January 2009 Archives

With two strikes against them before tip-off, the Thunder struck out quickly against a motivated Jazz squad. Utah enacted revenge for the whupping given by Oklahoma City earlier in the month and cruised to a twenty-point win.

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook provided the only highlights for the visitors but also contributed to the biggest downfall in defeat. The duo poured in 49 points, 18 rebounds, and seven assists on the good side before commiting a combined nine turnovers, only three less than the Jazz had all night.

OKC is still growing as a team and learning to play Coach Brooks' style so the bumps in the road will be there. Losing a key defender in Desmond Mason and traveling to Utah set things up poorly for the Thunder, as did the two lone victories against winning clubs coming in. 

Brooks went in a different direction, opting to start another young player instead of a veteran. Rookie Kyle Weaver achieved his first career start and further showed how much OKC is building for the future. It is not a permanent move per the Thunder but it didn't go without notice.

Unfortunately, the Jazz were ungracious hosts and never trailed after a close opening quarter. Utah used an overpowering inside game to take over the contest, and an 11-0 run early in the second quarter helped their cause.

Oklahoma City has one more road game before a couple of interesting home match-ups to start Februrary. One thing to watch is how the Thunder try to curb the turnovers by playing different lineups. I expect Nenad Krstic to be a big part, starting with tomorrow's game against Sacramento, a team filled with a number of skilled post players.

Tune in for Carbert's preview of his hometown Kings, in what shapes up to be a very winnable game for OKC. 

Tonight's game is the Thunder's final in January. With a 7-6 record in the month, this is a golden opportunity for the Thunder to finish with a winning record in the month: a huge accomplishment for a team that was 4-29 coming into the month. And the game couldn't come against a better team. The Utah Jazz are on a 4 game losing streak which is tied for third worst for active losing streaks (tied with Washington; only the Kings at 7 and Memphis with 11 are worse).

The Jazz are currently without Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko.  The Thunder will be without Desmond Mason who hyper extended his knee last game and is out for the season.  It will be interesting to see who starts in his place and how well the new starting lineup will gel.

This is the third match up between the two teams.  The Jazz won the first at home 104-97 while the Thunder crushed the Jazz 114-93 in OKC two weeks ago.  Tonight's game should be closer than the last, but I see the Thunder taking it 108-104.

...Or how bout playing smallball?

Those are the type of decisions Oklahoma City faces now with the news that shooting guard Desmond Mason is out for the season. He fell awkwardly and hurt his knee against Memphis, putting the Thunder in an unusual position.

Since Mason was installed in the starting lineup, a new attitude made an appearance on the court for OKC. The team used a tougher approach, a never-say-die style that only veteran leadership and energy can bring to a squad. Now the Thunder are without their top defender and need to replace him in a hurry.

Where does the team turn and how will they respond to yet another fallen teammate?

The Grizzlies took advantage right after the injury and forced overtime after OKC seemingly had the game in hand. With no time to introduce another new face, Coach Scott Brooks will turn to the Y.G.T. (Young Gun Trio) and a wrinkle.

Using the next two weeks as a guide, GM Sam Presti will have plenty of time to make a move if needed but will give Brooks the first attempt. Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook can all play multiple positions well, something that helps ease the transition. Nick Collison stands as the fourth rock, in either of the post positions, and he will provide stability in either format deployed in the upcoming games.

The wrinkle comes in the form of four very different players.

If the match-up calls for a 'big' lineup, Brooks can send out Chris Wilcox or Nenad Krstic. Against a quicker foe, Earl Watson or Chucky Atkins may get the call. Either way the Thunder still have options to explore before pulling the trigger on a trade or waiver wire find.

OKC must show patience with a number of difficult games before the All-Star break, and Durant and Co. will have a chance to show just how far the club has come in a short time. After the first winning month in franchise history, my money is on the underdog, and I am not the only one who feels this way.

Carbert passed this on, proving yet again that the Thunder are out to show the NBA world they belong -- one improbable win at a time. 

Kyle Weaver joins the list of Thunder players out due to an injury, and newcomer Chucky Atkins is taking his place in the rotation. Not that it has done any good thus far for Oklahoma City, currently trailing to the lowly Memphis squad.

Racing out to a double-digit advantage, the Grizzlies hit nearly every shot in the opening quarter. The visitors kept the Ford Center quiet by answering every Kevin Durant bucket and not giving the Thunder a chance to recover.

OKC fought back from 13 down in the second quarter behind Atkins and Nenad Krstic but are still behind 49-42 with five mintues left in the half.

Have I mentioned before that Durant has a strong case for the All-Star game? He was picked for the sophomore squad along with Jeff Green today, but his play is making a run for inclusion on the big stage.

Durant gave the fans a reason to cheer when his lay-up put the Thunder ahead before the end of the second quarter. Memphis came back to lead by one going into halftime, but the momentum was all with OKC. The Grizzlies squandered away their large advantage and will have to find a way to stay close in the third quarter.

Green would have none of that, however, keeping Memphis on the defensive with multiple 3-pointers. He knocked down five straight treys, the last putting the Thunder back up 72-70.

Desmond Mason needed to be helped off the court with a possible knee injury late in the third, the only low point in the game. Mason was injured blocking a shot, and his teammates have picked up the pace in response.

An 8-0 run opened up OKC's largest lead of the night at seven as the Grizz continue to struggle in back-to-back games. The lead grew to 10 for the Thunder on another big play by rookie Russell Westbrook as the home squad closed out the third in a big way.

It was the second straight game in which the third quarter belonged to OKC, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Memphis returned the favor in the fourth, holding Durant and Co. under twenty points and forcing OT.

The extra session belonged to the home team, as the Thunder scored 14 unanswered points and won going away 114-102. Durant's final line said the whole story: 35 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks.

If that isn't an All-Star deserving line, I don't know what is!

The Grizzlies fought hard for their new coach, but they now have to welcome OKC in the 11-win club. It was the Thunder's second straight victory and seventh of January, solidifying the first winning month in franchise history.

I will be back tomorrow with an update on Mason and the potential trade partners if a two-guard is now needed.

The Memphis Grizzlies come to town tonight currently in the midst of a double digit losing streak. They haven't matched our season long stretch of 14 games, but they are getting close at 10. With the Lakers up next for them, tonight's game gives them the best opportunity to not be at 12 in a row when they head into the nation's capital on Monday.

