Let’s get something out of the way here. Russell Westbrook is awesome. Westbrook is one of the game’s top five players, and I’ve felt that way for a couple of years. He may not be a better conventional point guard than Chris Paul or Tony Parker or Stephen Curry. But if any of those guys even dream about being a better player than Westbrook, they better wake up and get back to reality. I also love watching Westbrook play. I cannot recall
Mitch McGary was unexpectedly thrown into the spotlight this week. He’s going to be there a while. The burly rookie forward of the Oklahoma City Thunder had spent most of his first NBA season recovering from injuries while toiling in the D-League. Prior to Sunday, he had played just eight minutes over two games this season while averaging 14.7 points and 7.8 rebounds in eight games for the Blue, Oklahoma City’s affiliate. But on Sunday, the Thunder were hosting the Los Angeles
The next 36 games will likely determine point guard Reggie Jackson’s career trajectory. Jackson, 24, will become a restricted free agent after the season, assuming he doesn’t exercise a $3.4 million qualifying offer Oklahoma City will almost certainly extend him. How much a team will offer him and what his role will be for the foreseeable future will probably be decided over the duration of the regular season and in the postseason, if the 23-23 Thunder even reach the Western playoffs. Before
While many GMs were working the phones this week, Knicks president Phil Jackson was using a different, more contemporary form of communication: Twitter. On Thursday, Donnie Nelson and Danny Ainge swung a five-player trade that sent Rajon Rondo to Dallas and draft picks to Boston. On Friday, Daryl Morey, Flip Saunders and Sam Hinkie worked a three-team deal that landed Corey Brewer and Alexey Shved in Houston and draft picks in Minnesota and Philadelphia. But not Jackson, and not the Knicks. Jackson doesn’t
Kevin Durant will see his first game action since injuring his foot over a month ago. The reigning league MVP is back! At least, he will be. Word broke Tuesday afternoon that the Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star forward Kevin Durant would be making his debut against the New Orleans Pelicans after missing the first 17 games of the season with a Jones Stress Fracture in his right foot. The team broke the news on Twitter, sharing an interview with
The Oklahoma City Thunder are hoping to find some secrets to keeping their players healthy. Already missing superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Perry Jones III left last night’s game against the Raptors with a knee injury. On top of them, Anthony Morrow, Jeremy Lamb and Andre Roberson are all out with injuries. When Jones III went down yesterday, the Thunder were down to only seven healthy players that dressed and were able to play. [Read more…]
Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has never met his new head head coach, but Lionel Hollins already has the respect and attention of both players and management. “We have a very strong experienced coach,” Prokhorov told reporters before Monday night’s home opener against Oklahoma City, a game in which the Nets would win by 31. In speaking with various Nets players and a coaching peer, it’s apparent that Hollins’ demanding, honest, no-nonsense style sits well with the players and is a nice
Coming into the 2014-15 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder figure to continue to be one of the league’s true title contenders. What’s different? A big free agent signing, the continued development of young talent, and finally a change in the starting lineup. Should everything work out, this could be the strongest Thunder team ever. Hovering over this potential perfect storm is a world of doubt. The Thunder have remained contenders for three or four years now but still have little hardware