Thunder interest headed skyward
College football rules the sports roost around here. Don’t bother debating it. On-line viewer numbers convincingly tell us Oklahoma football is king, followed by OU spring football and Oklahoma State football.
The Thunder has gained popularity thanks to its remarkable 50-win season and playoff appearance in 2009-10. The Thunder still doesn’t threaten the intense local interest in college football, but the gap has narrowed a bit.
On the night Kevin Durant’s No. 35 Texas jersey was to be retired at a UT home game in February of 2009, he was asked who was the most popular sports figure in Oklahoma — Durant or future No. 1 pick Blake Griffin of OU?
“Come on now,” Durant said. “The most popular athlete in Oklahoma is Sam Bradford.”
OU’s Bradford was fresh off winning the 2008 Heisman Trophy, an award Durant claimed Texas quarterback Colt McCoy should have won.
Since having his jersey retired at Texas, Durant has become an NBA All-Star, the youngest scoring champion in league history, a runner-up choice for NBA MVP, and he is about to lead Team USA at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey next month. (Thunder teammates Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green also remain on the U.S. roster.)
A recent ESPN SportsNation poll asked: “Who is more likely to be the face of the NBA in five years?” The choices were Durant, LeBron James and “Someone else.”
Durant received 50 percent of the votes and won in every state except Florida, which is James’ new home with the Miami Heat. James received 30 percent of the votes and “Someone else” received 20 percent.
Earlier this month, Durant announced on his Twitter account he had accepted a five-year contract extension with the Thunder, a low-key approach which left national media fawning over his humility. Durant also continues to add to his list of magazine covers, appearing in the latest issues of SLAM and BOUNCE magazines.
But perhaps nothing proves the Thunder’s rising popularity more than a July 8 newsok.com poll that asked: “Who is the bigger star in Oklahoma right now?” The choices were Durant or Bradford, who was selected No. 1 in the NFL Draft last April.
Durant received 54 percent of the votes.
Chat Recap: Darnell Mayberry
OKC Trio Survivies Team USA Cut
Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green are among 15 finalists for the USA Basketball Men’s Senior National team roster that will compete in this summer’s FIBA World Championship.
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s trio survived a four-player cut Wednesday that whittled down the roster from 19 players. Sacramento’s Tyreke Evans, Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace, Washington’s JaVale McGee and Memphis’ O.J. Mayo were cut from the team.
McGee wasn’t officially on the roster, but the Wizards’ center participated in a four-day training camp last week in Las Vegas out of necessity following the loss of big men Amar’e Stoudemire, Robin Lopez and David Lee.
“We had an outstanding week of training camp in Las Vegas, and it is apparent we have a group of guys that are very focused, committed and desirous of playing for USA Basketball,” said USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo.
“The identity of the team is still evolving, but it is pretty obvious we’re going to be very athletic. We’re going to be very strong in the backcourt. We think our shooting ability is underestimated. We think we’ve got a number of people who can shoot the ball, and so we’re pleased with our progress to date.”
Joining the Thunder players will be Denver’s Chauncey Billups, Dallas’ Tyson Chandler, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Memphis’ Rudy Gay, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Eric Gordon, Indiana’s Danny Granger, Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala, New Jersey’s Brook Lopez, Minnesota’s Kevin Love, the Lakers’ Lamar Odom, Boston’s Rajon Rondo and Chicago’s Derrick Rose.
Chandler and Lopez are the only to true centers remaining on the team, which is coached by Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski.
The remaining 15 players will reconvene in New York on Aug. 9 and be put through a second training camp there, as well as participate in the inaugural World Basketball Festival, a four-day celebration of the game, from Aug. 10-16. Team USA will play an exhibition game against France on Aug. 15 at Madison Square Garden at 12 p.m.
“We have much more to do in New York and in our upcoming exhibition games as we proceed to Turkey,” Colangelo said. “But we’re excited and enthusiastic about our chances.”
The roster must be trimmed to 12 players before the 24-team World Championship begins on Aug. 28 in Turkey.
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Christmas With The Thunder?
The Thunder’s preseason schedule is out, and the regular season schedule shouldn’t be far behind.
The NBA is likely to release the league-wide schedule next week, and all signs point to the Thunder having a Christmas game.The Thunder turned in a league-best 27-game improvement last year en route to a 50-win season and a berth in the playoffs. As the eighth seed, OKC pushed the now two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers to six games in the first round of the playoffs. And Kevin Durant is the league’s newest superstar, having become the youngest player to ever win the scoring title after averaging 30.1 points at just 21 years old. Many now project the Thunder as the second best team in the Western Conference behind the Lakers. Add it all up and it seems inevitable the Thunder will be featured on the NBA’s annual holiday showcase.
It would be the first ever Christmas game for the Thunder. Oklahoma City fans also would experience their first Christmas game dating back to when the NBA first came to town with the temporarily displaced New Orleans Hornets in 2005.