The Grizzlies have had problems getting points on the board in January only surpassing 90 points on two of twelve occasions with one those occasions being a rousing 91 points.  The Thunder, on the other hand, have put up triple digits in half our games this month and have really turned the season around.  With a win tonight, the Thunder will guarantee a .500 record in January which is very impressive considering they only won 14.2% of their games prior to January.

The biggest concern for the Thunder tonight is to not repeat the performance they displayed against the Clippers on Friday.  The team has to avoid playing down to its competition.  Winning games you're expected to lose is great.  Losing games that you should win wipes away the positives from the unexpected victories.

One thing has kept the Thunder from being competitive in nearly all of the games this year. Two words are all it has taken for Oklahoma City to play itself out of contest after contest all season.

Third Quarter

Erasing nearly all of the frustration, OKC demonstrated the type of effort needed to improve in the NBA on Monday night. New Jersey came to town on an icy night and left feeling burned in an 94-85 defeat. The Nets couldn't come all the way back after trailing by 30, allowing the Thunder to finally get out of the cellar with win number 10.

The victory was cemented after an impressive third quarter of action by the home team. Holding New Jersey to only 14 points, all five Thunder starters got into the act in a big way.

Kevin Durant scored half of his team-high 18 points in the third, followed by Nick Collison and Russell Westbrook with six apiece. Jeff Green and Desmond Mason combined for eight as OKC nailed down the coffin in the 31-point quarter.

Not even a 12 point fourth by the second team could dampen the night, and the Thunder got their revenge by playing tough defense and hitting the boards. Newcomer Chucky Atkins made his team debut as well, and OKC sent the sparse crowd home happy.

Now that the club is not the worst team in the league, a winning month is the next step of the ladder. With a 6-6 mark in January, the Thunder can nail down the feat with one more victory in the final two games. The key may be in how OKC responds after halftime, something they may have proven to grasp after a try, try again attitude.

And that poses a big problem for the rest of the NBA as people are finally starting to take notice of the up and coming team from the Sooner state.  

Tonight's game against the New Jersey Nets gives the Oklahoma City Thunder many opportunities to take advantage of second chances.  The most obvious of these is the second chance at beating the Nets.  New Jersey needed an extra period to defeat the Thunder 103-99 two weeks ago handing OKC their first overtime loss of the season.  Tonight's game gives the Thunder the chance to avenge that loss at home.

The Thunder will also have a second chance to show that they can play basketball in the third quarter (ok, this is much more than a "second" chance).  In the past two games as well as their loss to the Nets, the Thunder played poorly in the third taking themselves out of the games.  In each of those games, the team was able to rally back in the fourth.  It would be nice if the Thunder could show that they can play all four quarters.  It'd be even nicer if they could use the fourth quarter to extend/defend the lead.

And finally, tonight's game gives the Thunder a second chance to remove the "worst record in the NBA" banner.  With an OKC win tonight and a loss by Washington to Phoenix, we'll move past the Wizards and even with the Kings record-wise.  It would be great if we could shed that image and keep it off for the rest of the season.

For most sports fans, this weekend is probably a hard one to handle. There is no NFL, no MLB, and the NBA is winding down before All-Star weekend. Of course there is still plenty to talk about, but most of the news is bad and getting worse.

No, this will not be an economy-based post or political in any way. It is still entirely about Oklahoma City and up-coming events. Oh, and I may be including how my man-crush with a certain sharpshooter has taken a hit.

But first things first, the Thunder will be represented at All-Star weekend in one way or another. I can honestly say outside of the dunk contest that the whole event has been lost on me. I will be tuning in for my team this year, but I really want to find out what all the excitement is about. Can anyone explain it to me?

Kevin Durant and Jeff Green played in the rookie game last year, and both should be locks for the sophomore squad. Rookie Russell Westbrook will be on the other side, as the OKC stars battle it out. Durant is the wildcard, however, depending on the how the reserve All-Star are chosen. If they only look at the Thunder's record, it will be a shame.

While the team is improving, nobody has picked up their game more than Durant. His points and rebounds are improved, but his ability to take over the game is what should get him recognized. Maybe that is why I haven't been able to get into the festivities in the past.

The NBA needs to get over picking the same players just to draw attention to a meaningless game. They should be rewarding the best athletes, much like MLB does. Now I really don't think every team has to be included, but it would keep me from watching if only Lakers and Celtics players were in the game.

I know I am being biased towards Durant, but he is not alone in having an argument to that effect. First and second year pros rarely get the attention they deserve and thus the rookie challenge was born. If the NBA wants the best, they need to take a hard look at changing the way the All-Star rosters are formed.

That rant is over for now, and it is time to move on from another subject for good. My most recent time-killer has been to form the best OKC squad on paper. I juggle the current players around and add the one or two pieces that I think would make the most sense. While this is sure to continue, my Michael Redd push is officially dead.

Redd is done for the year, and Milwaukee will have to figure out how the injury hurts or helps them in the future. It hurts the Bucks now, but it could help them in keeping Redd from bolting as a free agent. I wanted the Thunder to trade for him badly, given their need for an established outside player.

It is time to find a new muse with a shooting touch, hopefully someone yearning to be part of a franchise with upside. Not a player such as Larry Hughes, who only seems to care about himself. This 3-point specialist may need to come from the college ranks, but that is a story for another time. 

OKC has an important stretch coming up, and the All-Star game is still a few weeks out. It has been a big month for the Thunder, and they need to keep up the momentum. A boost of recognition from the league can not hurt, but Durant will stay motivated either way. 

It would be the NBA who is making the mistake by not including one of their top all-around playmakers, so the joke would be on them. And I'm sure plenty of OKC fans could find other things to do on a weekend in the middle of February.

All losses are hard to take, but Oklahoma City needs to stop replaying the same example every time out. The Thunder again let a halftime lead slip away before falling to the Clippers 107-104. Los Angeles has only ten victories on the season, with three coming against OKC.

Kevin Durant scored 16 fourth quarter points and had the ball in his hands at the end. He wasn't able to knock down the game-tying shot, however, as the Thunder played down to their competion. Durant picked up his teammates' slack with 46 points and 15 rebounds, but turnovers and missed opportunities kept the club at a league-worst nine wins.

