tight through the first three quarters as the Wizards outscored us by two in the first, we outscored them by two in the third, and both teams were equal in the second. The Thunder couldn't keep it together in the forth and lost that quarter by a decisive 28-19 margin.

We out shot them in every aspect of the game: 48.1% vs. 45.0% from the field, 41.7% to 20.0% from three point range, and 84.2% to 68.8% from the line. So how did Oklahoma City lose this game? We allowed them to take a whopping 23 extra shots from the field (100 vs. 77). The Wizards grabbed 10 more offensive rebounds, 5 more total boards, had 8 less turnovers, and stole the ball 5 more times than the Thunder.

On the positive side, Durant led the way with 25 points and Green followed with 23. Green hit an impressive 4 for 6 from beyond the arc. The only other Thunder member to break into the double digits was Westbrook barely making it with 10. Otherwise it was a pretty unimpressive night for the rookie.

There's not much else that could or should be said about the Thunder's performance last night. The team will be heading home to Oklahoma for a four game home stretch where hopefully we'll find a way to steal a win.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

The Answer to the Question

What looked to be another 4th quarter collapse nearly turned into the highlight win Oklahoma City has been working so hard to achieve. Instead Allen Iverson carried Detroit to a last-second victory over the Thunder and cemented his place as one of the NBA's biggest clutch players.

AI's bucket prevented OKC from stealing the game after an impressive showing in the final 12 minutes. When the Pistons jumped out in front by double digits, the Thunder stormed back behind a 13-0 run. Kevin Durant tied the contest at 86, and the dramatic ending sealed another franchise loss to Detroit, the eighth in a row.

Poor free throw shooting plagued the visiting Thunder, and neither club had success on the outside. Durant led all scorers with 26 points, but he was not able to overcome the balanced attack of the Pistons.

If the first part of the back-to-back games was emotional, tonight's homecoming for Durant and Jeff Green will take it to another level. Washington plays the host role although the spotlight will be on the pair of D.C. bred ballers.

It is also a strong chance for a Thunder victory, as the Wizards are stuck in an eight-game losing streak. Injuries have taken a toll on both squads, but the big story is how well OKC rebounds following the Detroit contest.

Unless there is a serious letdown by the Thunder, victory number four should be in the works. Russell Westbrook could use another strong outing, and the new rotation played harder than in past games. Damien Wilkins did not see action against the Pistons, but rookie Kyle Weaver did. Nick Collison was also held out of his second straight game and look for Joe Smith to continue the starting role in his absence.

A tough stretch welcomes OKC back at the Ford Center, and this is the perfect opportunity for Coach Brooks' squad to make a statement. The T-Wolves did their part on Friday, knocking off the Knicks, and it is up to Durant and Co. to follow suit. Time for all that hard work to pay off and to show the rest of the league how much improved the Thunder are.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Detroit Rock City

Tonight the Thunder travel to Detroit to take on the former kings of the East: the Pistons. A scant few years ago, the Pistons were the team to beat, and now mysteriously (or not, your choice), they've dropped. Sure, they're still a playoff caliber team, but not a team you'd expect to see contending for the NBA crown.

Regardless, they are still miles ahead of Oklahoma City. Tonight's game is the first game of a back-to-back series for the Thunder. The second game is against the weak Washington Wizards and is one that the Thunder should be able to win.

Tonight's game is probably not so winnable. Sure, we might be able to steal one here, but frankly, I'm not hoping the Thunder don't "use" themselves up tonight and then fall flat on their faces tomorrow. Sure, I know the point is to "win them all", but we're 3-26, so we know that won't be happening. I'd like the Thunder to win both games of a back-to-back series before the season is over, but this series doesn't have to be the one where that's done.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Stocking Stuffers

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and got everything they wanted. I know I did, so I thought what better way to end the Holiday than by giving the Thunder presents as well.

Oklahoma City has a very long list of wants and needs, but here is a start.

Kevin Durant -- All-Star Honors

Coach Brooks -- Interim tag removed

Jeff Green -- Weight set (Power Forward edition)

GM Presti -- January becomes Let's Make a Deal!

Russell Westbrook -- Same rookie-year 2nd half that Durant enjoyed

Clay's Group -- A packed house no matter what

Joe Smith -- Chance to make playoffs one more time (Chicago?)

T-Wolves -- Kevin McHale out of town

Nick Collison -- Reunion with former Jayhawk Kirk Hinrich

Kyle Weaver -- D-League MVP Honors

Chris Wilcox -- A healthy end to his tenure with OKC

Earl Watson -- Joining best friend Baron Davis in LA

D.J. White -- NBA debut in February

Desmond Mason -- Contract extension to stay home


Some people are easier to shop for than others, but the Thunder are moving in the right direction. A few tweaks here and there, and all the negative talk can be transferred in Minnesota's direction. My last request is more of a pipe dream since it involves two other franchises.

Until Seattle gets the Sonics back, the Thunder will never get any respect. David Stern and the NBA can make this happen by admitting the mistake that is Memphis. Re-locate the Grizzlies for the final time, and move OKC into that vacant Southwest Division spot.

