More from the Ric Bucher Q&A
ESPN the Magazine’s Ric Bucher told me during a Q&A that the Thunder is his new favorite team.
Here’s more from the chat I had with Bucher….
Elaborating on the Blake Griffin/Ricky Rubio debate: I’ve heard a lot of promising things about Blake. But for me it’s not even close, and I like Rubio. People saw him play in the Olympics and kind of went ga-ga. Well, he was playing on an All-Star team. Wherever he goes in the NBA, chances are he’s not going to be playing with that caliber of talent. And my question is, beased on what I’ve seen in Eurpoean games, can he be that same guy when people can focus on him? As good as he is, people didn’t focus on him in the Olympics. They weren’t game planning for him. And he got a lot of things done. But when he gets here and he goes to a lottery team, chances are people are going to game plan for him a lot more. And I’ll be interested in seeing if he can make that jump. I don’t have any questions about whether Blake can make that jump.
DM: Do you sense that Oklahoma City and the Thunder specifically is starting to develop its own identity nationally and distancing itself from the whole Seattle situation?
RB: Oh yeah. I do. I don’t really associate this team with the Seattle team. That was a different personality and by and large I still think of Seattle as Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. These guys weren’t there long enough to establish a connection with Seattle. I think this is where Sam (Presti) was wise in making the coaching change after the team had already gotten to Oklahoma City. Because Scotty’s just a totally different animal than P.J. So he brings in a flavor now where now you feel like, ‘OK, this is the Oklahoma City flavor’ as opposed to that transition flavor.
DM: Do you like what you’ve seen out of Scott Brooks so far as a coach?
RB: I really like the job he’s done. Obviously, I don’t cover the team on a daily basis. So the ins and outs of how he handles guys, his communication with the front office and how he handles the media and the public, I don’t have a feel for all of that. But I’m always kind of looking for who are the assistant coaches that I think could be head coach material. And I’ve long felt that Scotty was one of those guys.
-DM-
Thunder Reaction to Ninth Win
There was no champagne, no victory cigars, not even the sound of any sighs of relief.
The Thunder’s ninth win came and went last night without any mention from the media and no celebration by the players or the coaches. Oklahoma City, after Jeff Green’s 16-foot buzzer-beating bank shot, can no longer set a new mark for the NBA’s worst record in a season after tying the nine wins the Philadelphia 76ers finished with in 1972-73.
The idea of the Thunder possibly reaching that futile feat quickly gained steam back in December when OKC began the season 3-29. But on Jan. 21, the night Oklahoma City hurdled over that historic hump, the only talk of the Sixers came from yours truly.
As promised, here’s what those involved had to say……
Coach Scott Brooks
“That was never even an issue. I know our team was better than that. It’s happened one time 30 years ago. Our focus was on every game. I know that sounds generic. We focused on practice and getting better in practice. We focused on making sure we’re going to be in fourth-quarter games. Now our next step is learning how to win those fourth-quarter games. It never even crossed my mine. It never crossed our players’ minds that we were going to be the worst team in NBA history. We’ve got too many winners on this team, too many guys that believe in each other and they’re fighters.”
Jeff Green
“We’re not the only team who’s struggling. You’ve got the Wizards and Clippers going through some tough times right now so we’re not the only team. But we’re going to keep pushing. We know what everybody is saying about us and we know what type of team we are. We’re not the team that our record shows. We’re a much better team, and I think things are starting to turn around for us and we’re going to get better. The talk about us matching (the Sixers) is going to change and be over with.”
Nick Collison
“I didn’t think there were a lot of people really worried about it. I had heard people talking about that at some point, but I don’t think there was anybody on our team that really thought that or was really too worried about it. But it is nice now knowing that no one will talk about it anymore. That’s a good thing.”
Kevin Durant
“I never thought about it anyway. It is what it is. We’ve just got to move forward. I’m glad the talk is over obviously.”
-DM-
Thunder 122, Warriors 121
Observations, news and notes from Wednesday night’s game…..
* Lots of sore losers in the Warriors locker room following the Thunder’s 122-121 win, capped by Jeff Green’s buzzer-beating 16-foot bank shot.
“A lucky shot beat us tonight,” said Warriors coach Don Nelson. “I don’t believe he called bank on the shot. I believe he shot it so poorly it went in.”
“This is a tough one,” said guard Stephen Jackson. “If we lose any game we don’t want to lose a game on a hope, backboard shot.”
“We fought hard,” said guard Jamal Crawford. “But we shouldn’t even be in that position to have to come down to a desperation shot.”
* Earth to the Warriors, Green was wide open. Saying the bank was lucky is one thing. But to call it a poor shot? Uh, Green turned, faced and shot it in rhythm. Ball game.