For the franchise player, it was another milestone performance, but the team didn't offer much in the way of help. The Clippers erased a four-point deficit in the third quarter and used a 27-19 edge to take over the game. LA never trailed the rest of the way, and they had an answer for every shot Durant made.

It is a deflating defeat to say the least, and OKC has to find a balance in the upcoming week. The Thunder do not have a set rotation, and the lack of consistency has to fall on Coach Brooks and his staff. While Chris Wilcox again did not play, rookie Kyle Weaver had a breakout game with eight points, five rebounds, and five assists off the bench.

This is a good sign if it continues, but right now nothing is certain. 

Tonight the Oklahoma City Thunder head to Los Angeles with one goal in mind: to remove the banner of being the "NBA's worst record".  We've owned that title for most of the season, and it's time to get rid of it for good.  Thankfully our opponents tonight are the Clippers and not the league leading Lakers.  The Clippers are struggling now (as they have been most of the season) going 1-9 over their past ten games.  With a win tonight, the Thunder will move into 28th ahead of both the Clippers and the Wizards who will be tied for worst at 9-33.

One big obstacle standing in the Thunder's way of a victory tonight is the fact that they're 0-2 against the Clippers this season and both of those games were played at home.  In both contests, OKC managed a mere 88 points while the Clippers scored 108 in the first and 98 in the second.  The Clippers have been sputtering as of late due to injuries to key players (Marcus Camby, Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, and Zach Randolph are all averaging 10+ points per game and all are hurt), so 88 points may be enough to take the win tonight, but the Thunder should hopefully put up more than that.

The Thunder have a lot to play for tonight, so hopefully they won't show up weary from Wednesday night's fast-paced game.  Now is a great time to build up some wins with many of our cohorts at the bottom of the NBA on the schedule for the next couple of weeks.  Tonight's game should give the Thunder their second "two wins in a row" stretch in as many weeks.  I see this one going down 98-85 in favor of OKC.

On the same night Blake Griffin destroyed Nebraska, Oklahoma City's current power forward made a strong statement. Jeff Green banked in a last-second shot, sending the Thunder to a wild win over Golden State.

OKC scored a season high 122 points, but it was Green who turned Coach Brooks into a genius with a first-time final play. Russell Westbrook found the wide-open Green anxious for the ball, and the second year pro didn't disappoint. While playing the Warriors' faster tempo, the Thunder held a halftime lead before looking lost in the third quarter.

Then Green took over, showing all aspects of his game in the fourth. He scored a team-high nine points, set up Kyle Weaver's 3-pointer to open the quarter, and helped his club overcome a seven-point deficit on the road. The game-winner was the first of Green's career, and it ensured OKC of not breaking the NBA record for losses in a season.

Golden State became the Thunder's third road victim, and it took a total team effort for victory number nine. Only Westbrook, OKC's fastest player, looked comfortable in the first half, as he scored 20 points and kept his team on top. Kevin Durant poured in nine third quarter points, single-handedly keeping the contest close for Green's heroics.

Nick Collison and Nenad Krstic handled the job inside, and the Thunder again won the rebounding battle. It was a great way to start out the road trip and was the third win in OKC's last four games. Now the only thing left is to finally get out of the league's cellar.

The Clippers will try to keep the Thunder from leaving Los Angeles with another road victory and one that would put LA on the bottom of the Western Conference standings. Both are trying to help Washington take the lead in the Griffin lottery, as the battle for the Oklahoma big man heats up entering the last week of January.

Something tells me Green would like nothing more than to send the Sooner star outside the state to begin his pro career. With a few more wins, OKC won't be looking for another power forward, only a lucky bounce to stay in the Draft's top 3. 

The Thunder head into Oakland tonight with one goal in mind: to prevent the Warriors from achieving "streak" status much like the Heat did to OKC three days ago. In addition, now is a good time to make another run at a streak of our own as our next four games (including tonight's) are against teams with losing records: Warriors, Clippers, Nets, and Grizzlies.

The Thunder are 5-5 over their past ten games, and that's quite the feat for a team with an 8-34 record. With the weak schedule and the team starting to get hot, OKC may finally be able to shed the banner of NBA's worst record. All that starts tonight against the Warriors. Tonight's game is going to require that the Thunder do something that they've only done once in the past four games: break (and probably) demolish the 100 point barrier. The last time the Warriors scored less than 100 points was December 26 against the Celtics when they scored 99 so it still would have taken triple digits to beat them.

Both teams are very similar statistically. Both are averaging 45% from the field on the season. They both hit about 36% of their three pointers. 76% of free throws are made. And 42.6 rebounds are grabbed by each team per game. The big difference between the two teams has been shots per game: the Warriors average 5 additional shots from the field, 8 additional attempts from beyond the arc, as well as 5 additional free throws. This results in the Warriors averaging 107 points per game while the Thunder average 95.

Unfortunately, the Thunder are unlikely to control the tempo and will have to play the Warriors' style of game. Fortunately, while the two teams average an equal number of rebounds per game, OKC tends to out-rebound their opponents while Golden State averages losing the rebounding war by 5. This should play into the Thunder's favor and should hopefully allow them to make up for a deficit created by the additional 3's hit by the Warriors.

No preview would be complete without mentioning that the two teams have already met twice this year with both of those contests occurring in Oklahoma City.  The Warriors won the first 112-102 while the Thunder took the second 107-100.  Looks for tonight's game to fall in the same range with the Thunder winning 113-108.

The reason I chose not to dwell on the most recent game was due to the way the Thunder played. Oklahoma City made a little ground up in the fourth against Miami, but the Heat were rarely challenged. And this is disturbing for two reasons.

First, Miami had been on the road almost two weeks (seven straight games) and were banged up along the way. They were coming off a tough loss the night before in Houston, and OKC was rested. Everything was lining up the Thunder's way, and that was ultimately the problem.

Kevin Durant's comments after the game about not playing as hard as the Heat did lead to my second thought. One thing Coach Brooks has brought to the club is a toughness, a never say die attitude from his playing days in the NBA. It has allowed OKC to not get down even in the midst of some very tough losses.

Now the same needs to be said as the Thunder start turning things around. The Miami game was there for the taking, and those opportunities do not happen very often. No matter how the season ends, this franchise has to remember where it came from and not forget what that means.

