Video: Readers sound off on the Thunder’s season
Here are a few more calls from readers talking about the Thunder’s season. If you’d like to leave a message, please call (405) 586-0704.
Has Cole Aldrich passed Byron Mullens on the Thunder’s depth chart?
J.J. Redick drives to the basket and shoots over Cole Aldrich Feb. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Oklahoma City Thunder rookie center Cole Aldrich (seen in the photo playing in mop-up duty in February) played in only 18 games this season and was inactive for every playoff game. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been improving.
In today’s Power Lunch chat on NewsOK.com, Thunder beat writer John Rohde had this to say about Aldrich’s development:
From what I’ve seen, I believe Aldrich has passed Mullens. Aldrich consistently handles Mullens in 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 pregame get-togethers. Will Aldrich start in place of Perkins? Not even close. But he and Mohammed could be solid backup centers by committee.
What do you think? Will Byron Mullens be used as trade bait?
Power Lunch Chat Recap: John Rohde
Poll: Grade the OKC Thunder’s 2010-2011 season
The Oklahoman sports columnist Berry Tramel graded the Thunder’s 2010-2011 season and gave his report card in Sunday’s paper. Now is your chance to give your grade for the whole season.
The Durants in Oklahoma City: Making themselves at home
Wanda Pratt cheers for her son Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (35) during game 3 of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the OKC Arena in downtown Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 21, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
While Michael Lee was covering the Thunder-Mavericks series for the Washington Post, he was also working on a story about Kevin Durant’s family. You can read that story here .
Some highlights:
Wanda Pratt’s advice to her son following the Thunder’s Game 4 meltdown, after which he told reporters “I let the city down.”: “Don’t put this all on yourself. Keep playing. Keep being you.”
Wanda Pratt on how Oklahoma City fits her son: “Kevin is a low-key guy. And Oklahoma is a very settled place. It just works for his personality.”
Tony Durant, Kevin’s older brother, on his transition from Seat Pleasant, Md., to Oklahoma City: “It was a tough transition for me, myself, but I learned to adjust and adapt. Oklahoma has its things, but it’s not D.C. I’m not worried about what’s going on or what’s not. I’m just here to support my brother, regardless of what area I’m in. I don’t care where I am. Me, being his older brother, I’m there to guide him.”
The Western Conference Finals are a big deal for Durant’s family, but his mother and grandmother have their priorties: The skipped Game 1 to attend the final taping of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
– Mike Sherman
Audio: Readers Sound Off on the Thunder’s Season
We asked and you delivered. Here are a few of the voicemails we received from people calling our Sound Off Hotline on the Thunder’s season. If you’d like to leave a message, please call (405) 586-0704.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban congratulates the OKC Thunder on its season
Photos: Dallas Mavericks end OKC Thunder’s season
View our Thunder-Mavericks Game 5 photo gallery here.
Shawn Marion (0) of Dallas dunks the ball over Oklahoma City's Kendrick Perkins (5) during game 5 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) reacts in the final minutes of Oklahoma City's loss in game 5 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (35) and Russell Westbrook (0) react during game 5 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) walks away after getting a technical foul during game 5 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (35) stands in front of the crowd during game 5 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's James Harden (13) walks off the court after Oklahoma City's loss in game 5 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
View our Thunder-Mavericks Game 5 photo gallery here.
James Harden: Thunder has the ‘best fans in the NBA hands down’
Video: Thunder fans show up to OKC airport to greet team after Game 5 loss to Mavericks