The Thunder franchise last played a Christmas game in 2007, losing 89-79 at Portland in a game that was supposed to feature that year’s No. 1 overall pick, Greg Oden, and No. 2 overall pick, Durant. Oden, however, was sidelined for the season because of microfracture surgery on his right knee.
The league schedules five Christmas games annually, attempting to pair the best possible matchups to attract the most possible viewers across ABC and ESPN. The first game tips off at 11 a.m. The final game gets underway at 9:30 p.m.
Last season’s schedule had Miami at New York on ESPN at 11 a.m., Boston at Orlando on ABC at 1:30 p.m., Cleveland at the Lakers on ABC at 4 p.m., the Clippers at Phoenix on ESPN at 7 p.m. and Denver at Portland on ESPN at 9:30 p.m.
There are only about 14 teams that warrant consideration for a Christmas game: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, the L.A. Lakers, L.A. Clippers, Miami, New York, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio and Utah. Four of those teams won’t make the cut. (more…)
Five Thoughts From Team USA’s Showcase
- Kevin Durant has been billed as the face of Team USA this summer and he lived up to his hype on yet another stage. Durant scored 28 points on 10-for-17 shooting and added five rebounds en route to Player of the Game honors. What stood out most, however, was how much more comfortable KD looked with the ball in his hands. Granted, the defense in this showcase was barely above church-league caliber. But Durant showed signs of maturity and an increased awareness of reading and reacting to coverages and that’s the most important thing. He looked relaxed and confident while running pick-and-rolls, often threading the needle to a cutting Lamar Odom. On one possession, he brought the ball up after snaring a rebound and took advantage of a miscommunication between Jeff Green and Brook Lopez by finding Tyson Chandler for an easy layup. Later, Durant passed an open 3-pointer to dump it into Chandler for another and one layup. How does this translate to the Thunder? Coach Scott Brooks has said he wants to put the ball in Durant’s hands more at the top of the key this season, similar to how Dallas uses Dirk Nowitzki. And when you’ve got a lights-out shooter at 6-foot-11 who can now orchestrate the offense from the top of the key, the entire team becomes that much more unstoppable.
- Watching Durant tonight provided a true understanding of why many believe he is well-suited to play the power forward position down the line. His height and length obviously will allow him to steal minutes at the 4 once his body fills out and he gets stronger. But Durant’s nose for the ball was on display as he played closer to the basket. He got easy tip-ins and was able to corral rebounds and loose balls around the rim. By being under the basket and being the first with his hands on the ball, Durant also was able to lead the break at times, turning him into a dominant all-around threat. It was reminiscent of his days at Texas and probably isn’t too far off with the Thunder. (more…)
Oklahoma City is lucky the Hornets left
Chris Paul, left, and Kevin Durant have each been the face of the NBA in Oklahoma City. AP PHOTOS
How lucky are we as an NBA city?
Just three years ago, everyone in the Sooner state was depressed when the New Orleans Hornets packed up and moved back home. We Okies thought we deserved to keep the team, thought we deserved budding star Chris Paul.
And then, we had to settle for the Seattle SuperSonics, a team that was coming off a 20-win season and gave us just 23 in its first year as the Oklahoma City Thunder.
My how times change.
The Hornets have completely collapsed. Paul wants out. Coach Byron Scott was fired. And the team is in dire financial straits.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City has the best young superstar in the league in Kevin Durant, the brightest young general manager in the league with Sam Presti and one of the top young coaches in the league in Scott Brooks.
OKC didn’t always seem so lucky. This city watched the Hornets just miss the playoffs in both of their seasons here, only to turn around and finish second in the final Western Conference regular-season standings their first year back in New Orleans. Paul, an emerging star during his first two seasons in Oklahoma City, became a full-fledged superstar that first year back in the Crescent City.
After one NBA-less season, Oklahoma City finally got a team of its own. But only after a hard-fought court battle and national condemnation for taking the SuperSonics from Seattle. The team’s first game in the Ford Center was exciting to be sure, but it was an ugly loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, which was followed by a 1-12 start and the firing of coach P.J. Carlesimo. And Carlesimo’s firing came after a loss to what team? The New Orleans Hornets.
But after a 50-win season and Kevin Durant’s evolution into an international superstar, those feelings seem distant.
It’s sad to watch what’s happening to Oklahoma City’s former Hometown Hornets, but it’s just another reminder to Oklahoma City fans to be thankful for what they have, which looks to be the brightest future in the NBA. That wouldn’t be possible had the Hornets stayed here.