Playing against the Texas teams and natural rival New Orleans will be a harder fit, but it also may be what keeps Durant in a Thunder uniform -- a vital position for the city and everyone involved. But that is a story for another time on a different day. Bring on the Pistons!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Bah Humbug

Given the spirit of the season, I am not going into detail about yesterday's contest. The Atlanta Hawks powered ahead in the fourth quarter and won a 99-88 decision.

There. Simple to the point. Concise. Won't take up much of your time.

The problem, however, is that it doesn't give you anything else. It gives the score, but it fails to mention another Thunder collapse. It tells you who was victorious, but it stops there.

If you must know, here is the breakdown. Oklahoma City got another great game from Kevin Durant while giving up a bigger game to an opposing player. Joe Johnson abused the Thunder to the tune of a triple-double, and the Hawks outscored OKC by ten points in the final 12 minutes.

So by doing the math, Atlanta was having fits trying to put the NBA's worst team away. Haven't we heard this before?

That is the running theme for the 2008 portion of the schedule, and I can't wait for the new year. 2009 brings many exciting opportunities, and I will be back tomorrow with my non-Scrooge part of the Thunder Christmas.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Road Trip!

Tonight the Thunder head into Atlanta to start off a three game road trek. This away trip is tied for the longest they have left and is only one game shorter than OKC's longest of the season. After it's done, the Thunder will then have their longest stretch of homes games this season (4). Tonight's game is the toughest of the trip and then the following games are progressively easier. I would have much preferred that we play these in reverse, but unfortunately, that's not an option.

The Hawks are 11-2 at home and have won 5 of their last 6 games losing only to the Celtics who are currently the NBA's #1 team. This will be game 6 of a very successful 8 game home stretch. The Hawks are winning but not averaging a lot of points in this home stretch only cracking into triple digits once. None of their opponents in the made it to 100 in the stretch. In fact, the last time they gave up that many points was December 6 against the Mavericks, and the Mavericks only had 100.

This is the second and final meeting between the two teams this season, and the first went to the Hawks by a narrow margin: 89-85. The Thunder had led after three quarters but blew it in the forth. Neither team shot well all game with both squads averaging under 40% from the field.

The loss was a frustrating one for the Thunder as they let a golden opportunity to hand the Hawks their first loss of the season slip away. Had OKC played up to their normal level of bad basketball instead of sinking below it, that game would have been a win. Expect that both teams will play better this go around but neither team will break in the triple digits. If the Thunder can find a way to put 95+ points on the board, they should steal this victory.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Mounting Losses

I jinxed the team with my last post. That is the only thing that comes to mind after writing about two wins against the Raptors. It wasn't bad enough that King James ruled the Ford Center -- LeBron may have taken any chance of a Thunder inside game with him.

Nick Collison broke a bone in his left hand against Cleveland, and reports are now coming out that New Jersey has interest in retaining seven-footer Nenad Krstic. These two revelations coupled with the imposing stretch of games ahead has Oklahoma City looking for a silver lining.

With five games left in December, the Thunder have a lot of room to grow and a foundation in place thanks to Coach Brooks. This was very evident during the game last night, as Kevin Durant and a strong defense kept the contest closer than the first go-around. Sure, Cleveland pulled away and won by eleven, but the real story was how OKC didn't fold against one of the NBA's best.

Durant took another step in becoming an elite small forward, making plays against possibly the top player in the game. James is getting all of the attention right now for how his team is playing, but he also has a strong supporting cast. Durant's recent stretch includes seven straight games with 22 or more points. He poured in 26 to again lead the Thunder, and his confidence is allowing teammates Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green to find their game.

Westbrook took his game to another level and is closing in on his first career triple-double. He and Durant are starting to figure it out together, and that is important with Green still struggling to find his long-range shot.

Three road games will test OKC's front court this week, especially if Collison and Chris Wilcox are not at full strength. The Nets have a week to match the offer to Krstic, or he will become the man in the middle for the Thunder. Green and the rest of the squad can only benefit from a lift in the paint and the knowledge that the OKC front office is trying to make the team better.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Welcome King James!

The King, no not Elvis Pressley, makes his one and only appearance in Oklahoma City tonight as the Cavaliers take on the Thunder. This will be the final meeting between the two this season as the Thunder traveled to Cleveland late last month and got man-handled 117-82.

Nothing happened in that last game that could be considered a positive for OKC. LeBron played a mere 17 minutes and probably didn't even need to play that much. The entire Cavalier team played, and all but one played over a quarter's worth of minutes. Six players broke into double digits for the Cavs, and only one of the starters played for more than half the game. Cleveland shot an impressive 60.8% while the Thunder stunk it up at 35.4%.

Tonight's game has to be a different story. The Thunder are coming off of their third win of the season, and a strong performance against the Cavaliers should keep that momentum going. That will be quite important as our next three games will be on the road against the Hawks, the Pistons, and the Wizards. If we have any shred of positive momentum by the end of the week, we ought to roll the Wizards. But first we have to make a strong showing tonight.

Tonight's goal for the Thunder should be simple: Make LeBron play the whole game. Sure, there's a good chance he's going to light it up for 40+ points if he does, but make him score those points and not relax on the bench. And who knows, maybe after rocking OKC less than a month ago, they'll take us too lightly, and the Thunder will have the opportunity to steal a win from one of the best teams this year.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Two 4 One

Due to previous experience, I chose not to watch the end of the last night's game. The contest was going way too well, and honestly I didn't want to see another one get away at the end. Boy, the party I missed in Oklahoma City serves me right after the first home victory in over a month.