I came up with five key points to keep in mind as the final 2+ months play out, and they should set the tone for the years to come.

Lucky 13

No one predicted OKC to have a good first season. Most thought by December that getting to double digit victories was wishful thinking. Now the goal has to be higher after the recent stretch of success, and I count 13 more wins as the top-end of the spectrum.

Last year's 20-win club sets the bar, and I feel that can be beaten if everything falls into place.

Perfect Placement

The Thunder may be a work in progress, but they hold all the cards in the potential category. Point guard and center no longer need filled, and the two star sophs will decide which way OKC goes in the draft and free agent markets. Adding to the excitement, Durant and Jeff Green both play multiple positions well. Now the only thing left is to find out which spot each should hold for the 09-10 season.

Durant is a better defensive small forward, and his offense has excelled since the move to the three. He has the range to play inside or out, with rebounding and blocks also in the arsenal. Unless something drastic happens, Durant is a future All-Star forward and possible MVP candidate who will only get better.

While there are still question marks about Green's overall game, his play from the power forward spot has not disappointed. The defensive lapses will be fixed as he gets stronger, and Green brings an outside shooting touch most big men do not possess.

But the big unknown is whether he can handle the pounding of being a four in the NBA for an entire season. My gut tells me the rest of this season will be devoted to that very thought as Blake Griffin looms on the horizon. The Thunder also lack a scoring punch from a sixth-man, something Green may be better suited for as a long-term role.

Let's Make a Deal

Green's move to power forward and Russell Westbrook's promotion to the starting line-up pushed two veterans to the bench. Earl Watson has already been rumored in trades, and Chris Wilcox can't be far behind. Both are healthy and offer options for teams not wanting to take a chance giving up a lot in return.

OKC has enough draft picks, but they could always use more. I hope they are able to flip Watson, Wilcox, and possibly Joe Smith before the trade deadline for one big needed piece.

Shutdown

Really the last thing needed from the starting lineup is more scoring, as right now there aren't enough shots to go around. Desmond Mason is a credible back-up, but I want a defense-first starting guard next to Westbrook. Oh, it would't hurt if said guard could also make open 3-pointers (Bruce Bowen available?).

Mason will continue to get a chance and did get in Dwayne Wade's face last time out. But D-Wade also dropped 32 on the Thunder, so obviously it is still a work in progress. Nenad Krstic brought another defensive presence to the team, and GM Sam Presti is one rabbit away from giving OKC a fighting chance every night out.

Last Puzzle Piece

If a trade does happen, it should open up an opportunity for the other rookie on the roster. No, not Kyle Weaver. He has proven to be valuable but still needs more time to get his footing in the league. I want to see bruiser D.J. White, who makes most of the other front cout players expendable when healthy.

White can fill a definite need, and future decisions can be easier with him in the fold. But first he has to get on the court, something that should be happening before March.

Cooled off by the Heat, Oklahoma City has reached the half-way point in the season. The Thunder's momentum is as high as it has been, and that makes it a good time to re-visit my hope list. Looking back on the first part, a lot has happened in the two months since its posting.

In honor of OKC's eight victories so far, here are my impressions on my initial list. Tomorrow I will be back with an updated look at the last half of the Thunder's inaugural season.

1. (# 2, # 4, # 6) -- The Big 3 are all young and all still learning the ropes on the fly. Durant has made the most progress since November, although Green and Westbrook aren't far behind.

2. (# 3, # 7, # 8) -- While the cap space and high draft pick are still in place, Smith's injuries have kept him from being on the trade radar. Something tells me he will still be moved by season's end.

3. (# 1, # 9) -- Miami's ten-point victory knocked the Thunder back a little, but Dwayne Wade proved that OKC has plenty of work to do on the defensive end. The home crowd has backed the team with the good and the bad moments, leading to a hopeful finish to year one.

4. (# 12, # 15) -- Still looking for a shooter, GM Presti leads the pack as being on top of his game with potential deals. A big man was brought in before the draft, and the club has benefitted with Krstic's presence inside. More trades may be on the horizon, but the future is bright in Oklahoma.

5. (# 17, # 19) -- Speaking of the Sooner state, Blake Griffin remains at the top of everyone's draft board, and he would look awfully good next to Durant and Co. But I am under the impression that the Thunder don't want to leave that open to chance.

6. (# 11) -- OKC needs a scoring guard and having three first-round draft picks may be the solution. If that isn't the case, trading for an established sharpshooter like Michael Redd might be just the answer.

7. (# 20) -- Collison's role isn't defined for the future, but he has been a big reason for the recent stretch of quality games. He can be effective as a starter or off the bench, something a young squad like the Thunder needs out of a veteran.

8. (# 21) -- No word yet on the potential mascot, but good news is on the way. Sources say Coach Brooks will be given the job full time at season's end, in my mind the correct move. He has gotten the team to play with energy again, and the results speak for themselves.  

The Thunder have an opportunity to achieve their first win streak in Oklahoma City if everything goes according to plan tonight against the Miami Heat.  A win against the Heat is by no means a given (more of an upset actually), but the way the Thunder have been playing as of late, most games can now be considered possible wins.

The Heat are coming off of a loss last night in Houston where they were on the wrong end of a perfect performance from the field by Yao Ming.  The Heat are averaging 96.8 points per game and give up the same so expect both teams to finish with close to 100 points.  The Heat tend to get outrebounded by their opponents whereas the Thunder tend to lead in rebounds so look for OKC to have the advantage when it comes to boards.  If the Thunder take advantage of second chance opportunities and keep Dwayne Wade in check (30 points is ok, 40+ is not), then this should be the win that makes this a streak.

Or in the case of the Detroit Pistons, a fourth quarter they would soon like to forget. Kevin Durant scored at will, and Oklahoma City pulled away for an 89-79 payback victory. The Thunder notched their second win in a row and fourth of January, matching the total of the first two months combined.

OKC used an overpowering rebound advantage and more free throw chances to dismantle Detroit. The veteran Pistons squad was only down four entering the final quarter, but they managed only 12 points in a lopsided effort. Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook made only four of 26 shot attempts, but Durant did the rest.

He poured in 32 points and was able to abuse anyone Detroit put in front of him. Making a strong case for an All-Star bid, Durant's game enabled reserve Chris Wilcox to re-introduce himself to the home fans. Wilcox filled in for an ailing Nick Collison and took full advantage of the opportunity.