* OK, the Warriors were somewhat gracious in defeat.
“I think he’s coming along very nicely,” Nelson said of Green. “He’s a good player. I’ve always liked him. I liked him in college.”
“He had a great game,” said Jackson of Russell Westbrook’s game-high 30 points. “The kid must have been working on his jump shot. With him getting 30, that definitely gives them a better chance to win.”
* It was Green’s first career game-winner.
* It was the Thunder’s ninth win, which assures it won’t set a new record for the NBA’s all-time worst record. (I’ll post some reaction here soon from the players on getting that monkey off their backs)
* Interesting stat: the Warriors and Thunder shot a combined 93.2 percent (68-for-73) from the free throw line. It’s the highest combined free-throw percentage in a game with at least 70 attempts since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976-77. The previous high was 91.6 percent (76-83) set by Portland and Sacramento on Jan. 15, 1987.
* Trivia question: who finished with a game-high eight assists? You guessed it (yeah right), Ronny Turiaf. That would be a new career-high.
* There were 22 lead changes and 15 ties. Neither team led by more than eight points.
* The Warriors trio of Kelenna Azubuike, Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette combined for 76 points. The Thunder’s big three of Green, Westbrook and Kevin Durant combined for 83 points.
* Durant had five assists again tonight and has now finished with at least four assists in nine of the past 15 games.
* This was only the fifth time since Scott Brooks took over that Durant didn’t make a 3-pointer. But it was his eighth double-double this year and the fourth time he’s finished with 12 or more rebounds.
* Durant says his injured shoulder is getting better.
* Who would have guessed the Thunder (13) would shoot more 3s than the Warriors (12)?
* Kyle Weaver is getting better each game.
* The Thunder did a decent job protecting the ball tonight. Only 15 turnovers, a more than acceptable total. Even better when you consider eight of them came in the third period and six of those coming in the opening 5:07 of the third.
* Nick Collison’s bear hug on C.J. Watson in an attempt to prevent a layup with 1:12 remaining was perhaps the funniest thing I’ve seen this season.
-DM-
Thunder-Warriors live blog, 9:30 p.m.
Thunder-Warriors Pre-Game Notes
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Thunder is catching a break heading into tonight’s game against the Golden State Warriors. Guards Marco Belinelli (knee) and C.J. Watson (toe) and forward Brandan Wright (shoulder) are all out with injuries. Guard Monta Ellis, who hasn’t played all season, is close to returning but will not play tonight.
The question is, can OKC take advantage?
The Thunder, if you remember, couldn’t do as much the first time these two teams met on Dec. 8. OKC lost 112-102 despite Golden State’s best two players, Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette, sitting out with injuries. And while the aforementioned list of names might not sound intimidating, it was in that game that Belinelli, Watson and Wright combined for 38 points, nine rebounds and four steals and helped deal the Thunder what was then its worst loss of the season.
Watson scored 16 and Wright had 13 points in the Thunder’s 107-100 win on New Year’s Eve, so it helps the Thunder not having those guys in the lineup.
But Jackson and Maggette are both in the lineup, giving the Warriors a solid three-pronged attack when you include Jamal Crawford.
A few notes…….
* Expect the same starting unit for the Thunder — Russell Westbrook, Desmond Mason, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Nick Collison.
* Joe Smith is out with a knee injury.
* The Thunder is trying to become a good road team. OKC played well in its last two away from the Ford Center at Chicago and at New Jersey and look to build on that success tonight.
* Keep an eye on Durant. He’s coming off back-to-back 30-point games and is averaging 33 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and 2.5 blocks in two games against Golden State this season. (He averaged 23 points 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 blocked shots in three games against the Warriors as a rookie last year.)
* Interesting perspective from Warriors assistant coach Keith Smart breaking down the Thunder here.
* The Warriors rank second in the league in scoring at 107 points per game. Golden State, however, allows a league-worst 112 points per contest.
* Golden State should be well-rested. Tonight’s game is the fifth in a season-long, seven-game home stand for the Warriors.
* The Warriors have won two straight after losing six of their past seven games.
-DM-
Thunder Players Support Brooks
In Monday’s editions of The Oklahoman I reported that Scott Brooks is likely to become the Thunder’s full-time coach.
Unfortunately, space constraints in the paper didn’t allow me to get into much reaction from the players, many of whom support that imminent decision.
“Honestly, in my personal opinion, I think he deserves it,” said Desmond Mason. “And I think he deserves it for the simple fact that he took a challenge of coming in as a first-year head coach. They brought in coach (Ron) Adams, and he opened himself up to what coach Adams had to say as it pertains to defense. Some head coaches, they may not do that. They may not appreciate another coach coming in that has knowledge in a certain area and they might not open themselves up to let them conduct practices from a defensive standpoint. He really listens to his assistants.
