Jenni Carlson » NBA

More from The Q&A: Jeff Green

jennicarlson — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:01:32 +0000

Even though Jeff Green might have a Thunder super fan — a guy in a No. 22 jersey and a green spandex suit covering him from head to toe was spotted recently — the title of original Jeff Green super fan was long ago taken.

Jenni Carlson: When you were at Georgetown, your mom was not only your biggest fan but also was a super fan.

Jeff Green: She’s a bigger star than me. She had her own chant.

JC: Her own chant?

JG: She walked in, they started screaming, “Jeff Green’s mom,” until she stood up and waved and then they stopped.

JC: Nice.

JG: I hated it.

JC: What? Why?

JG: It’d be, like, during the game or during a timeout and you’d just hear, “Jeff Green’s mom!” And she’d be on the jumbo tron. I’ve got to sit there and wait until it’s done.

JC: Your mom was a bigger attraction that you were.

JG: Still is, actually. She goes to all the Georgetown games. She still gets the same type of ovation.

JC: OK, I want you to finish these sentences. This team’s start to the season is …

JG: An improvement from last year. We’re playing a lot harder, a lot better, a lot more together. We’re playing defense.

JC: Scott Brooks’ practices are …

JG: Intense. That’s it.

JC: Kevin Durant is …

JG: Tall. (Laughs.)

JC: All right, funny man.

JG: An All-Star. He’s very talented. He works hard. Just a great player.

JC: This team’s personality is …

JG: We’re very down to earth. A lot of people say that. You see what we’ve put on Twitter and how we respond to a lot of the fans. A lot of people really appreciate that. A lot of athletes don’t do that. I think it is true. I think we’re the team that tweets the most throughout the whole league.

JC: The team’s comedian is …

JG: James.

JC: More than you?

JG: More than me. I’m not really a comedian.

JC: We hear you’re a funny guy.

JG: Nah, it’s James.

JC: The team’s best dressed is …

JG: Me. (Snickers.)

JC: I knew that was coming. OK, the team’s hardest worker is …

JG: The Thunder. There’s no one person. Everybody works hard.

More from The Q&A: Rumble the Bison

jennicarlson — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:01:29 +0000

Lots of fun questions for Rumble the Bison.

Lots of fun answers from the Thunder mascot.

Check out what the big fellow has to say about this year’s team and more:

Jenni Carlson: I’ve got to ask you about your team. Are these guys going to make the playoffs this year?

Rumble the Bison: I am keeping my fingers crossed. If there’s anything I can do to support the team to get there, I’m going to do it.

JC: Better dunker — you or K.D.?

RTB: Oh, K.D. No question.

JC: You guys trading any secrets?

RTB: He’s been helping me a little over the summer when he had some free time. He’s a league above me.

JC: Are you worried about any of these guys taking the title of fan favorite from you?

RTB: You know, there’s a lot of good characters on our team. Almost all of them could have that possibility to take over, but people just love an animal, so I don’t know.

JC: I’ve got to ask about your off-season. This time of year, everyone talks about what the team did to get ready for the season. What about you? What did you do to get ready for the season?

RTB: I stayed very busy this summer being out in the community. We’ve been to a number of schools, community events, parades, you name it. If you’ve seen me at these events, I’m basically doing aerobics for an hour, two hours, however long I’m at the event. On top of that, I’ve been in the gym working on my dunks and have been developing a new dunk team which will debut sometime early in the season.

JC: Someone wanted me to ask you if you’ve thought about naming your signature dunk “The Rumble Tumble.” Any chance that could happen?

RTB: That might be something fun for our announcer Jim to throw in there. I’ll leave that up to him. He’s the expert with the calls.

JC: This season opener next week will be your first. You obviously had your debut mid-season last season, but is there a different excitement for the season opener?

RTB: Absolutely. Last year when I was unveiled, it felt like opening night, but this being a true opening night, it’s just something special. Everything from top to bottom is fresh and exciting. I can’t wait.

JC: It’s opening week next week, but it’s also Halloween week. What does Rumble dress up like on Halloween?

RTB: I have a closet full of costumes. It’s hard to pick which one. I’ve got anything from a pumpkin to a giant dollar bill. I have a chicken costume. You name it, I’ve got it. Halloween makes it a little difficult to choose which one I want to wear.

JC: The Ford Center renovations, did that mean some new digs for you? Or would that be new stall?