And the third win of the year wasn't even the best Thunder news of the night! I know what you are probably thinking. How does a team with very little to hope for get more excited than winning? The long and short answer is this. When you can add to the club without having to subtract anyone, that makes headline news in my book.

More to the hopeful addition in a minute, but first to the Toronto game. Carbert was much more hopeful than I was going into the second game of the homestand, especially with LeBron James on the horizon. The Raptors are a bigger version of the Thunder, with their star player Chris Bosh leading an imposing squad. The visitors were not so lucky during the game, however, as their starting center had to leave with an injury.

Toronto's misfortune allowed OKC to dominate the lane on both sides of the ball, and it opened up scoring opportunities for Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Jeff Green. The Thunder jumped out early, leading by as many as 13 points. The lead was down to single digits in the fourth quarter, and a string of poor shots by the Thunder allowed Toronto to tie the score.

Even with a rough night from 3-point land and the free throw line, OKC used both to seal the 91-83 celebration. Durant broke the tie with a trey and finished the scoring with two free throws. Westbrook also knocked down a pair from the line in the last minute, while also not turning the ball over down the stretch. Coach Brooks had his team ready defensively, and the Raptors couldn't match the intensity in the last four minutes.

Two big reasons for that were the changes in the starting lineup. Desmond Mason replaced Damien Wilkins and Nick Collison again found himself as the starting center. Both contributed solid numbers and even more from a leadership standpoint. The second unit struggled without Collison, but he may be returning to that role with the other big news of the day.

GM Sam Presti learned how to find talent overseas while with San Antonio, and he is on the verge of giving OKC a big piece to the puzzle. Seven-footer Nenad Krstic is set to sign with the Thunder and would provide an upgrade in the middle. The restricted free agent offers scoring and defensive help to an undersized squad and provides Green with breathing room. New Jersey can still match the offer, but all signs point to the Serbian suiting up in the near future.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Best Chance to Avoid 14 Straight

Tonight the Raptors come to town to take on the Thunder. For Toronto, this game will be the first of a six game road streak. The Raptors are currently in the midst of a three game skid and have only won two of their last ten games. They are one of the few teams struggling as bad as the Thunder right now.

Chris Bosh leads the Raptors in scoring averaging 23.6 points per game but that average has drastically fallen over the past 10 games. He's failed to score more than 25 at any point over that span, and if the Thunder can contain him to fewer than 20 it will leave a wide opening for them to get the win.

OKC is going to need two of Durant, Green, and Westbrook to have big games to win this one. We're pretty sure we can count on Durant, so it's probably going to come down to which of Green and Westbrook can do it. Personally I don't care which one it is (both would be nice!), as long as one of them does it.

As a side note, the Raptors' Jose Calderon is having quite the season from the free throw line hitting a perfect 59 of 59 in the 23 games he's played. The all-time record in the NBA for consecutive free throws? 97 by Michael Williams in 1993. Why do I mention this? Mostly just to jinx him so he misses one against the Thunder.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Seeing Red over Green

A week before XMas, and all I want is a Thunder win. When Jeff Green makes out his list, a consistent shooting touch better be on top right next to intensity. Oklahoma City has found a running mate for Kevin Durant, but he disappears in too many games.

One night it will be foul-trouble and the next it is the inability to make a 3-pointer. Green is an enigma that needs to choose a course of action. The move to power forward full time benefits the team, but does it suit the 6'9'' second-year pro?


Let's take a look at the numbers and see...

OKC's last victory was also the last game in November. Green had just scored 22 points in 40 minutes the following night, and the match-up against Memphis was a good test. While Durant dominated the Grizzlies, Green held his own with another 22 point outing. He also didn't miss a free throw and knocked down two treys. It was also the first time he had registered four fouls since making the move to the four spot.

Both the positive and negative trends continued into December.

During the current eight-game slide, Green is the streakiest Thunder player. His overall shooting figures, rebounds, and assists have all increased while his 3-point accuracy, free throw percentage and fouls are all going the wrong way. Basically Green has forgotten how to play outside while trying to learn the PF spot on the fly.

This isn't a knock on Coach Brooks for making the change. Green's scoring numbers have helped OKC stay in plenty of games, and it has allowed Durant to move to small forward. But to one day have Green become a post player is a hard thing to ask of any player, especially for a struggling team.

Two great games were followed by the crushing loss to the Clippers.

Against Dallas and San Antonio, Green shot over 60% from the floor and destroyed the Texas clubs for 58 points. Masking the high scoring was defensive troubles in both match-ups. Green was given the task of trying to stop the Mavs' Dirk Nowitzki one night followed by Tim Duncan of the Spurs the next. This proved to be the Thunder's undoing as Nowitzki scored 46 in the Dallas win, and Duncan used all his weapons to overcome Green's 33-point season high.

For OKC to get back on track, they need a little schedule luck and for Green to find his comfort level. Against Los Angeles on Tuesday, Green found early foul trouble and didn't play thirty minutes for the first time this month. He also failed to hit a triple, something more common this month.

The main reason for his struggles had nothing to do with himself.

