Oklahoma City Thunder News

James Harden to miss up to four weeks
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March 13
The Oklahoman
 
"James Harden's strained hamstring will sideline him two to four weeks, time the rookie shooting guard says he'll use to watch and learn, to get better while benched. "It's one of those things where I could take this time to rest and just get back and healthy and as soon as I get back just come with that energy," Harden said. Harden landed awkwardly on his right leg after driving to the basket Wednesday against New Orleans. Harden said he tried to balance himself but his knee bent backward while his body lunged forward. Harden remained in the game but played just 14 minutes, his fewest since Dec. 31. It's the Thunder's first significant injury this season. Of the team's top six players in ..."
Jeff Green wants to sign a contract extension this summer
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March 12
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"Jeff Green on Thursday expressed his desire to sign a contract extension this summer and continue his career with the Thunder. "I'd love to," Green told The Oklahoman. "It's a great thing going here." The Thunder can re-sign Green to an extension of up to five years. Under NBA rules, teams can begin negotiations with free agents on July 1. Green, however, has become lost in the shadows of Kevin Durant, the team's other third-year forward who also is eligible for an extension and recently voiced his feelings for wanting to remain in Oklahoma City. Green's situation, though, in some ways will hold more significance to the Thunder's long-term building. Durant's deal is expected to be an ..."
OKC players feel the Nets' pain
Comment
March 12
The Oklahoman
 
"The whispers started when the Thunder got off to a 3-29 start last season. Could they challenge the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers for the worst record in NBA history? A year later, the same question hangs over the New Jersey Nets, Oklahoma City's opponent tonight. Jeff Green feels their pain. "I know how they feel," Green said. "I talked to Devin Harris the last time we played them. It's hard. I told him I've been through it and the only thing you can do is keep working." The Nets lug a 7-57 mark into a 7 p.m. game at the Ford Center. With 18 games left, their .109 winning percentange puts them on pace to match the '72-73 Sixers. New Jersey, however, has a glimmer of hope: It has road wins at ..."
OKC's suffocating defense
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March 11
The Oklahoman
 
"Hornets' rookie guards Marcus Thornton (21.5) and Darren Collison (20.8) have averaged more than 42 points a game the past month since Chris Paul underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. Led by Russell Westbrook guarding Collison, his former UCLA teammate, New Orleans' rookie guard combo was limited to 19 points, shooting a combined 7-of-27 from the field. "Both of them had their hands full tonight due to their defensive pressure," said Hornets coach Jeff Bower. "They're long and athletic, a very strong defensive team. They play with a lot of energy.""
OKC fans forgetting Hornets
Comment
March 11
The Oklahoman
 
"Funny how you don't hear anyone these days wishing the Hornets had stayed in Oklahoma City. The first year after the Hornets returned to New Orleans — after temporarily relocating two seasons in the Ford Center as New Orleans recovered from Hurricane Katrina — fans that had invested emotionally in Chris Paul and the team pined for what might have been. The Thunder's 98-83 win over the Hornets on Wednesday night was another reminder that Oklahoma City fans are just fine with how things turned out. "I think this is a far better opportunity for the city," said season ticket-holder Scott Sachs of Edmond. "This is a far more talented team. They're a young, talented team that's only going to get ..."
Thunder hammers Hornets
Comment
March 11
The Oklahoman
 