“But more than anything, I just think the fact that he took the challenge and he wanted to be here. For a team that was really struggling, he came in and made some adjustments and, in my personal opinion, turned around our play. And I think the future is bright. I thought that before, but now you can see the potential. I’m happy for him.”
Mason called Brooks the ultimate player’s coach, crediting him for his passion and his knowledge of the game, which stems from his 11-year playing career.
Nick Collison, reiterating his stance when P.J. Carlesimo was fired on Nov. 21, said the team didn’t quit on Carlesimo and refused to concede that the team is responding more to Brooks. Collison praised Brooks for savvy play-calling that gets the ball moving and leads to better shots and more efficient offense, but he said the Thunder’s results of late can also be attributed to improved individual performances. Still, Collison said a change was needed and Brooks could potentially be what the Thunder needs.
“I don’t know what the organization wants to do, but I think he’s definitely able to be a coach,” Collison said. “Coaching, like anything else, you get better at it over time. I think he’s probably learning on the job like all first-time coaches do. But he’s done a great job, and I think he’s got an opportunity to be a really good coach in the league.”
Jeff Green, who I did quote in my piece, told me he thinks Brooks has gotten the Thunder to the point that it can play against any team. He added, “He’s worked hard for the spot if he gets it, so my vote is behind him.”
“He was put in a tough position and he’s done the best he can,” Green said. “He’s been a great coach. He’s helped everybody out and he’s putting everybody in a good situation. It’s not up to me, but as a player he’s done a great job with this team. He turned this whole team around and we’re playing at a high level right now.”
-DM-
Heat 104, Thunder 94
Observations, news and notes from Sunday night’s game….
* The story behind Desmond Mason and Wade getting into it in the first half Sunday night? Mason didn’t appreciate Wade jawing at him. After Wade hit a jumper at one end, Mason was telling a ref Wade pushed off as the two jogged back down the court. Wade chimed in and began telling the ref he didn’t push off. Mason then turned to Wade and told him he did push off. It seemed like friendly competitive banter, but Mason is an intense player and wasn’t having it. Then again, Wade could have said some other things under his breath that I couldn’t hear from my press seat.<p>* Good effort by the Thunder for the most part but disappointing result considering Shawn Marion wasn’t in the lineup.
* Did the Thunder get fat and happy after winning two straight? Kevin Durant thinks so. “I think the success we had the last to games made us come out a little dead in the first half and it cost us,” he said. * I thought the play of the game was Mario Chalmers’ 3-pointer with 6:57 remaining. He pushed Miami’s lead back to eight after the Thunder had clawed back from a 13-point deficit, overcoming two consecutive jumpers from Dwyane Wade that were big.
* Here’s an idea: make it a point to get Jeff Green going offensively at the start of games. He scored 10 first-quarter points tonight but found his rhythm by making hustle plays and being aggressive. But why not start off the game going to him? Durant is going to get his whenever. Same for Russell Westbrook. Green, however, has a tendency to get lost in the shuffle or focus on other areas a little too much at times at the expense of his offense. Going to him early in the game can maximize the chances of having three solid scorers each night.
* The Thunder played Wade about as well as you can. You live with 32 points on 28 shot attempts.
* It was the other five Heat players in double figures that burned OKC, none of them named Michael Beasley.
* Nenad Krstic went 3-for-9 from the field. It’s clear he still isn’t in rhythm.</p>* Heat coach Erik Spoelstra mentioned how tough it is to play inside the Ford Center at least three times in his post game press conference. “I am glad we don’t have to play here again,” Spoelstra said.
* OKC did a good job of playing defense without fouling for the second straight game. Miami attempted just 14 free throws, and Wade went to the line only twice.
* We’re starting to see Kevin Durant’s playmaking skills develop. He had five assists tonight, the eighth time in the past 14 games he’s finished with at least four. Look out when he becomes a threat as a passer.
* Westbrook and fellow rookie Mario Chalmers were battling all night. Chalmers lived up to his billing as a pest on defense, limiting Westbrook to a 4-for-12 shooting night and coming up with a game-high three steals. But I bet he won’t try to take a charge on Westbrook again.
* It’s too bad Westbrook won’t be in the dunk contest. He continues turning heads, however. “When you see Westbrook in person, I mean you see him on film and he’s blowing by guards. And then you see him personally and that’s a whole other gear he’s got,” said Spoelstra.
* More praise for the Thunder by Spoelstra: “Kevin Durant, he just seems like he’s growing every time I see him. He’s virtually unstoppable and can get a shot off whenever he wants…and he’s poised. He already seems like a four or five-year vet.