Zach Randolph is a much-different power forward than Nowitzki and Duncan. Randolph is a bruiser, the type who likes to cause punishment, and he carried the Clippers past Green and the Thunder inside. Green will have trouble with the bangers until he is able to bulk up and play more like a conventional post player. This is because the current roster offers very little help on Green, forcing him to try too hard.

Durant has found his zone and is flourishing, averaging over 25 points a game in December. Until the Thunder play a few teams without a strong inside presence, the games will be hard to win. Green is battling in the paint, but he can't do it all by himself. OKC has to find someone to offer relief, or Green's wish-list may include a new team and a return to the small forward role.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

How the West Fell Apart

When we start saying good things about the Clippers, it is definitely time to wonder about the NBA as a whole. Now I'm not saying L.A.'s other team is all bad news, but history goes to show that unless relocation is an option -- the Clippers will always be yesterday's news.

This season started out no different, but the real drama played out over the summer. Elton Brand and Baron Davis were supposed to lead the charge together, but only Davis held up his end of the bargain. Brand jumped ship to the 76ers, and Davis was left to pick up the pieces. Well after a trade and a win streak, those pieces are starting to come together. Oklahoma City was the latest witness to the turnaround, as the Thunder were bullied in a ten-point loss.

Newcomer Zach Randolph showed OKC what an inside force can add to any team, dominating the paint with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Randolph came over in a trade from New York, and he has stepped right into Brand's old post spot. The Thunder did get a surprise when Chris Wilcox came in off the bench, but it wasn't enough to overcome poor shooting and foul trouble.

Kevin Durant did his thing, scoring a game-high 25 points, and Wilcox added 13 in a gutsy effort. Previous reports had the power forward missing up to two weeks with a finger injury, but his heart kept OKC in the game longer than expected. Jeff Green could use some of Wilcox's mental approach, and I will get into detail about that tomorrow. Russell Westbrook has yet to find a shooting touch as a pro, and all-star Davis took advantage of the rookie, causing turnovers galore by the Thunder.

Overall, it was not the type of game needed after an impressive weekend output. OKC remains winless for December, and the upcoming stretch of games will get no easier. I hope Coach Brooks has something up his sleeve because Durant offers something few teams have -- a bonafide star. If the Thunder fail to turn the ship around, plenty of coaches will be happy for a chance to get the job done.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Clippers @ Thunder, Take Two

The Clippers make their second and final trip into Oklahoma City tonight to take on our "beloved" Thunder. The Clippers thumped the Thunder in their previous visit 108-88 in P.J. Carlesimo’s second to last game as coach. At the time, the Clippers were struggling almost as badly as the Thunder.

Fast forward to today, and we have a Clippers team that's starting to turn things around. They've won their past two games: both on the road and both against quality opponents (the Trailblazers and the Rockets). They have a soft schedule for the rest of December playing 7 of the 8 games against teams that currently have losing records with the other game against the inconsistent Dallas Mavericks. Now is an opportune time for the Clippers to make a run.

The Thunder are in a similar situation as they were when the two last met. Currently we're in the midst of a 7 game losing streak. Last time it was already at 8 games. We've set a franchise record for most consecutive losses at home at ten. The biggest difference between now and then is that we're not getting blown out of games as much anymore.

This game is going to come down to which team is more motivated to win as neither team has a clear advantage. Hopefully the Thunder players are sick of setting the wrong records and will be extra pumped up to end the drought.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Digging Out

Last night against the Spurs, the Thunder attempted to dig themselves out of a gigantic hole but came up just short. The Thunder trailed by 20 after the first and San Antonio's lead grew as large as 26 before the Thunder came roaring back. OKC outscored the Spurs in each of the second, third, and forth quarters; but not by enough to claim the game. The Thunder pulled within 2 points with 30 seconds to play, but that was as close as it got.

For the Thunder, Jeff Green led the way with 33 points. Kevin Durant had a double double with 28 points and 13 rebounds. Unfortunately we didn't get much production from the other three starters as Westbrook, Wilkins, and Petro had 2, 3, and 4 points respectively. Nick Collison led the bench with 10 points and Earl Watson and Desond Mason also contributed 9 and 8.

This loss was the Thunder's 7th in a row putting them halfway towards tying the franchise record (again). Unfortunately they've only got two games in the next seven on the "easy" side: the Clippers tomorrow and the Wizards in a week and a half. The Thunder need to show up for all 4 quarters in both of those games if they are going to get some much needed wins.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Where to Begin...How Bout the End

David Stern needs to help out Oklahoma City one more time. He needs to use his powers for good and make NBA games three periods instead of four. Heck, he can even make them longer if he wants. Just as long as the Thunder don't have to worry about how to finish out an opponent in the final 12 minutes of action. For what seems like the tenth time already, OKC had a late lead and couldn't find a way to win.

What makes this loss especially difficult was the opponent and location. Dallas may not be in the top tier of Western Conference teams anymore, but they are certainly a tall order for the Thunder. The Mavericks also have Dirk Nowitzki, one of the most complete players in the league. Any way you slice it, OKC faced many challenges in Texas without much to go on.