"When the Thunder and its fans inside the Ford Center needed a boost, New Orleans center Emeka Okafor came through in a big way. With little to cheer or cringe at for the first 20 minutes, aside from an early stretch of hair-raising defense, Okafor stepped to the line at the 3:24 mark of the second quarter and short-armed two straight free throws. All that saved the two attempts from missing everything was a brush with the bottom of the net. The announced crowd of 18,203 went crazy for the first time, and the Thunder rode the electricity to a 98-83 win over the Hornets on Wednesday night. It was the Thunder's third straight win and moved Oklahoma City to 39-24, the first time this season it ..."
Laid back Kevin Durant
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March 10
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant is surprised people like Magic Johnson, who recently interviewed him, is shocked he's comfortable with small-market Oklahoma City instead of playing in New York, Los Angeles or Chicago. "I was watching the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson documentary the other day," Durant said. "I'm similar to Bird. I like being at home. I like staying at my mom's house and her cooking. That's the kind of person I am. I'm not into the big city lights and the paparazzi, that type of stuff. I just love playing basketball and chillin' out." In the HBO documentary Durant referred to, Bird was comfortable in French Lick, Ind., while Johnson preferred the constant entertainment in Hollywood. "I can relate ..."
Since hand-check rule change, NBA has become a perimeter player's league
Comment
March 10
The Oklahoman
 columnist Mike Baldwin
"The NBA six years ago literally put the ball in point guards' hands. Frustrated the league had evolved into a physical, plodding game, a major rule change abolished hand-checking above the free-throw line. "The game has changed big-time," said Dallas point guard Jason Kidd. "When I came in you could hand check and hold a little bit. You could definitely be more physical with the ball-handler. Now if you just touch them it's a foul. It definitely gives quicker guys an advantage." New Orleans rookie point guard Darren Collison, who plays the Thunder tonight in the Ford Center, is a perfect example how the rule change has benefitted quick point guards."
Russell Westbrook is on roll going into tonight's game against Hornets
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March 10
New Orleans Times-Picayune
 
"Oklahoma City Thunder second-year point guard Russell Westbrook has averaged 20 points and 9.8 assists in the previous 10 games. He will look to continue his surge tonight against the New Orleans Hornets at the Ford Center. Philadelphia 76ers Coach Eddie George could be fired before trhis season ends, according to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer."
Thunder player Etan Thomas praises Oklahoma City poets
Comment
March 9
The Oklahoman
 
"Thunder center Etan Thomas encouraged Oklahoma City Public School seniors to express themselves Monday night during a poetry slam - a competition where students performed their poems before Thomas and three other judges. "All of you are passionate about what you're writing about. I just urge you to keep going," Thomas told the 16 high school students after they performed in the Northwest Classen High School auditorium.Thomas said he started slam poetry when he was in high school and still performs to this day. Some students used their three minutes to share a glimpse of depression, a love of basketball or a religious calling."
OKC no longer flying under the radar
Comment
March 9
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant admitted the Thunder enjoys flying under the radar and attributed his team's success this season in part to proving people wrong. "That's pretty cool when people don't expect us to do something and we do it," Durant said. "For example, winning (38) games, people didn't expect that. I think that is pretty cool to us that people always underestimate us, but we come back and always show them what we really can do." Durant was then informed that the days of being overlooked likely are gone for good. "We're going to miss those days," Durant said, "because once you start to get up there everything is in the spotlight."
Fiesty Nick Collison takes charge
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March 9
The Oklahoman
 
"Get one of your friends. Stand still. Then let your friend get a five-step running start and plow into you. Remember, you can't flinch. You can't move. Sounds like a lot of fun, huh? Thunder forward Nick Collison leads the NBA in taking charging fouls. It's not a play listed in box scores, but it's a play valued by teammates and coaches. "It looks like it doesn't hurt," said coach Scott Brooks. "It looks like you can just get up and go. But it hurts. Even if a point guard comes at you full speed, knee-to-chest, it hurts. Tough guys come up and take them. And you don't ever want to show your opponent you're hurting." Collison has taken more than three times as many charging fouls as anyone ..."
A number change for Russell Westbrook?
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March 8
The Oklahoman
 
"Russell Westbrook said he would consider changing his jersey number if the No. 4, currently worn by Nick Collison, became available. Westbrook didn't begin wearing No. 0 until he arrived at UCLA, when Arron Afflalo, now with Denver but a junior with the Bruins at the time, had already claimed No. 4. Until then, Westbrook had always worn No. 4 as symbol of the number of people in his immediate family. His jersey at Leuzinger High School was retired last week. "It depends on how I'm feeling," Westbrook said. "As of now I'll stay with zero. I chose this, and it's not a normal number, so I like it." Collison, who has worn the number since his freshman season at Kansas, said he's not attached ..."
Can OKC players avoid the big head?
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March 8
The Oklahoman
 