Wilcox may and may not end the season with the Thunder, but he was a huge reason the Pistons went home unhappy. While Detroit's big men were in foul trouble, Wilcox picked up the slack with 17 points and 11 rebounds. A prospective team may have taken notice as well, since there isn't room for both Wilcox and Collison.

Tomorrow's contest will be the toughest of the three home games, with superstar Dwayne Wade coming to town. OKC is playing as well as they have all year, and it is time to see just how good the new and improved Thunder are. 

The Detroit Pistons come to Oklahoma City tonight currently in the midst of a three game losing streak.  The Thunder notched their biggest win of the season on Wednesday with an impressive defeat of the Utah Jazz and are looking to make it two in a row.  The Jazz win was the first against a club with a winning record, and the Thunder squad is eager to increase that count to two.

This will be the second, and final, meeting between the teams this season.  The Pistons won the first off of an Allen Iverson basket with 0.2 seconds left to end the game 90-88.  It was a disheartening loss for the Thunder who had rallied back from being 14 down in the middle of the fourth quarter (that lead was created almost entirely in the fourth).  AI scored 14 points in that final quarter and led his team to victory.

Tonight's game is payback, and it's time to get revenge for the wicked loss we suffered in Detroit.  This game will likely be close throughout.  The Pistons average 94.0 points per game and give up 93.7, so don't be expecting either team to break triple digits.  If the Thunder keep it close through the first three quarters and contain AI and Detroit in the fourth, I expect this one to end up right around 96-89 in OKC's favor.

It is safe to say that Oklahoma City has figured it out. Coach Scott Brooks has the Thunder cruising on all levels, as the Jazz found out last night. Utah picked a bad time to be struggling on the road, and OKC notched its first win of the year over a team with a winning record.

The 114-93 beat down of a playoff club figures to give the Thunder plenty of momentum for the last half of this month. It also further signals that Brooks is the right man for the job and deserves the job on a permanent basis. Carbert was dead on with his preview, and OKC used another strong start to finish off the Jazz.

All five startes got in the act early and often, building as much as a ten-point cushion. Utah used a 9-0 run to get back in the game, but Earl Watson and Nenad Krstic provided a scoring punch off the bench for the Thunder. Both finished in double figures and much of the damage came in the crucial second quarter.

Leading at the half, the usually troublesome third belonged to OKC. There was no attempt at a comeback for the Jazz, who fell behind by 15 points and managed only to stay that close by the play of Deron Williams. The All-Star point guard finished with nine points in the quarter, but he was no answer for the balanced Thunder attack.

Seven players scored eight or more points, and the home team controlled every aspect of the contest. Krstic and Nick Collison combined for 22 rebounds, only four less than Utah grabbed all night. Jeff Green led the way with 23 points, and Russell Westbrook had 22 to go with only one turnover.

The key was keeping the Jazz one step behind, even as Kevin Durant was struggling with his shot. Durant no longer has to do it all by himself, and OKC can expect a newfound respect in the upcoming future. The Thunder have a chance to avenge one of the tougher losses this season, as Detroit makes the trip to the Ford Center tomorrow.

Durant and Co. will be ready after showing the NBA the future is very bright any way you look at it in Oklahoma City. 

The Utah Jazz arrive in Oklahoma City tonight riding a four game win streak.  Could also be called a four game <i>home</i> win streak as all of those games were played in Utah.  The Jazz have lost their last four road games against the Bulls, Bucks, Rockets, and Lakers.  Tonight's game is the first in a three game road run for the Jazz and breaking that funk will be key to having a successful week.

Standing in their way is the Thunder.  OKC has played two overtime games in a row, but had a day of rest after each of them and therefore shouldn't be feeling any ill effects.  The month of January has been the best one yet for the team, and look for them to continue that with a strong performance tonight.

The Jazz and Thunder met back in November, and OKC got routed in the first half before coming back to lose by 7 in the second half.  Carlos Boozer led the Jazz in scoring that game with 21.  He's out for tonight's game, but the Jazz provided a pretty balanced attack back then so his loss won't be enough to turn the tide in favor of the Thunder.

For the Thunder to win tonight a couple of things are going to have to happen.  First and foremost, they're going to have to keep this one close in the first half.  OKC's shown the ability to come back from deficits, but we don't win when we do.  Second, Jeff Green needs to get back on track.  He's averaging less than 25% from the field over the past two games, and that's just not going to cut it.  The Durant-Green tandem doesn't work when it's just Durant.

Predicting the future comes in two varieties. First is the 'gee, I wish that would happen' and then there is the more common 'why did I say that' type. My title of this post falls squarely in the second category. As for the Nets game and any more premonitions, keep reading.

Before I congratulate New Jersey rookie Brook Lopez on his career-high night, my thoughts are on the first category of predictions. Oklahoma sophomore Blake Grffin deserves to remain in the state at the pro level, but that rarely works out. Tim Duncan, Greg Oden, and the Thunder's own Kevin Durant were supposed to fall somewhere else on draft night. My only point is that I am going to be careful about calling Griffin a future Oklahoma City star.

This is all because I was silly enough to think an overtime win against Chicago was a sign. Now that the Thunder have learned to play competitive on the road, there is absolutely no way they will fall under nine wins. Take that estimate to the bank because the way OKC has been playing, they may even finish ahead of a few teams when the regular season ends in April.

And if that happens, Griffin may be calling LA or Washington home next year. (Bad sign #1) 

NJ welcomed the newly motivated Thunder last night and played bad in the first half. There is really no other way to describe it, and OKC took advantage to the tune of a seven-point halftime advantage. From there Lopez and the Nets played rude hosts, using a 16-0 run in the third quarter to take control of the game.

Sure, the contest was in doubt and could have gone either way, but the basketball gods are trying to give the Thunder a way out in the Griffin sweepstakes. On the same night the OU Sooners were dismantling Texas, a botched call at the end of the fourth almost cost New Jersey the win. (Bad sign #2)

Nets' coach Lawrence Frank called a timeout before Vince Carter drained a 3-pointer, negating the potential winning shot. NJ failed to score and OKC didn't even get a shot off to end regulation. The Thunder has a missing piece, and it showed up in the extra session.