Leading almost the entire game, Kevin Durant and Jeff Green couldn't overcome the Mavs' own dynamic duo of Nowitzki and Jason Terry. Green tried to keep pace offensively with his counterpart but failed defensively against the taller Nowitzki. Down the stretch Dallas proved tougher mentally, and the young Thunder squad will have to put the game behind them quickly.

Things only get tougher for OKC's Green on both ends of the court. The power forward has to face the top player in the world at that position, and the Thunder picked a bad time to face the team they are modeled after...

San Antonio is rolling right now, and the Spurs would be happy to put a bunch of upstarts in their place. Tim Duncan is too big and too skilled for Green one-on-one, and he is a very skilled passer if double-teamed. Coach Brooks will have to make a decision on how to play defense, but the current roster isn't suited for a inside battle. With Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili both back for the Spurs, Durant and Westbrook will have their toughest test of the season.

OKC played a tough game last night while San Antonio was off, not exactly the situation GM Sam Presti was hoping for against his former club. This game could get ugly early and show just how much an inside threat would better balance the roster. Dallas didn't have to worry about it, and now the Spurs can send the Thunder back home hurting for change. Hopefully I am proven wrong, and carbert can provide some good news tomorrow. If not the clock has started for Presti to earn his reputation and find a way to make this year's team better. And soon...

Saturday, December 13, 2008

A couple of tough ones

After losing a couple of home games against struggling teams, the Thunder take to the road tonight for a two game away stretch against two surging teams: the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs. Both teams are 8-2 over their last ten games, and each will present a unique challenge for the Thunder to attempt to overcome.

Tonight's game is in Dallas, so we'll focus on that one. The Thunder will be without Chris Wilcox who dislocated his left ring finger in the game against the Grizzlies. Wilcox had been the starting center, but expect to see Nick Collison move back into the starting lineup. Collison has contributed ten or more points from the bench over the past three games and looks to be regaining his old form. Hopefully that will continue and he'll prove that he's ready for "prime time" if Coach Brooks reinserts him into the starting lineup.

Although they've been finding quite a bit more success, the Mavericks have also been suffering from a "Jekyll and Hyde" identity crisis similar to the Thunder's. Some games they show up and play like one of the NBA's best. Other times they are very fortunate to have a lot of talent on their roster and are able to scrape out a win with a sub-par performance. To a certain extent, they almost seem to play to the level of their competition. In the past two weeks, they played strong against the Spurs and the Suns (dominating the Suns, actually), and yet barely beat the struggling Clippers and Bobcats.

Hopefully for the Thunder, the "Hyde" Mavericks show up tonight, and OKC will have the opportunity to stay in the game and maybe even steal a win. Since the Mavs have been winning their poor performance games recently, they haven't received the reality slap-in-the-face of losing to a weak team. The Thunder are in the right position to give that slap. All they have to do is avoid a "Hyde" performance of their own.

Friday, December 12, 2008

D.J. Dreaming

At least some good news is coming out of this NBA season -- carbert and I will have plenty to write about from our soon-to-be new location. But first a little about the team we cover. The Thunder are doing everything in their power to select Blake Griffin with the first overall pick in the next draft. Keeping the Sooner in state would allow Oklahoma City to pair Kevin Durant with an inside presence and hopefully a reason to stay in a couple of years.

It would also give Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green the opportunity to grow into role players who can carry the team when Griffin and Durant are having troubles. With the one remaining starting spot, my thoughts go to another young player who has yet to play a minute for the Thunder. OKC's D.J. White won't play until at least the middle of January, but he is exactly the type of player needed right now. White is a wide body, with enough skills inside to the change the game at both ends. Chris Wilcox is going to miss more time, and I hope Johan Petro can pick up the slack.

Well on to the big news of the day. (Drum Roll Please)

We have been given the opportunity to join an awesome website community where the Thunder can be properly displayed. It should be up-and-running very soon, and all the details will still be displayed here while we are renovating. Thanks to everyone who has been a casual fan and to those loyal readers who have commented. I can't speak for carbert, but I know being able to write again has made a huge difference in my life.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Records Were Made

Pick any cliche you want. Then try to explain it to someone who has never heard it....in a foreign language. Meet the Oklahoma City Thunder, a walking-talking conundrum. My pick would be 'you have to hit rock-bottom before you can pick yourself up' and I would try to say it in Portuguese. I have never felt that biblical sayings had a lot to do with professional sports, but I do think karma is playing a part in the former SuperSonics demise.

Why do I mention any of this? If last night's crushing defeat was just another loss, my story today would have focused on any number of positive things. I could have talked about Kevin Durant. Joe Smith played and did well, maybe that would have been in there. Nick Collison may finally be figuring it out, and I would have been happy to give him some print.

OKC was doing all the right things for three quarters against Memphis, but quite possibly the worst 12 minutes of Thunder history has left me unable to think positive. True, the franchise is still in its infancy, and there will be low points to come. But for all intents purposes, this season is over. I figured it would be a long year, even wondering if any of the veterans would be traded so that the club could stay competitive. Now I just pray half of the players are gone by Christmas.

Let's look at how the Grizzlies took out my heart, did a little dance on it, and gave it back with a smile. Memphis took the lead for 18 seconds in the first quarter and then sat back and watched a good Thunder show. The visitors fell behind by as many as 21 points in the first half and still trailed by seven heading into the final quarter. Here is where OKC fell apart, committing as many turnovers as field goals.