"In the last week, James Harden has appeared on Jim Rome is Burning, Kevin Durant taped a nationally televised sit-down interview with Magic Johnson and Russell Westbrook's eye-popping performances enticed a prominent NBA writer to Oklahoma City for an upcoming piece in ESPN The Magazine. The Oklahoma City Thunder has arrived on the NBA map, garnering attention and acclaim unlike anything the franchise has experienced since relocating from Seattle nearly two years ago. Evolving into the talk of the league is an honor, a testament to the Thunder's thrilling turnaround. But with increased publicity comes perhaps the Thunder's greatest challenge yet. Dealing with it. To this point, we've seen ..."
Russell Westbrook takes out Kings
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March 8
The Oklahoman
 
"When Russell Westbrook drove coast-to-coast to convert a lefty layup and draw a foul on Sacramento center Spencer Hawes with 8:33 left to play, the Thunder point guard stared into the stands at Arco Arena and pounded his chest. And, really, by that point, he had every right to. The play symbolized how Westbrook sliced through Sacramento on Sunday, carving up the Kings in the second half to lead the Thunder to a 108-102 win before an announced crowd of 12,081. Westbrook overcame an ugly cut over his right eye in the third quarter when Kings forward Carl Landry raked him across the face with 9:58 remaining in the period. Westbrook was taken to the locker room and received six stitches to ..."
James Harden snaps out of shooting slump
Comment
March 7
The Oklahoman
 
"One of the only positives to come out of the Thunder's blowout loss at Denver last Wednesday was an opportunity for rookie James Harden to regain his offensive rhythm. "Even though we lost by a lot, it was a chance for me to get my feel back with my shot and just be aggressive and I carried it over into (Friday's) game," Harden said. Prior to the Nuggets game, Harden had scored in double digits only one time in the previous six games. Over that six-game span, Harden had made just 15 of 42 shots (35.7 percent) and had missed 14 of his 19 3-point attempts. Against Denver, though, Harden scored 19 points, his most since scoring a career-high 26 on Dec. 7 against Golden State. And he got to ..."
Thabo Sefolosha struggling with shot
Comment
March 7
The Oklahoman
 
"Inside the sanctuary of the Thunder's training facility, when his teammates have left the court and only a few souls remain in sight, Thabo Sefolosha looks comfortable. The Thunder's shooting guard is working on his shooting. He takes passes from assistant coach Ron Adams and fires up 3-pointers with ease, swishing long-range shots first from the corner, then the wing, then the top of the key. There is a rhythm to his mechanics and a result that more often than not is pleasing. Then come the games, where Sefolosha has struggled to duplicate that same precision. Entering tonight's game at Sacramento, Sefolosha has made just three of his last 17 3-point attempts. And it's not just that his ..."
Kevin Durant concedes NBA scoring title to Lebron James
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March 6
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"With six weeks left to go in the season, LeBron James and Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant are locked up in what has the potential to be one of the tightest scoring races in NBA history. The two entered the weekend separated by 0.18 points per game, which would make it the second closest scoring race ever after George Gervin edged David Thompson by 0.07 points in the 1977-78 season. Not that they care about it. James has said consistently over the last month that winning his second scoring title -- he became the first Cav in team history to win it in 2007-08 -- isn't even on his radar. Now Durant, who is having a breakout season in his third year in the league, is conceding it to James. ..."
Thunder notebook: Team unity seen in the streets
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March 6
The Oklahoman
 
"When the Thunder breaks every post-practice and pre-game huddle with a collective cry of "family," it can be perceived as a throw-away line that leads onlookers to roll their eyes. But a scene following Friday's shoot-around session confirmed once and for all how close this Thunder team really is and epitomized the meaning of team. The entire Thunder team, including the coaching staff, made the three-block walk from the Santa Monica High School gym to its hotel. The team bus traveled the short distance with only a few members of the training staff on board. It was a sight you certainly don't see every day, an NBA team taking a stroll in broad daylight. "We're not too big to walk down the ..."
Thunder needs Thabo Sefolosha to snap out of 3-point funk
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March 6
The Oklahoman
 
