Sonics Move To OKC

This blog is basically about the NBA in Oklahoma City. The eight years to date and this very important 2015-16 season. Much has been written about the team’s move from Seattle to Oklahoma City. While I don’t want to dwell too much on any of that because it’s  already been covered in a documentary called Sonicsgate—I think this might be a nice spot to put just a bit of background on the team’s move to OKC for some historical perspective.

 

 

Reggie’s Return to OKC on Friday

Reggie Jackson returns to Oklahoma City on Friday for his first appearance here as a Detroit Piston. Let me say this about Oklahoma City NBA fans—they are extremely fair and respectful of players. It’s a great building for players. Other than Artest after the elbowing of James Harden–I can’t remember much disrespectful behavior from the crowds. Patrick Beverly gets booed, but he deserves it. Blake Griffin occasionally gets a smattering of boos but that was earlier in his career when he quite frankly deserved some of it for his theatrics. But for the most part–Oklahoma City fans are fair. They respect players.

Some wondered what kind of reception Harden would get his first time in OKC as a Rocket. He was almost universally cheered. I still wear my Harden T shirts. Still love him even though I hate Morey and the Rockets in general.

So Reggie Jackson, the self proclaimed minimalist comes to OKC on Friday night. I’m very curious to see the reception he gets after his departure from OKC on the trade deadline last season. I don’t boo players. I called Artest a cock roach, but never booed him. Same with Patrick Beverly—never booed him. Kind of in a old school way admired his moxie albeit injuring Westbrook.

With Reggie I won’t boo either. But unlike other players who have come and gone thru OKC both with the Hornets and Thunder—he’s not one I have any lasting affection for at the end of the day. It’s like to me—he doesn’t exist. I’ll probably just yawn when his name is announced which is kind of sad because he did some really nice things during his time in Oklahoma City.

 

Thunder Take Care of Business, Handle Nets

OKC Thunder 110 — Brooklyn Nets 99

After OKC’s bench unit screwed around and allowed Brooklyn to tie the game early in the fourth period with Durant and Westbrook both resting, Billy Donovan made a lineup change to combine Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Waiters, and Morrow. It worked to perfection as OKC exploded from an 85-85 tie to a 13 point lead at one point.

Durant started the explosion with a couple of threes, then assisted Waiters on another trey. Durant and Waiters both hit another three and the working margin  OKC created was enough to carry the Thunder to their tenth win of the season and third place currently in the West.

Actually– a fairly entertaining game to watch as Brooklyn hung around most of the night. OKC led 56-52 at the half. Brook Lopez led the Nets with 26 points. Thaddeus Young went for 18 points, 8 rebounds. Rookie Rondae Hollis-Jefferson chipped in with 11 points, 11 rebounds.

Durant and Westbrook were both extremely efficient in this game. Either could easily be selected as my No. 1 Star of the Game. Durant went for 30 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals on an 11-18 shooting night. But I think I’ll go with Westbrook as the OKCThunderGround No. 1 Star of the Game. Westbrook’s line went…27 points, 13 assists, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals going 10-16 from the field.

Dion Waiters had another game where he made big plays coming down the stretch with the game in doubt scoring 16 points. Serge Ibaka was okay going for 12 points and 8 rebounds, but he did some nice things down the stretch as well.

Anthony Morrow played 24 minutes and was quiet, but with him in the lineup which basically won the game for OKC–it was a good floor look as Brooklyn had no man to cheat off of. All five can hit threes. Fun lineup to watch.

Other things:

  • OKC shot 52.6% from the field, 41.7% from behind the arc.
  • Brooklyn shot 45.7% from the field, 23.1% from threes.
  • OKC had 26 assists to 19 turnovers, but there was great ball movement at times.
  • Kyle Singler did not see the floor and has become the Daily Thunder Official Whipping Boy for the 2015-16 season. First white guy since Cole Aldrich or Byron Mullens to win this honor.
  • Overall bench play was average to poor tonight. Collison was okay, Augustin struggled keeping up with Larkin, and Kanter had what I would describe as a quiet night.
  • Dion Waiters has become the Thunder’s third best option in fourth quarters to date this season.
  • Didn’t see a tangible incremental step forward as far as team defense.
  • Sat floor side tonight and quite frankly Steven Adams’ hair looks even more horrific up close than it does from other venues in the arena or on the flat screen.
  • Sam Presti walked right by me before halftime and I thought he was an albino. Thunder to do list….Get Presti to a tanning salon, get rid of Steven Adams’ ponytail.
  • Halftime show with the stunt dogs was excellent. I rose three times to give the dogs standing ovations. Great halftime show.
  • Reggie Jackson–the minimalist back in OKC for his first appearance in OKC as a Detroit Piston. I won’t boo him, but I might hiss a couple of times.
  • Have a great Thanksgiving with your families.

Mike Jackson

Durant and Westbrook

NBA seasons are a marathon journey. Some really tough lows, but some exultant highs as well. If you’re a Thunder fan never forget two generational players are still together in Oklahoma City. Sure–we all get caught up in the quest for a championship, but never take for granted how special every game can potentially be when Durant and Westbrook take the floor. Savor the journey and put away memories for a lifetime. Embrace the season. Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Game 16: Brooklyn Nets @ OKC Thunder Preview

Brooklyn Nets in Oklahoma City tonight for a night before Thanksgiving game. This is a bad Brooklyn team at 3-11 in the East and in next to last place only above the once again tanking 76’ers. This is one of those games where OKC needs to be professional. Get the win, work on the defensive side of the ball, get better, and get no one hurt….especially No. 35.

Brooklyn’s core goes something like Brook Lopez, Thaddeus Young, Jarret Jack and Joe Johnson. This is not a great team, but OKC does need to show up and take care of business.

Kevin Durant is back, and with Durant back OKC is only behind Golden State as the league’s most efficient offense. Simply put–Durant cures a lot of ills for OKC on both sides of the ball and makes the game easier for all of his teammates—even Russell Westbrook.

OKC enters tonight at 9-6 and currently as the third seed in West which is exactly where I think they will end the regular season.

Fifteen games into this season and there’s not much I can really bitch about per Billy Donovan except the Morrow situation. This seems to have been corrected so now it comes down to one thing for me—can Billy Donovan and his staff of Monty Williams, Mo Cheeks and Anthony Grant get these guys to buy in on the defensive end like Scott Brooks did during his years in OKC.

People can complain all they want about Brooks, Perkins and Thabo, but at the end of the day to win a championship in the NBA you can’t be a bottom half team  defensively in the NBA and win a championship. OKC is currently a bottom half team defensively. Don’t kid yourself either—the main favorites to now win the league–Golden State and Cleveland both play tough defense. These are not  just pretty boy teams with Steph and LeBron–they can make stops.

So here’s what I would say about tonight…win the game, lock down defensively and make team defense the focal point of team improvement tonight.  Keep moving the ball. Westbrook needs to make sure Ibaka, Waiters, Kanter, and Adams get their comfort zone offensive opportunities. Just get better as a team. Get to 10-6 and enjoy Thanksgiving the right way.

ESPN Outside The Lines: Oklahoma City And The Thunder

You’d have to live in Oklahoma to fully understand how much the team with Durant and Westbrook have meant to the entire statewide community. There’s a love for the team which transcends what you’d get in a big market atmosphere. It’s different. A slower pace, and a very gentle presence by the local media covering the team. And for good reason—the team with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have been fabulous ambassadors for the city and the state as a whole.