Memphis enacted their revenge and in the process, they made the Thunder better resemble a D-League team. It was definitely the low point of the season, hands down. With games against Dallas and San Antonio coming up on the road, my only wish is that GM Sam Presti finds a way to make multiple trades, even if the partner is the Tulsa 66ers. At least that way everyone on the floor will be playing with heart, knowing that one bad game could end their NBA dream.

Because right now the only things left to debate are how long the current losing streak will go and how many wins the Thunder will achieve.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Look out for the motivated team

Tonight, the Memphis Grizzlies come to town with revenge on their minds. Less than two weeks ago, the Thunder traveled to Memphis and made the Grizzlies a member of an exclusive club: teams that have been beaten by the Thunder. The club has just two members, and the only other member, the Minnesota Timberwolves, has already avenged their loss. If the Grizzlies lose tonight, they'll be the founding member of a new club: teams that have lost twice to the Thunder. This in not a moniker that they wish to own.

The last go round, OKC won the game from the line as we shot more free throws and made a higher percentage of them. This will likely be a key stat from tonight's game as it is throughout the season since the Thunder tend to get out-shot from the field and from beyond the arc. Closing the gap in those percentages will also be important tonight. Memphis shot 5.6% better from the field and 18.3% better from three-land last game. If Memphis out-shoots us like that tonight, we're likely going to get beat.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

ever on the same page?

the best player on the current worst team has to be getting frustrated. he can't seem to catch a break no matter how well he plays, and the losses just keep coming. kevin durant probably doesn't regret his decision to leave college early, but i'm sure he had other thoughts about how his nba career would be starting. continuing the unsettling trend, durant carried the thunder back from 21 points down against golden state only to see another defeat on the scoreboard. okc's most recent home setback was especially painful given how bad the warriors had been playing.

i do not have the patience to go back and look at how many games the thunder have lost when durant hits for 30+... but when the reigning rookie of the year knocks down 41 against a sub-par club and still can't get a victory, that is where i draw the line.

a number of times this season durant takes the blame for his poor shooting when other okc players have stepped up and contributed. most recently russell westbrook comes to mind, and jeff green scores in bunches when he is feeling it. both of durant's side-kicks definitely had their issues last night, and that has ultimately been the thunder's downfall too many times this year.

westbrook and green combined for a pathetic 8-27 from the floor, including 0-7 from 3-point land against the warriors. to make matters worse, the duo combined for more turnovers than field goals. only nick collison's double-double and over 50 percent shooting gave durant any help in the crushing defeat, and interim head coach scott brooks has to find a way to give his star a support system. and fast or even durant will be unable to keep the sinking ship afloat.

the thunder are the joke of the nba right now, and they have now lost games every possible way. memphis is up next, and that is not going to be any easier. the grizzlies are out for blood and payback for the last contest, an okc road win. carbert will preview the game tomorrow, but i hope for his sake that green finds his shot or westbrook regains the ability to drive the lane. because if neither one is ready to be durant's partner, the organization has to be ready to find someone who is.

Monday, December 8, 2008

The Power of Three


Oklahoma City welcomes the NBA's worst defensive team tonight in what is sure to be a high-scoring affair. Golden State brings a nine-game losing streak and is coming off a 35-point thrashing to the San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder, on the other hand, look to stop a three-game slide and end the current trend of falling apart in the fourth quarter.

Russell Westbrook has taken hold of the starting point guard spot, and another game like Saturday's 30-point affair will have the rest of the league on alert. While both teams have been giving up triple-digit points, the Warriors are doing it at a record pace. Look for Jeff Green and Kevin Durant to expose the visitors from outside, and any number of OKC big men to find some holes in the middle.

Two players who I'm sure would love to be playing tonight had key roles in victories over the weekend. After the Lightning favorite Blake Griffin kept the Oklahoma Sooners undefeated, and he is sure to be a top pick in next June's Draft. If he isn't wearing a Thunder jersey next season, maybe Steven Hill will be. OKC's seven-footer wasn't leaving the bench very often, so he was re-assigned to the D-League's Tulsa club. Hill provided a double-double as the 66ers notched their first victory of the year.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Blew It!

For me, yesterday's game was a major disappointment. Going into Miami my hope was for the Thunder to keep it close. As the first half played out, I began to have some serious confidence that we would pull out the win by containing Dwayne Wade better in the second half. Wade burned OKC for 25 points in the first but wasn't getting a lot of help from his supporting cast. Regardless, the Heat took a five point lead into the locker room at halftime.

In the second half, the Thunder did a better job of containing Wade, allowing him only half as many points (13). But offensively, the wheels just fell off of our bus in the 3rd quarter, and we found ourselves down by 15 with just one quarter to go.

Oklahoma City came out to start the forth quarter on fire scoring the first 8 points and eventually tying the game at 90 with 6:03 to go. Unfortunately that's when the spark went out, and the Heat easily cruised from there to a 105-99 victory.

As a team, the Thunder didn't shoot very well only hitting 43.2% of their shots. Russell Westbrook was by far the star scoring 30 points on 10 of 18 shooting from the field. This is the second game in a row Westbrook has been our #1 scorer and he's truly appearing to be worthy of being the starting point guard. Jeff Green contributed 21 hitting half of his shots from the field. Kevin Durant had a rough night only making 6 of 17 buckets but still put 18 points on the board.