"Inside the sanctuary of the Thunder's training facility, when he's teammates have left the court and only a few souls remain in sight, Thabo Sefolosha looks comfortable. The Thunder's shooting guard is working on his shooting. He takes passes from assistant coach Ron Adams and fires up 3-pointers with ease, swishing long-range shots first from the corner, then the wing, then the top of the key. There is a rhythm to his mechanics and a result that more often than not is pleasing. Then come the games, where Sefolosha has struggled to duplicate that same precision. Entering Friday's game at the Los Angeles Clippers, Sefolosha had made just three of 17 3-point attempts. And it's not just that ..."
Kevin Durant scores 32; Thunder beats Clippers, 104-87
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March 6
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant scored a game-high 32 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to a 104-87 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night at Staples Center. The Thunder never trailed after taking a 6-4 lead with 9:23 remaining in the first quarter, and it was just the type of performance the Thunder needed, a game that never was in doubt following its worst defeat of the season two nights earlier at Denver. "We felt like this was a real important game for us," said Nick Collison. "We haven't played the way we did in Denver pretty much all year. So we knew we needed to come out and have a totally different mindset and really be sharp. I think we did that." With the win, the Thunder ..."
Thunder shows Clippers what a playoff contender looks like
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March 6
Los Angeles Times
 
"As lightning-quick turnarounds go, it's hard to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder. One year removed from a last-place finish, the young and vastly improved Thunder appears bound for the playoffs. The Clippers are headed nowhere except for another draft lottery, a 104-87 loss to Oklahoma City on Friday night at Staples Center the latest setback in a season gone terribly wrong. But there's hope for a speedy turnabout, and the Thunder could provide a blueprint. Oklahoma City's roster was largely built through the draft, with five of its top players having spent their entire careers with the organization. The Thunder is also exceedingly young. Its roster includes five rookies, three second-year ..."
Kevin Durant wants to sign a contract extension this summer
Comment
March 5
The Oklahoman
 
"In an interview with AOL Fanhouse, Thunder forward Kevin Durant issued his strongest statements yet regarding his upcoming contract extension. Durant told the Web site that if the Thunder offered a maximum contract of five years and roughly $80 million, he would re-sign this summer. "Yeah, that's what I want to do," Durant said. "I want to be here. I want to be part of this organization." Negotiations between Durant's representatives and the Thunder can start July 1. A deal must be reached by Oct. 31 or Durant will become a restricted free agent in 2011. Durant, however, said he can't foresee it getting to that point. "If they did offer (a max contract), that would be something that nobody ..."
Oklahoma City has fared poorly against the better teams in the West
Comment
March 5
The Oklahoman
 
"It took a 29-point drubbing at Denver to expose a deep, dark secret simmering in Oklahoma City, a disturbing detail that puts a damper on the delirium Thunder fans have enjoyed all season. What was revealed in Wednesday's loss, the worst of the season, was the latest bit of evidence that illustrated just where the Thunder ranks in the NBA hierarchy. For all its quantum leaps, the Thunder still struggles to beat playoff teams. For now, it's only a troubling trend. Come mid-April, it could be a fact that flourishes into a quick first-round exit. Oklahoma City trailed by as many as 41 points against a Nuggets team it would meet in the opening round if the playoffs started today. Throughout ..."
Kevin Durant Wants an Extension, Gives Thunder Easiest Decision Ever
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March 5
SportingNews.com
 
"One of the most exciting stories of this season has been the continued development of Kevin Durant from a great scorer into one of the league's true superstars. He's averaging 29.7 ppg and 7.5 rpg, getting to the line more, and improving his defense with every game. Good news, Thunder fans: he also wants to work out a contract extension with OKC this summer. From FanHouse's Chris Tomasson: In an interview with FanHouse before Wednesday's game at Denver, Durant said his preference is to sign a contract extension this summer with Oklahoma City because he enjoys playing for the team so much. [...]"
Kevin Durant says he'll sign a max deal if Thunder offers this summer
Comment
March 4
The Oklahoman
 