RTB: They’re taking care of me well. After the lightning strike when I started walking on two feet, I got rid of the stall and all that. I moved up to the locker rooms now. They just did an amazing job, and I can’t be any more happy.

JC: I know you’re on Twitter. Are you a Twitter fanatic?

RTB: Borderline. It’s just been such a neat tool I can use when I’m out on appearances or traveling to an appearance or if I’m just sitting in the office. It’s a fun way to stay connected with our fans and to get feedback from fans.

JC: Ever any issues with your hooves using the computer keyboard?

RTB: Got that worked out. Again with the lightning strike, that changed more than the walking on two feet.

We interrupt this football season …

jennicarlson — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:37:23 +0000

Apparently, this Blake Griffin guy is pretty good.

The Los Angeles Clipper rookie is making some serious noise this preseason. Last week, he scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds in only 29 minutes against San Antonio. That prompted Spurs coach Gregg Popovich to say: “He’s a monster. He deserved to be picked where he was picked, that’s for sure.”

By the way, Popovich meant that he was a monster in a complementary way.

Check out what Griffin said about the coach’s quote.

You’ll also want to check out this dunk that happened Sunday night when the Clippers faced the in-town rival Lakers. Big Blake had his first big-time posterization since turning pro.

It has prompted his teammates to give him a new nickname: Amazin’.

I suspect DJ Mbenga would agree.

Big Blake getting a taste of Clippers Curse

jennicarlson — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:30:51 +0000

Wonder if Blake Griffin is starting to believe in this Clippers Curse idea.

The former Oklahoma standout has officially been a member of the Los Angeles Clippers for all of three months, and already he’s had not one but two injuries.

Perhaps you remember that Griffin was sidelined earlier this summer. He strained his right shoulder during a summer league game in July. He was on track to return to action when the Clippers opened training camp earlier this week.

That injury just seemed like a blip on the Clippers Curse radar. After all, the team best known for futility has had far worse incidents. Take Danny Manning, for example. The slam-dunk, No. 1 pick in the 1988 draft went to the Clippers, and 26 games into his pro career, he suffered a knee injury. He was never the same after that.

So, that shoulder could’ve been worse for Griffin.

But then last week, he was participating in an informal workout session at the team’s training facility. He had a knee-on-knee collision with teammate Craig Smith.

Smith was completely and totally unscathed.

Griffin injured his left knee, bruising his patella and leaving his patellar tendon sore.

That meant that when the Clippers opened camp Tuesday, Griffin could only watch from his elliptical machine.

Maybe we should’ve seen this coming. On draft night, after all, news about the biggest day of Griffin’s life was dwarfed in Los Angeles by the death of Michael Jackson. What should’ve been big sports news in Southern California became an afterthought.

Clippers Curse? Alive and well? Strong as ever? It sure seems that way.

There is no doubt that Blake Griffin is a strong, strapping young lad. He can carry a lot on those broad shoulders. Adjusting to the NBA and living up to expectations should be no problem for Big Blake.

This Clippers Curse might be a whole other story.

More from The Q&A: Kevin Durant

jennicarlson — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 05:01:59 +0000

Had a fun conversation with Thunder superstar Kevin Durant before the team’s last home game. As the season winds to a close, he reflected on this year and on what’s to come.

Jenni Carlson: I wonder if you could give your “best of”s for the year. I’ll throw out a few categories. Team MVP?

Kevin Durant: That’s tough. I’d have to say Russell (Westbrook). He’s been the point guard, and he’s been handling the offense very well. His stats speak for itself. He’s been playing good basketball throughout the year, and he’s gotten better and better.

JC: I should’ve told you — you can vote for yourself.

KD: Nah. I don’t think it’s me.

JC: What about best off the bench?

KD: We’ve got so many guys that come off the bench and help us. I would say Kyle Weaver. He’s been helping us out in different areas. Scoring the basketball. Passing. Playing defense.

JC: Is there an unsung hero?

KD: Nick Collison. He’s been counted on to do so much on this team — rebound the ball, play defense. He’s been one of our go-to big guys, one of our consistent big guys throughout the year. He doesn’t complain; he was in the starting lineup, then he was taken out. But he still comes and plays hard.

JC: Who’s been most improved this year?

KD: Jeff Green. He’s stepped his game up throughout the whole year. He’s been playing great basketball.

JC: Biggest surprise?