Where Lopez is finding his groove inside, former Net Nenad Krstic is still getting settled. OKC could use a wide body who is not afraid of contact, and Jeff Green is not that type of player. Griffin has been called the perfect close-game situation athlete because he will take the foul and go to the free throw line.

If anybody up there is listening, please allow the Thunder to win the ping-pong ball battle.

In the end NJ pulled out the 103-99 contest, keeping OKC at six wins on the year. Lopez scored 31, and point guard Devin Harris' return provided a spark for the Nets. Durant led the Thunder with 26, but the real story of the night happened in his hometown. (Bad sign #3)

Washington couldn't hold onto a fourth-quarter lead and lost for the fifth straight time, keeping the Wizards one victory ahead of the Thunder. But both clubs should be paying attention to the other coast, where the Clippers haven't won this month. LA has dropped 12 of 13, and they currently sit at eight in the win column.

While I understand the NBA is about winning, my focus for the next couple of months will be two-fold. OKC needs to keep improving as a team, and how much they get better will determine what kind of luck they need in the lottery. Griffin only isn't chosen first if he gets hurt, and a team like the Thunder may very well pick him there anyway.

Other teams will be getting more attention too. It shapes up to be a wild ride, and I can't say how this one will end.

Tonight the Thunder head into New Jersey to take on the Nets. Tonight's game is the start of an interesting stretch for OKC where we won't be playing any back-to-back games for a month, so hopefully we won't have to deal with any uninspired performances (see Timberwolves game from Wednesday) for quite a while.

Tonight's game will mark the return of Nenad Krstic to New Jersey although this time as a member of the opposing squad instead as a Net. Will be interesting to see how he does against his former team.

The Nets will be without Yi Jianlian and possibly Devin Harris ... their third and top scorers respectively. If Harris plays, it will probably be in a more limited role. Their absenses should be enough to allow the Thunder to keep the game close. If that is the case, then OKC will have a great chance to bring their January record back to even (3-3).

Oklahoma City is out to set records, but don't mention getting past nine wins. All of that talk should now take care of itself after the string of games to begin 2009. The Thunder won in impressive fashion for only the second time on the road, and the 109-98 overtime victory brings the season total to six.

Auditioning players in a new lineup, OKC held a small lead throughout against the Bulls. But then Chicago stormed back and looked to be pulling away in the fourth quarter. For the first two months of the year, a deficit down the stretch signaled game over for the Thunder, but turning the calendar to January has changed everything.

Take out the disaster at Minnesota, and the NBA's worst team record-wise is 2-2 for the month. One or both of the losses could have been OKC wins as well, leaving the league to wonder just where this group gets its motivation. Look no further than Scott Brooks and Kevin Durant, who make the answers easy to see.

Brooks has the Thunder playing more than just competitive basketball, and he deserves the job full-time. The players respect him on a different level since he has played on the highest stage, a factor that should not be overlooked. Kevin McHale has turned things around for the T-Wolves, and his credibility as a player is a big reason why.

On the same note, Durant has raised his game to a new level under Brooks' guidance. The move to small forward benefits Durant, and his numbers speak for themselves. He is also one of the few stars that embraces his role as Number 1 player, much like Dwayne Wade and LeBron James.

Durant isn't quite on their level, but he did take a big step in that direction with two completely opposite gestures. After failing to tie the score against Houston on Friday, Durant owned up and took responsibility for the loss. Then he came out and proved why he is worthy of an All-Star bid by lighting up Chicago for a game-high 28 points. 

Since the move to small forward, Durant added rebounding to his arsenal in a big way. The last three OKC wins have all been double-doubles for the Thunder's best player, and Durant is only getting stronger in his second pro season. Teams will have to start respecting more than just his scoring if they want to contain one of the NBA's best young players.

But the greatest thing about Durant has nothing to do with his points, rebounds, or 3-pointers. He is an unselfish star, willing to let his teammates carry their share of the load as well. Nick Collison saw that against the Bulls, scoring a season-high 21 with key points coming in the fourth and overtime. He and Durant had the hot hand, with the rest of the startes combining to shoot only 11-47 from the floor.

Now the only question will be if Collison gets to keep playing along with Durant for much longer. The Chicago game had both Collison and Earl Watson starting, and each is rumored to be on the trading block. A few more contests like this, and OKC will have no problem finding suitors for the power forward.

Watson played more minutes against the Bulls than he had all season, further adding to the speculation. The former starting point guard also dished out 11 assists with only one turnover, a percentage any club wants desperately to add. The addition of Chucky Atkins makes Watson an available commodity for the right price, and the cost is rising each time out.

The Thunder have matched their win total for the months of November and December after only five games. The motivation is there to put together the franchise's first winning streak, and GM Sam Presti has put the word out that the trading window is open for business.

Maybe Chicago saw something they liked and would be willing to deal disgruntled guard Larry Hughes. He would slide nicely into the starting lineup, easing more of the pressure off Durant and Co. Another veteran scorer is just what OKC needs, and the next few weeks should provide a clear view of the future plans.

If nothing else it will be fun to watch as the Thunder look to pull the upset every night and give the underdog one more reason to smile.

...and Thunder games.

This is the world Oklahoma City fans live in, and Houston provided another example last night. Streaking out to a big halftime lead, the Rockets never gave up that advantage in securing a 98-96 road victory.

My preview must have struck a nerve. Tracy McGrady decided that neglecting to mention him was a big mistake, and OKC didn't have an answer down the stretch. Every time the Thunder would make a play, McGrady delivered one way or another.

He hit two clinching free throws in the last ten seconds, but it was his two steals and two rebounds in the final quarter that sealed the deal for Houston. Oh, and that huge 3-pointer didn't hurt the Rockets much, either.

With four mintues to play, Russell Westbrook brought the home team within one point, but McGrady sank the triple to put the lead back at four. While Westbrook was able to get the Thunder even two more times with his aggresiveness, Houston used experience and better ball-handling to sweep the season series with OKC.

With a very young squad, Coach Scott Brooks has many difficult tasks in front of him. None are bigger than trying to get the team to play hard on the road, and this is especially true in back-to-back contests.

Chicago, on the other hand, gets to stay at home and is coming off of a victory. All signs point to another OKC road disaster, but Kevin Durant will have something to say about that. He was moved back to the shooting guard spot with Desmond Mason injured and paced the Thunder with 27 points friday.