"If Oklahoma City makes Kevin Durant a maximum contract offer this summer, he'll sign it. In an interview Wednesday with FanHouse, Durant said he wants to sign an extension with the Thunder. Negotiations can start July 1. "Yeah, that's what I want to do," he said."I want to be here. I want to be part of this organization." The Thunder has the option of waiting until the summer of 2011 to re-sign Durant as an unrestricted free agent. By then the NBA could have a new collective bargaining agreement in place, and the owners' offer last month made it clear their intent is to drastically cut maximum salaries. The owners also proposed cutting the maximum number of years in a contract from five to ..."
Scoreboard watching hasn't started
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March 4
The Oklahoman
 
"The one-day-at-a-time approach, at least publicly, continues to be the philosophy of choice inside the Oklahoma City Thunder's locker room. Despite entering Wednesday's game at Denver a season-high 13 games above .500, Thunder coach Scott Brooks insists he hasn't found it difficult to avoid scoreboard watching to sneak a peak at potential playoff matchups. "I don't," Brooks said. "We have a group that wants to challenge each other to get better, and if I take away from that, I'm letting the group down. It's as simple as that. There's going to be one day where we have to talk about that, but there are a lot of games left. We can't put a ceiling on (their success)." Brooks did, however, ..."
Thunder hits Rocky Mountain low in loss at Denver
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March 4
The Oklahoman
 
"You wanted Etan Thomas? You got him. And after seeing coach Scott Brooks' blueprint for how the buried big man will get playing time, Thunder fans aren't likely to want to witness the veteran reserve anywhere near the scorer's table the rest of the season. Things got so ugly Wednesday night in Denver's 119-90 thumping of the Thunder that Brooks cleared his bench with 2:37 remaining in the third quarter, when the Nuggets held a 25-point lead that eventually swelled to as many as 41. Thomas, who hasn't played since Dec. 4, checked in with Antonio Anderson, a recently-signed rookie who is on the final day of a 10-day contract. "It's one of those nights we didn't do anything right," said ..."
OKC survives Sacramento
Comment
March 3
The Oklahoman
 
"Of all the eye-popping stats that made their way onto the scoreboard Tuesday night, one unwritten number told the true story of the Thunder's 113-107 win over Sacramento inside the Ford Center. The figure is five. That's how many times Oklahoma City produced three straight stops against the Kings. While the total ranks second in the pecking order of importance behind the final score, it's that overlooked figure that often decides the outcome. And five generally doesn't cut it. Against Sacramento, one of the worst squads since Christmas at 7-24, the Thunder is now good enough to eke out a win despite a dud of a defensive game. But gone are the days the Thunder simply can be satisfied with ..."
Thunder made the right move with James Harden
Comment
March 3
The Oklahoman
 columnist Berry Tramel
"Tyreke Evans showed the Thunder what it missed. The Thunder showed Evans why it's happy with what it has. The Boomers beat the Sacramento Kings 113-107 Tuesday night at the Ford Center, running their record to 36-23, a season-high 13 games above .500 in this remarkable NBA turnaround. The Thunder soars despite bypassing Evans in the 2009 draft, picking James Harden No. 3 overall. So Sacramento took Evans at No. 4, and now he's the runaway leader for Rookie of the Year and a future superstar. Evans scored 27 points on the Thunder and kept this game close until the final seconds. Put the 20-year-old Evans in a lineup with Kevin Durant (21), Russell Westbrook (21) and Jeff Green (23), and ..."
Hoops nightmare: "Durantula"
Comment
March 3
Denver Post
 