KD: Um, Kyle Weaver. In the off-season, he was a little timid. He didn’t want to be aggressive like we wanted. But as the season went along, he’s been more aggressive. We all know he can play defense, but he’s been helping us on the offensive end.

JC: Most memorable moment?

KD: I have a lot of them, but I’d have to say the one where Jeff hit the big shot against Golden State. That was a big one for us. We needed that win, and he got it for us. I’d also say when Russ dunked on Mario Chalmers. That was a good moment for me.

JC: Once the off-season starts, you’re going to take some summer school at Texas. What classes are you going to take?

KD: I don’t know yet. I’ve got to talk to my academic adviser.

JC: But you’ll actually be back on campus?

KD: I’ll be back on campus with regular students.

JC: That has to be weird.

KD: It was last year because I spent the whole year away from school. I was waking up in the summer at 5:30 to workout at 6, be done with workouts by 7:15, then head to class. It was tough, man. I wasn’t waking up that much during the season. I would wake up at 9:30 or 10 to go to practice.

JC: How many classes will you take?

KD: I’ll take two, I think. D.J. Augustine, plays for the Bobcats, he’s going to be with me, too. Last year, I was just by myself. With him there, it’s going to be a little bit easier.

JC: How far along will you be after the summer?

KD: Give me three or four more summers, and I’ll be through my sophomore year. I’ve got a long ways to go.

Another impressive stat from CP3

jennicarlson — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:01:27 +0000

The superstars in our midst have been a bit hobbled of late.

First, Blake Griffin suffered a concussion that sidelined him a week. Then, Kevin Durant twisted an ankle that could keep him out of action for a couple weeks. Both were freak injuries, Griffin taking a nearly imperceptible blow to the face, Durant coming down like he has millions of times before but this time hitting the ground awkwardly.

It doesn’t take much sometimes, even when you’re a superhero of sport.

Which brings us to Courtney Paris.

The injuries to Griffin and Durant got me thinking about the Oklahoma women’s basketball star. Paris is nearing the end of her senior season. She is a center in the rough-and-tumble Big 12. She is a stout, physical player.

And she has played every single game of her college career.

It’s pretty amazing when you think about it. Thirty-six games as a freshman. Thirty-three as a sophomore. Thirty-one as a junior. And now, 28 and counting as a senior.

That’s 128 games without a miss. As many remarkable numbers as Paris has posted in her Sooner career, none is much more impressive than that.

You know, after all, that Paris has taken a beating. She is the player that every opponent has schemed for since she stepped onto campus four years ago. She is the one that they’ve double-teamed, triple-teamed, sometimes more.

There have no doubt been times that she’s been bumped and bruised and knocked around, and still, Paris has played on.

Maybe she’s been a little lucky. Goodness knows, the injuries that Griffin and Durant suffered this past week or so were the unluckiest of breaks. There were no major collisions. There were no big hits. And still, they went down.

Lucky or not, Paris has been a Sooner stalwart. You have to think there were times that she was sore or worse. Times when she could’ve asked to sit out. Times most players would’ve done just that.

Still, that never happened.

As her Sooner career comes to a close, Courtney Paris will no doubt be remembered and celebrated for many things. That she missed no games is a testament to her toughness and her fortitude. That, too, should be appreciated.

Worst thing about the Chandler mess

jennicarlson — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:54:26 +0000

My heart goes out to Tyson Chandler.

Not because he’s not coming back to Oklahoma City. Sure, that came as bad news late Wednesday night when the Thunder announced it was rescinding its trade with the Hornets, a trade that would’ve brought the talented big man back to town. Chandler spent time here before, embracing the city and becoming a fan favorite. Truth be told, he seems like one of the good guys in sports.

But Chandler not returning to OKC is not why I feel bad for the big guy. I feel bad because something must really be wrong with him.

Trades aren’t often rescinded in the NBA, especially not ones that are celebrated like Chandler’s was. Everyone with the Thunder seemed to be glowing about the news Wednesday. Sam Presti. Scott Brooks. Players. Fans.

The thing is, this was a trade for the future. Of course Chandler was going to play this year, but he was really going to be important next season and seasons to come when this young franchise really looked like it was going to start coming into its own. Chandler has had nagging injuries, but the Thunder could give him time to heal. Really heal. There was no need to rush him into action.

I even asked Brooks about that Wednesday a few hours after the trade, and he agreed that there was no rush to get Chandler on the floor.