Thunder/NBA links for Saturday, July 24
Kevin Durant speaks to the media during a USA basketball practice this week. AP PHOTO
Another glowing piece declaring Kevin Durant as the face of Team USA. … One writer thinks Jeff Green will be the Team USA’s final cut. … Shaquille O’Neal wants to play for the Boston Celtics, according to Fanhouse.com. … Chris Paul’s top trade destination preference is Orlando. That and more in today’s links:
Kevin Durant: The new face of Team USA, Case Keefer, Las Vegas Sun
“Durant immediately greeted the throng of spectators by bolting from the other side of the court to swat a layup attempt from Ohio State’s William Buford, one of 20 college players making up the USA Basketball Select Team. Durant then seamlessly swished contested 3-point shots on each of the next two offensive possessions. Yes, there’s a reason why Durant, the 21-year old Oklahoma City Thunder star, is being hailed as Team USA’s headliner as it plays for a gold medal this September in Turkey at the World Championship.”
Jeff Green to be the last cut?, Pete Thamel, New York Times
“(Green is a) team-oriented guy, but (Kevin) Love offers more beef. Likely the final cut.”
Thunder, USA basketball value Green’s versatility, Chris Silva, Thunder.NBA.com
“As Team USA prepares for next month’s World Championship in Turkey, the USA Basketball committee has continued to stress how much it values players who can play multiple positions. Green fits that description. And when it was learned that big men Amar’e Stoudemire (insurance on contract) and David Lee (finger) would not be able to play for Team USA this summer, it opened another window of opportunity for Green to show he’d be a good fit.”
Shaquille O’Neal wants to wear Celtics green, Tim Povtak, Fanhouse.com
“Veteran free agent center Shaquille O’Neal — the future Hall of Famer without a team — has been lobbying the Boston Celtics aggressively, still trying to convince them that his addition would help their quest to win another NBA championship.”
Chris Paul prefers Magic to Knicks, Chris Broussard, ESPN.com
“While the Knicks are still high on Paul’s list, he believes the Magic, with All-Star center Dwight Howard, would be a better fit. Paul also realizes Orlando has much more to offer New Orleans in a trade and therefore believes it is a more realistic destination than New York, according to the sources.”
Chris Paul bends to King James’ rule, Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports
“James, his business manager Maverick Carter and powerbroker William Wesley have far too much influence over Paul’s career, and they’re running it right out of the sunshine and into darkness. They’re using Paul as a commodity to elevate their clout, to show how they can take a player with no contractual leverage and muscle him out of New Orleans.”
Derrick Rose wants Tracy McGrady in Chicago, Nick Friedell, ESPNChicago.com
“Tracy McGrady used to be Derrick Rose’s favorite player, so it should come as no surprise that Rose wants the Chicago Bulls to sign the free agent guard/forward.”
Thunder Announces Preseason Schedule
The Oklahoma City Thunder will play a seven-game preseason schedule this October, the team announced today.
The Thunder will make its 2010-11 debut at the Ford Center against CSKA Moscow, the 2006 and 2008 Euroleague champion, in an NBA sanctioned contest on Thursday, Oct. 14. OKC also will play games in Fayetteville, N.C., Kansas City, Mo., Tulsa, San Antonio and Denver. The game in Kansas City is against Miami and could be the debut of the Heat’s new trio. Here is the complete schedule.
Oct. 6 at Charlotte (Fayetteville, N.C.) 6 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Miami (Kansas City, Mo.) 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 vs. Memphis (Tulsa, Okla.) 7 p.m.
Oct. 14 vs. CSKA Moscow 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 at San Antonio 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Denver 8 p.m.
Oct. 21 vs. New Orleans 7 p.m.
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Chat Recap: John Rohde
NBA links for Thursday, July 22
Here are a few interesting NBA items from around the Web.
Internal Watchdog Criticizes ESPN for Ethical Missteps on LeBron James Coverage, Shira Ovide, Wall Street Journal
“In a 4,600-word column Wednesday on ESPN’s website, the ombudsman harshly criticized ESPN for overhyping its coverage of Mr. James, for failing to explicitly disclose to viewers the ties between Mr. James and ESPN, and for what he said was an effective payment for a news story – which is typically considered improper for journalists.”
Matt Barnes considering signing with Lakers, Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports
“Unless the Cleveland Cavaliers raise their current multiyear offer to Matt Barnes on Thursday, the free-agent forward plans to sign a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.”
Tracy McGrady is a free agent. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
McGrady to work out for Bulls on Monday, David Aldridge, NBA.com
“A source tells TNT’s David Aldridge that free agent forward Tracy McGrady will work out for the Chicago Bulls next Monday, his second workout for a prospective team. McGrady worked out for the Clippers on Tuesday.”
Sources: Allan Houston next Knicks GM?, Ric Bucher, ESPN.com
“Former New York Knicks shooting guard Allan Houston is the front-runner to be the team’s next general manager under team president Donnie Walsh, according to league sources.”
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade to visit Team USA, Chris Sheridan, ESPN.com
“James and new Miami Heat teammate Dwyane Wade were scheduled to arrive Wednesday night in Las Vegas, where Team USA is holding a minicamp in preparation for the 2010 World Championship in Turkey.”