"Glum, with ties undone after the deflating loss, the Nuggets' coaches looked snake-bitten, but they should have known better. They were spider-bitten. The "Durantula" got them that night in Oklahoma City — 30 points on 12-for-19 shooting — in the Thunder's 101-84 victory. Nuggets coach George Karl looked at his staff afterward and said: "We've got to do something different." Tonight at the Pepsi Center, the Nuggets will face Kevin Durant for the first time since that January disaster. Karl's new defensive plan is to try and do a better job of denying the 6-foot-9 Durant the ball, as well as rotate bigger defenders his way throughout the game. "You can't just let him shoot and fire," Karl ..."
Kevin Durant stands behind controversial Nike shoe
Comment
March 2
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant voiced his support for the "Hyperize" line of shoe created by Nike that has recently come under scrutiny with at least one NBA team. The strength and conditioning coach in Detroit recently banned the Pistons from wearing the line because of a recent rash of sprained ankles, according to reports. Pistons Richard Hamilton, Ben Gordon and Will Bynum all have missed games this season because of ankle injuries. But Durant, who is sponsored by Nike and filmed a commercial for the Hyperize line last season, said he's never had an issue with the shoe. "Ankle injuries can come from stepping on a guy's foot or coming down on somebody. Rarely does it happen when you're just running ..."
February success has OKC in the hunt
Comment
March 2
The Oklahoman
 
"The Thunder finishing 9-2 in February isn't close to the best streak of Nick Collison's career. Collison was 74-1 at Iowa Falls. He closed out his high school career on a 52-game winning streak, highlighted by back-to-back state titles. "The competition here (in the NBA) is a little better than the North Central Conference," Collison said, laughing. "It's been a good run, especially when you compare it to where we've been the past two years." The past two seasons, the Sonics (20-62) and Thunder (23-59) were out of the playoff race before the All-Star break. Posting their third consecutive winning month, the Thunder, 11-2 in their last 13 games, not only is in the race, but most analysts ..."
Nenad Krstic gets banged up
Comment
March 1
The Oklahoman
 
"Nenad Krstic left Sunday's game against Toronto for good midway through the third period with what team officials described as an injured ankle. The Thunder's starting center was battling in the painted area when a player backed into him and caused Krstic to hunch over in an effort to reach for his leg while wincing in pain. A team spokesman, however, said the ankle injury isn't expected to be an issue. The deeper concern is that Krstic banged his already injured right thumb against the Raptors and the injury could become a setback. Krstic scored 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting with three rebounds in 21 minutes. It was his highest scoring total since another 16-point effort on Jan. 18 at ..."
Serge Ibaka delivers his finest performance
Comment
March 1
The Oklahoman
 
"Thunder coach Scott Brooks spent nearly 10 straight minutes during his pre-game media session Sunday night answering questions about Serge Ibaka's development. By the time the subject had stretched into its sixth minute, it led a basketball communications employee to playfully proclaim, "This is the Serge Ibaka portion of the program." The real show didn't play out until 60 minutes later, when Ibaka displayed why his game is garnering so much attention. The rookie big man contributed his finest performance of his short career in Oklahoma City's 119-99 win over Toronto inside the Ford Center, scoring 13 points with 10 rebounds and four blocked shots in 24 minutes off the bench. It was an ..."
Half-a-hundred in sight
Comment
March 1
The Oklahoman
 columnist John Rohde
"Before the NBA season began, I predicted the Thunder would win 35 games. Nailed it. Nailed it with 24 games to spare. With Sunday night's methodical 119-99 victory over Toronto, the Thunder now has a record of 35-23, which is considerably more impressive than my projected 35-47. The Thunder's winning percentage has crept into the 60s (.603). Last season's final winning percentage was in the high 20s (.280). This year's team is on pace to win 49½ games, which sounds ½-crazy. Winning 50 games suddenly seems like a reasonable request. Half-a-hundred wins from the league's fourth-youngest roster? Seriously? Not even people on the Thunder payroll were loco enough to predict a 50-32 record. ..."
Thunder rolls over Raptors
Comment
March 1
The Oklahoman
 
"For the second straight game, the Thunder jumped on an outmanned opponent and never let off the throttle, romping to a 119-99 win over Toronto Sunday night in the Ford Center. Steamrolling the Raptors without All-Star Chris Bosh, who missed his fifth consecutive game, the Thunder moved within a half game of fifth-place Phoenix in the Western Conference standings. "We treat every team the same," said Kevin Durant, who scored a game-high 29 points. "Any given night, you can lose in this league. No matter what the team's record is, they can come out and beat you. That's the way we think. We respect every team we play." All teams say that. But Boston lost at home Saturday to the lowly New ..."
Bosh-less and hopeless - Rap's lose third straight without star
Comment
March 1
Toronto Sun
 