The Thunder corrected their problem from the free throw line hitting 80% and scoring 6 more points from the line than the Heat. Otherwise there's not too much to sing about. The Heat out-rebounded the Thunder by 11. That, plus hitting a higher percentage of shots, pretty much put this one in the Miami's favor.

Johan Petro was not able to replicate his play from Friday night hitting just 1 of 5 and therefore only getting to play 8 minutes. Nick Collison did step up, however, and put 14 points on the board. One of these two guys needs to get consistent as Damien Wilkins is killing us as starting forward. If Petro or Collison would play well enough to deserve to be starting center, we could get Wilkins out of the starting lineup. I'm not sure who of Chris Wilcox, Green, or Durant would move to guard (Durant makes the most sense but is playing much better as forward than guard), but it'd have to be an improvement over Wilkins.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Getting Stronger

I can't help but think of the Rocky movies when getting ready to write the Thunder reviews. Every game Oklahoma City is the underdog, and each result has yet to reach the knockout level. Orlando nearly was caught snoozing but pulled away at the end for another tough OKC loss. The Thunder were again victimized by poor shooting at the free throw line, and the Magic rode Dwight Howard's monster game at home.

The road trip ends tonight in Miami, but enough good things have been displayed to offer hope. It is a very long tunnel with a small light right now, but the Thunder are built to learn first and succeed later. By far the most important element is how the team is sticking together while the losses keep piling. Coach Brooks has every player on notice about playing hard, and two stood out from the pack in Orlando.

Johan Petro and Earl Watson made the most of their time, combining for 26 points in only 39 minutes. They anchored the second squad and were the main reasons OKC shot better than 43 percent overall. Petro made a strong argument for increased playing time, and he will be tested right away against the Heat. Watson and fellow point guard Russell Westbrook were two of five Thunder players to reach double digits, the second biggest feat of the game. That kind of balance will only help when Kevin Durant or Jeff Green is struggling with their shot.

Most of the attention was centered around Howard, who exploded for his first triple-double in the last match-up. Unfortunately for the visitors, the Magic had plenty of other options on the night, knocking down an incredible 13 three-pointers. That left Howard to grab rebounds and keep OKC off-balance. Durant and Green both had off nights and will look to rebound against one of the NBA's brightest stars.




Dwayne Wade has the potential to put up 40 or 50 points every time he plays, and Miami welcomes the Thunder in an intriguing battle later today. Wade is the type of unselfish superstar Durant has the chance to become. KD displayed some of that against the Magic, when his shots were not falling. He paced OKC with 10 rebounds and dished out a trio of assists. Knowing who has the hot hand will be the key to the game, and Westbrook may not have to look far.

If Durant's shots are on target, he is the obvious choice. Green can and should regain his range after failing to knock down a three against Orlando. Option 1, 2, or 3 may very well be Westbrook's for the taking if his drives to the basket keep coming open. High draft picks will be on display and look for OKC to out-do Miami in that battle and on the scoreboard. The Thunder have worked hard the past week and are due a big reward.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Avoiding the Triple Double

The last time the Thunder matched up against the Magic, Dwight Howard blocked 10 shots, grabbed 19 rebounds, and scored 30 points as the Magic burned the Thunder 109-92. The Thunder play the Magic for the second, and final, time this season; but this time the game's in Orlando.

Howard destroyed the Thunder in front of the OKC crowd. Just imagine what he would have done if the game was in Orlando. The obvious key for the Thunder to stay anywhere close to the Magic in this game is containing Howard. Unfortunately, the Thunder don't have a "true" center that would match up well against Howard. Johan Petro has proven he cannot do it. Nick Collison hasn't played well at center. Chris Wilcox is the current starting "center", but he's undersized for the position. Robert Swift is the right size but has been recovering from injuries. If he's available, it's unlikely we'll be able to use him for the minutes we need.

Otherwise, the Thunder need to continue to shoot well (50+%) like they did against Charlotte, Memphis, and Minnesota. They need to turn around the turnover situation from Wednesday though. Due to turnovers and getting out-rebounded, the Thunder had 10 less shots than the Bobcats. Hard to win games that way.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

On the Road Again

In the first of three straight road assignments, Oklahoma City played catch-up but couldn't make the easy shots in the 103-97 loss to Charlotte. As much as I thought about posting just that for a recap, it would be a shame not to point out what the Thunder did well last night. First, however, I do need to give some props to the home team.

The Bobcats surprised me with their depth, and it was their superior play in the paint that ultimately locked up the victory. Emeka Okafor and Sean May combined for 35 points and 24 rebounds, the second number only four off what OKC achieved all game. That doesn't bode well as the Thunder next travel to face Dwight Howard and the Magic on Friday.

Chris Wilcox had his hands full in the middle, and Jeff Green isn't a true 'power' forward in the NBA. Orlando's Howard destroyed everyone to the tune of a triple-double last month at the Ford Center, and it will take a total team effort to remain close in the re-match.