* If only Spoelstra showed his own young gun the same love. Beasley scored just four points with four rebounds in 10 foul-plagued minutes that characterized much of what this season has been for the No. 2 overall pick. You sort of feel bad for the small Kansas State contingent in the crowd rooting for Beasley in his lone trip to OKC.
;-DM-
Thunder 89, Detroit 79
Observations, news and notes from Friday night’s game….
* Two in a row for the first time this season. And against winning teams no less.
* Looking at the schedule, the Thunder could realistically win the next five and be on a seven-game winning streak. Miami at home, at Golden State, at Clippers, New Jersey at home and Memphis at home. OK, I’m getting ahead of myself.
* 79 points were an opponent season-low for the Thunder. 12 fourth-quarter points for the Pistons were also an opponent season-low.
* The Thunder’s defense, as I wrote about for Saturday’s paper, is getting better and better. OKC has allowed opponents to shoot just 44.2 percent over the past seven games and has given up 100 points or more only twice over that span.
* Make that eight sellouts for the Thunder this season.
* So much for Jeff Green breaking out of that slump. He was 2-for-16 with nine points and 14 rebounds tonight. Coach Scott Brooks praised him after the game for having an impact despite his shooting woes.
“I thought he was a big factor in the game,” Brooks said. “And he shot the ball 2-for-a lot. But he made a lot of winning plays. He got big rebounds for us, he played incredible defense, he contested every shot his man took. And that’s what we need, continued effort. You can’t get down on yourself for not making your shots and Jeff did that tonight. And that’s not easy to do for a young player in this league.”
Said Green: “My jump shot is going in and out and I’ve been trying to find other ways to keep myself in the game and it’s been rebounding and hustle. I just got to keep my focus. I know I’m a good shooter. I’m not going to get down on myself.”
* Chris Wilcox wins the staying focused award after scoring 17 points with 11 rebounds despite playing just four minutes in the past four games. After benching him in favor of Nick Collison and recently acquired center Nenad Krstic, Brooks praised Wilcox for his professionalism afterwards.
“That’s what makes teams, teams,” Brooks said. “He stayed professional and came in and gave us a big effort. And we needed that.”
* Hate to see what happens to Wilcox when Nick Collison returns from the stomach virus that kept him out tonight. Not to mention Joe Smith’s imminent return.
* Speaking of Joe Smith, he said he has a cyst on his left leg, contrary to the “soreness” and “contusion” that the team has listed him day-to-day with. Smith said doctors have poked holes in it and he is now awaiting clearance from the medical staff to return to the court. He said he likely won’t play Sunday against Miami but could be back Wednesday against Golden State.
* Kevin Durant had only three turnovers tonight. I use the word only because he had 24 in the previous four games.
* Desmond Mason: Unsung hero — 11 points, 11 rebounds.
* Kyle Weaver is one smart basketball player. Hit the weights and get some experience and that kid could be a special sixth man type someday.
* Nenad Krstic had at least one blocked shot for the sixth time in as many games in a Thunder uniform.
* The Thunder’s 14 turnovers were the fewest in January.
Stat of the night: 24 assists on 35 Thunder made baskets.
Quote of the night: “We can’t be satisfied with these two wins that we just got. Yes, they were against good teams. But we got to keep moving forward.” — Jeff Green.
Thunder-Pistons live blog, 7 p.m.
Collison out? Krstic to start?
Thunder forward Nick Collison could miss tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons because of a stomach virus.
Collison did not attend Friday morning’s shootaround because of the illness, and if he is unable to play tonight center Nenad Krstic will make his first start of the season.
“We’ll see how (Nick) feels later on this afternoon,” said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. “It’s a game-time decision. He could go. Hopefully he’s fine but you never know. That thing could linger on.”
Krstic, who joined the team last month after starting the season in Russia, is averaging 10 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in five games. He’s coming off his best performance Wednesday against Utah when he scored 14 points and 11 rebounds in a season-high 32 minutes.
“He’s going to help us in a lot of ways. He can start for us some games and he can come off the bench,” Brooks said. “He has a game that can really complement our other guys on the court and he can play against many different lineups. And he’s doing a good job defensively. So if Nick cannot go tonight, there’s a possibility that he can step right in and fill what we need.
“He knows he has a chance to play big minutes tonight depending on how Nick feels. But either way, I think we feel like we’re in a good place with our big guys.”
Forward Joe Smith will not play tonight, Brooks said, and he is still listed as day-to-day with a sore left knee. It will be the third straight game Smith has missed because of the injury.
Collison has started the past four games at center and was playing some of his best ball in January. He’s scored in double digits in three of his five games this month, including a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds against the Jazz. Collison scored a season-high 21 points with nine rebounds in a 109-98 overtime win against Chicago on Jan. 10.
-DM-