"Bosh-less and completely hopeless, the Raptors became nothing more than a glorified practice team for the host Thunder on Sunday night. Everyone knew the Raptors would eventually struggle without their franchise player, but no one could have envisioned how inept the Raptors would be without Chris Bosh. With their 119-99 loss to the uptempo Thunder, the Raptors are now 2-3 without Bosh, a number that figures to get worse with a Monday meeting against another high-octane team in the form of the Houston Rockets. About the only good news is the amount of off days that await the Raptors, time that will give Bosh additional time to heal his ankle. Following Monday night's tip in Houston, the ..."
Russell Westbrook a flirt
Comment
February 28
The Oklahoman
 
"Second-year point guard Russell Westbrook has flirted with a triple-double several times this season but has recorded only one. In Friday's win, Westbrook was two rebounds shy of recording a triple-double, scoring 18 points and matching his career high with 15 assists. "Maybe I need to back off a couple of rebounds, box my guy out and let him get a triple-double," said teammate Kevin Durant. "It's phenomenal to see that every game... He's been flirting with it all year. It's fun to watch. Hopefully these next couple of games he'll get it.""
Free-agent talk gets the ki-Bosh
Comment
February 28
The Oklahoman
 
"Larry Coon can give wishful-thinking Thunder fans 16 million reasons why Toronto Raptors All-Star forward Chris Bosh wouldn't fit in Oklahoma City. And his reasoning, the most rational amid a recent stream of fan fantasies, best explains why the Thunder isn't likely to land Bosh, one of the premier players expected to be available in this summer's free-agent market. "The Thunder is already committed to 11 players (next season), totaling about $40 million," said Coon, who is widely regarded as the leading authority on the NBA salary cap. "Since Bosh will be eligible to earn about $16.6 million, the Thunder won't have the cap room for him." Bosh, whose Raptors make their lone visit to the ..."
Thunder barometer: Where they stand after Friday's win
Comment
February 27
The Oklahoman
 
"Analyzing the Thunder's performance during its march to the postseason.Friday's result: Thunder 109, Timberwolves 92 Pace: 49 wins?Intensity: After losing two straight games, the Thunder came out with fire and a determined attitude against the Wolves, clearly eager to put away Minnesota early and make sure Friday's game never turned into a contest. Oklahoma City outscored the Wolves 30-19 in the first period, led by as many as 25 points and never trailed.?Defense: The Thunder held the Wolves to 40.7 percent shooting from the field and just 3-for-16 shooting from beyond the 3-point line. OKC also controlled the glass by out-rebounding Minnesota 47-43, which helped limit the Wolves to just ..."
OKC avoiding losing streaks
Comment
February 27
The Oklahoman
 
"One reason the Thunder is in excellent position to make the NBA playoffs is its ability to avoid long losing streaks. Oklahoma City ended a brief two-game slide Friday night, romping to a 109-92 win over Minnesota on Friday at the Ford Center.The Thunder hasn't lost more than three consecutive games all season. "We've kept it at a consistent level for a long stretch, which is encouraging," said Nick Collison. "Defensively, we've been pretty good and have been able to keep that up. That's what has allowed us to avoid a bad streak."Beating the Western Conference's worst team, which has only five road wins all season, isn't a major accomplishment. But consistently avoiding long losing streaks ..."
Thunder notebook: Scoring in transition
Comment
February 27
The Oklahoman
 
"The Thunder scored 21 fast-break points Friday to move into the NBA's top-10 in transition points. Fifteen percent of OKC's scoring is fast-break points. "Running is a big part of what we do," said coach Scott Brooks. "I don't focus on it. There are not a lot of times I talk about it in practice, or even during games. But every time I mention it, I always talk about defense and rebounding first. The first part is getting a stop."But when we get stops and not take the ball out of the net (following an opponent scoring), it gives our athletic wings and our athletic point guard a chance to really race up the court. That puts a lot of pressure on a defense.""
Russell Westbrook leads the way in win over Minnesota
Comment
February 27
The Oklahoman
 