But enough about the bad things and on to the highlights. The Thunder were never truly out of it last night, and Kevin Durant showed off a shooting touch that can only help the rest of the road trip. Durant made three of four triples and finished 9 of 12 shooting overall. His accuracy from 3-point range transferred to Green and Damien Wilkins as well, and OKC made a superb 7 or 11 from beyond the arc.

Another strength was the point guard duo of Russell Westbrook and Earl Watson, who dished out 16 assists. The pair kept the offense moving all game while helping the Thunder shoot nearly 55 percent in the process. Westbrook's inexperience did show with a game-high five turnovers, something Coach Brooks is going to have to tolerate in the transition. Watson and Joe Smith anchored the veteran second team, as OKC outscored the Bobcats from the bench.

The main reason the Thunder couldn't overcome Charlotte really had nothing to do with the hosts. It wasn't because of anything Durant and Co. failed to do so far this season. The one constant thing going for the two-win club was free show shooting, and this was where OKC gave the game away on Wednesday. After having perfect games from the charity stripe, the Thunder missed ten of 28 attempted, for a 64.3 percent. The Bobcats, on the other hand, shot over 80 percent from the free throw line to lock up their fourth win in the last six games.

OKC still found positives in the defeat, something that couldn't be said last month. A few more things bounce the Thunder's way, and this team will be fighting to get out of the division cellar by Christmas.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Are We Having Fun Yet?

The pressure is off for the remainder of Coach Brooks' tenure. No matter how the team plays the rest of the way, the Thunder will set the tone for the future this month. Just one win can do wonders for what ails you, as Oklahoma City found out over the weekend.

Also going on a road trip against only one winning team helps too. The Westbrook era continues in Charlotte where a win is very possible. I will be back later with the high (and low) lights.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Stringing up the Lights ...

Yesterday while putting up my Christmas tree, I made the rookie mistake of putting on the lights before checking to make sure all the strands worked. The picture to the left shows the results of this action. Sadly this was not my first "season" of putting up the tree, and I have no good excuse for making the mistake.

As a result, the process of finding the burned out bulb (or in my case, the two burned out bulbs) took quite a bit longer than need be. But in the end, everything worked, and the whole tree was lit up.

The Thunder are a lot like my Christmas tree ... a few dead bulb replacements away from being something special. Unfortunately unlike my experience, there aren't a supply of replacement bulbs available to fix the problem (ok, technically there are, but OKC doesn't have the resources to acquire them). The Thunder will get another crack at picking up some replacement bulbs at next year's draft and through free agency. Don't expect the Thunder to be big spenders though.

Continuing gforce's quarter-season awards from yesterday and keeping with the Christmas tree theme I've started so far, here are my winners:

Shining Star Award: Kevin Durant

Hey, if gforce gets to give him an award for this, so do I. There is no understating how valuable Durant is to the organization.

Burnt Out Bulb Award: P.J. Carlesimo

See ya, wouldn't want to be ya. The Thunder are playing a lot better now that P.J.'s gone, and that probably doesn't speak well for his future employability.

Dale Earnhardt Ornament Award: Jeff Green

Dale's number was 3, and this award goes to the player that's made the most 3s: Jeff Green. Green's averaging 1.3 per game and also leads the team in 3 point percentage at 46.9%.

Garland Award: Russell Westbrook

Ornaments and lights change frequently year over year, but garland (at least in my limited experiences) is something that is kept. Westbrook is quickly becoming the number two star of the team and will be a piece that the Thunder are going to want to keep around for a while.

Barry Bonds Ornament Award: Johan Petro

Hallmark made a Barry Bonds ornament a few years ago, and I received it as a gift for Christmas. The past few years I didn't have the heart to not put it on the tree, but I couldn't justify putting it where it could be seen. And so each year, I've put the ornament on the back of the tree. Since the coaching switch, Petro has gone from starter to not even coming off of the bench. Can't get much more "behind the tree" than that!

Monday, December 1, 2008

into the groove

having a couple of off days is always a good thing, and the thunder find themselves not playing again until wednesday. we debated on how to cover oklahoma city the next couple of days since there are no big injuries (thankfully) or firings to report. but in the spirit of the season, carbert and i are going to hand out our first quarter awards today and tomorrow. i am up first...

...and the first award is always the easiest.

m.o.p. (most outstanding player) -- kevin durant

this one goes without saying, and he is too important to be listed as valuable. as long as durant stays healthy, the thunder are legit every night.

6th man award -- coach scott brooks

only because the team is playing with a new intensity since p.j. was let go. the lineup has been changed regularly, and that is a good thing. okc was put on notice, and the wins will be coming.

least improved -- nick collison

unfortunately there does have to be some negatives given the thunder have only two wins. collison was given every opportunity to secure a role with the club but was only on the floor for seven minutes in the last game. sometimes i wonder if his heart is really in the game?

face/off award -- chris wilcox

i stole this one from my favorite movie and it stands for the player who i will hate to see go but will love to have the money left over. wilcox may or may not be traded this season, but he will almost definitely sign for lots of money somewhere else. he will be missed but can be replaced.

welcome back
award -- desmond mason

no offense to jeff green or russell westbrook. to me the second most important player for okc right now is mason. moving durant to small forward has opened a starting spot for the veteran, and the thunder are much better off with mason than having damien wilkins throw up 10+ shots a game. mason also adds a new level of defense that can only benefit the rest of the squad.