And still, the Thunder saw something bad enough in his physical that it pulled the plug on the trade.

It’s bad news for the Thunder, but I fear that it’s even worse news for Tyson Chandler.

Thunder’s Collison hosting charity event

jennicarlson — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:00:06 +0000

Nick Collison made a trip last year that changed his life.

The Thunder forward and his wife, Robbie, went to Africa last September with the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders initiative. Both of the Collisons were deeply affected by what they witnessed in a part of the world where the AIDS epidemic is critical.

They realized they wanted to do something to help those who suffer from the disease.

The Collisons will host the Passion for Fashion AIDS benefit on March 5 at the Chesapeake Boathouse. The event will benefit Guiding Right, Inc., an AIDS charity that works in the Oklahoma City area.

The evening’s activities will be highlighted by a fashion show. The fashion show will feature spring fashions from Oklahoma City boutiques as well as Dallas-based designer Abi Ferrin. De Luxe Parties and Events, an event planning business owned by Robbie Collison, along with Regalia Personal Wardrobe Stylists and Fashion Consultants will coordinate the event.

There will be something for sports fans, too, with raffles and a silent auction that includes Thunder tickets and autographed memorabilia. Those in attendance will also be able to mingle with the Collisons and other members of the Thunder.

Tickets start at $75 with a limited number of VIP tickets available at $150.

For tickets or more information, call (206) 359-2054.

Are you a Thunder super fan?

jennicarlson — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 21:55:23 +0000

We had some fun in today’s sports section profiling four Thunder super fans.

With the team preparing to unveil its new mascot, we thought it would be fitting to celebrate the fans who’ve been unofficial fill-ins during the first half of this season. These are folks who dress up, wear costumes, have props — the whole zany nine yards.

But they aren’t the only super fans, of course. There are plenty of other Thunder fans who are super but just not quite as noticeable.

Maybe they come every night and always root, root, root for the home team. Maybe they drive for hours or even from out of state to see the team. Maybe they sacrifice their tickets so others can see the team. Maybe they do the defense chant when no one else in their section is.

We would love to tell their stories, too.

If you or someone you know is a Thunder super fan, let me know. E-mail me at jcarlson@opubco.com. I’ll be gathering ideas for a future story about these dedicated fans.

New (good) guys in town?

jennicarlson — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:26:37 +0000

Sometimes being in the sports media is drudgery. Waiting in hotel lobbies hoping someone will talk to you. Standing outside locker rooms praying for a willing source.

But then there are times when we get a gem of an assignment.

Monday was one of those days. We in the media had a chance to meet the new guys in town. It was media day for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Watch my latest video commentary or continue reading below:

For the better part of four hours Monday, we had a chance to chat with the players. Kevin Durant. Jeff Green. Earl Watson. Nick Collison. Joe Smith. All of those guys were there, and so many more.

Much of their time was ate up with interviews and photos and the like. These guys were doing everything under the sun. They were reading radio liners. They were taping spots for the NBA’s overseas TV networks in places like Italy and China. They were doing videos that you’ll see all season on the Ford Center jumbotron. All of them had a full day.

And yet, there were down moments during the day. That’s when I had a chance to strike up several conversations. I talked to Earl Watson about how tough it is moving because no two houses are the same so you’re always having to buy something or ditch something else. I talked with Jeff Green about his fun-loving personality. I talked with Damien Wilkins about the summer AAU tournament that I saw him play in many moons ago in Kansas City.

I also had a chance to chat with some media types about their experiences during media day.

From everything I experienced and everything I heard, it seems like Oklahoma City got itself a good group of characters on this NBA team. This is something that Clay Bennett and Sam Presti have said would be a priority, getting players who would play the right way and act the right way. Monday, the latter was evident.

Granted, none of us every really know pro athletes. Kobe was thought to be a great guy right up until that incident in Colorado a few years back. We just don’t know for sure what these guys are like when they’re out of the spotlight.

And yet, the first-blush impression is that this is a team that Oklahoma City is going to be proud of. There didn’t seem to be a lot of bad attitudes or massive egos. Most of the guys I talked with were not only well-spoken and thoughtful but also funny and sincere. That’s a pretty decent combo.

I had much the same feeling Monday that I had a couple years back when the Hornets first hit town. They seemed like nice guys then, and as it turned out, there were very few knuckleheads in the bunch.

Let’s hope we’re as lucky with the Thunder.

First impressions lead me to believe that we just might be.