"With his first steal, a slashing, sneaky swipe two minutes in, Russell Westbrook had set the tone. But it was the Thunder guard's second pilfer, a pick-pocket four minutes later, which provided the momentum that would put the game away.The Thunder notched a wire-to-wire 109-92 victory over Minnesota on Friday night to snap a two-game losing streak. Oklahoma City reverted to its winning ways by buckling down on the defensive end, and it was Westbrook who captained the charge.With 10:09 left in the first quarter, Westbrook swooped in and stole an outlet pass by Wolves forward Ryan Gomes and converted an uncontested layup to push the Thunder's lead to 6-2. And when the Western ..."
Nick Collison, Serge Ibaka to play tonight for Oklahoma City Thunder against Minnesota
Comment
February 27
The Oklahoman
 
"Reserve big men Nick Collison and Serge Ibaka both sat out the Thunder's game Wednesday with minor injuries but will play tonight against Minnesota. Collison suffered a sprained right knee early in the second half Tuesday night against Phoenix. Earlier this season Collison missed four games with a sprained knee but this time there wasn't any swelling. "I think I kind of hyperextended it, a little sprain," Collison said. "It was sore the next day in San Antonio. The day off in San Antonio and the day off (Thursday) helped. I'll be able to play." Ibaka missed Wednesday's game with back spasms but coach Scott Brooks said the rookie power forward is ready to return after receiving treatment on ..."
Westbrook leaves Timberwolves Thunder-struck as Oklahoma City rolls
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February 27
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Russell Westbrook's first season in the NBA was a trial by fire in trying to play a mostly new position at the highest level. And it showed. As the Oklahoma City Thunder go through perhaps the league's most remarkable turnaround this season, none of their players embodies it more than their second-year point guard. Westbrook scored 18 points, matched his franchise record with 15 assists and narrowly missed his second triple-double against the Timberwolves in less than a week as the Thunder cruised to a 109-92 victory Friday night. "He's been like an MVP," said teammate Kevin Durant, who finished with 25 points. "A lot of people talk about me myself, but I think he's been the best player on ..."
Nick Collison, Serge Ibaka to play tonight for Oklahoma City Thunder against Minnesota
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February 26
The Oklahoman
 
"Reserve big men Nick Collison and Serge Ibaka both sat out the Thunder's game Wednesday with minor injuries but will play tonight against Minnesota. Collison suffered a sprained right knee early in the second half Tuesday night against Phoenix. Earlier this season Collison missed four games with a sprained knee but this time there wasn't any swelling. "I think I kind of hyperextended it, a little sprain," Collison said. "It was sore the next day in San Antonio. The day off in San Antonio and the day off (Thursday) helped. I'll be able to play." Ibaka missed Wednesday's game with back spasms but coach Scott Brooks said the rookie power forward is ready to return after receiving treatment on ..."
Easier schedule
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February 26
The Oklahoman
 
"Riding a two-game losing streak, the Thunder has an opportunity to regain some momentum the next three weeks, starting with a three-game homestand against Minnesota (tonight), Toronto (Sunday) and Sacramento (Tuesday). "Even though we lost our last two our confidence is still up," said guard Thabo Sefolosha. "Coming back home, if we can take care of business, and win these three games, we'll see after that."The Thunder has a better record than 10 of its next 12 opponents, the exceptions being a road game Wednesday at Denver and a home game March 14 with Utah. The three-week stretch includes six home games, six road games.Of the other five road games, the most difficult are March 17 at ..."
Other teams want to be like Thunder
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February 26
The Oklahoman
 
"Success can be measured in several ways for NBA franchises over the course of a season. It can come through securing a quality draft selection, standing among the 16 teams that annually qualify for the postseason or seeing the bottom-line in the black.But the most flattering mark of success is when opposing franchises begin following suit, emulating your team's blueprint and plotting a similar path to success. Surprisingly, after 43 wins in the past two seasons, the Oklahoma City Thunder has risen to that level of respectability."I think teams that are in a rebuilding stage are looking to be a team like the Oklahoma City Thunder," said Minnesota forward Kevin Love, who leads his Western ..."