We’re entering Year Six of Thundermania here in Oklahoma City, and the level of expectation surrounding the team is as high as it has ever been. But with that expectation comes a certain degree of uncertainty. After all the years of hearing about how the Thunder were an organization based around a true “team” concept, fans are now coming to accept that the Thunder are a two-headed horse. There’s simply no way that this team could hoist a championship banner without a
Brandon Jennings Poor Brandon Jennings. Apart from Nik Pekovic, who should re-sign with the Wolves any day now, he’s by far the best player remaining in free agency, according to Moke Hamilton’s top 20 ranking. There’s plenty of other useful pieces remaining, obviously, but Jennings is the only guy who demanded $12 million, and who, before the new CBA, might have gotten that. But now, it seems like nobody wants him. And while he’s probably not worth
There have been exactly a dozen NBA trades made this season, from small to significant. Some teams wanted to clear up money, some teams wanted to continue rebuilding, while others took bold steps in ensuring present and future success on the court. But in our society of instant gratification and unceasing competition, we almost have an unquenchable thirst for deciding winners and losers. [Read more…]
Fans of the Thunder, Rockets and the NBA were stunned with Saturday night’s news that James Harden was traded to Houston for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and draft picks. Among those stunned was Harden. “It happened pretty fast,” Harden said. “I was at dinner and (Oklahoma City general manager) Sam Presti called me and said I was traded to the Rockets and I was kind of in shock.” It extended to Kevin Durant, who took to Twitter with a simple, “Wow.” During Monday’s news
When the Oklahoma City Thunder traded James Harden on Saturday night, they revealed to everyone that they are a team far more concerned with the bottom line than the top of the heap. Probably a bit ahead of schedule, the Thunder reached the NBA Finals last season. As we have said before, they were a questionable foul call away from opening a 2-0 lead on the mighty Miami Heat that would have cultivated the doubt and derision that has swirled around
By now you’ve probably heard that the Thunder dealt last season’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year, James Harden, to the Rockets for three draft picks, rookie Jeremy Lamb, and guard Kevin Martin. It’s a bold move for rebuilding Houston, now banking on Harden becoming a franchise cornerstone, and a bit of a questionable one for the Thunder, who will still battle for a title this season, but will find that more difficult without Harden. The move comes after the Thunder
Wow, a true blockbuster trade. James Harden is a Houston Rocket. I’m happy to let experienced NBA journalist Chris Bernucca explain why (short version: money) and declare a real-life winner, but in the world of fantasy hoops, Harden just got even better. No longer a sixth man and third banana, he’s the focal point. Minutes will increase from 31 last year to at least 35, while his production in the counting stats should rise accordingly. Kevin Martin will join the Oklahoma
The Oklahoma City Thunder traded guard James Harden to the Houston Rockets on Saturday night, four days before the deadline for a contract extension. Harden was sent to the Rockets with center Cole Aldrich, forward Lazar Hayward and guard Daequan Cook. The Thunder received guards Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks and a second-round pick. Oklahoma City received a top-three-protected 2013 first-round pick that Houston acquired from Toronto for Kyle Lowry, a 2013 first-round pick originally belonging to Dallas (top