Durant and Jeff Green are important against the Bulls, but it may be the play inside that decides the outcome. Nenad Krstic played more in his second appearance, notching 10 points while Nick Collison again found himself in the starting lineup. Both players need to slow down the Chicago big men while getting involved offensively.

It is also a potential rookie showdown, as Westbrook gets his first crack at number one pick Derrick Rose. Both players can take over the game at any point, and the fans should be in for a treat. The Bulls are also my pick to obtain OKC's Joe Smith, and they have a few shooting guard options that are possibilities.

No matter what the outcome, the Thunder have proven to be a stubborn opponent, and this needs to continue tonight in Chicago.

Things could be worse...tonight's game could be in Houston. As far as anything good coming out of the T-Wolves game, well, how about before it? GM Sam Presti pulled another rabbit out of his hat, dealing from strength to make Oklahoma City a more complete team.

And in the process, the Thunder improved the present and the future of the franchise.

Johan Petro, OKC's starting center this season, used an impressive preseason to turn some heads around the league. Unfortunately for his career, the Thunder didn't have time for him to develop and opted for vetern Nenad Krstic instead. With Nick Collison again in the rotation and Robert Swift playing ahead of him, Petro was the odd man out.

Enter the Denver Nuggets, who had the exact opposite problem. Chucky Atkins was a former starting point guard who was deep on the bench in Colorado. Sounds like a match made in heaven, except this story gets even better. OKC also grabbed a first round pick in exchange for a second in the deal, giving the club three for the upcoming draft.

Atkins gives the Thunder another shooter and becomes the grand old man of the roster. He also potentially opens the door for more trades before the upcoming deadline. All of this probably means nothing to the Rockets, except who to cover at the Ford Center.

A well traveled veteran, Atkins has worn multiple numbers in the NBA and maybe can hide from Houston tonight. I really hope that is not the most exciting thing to happen, unless he makes four or five 3-pointers in his OKC debut. Nonetheless it is progress for the Thunder, who continue to find diamonds in the rough so to speak.

Kevin Durant and Jeff Green need to recover from the terrible Minnesota game if the home team has any chance for the sixth win. As carbert pointed out to me, the curse of the Celtics may be our best hope. The Rockets knocked off Boston in impressive fashion their last time out, much like the Knicks did before coming to Oklahoma.

Can lightning strike twice? Only if the Thunder bring the defense back and keep the game in the 90's. That is the only way OKC can hit the road with any momentum and put the recent tough losses behind them.

Yesterday, the Oklahoma City Thunder visited the Minnesota Timberwolves feeling good about the direction they were headed after notching their biggest win of the season the day before against the New York Knicks.  Unfortunately they appeared to be more like tourists than basketball players and got absolutely manhandled by the T-wolves.  All of the momentum, and then some, from the big win are long gone.

Sound familiar?  It should.  It's a near repeat of what OKC did to the Knicks on Monday night.  Sure we didn't beat them as badly and the Knick's win over Boston was bigger than ours over them, but the losses were both equally embarrassing and motivation killers.

There are a few interesting notes from the game.  Nick Collision was the Thunder's leading scoring with 17 points.  Russell Westbrook was second with 16 and added 12 assists to make it a double-double.  Nenad Krstic made his debut for OKC scoring 6 points off of 3 for 8 shooting in about 15 minutes of game time.  On the not so good side, both Kevin Durant and Jeff Green were held to under 10 points marking the first time that Durant didn't score in double digits all season.  The Thunder as a team shot an abysmal 39.8% from the field and were out-rebounded by almost 20.  We won't win any games with performances like that.

Defeating the Knicks was without a doubt the game of the year for Oklahoma City. Of course if we are talking about 2009 then there is a very small sample size to pick from but you get the point. The Thunder did everything right and very little wrong in the 107-99 New York dismantling.

The last-second loss to Denver is just a distant memory now as OKC played a complete game without the normal fourth quarter meltdown. That doesn't mean things were smooth, but the home team is riding high after an emotional four game stretch.

Kevin Durant again saved his club in the fourth, pouring home six points in the final eight minutes after NY had trimmed the deficit to two. Jeff Green picked up the scoring slack by matching Durant's game-high 27 and knocking down three triples in the process.

Adding a spark inside, Joe Smith made what could be one of his final Thunder appearances. New center Nenad Krstic was cleared to play but didn't see action against the Knicks. Smith hadn't played since Dec. 27, but he contributed key minutes in the fifth OKC victory. 

Not to take the possible trade momentum away from Smith, but tonight marks possibly the most important test for the Thunder. Fellow member of the under ten-win club, Minnesota, welcomes OKC in what could be considered a future-stars contest.

The Timberwolves are winners of three straight and have righted the ship recently. They return home after winning two road games, more than the Thunder have all season. Breaking the series tie will come down to two factors, both residing in the backcourt. 

Russell Westbrook will be tested to live up to his potential Rookie of the Year status, as the T-Wolves present match-up problems. Minnesota's point guard, Randy Foye, struggled to find his shot in the previous contests, but he has been a catalyst during the current streak. Westbrook has to provide tough defense, or the game could get ugly in a hurry.

Desmond Mason exploded in the first half against the Knicks, and he will be called upon to add that from his shooting guard role. I have been advocating a trade (see Smith to Chicago) for a shooter, but Mason could very well be the answer. Another strong statement tonight goes a very long way to silencing the critics and giving OKC two wins in a row for the first time. 

Had to celebrate this blog's highlight with an in-game update. As carbert and I turn the page on the century mark for A.T.L. -- Oklahoma City was busy putting together the best first half in franchise history. The Thunder picked up the pace early and often on their way to leading by a dozen going into quarter number two.

After New York briefly trimmed the lead, OKC used four double-digit scorers to increase the margin heading into halftime. The Thunder shot almost 60 percent from the floor and held the Knicks' potent offense to 50, definitely a good sign.

Now the home team needs to slam the door and help NY forget all about that win over Boston. Go get em boys!

The New York Knicks arrive in Oklahoma City tonight riding an emotional high after notching their biggest win of the season Sunday against the Celtics.  The Knicks manhandled the defending champions in the third quarter and controlled the game and the lead all throughout the fourth.

The Thunder, on the other hand, are coming off of a disheartening last second loss to the Denver Nuggets.  OKC has lost three games in the last second so far this season (Minnesota, Detroit, and now Denver) and that trend is starting to get old.  But on some levels (most, actually), it's better than getting blown out like they were at the beginning of the season.

This will be the second meeting between the teams this season with the Knicks taking the first 116-106.  The Knicks held a 24 point lead at half, but the Thunder came roaring back in the second half and closed the gap to 8 before finally losing by 10.  That first half was pretty atrocious for Oklahoma City and preventing a reoccurrence of that tonight will be key to stealing this victory.

The key to not getting blown out will be keeping up with the Knicks more so than trying to stop them.  New York has a high-powered offense that currently tied for fourth in the NBA for average points per game at 104.1 (OKC in comparison averages 94.4).  However, they give up the second most points per game in the NBA at 107.2 (the Thunder are 6th at 102.8).  This game is going to be a point-fest with both teams easily breaking into the triple digits and the winner will likely have over 110.  The Thunder scored a season high 120 points in their last contest and have been scoring over 100 on a much more frequent basis than prior to the first game against the Knicks (the loss to New York was OKC's first game over 100).

The Knicks may be riding high now, but if they aren't on top of their game tonight, they may be about to hit rock bottom by following up their defeat of the reigning champions with a loss to the team with the worst record.

Nostrodomus, I am not.  Back in October, I projected that the Thunder would end the season with 27 wins.  At this point, our boys would have to go 23-25 to reach that mark.  As much as I'd love to see that happen, even with the addition of Nenad Krstic, I just can't see that happening.  With 48 games to go, I definitely can see the Thunder finding a way to win a third of them finishing the year at 20-62 (otherwise known as the same record the club had last year).

With Krstic filling a "gaping" hole at the center position once he officially joins the team (at a date unknown at this point), OKC should be able to turn the tide and start winning a number of the close games that they're currently losing.  Winning games this year really isn't the selling point of the Krstic signing but rather the fact that now the Thunder can build around the "core four" rather than the "core three".  In addition, some of the veteran players are now more easily expendable in trades aimed at building for the future.

The move to place Russell Westbrook as the starting point guard has paid off for the Thunder, and the rookie has been named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for December. Westbrook's play continues to be quite inconsistent, but he's definitely showing signs that he will be one of the team's anchors in years to come.

The Thunder have a good chance (ok, good may be an overstatement) to get their first 2 game win streak this week with back-to-back games against the Knicks and the Timberwolves and maybe even finish the week 3-1 with a game on Saturday against the Bulls (Friday night's game against the Rockets will be the most challenging one of the week).

I got my hopes up for nothing...

For one of the few times this season, I let emotion get in the way of the facts. It was going to happen sooner or later, so I better just deal with it. And it was a heck of a game no matter what the scoreboard said at the end.

Oklahoma CIty put together a complete contest against one of the better NBA teams but still managed to come away with a loss, number 30 on the year. Kevin Durant's seven points in the final minute should be the story of the night. But the Thunder are finding being the new kid on the block is tough to say the least.

Denver's Carmelo Anthony silenced the crowd and won his head-to-head battle royal with Durant in the final second. His three-pointer gave the Nuggets a 122-120 victory but could set the stage for future fireworks. The Western Conference is looking for a premier match-up, and KD-Melo could be just the ticket for years to come.

First things first, however. OKC roared back after trailing much of the first half thanks to a record 38-point second quarter. Earl Watson reminded the fans of his presence, sparking the Thunder to a season-high tally of 64 on their way to back-to-back wi...

Not so fast Thor-ites. Denver also has a big three, and they own the experience level to date. Nene inside, Chauncey Billups outside, and Anthony everywhere else proved to be hard to keep down in the second half. The Nuggets still trailed heading into the fourth, but the tone was set well before the final minutes.

The Thunder have not found a way to close out opponents, an extremely frustrating thing to watch week after week. Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook must be feeling the same thing because they refused to let the team crumble after giving up the lead. OKC as a whole had their best shooting night to date, but Denver still had one trick left.

They took Durant's triple with 2.7 ticks in stride and scored the knock-out blow while leaving the building. It is the third time already that the Thunder have lost without having a chance to respond. A hard lesson was learned, but Durant and Co. will be ready and hungry for a re-match against the Division leaders.

Tonight the Thunder will take on the Northwest Division leading Denver Nuggets. OKC is currently 17 games behind the Nuggets in the standings and winning tonight will go a long way towards ... well, absolutely nothing. Pride perhaps. It would be nice to have our first two game winning streak of the season.

December was a so-so month for Denver as they finished the month 9-6 which was a lower winning percentage (60%) than they had going into the month (67%). They won all of the games against opponents currently with records below .500 but only won 2 of 7 against good opponents. This, of couse, would be a better sign for the Thunder if we had a winning record.

The Thunder are coming off of a win against Golden State where Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Chris Wilcox all had big games. If Oklahoma City can get similiar performances out of those three and Russell Westbrook steps it up, the Nuggets could be in for a long trip home to Denver.

A night after Minnesota failed to gain a four-game cushion over Oklahoma City in the standings, the Thunder ended the 2008 portion of the year on a very high note. Three players notched over 20 points, and OKC used a huge third-quarter push to defeat Golden State.

The Warriors jumped out ahead in the opening quarter and were leading at the half. Then the Thunder took over, holding the visitors to 15 points while pouring in 27 during the crucial third. Coach Brooks has been consistent in his approach, and it paid off during the last 12 minutes of play.

OKC withstood multiple Golden State flurries and came out ahead for the fourth time this season. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, watched as Dallas made another huge comeback on Tuesday night. Much like the Mavs did to the Thunder, Dirk Nowitzki carried his team to victory and kept Minnesota at six wins.

In both games the scores were 107-100, emphasizing how close the race should be the rest of the season. The Thunder need to catch a few breaks and keep the T-Wolves within view. This goal of catching and passing a Division rival takes a burden off the players, who are tired of losing. More importantly every victory takes away the talk of breaking the all-time loss record.

Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Chris Wilcox dominated the action on New Years' Eve, and any OKC combination of three playing well together is starting to make some noise. Add in new addition Nenad Krstic, and the Thunder look that much different to the rest of the NBA. A few more games like this one, and no squad will come to the Ford Center with smiling faces.