Russell Westbrook Styling In GQ
Sometimes I don’t think dunk. It happens so quickly, I don’t know what’s happened.” — Russell Westbrook.
Russell Westbrook sure cleans up nice.
Wait, can I say that? Is that against somebody’s man code or something?
Anyway, for a photo shoot with GQ the Thunder point guard recently got all dolled up like he was going to the city. He took part in the piece with fellow high-fliers Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala, Javale McGee and Shannon Brown. GQ contributor Bethlehem Shoals writes a short accompanying piece arguing that we’re in the middle of a dunk renaissance.
Griffin and Westbrook are opposite extremes with one thing in common: A decade ago, players like them weren’t getting up like this. Big men now bring some of the most acrobatic moves, and a team’s playmaker can serve up a ruthless facial. It used to be, everyone wanted to be like Mike. Today the dunk is whatever anyone can make of it—which is why it’s been reborn.”
Pictured above in a navy Prada suit with designer gear down to his socks, Westbrook, with the help of GQ, illustrates how to spice up a conservative color. According to GQ: “Nothing’s more conservative than navy, but you don’t have to look stiff. Add some razzle-dazzle with a colorful tie and socks.”
Is there a better look for Westbrook. I mean, it flawlessly embodies him as a player. Competing for a franchise that can at times be considered bland, Westbrook is a breath of fresh air. We’ve all witnessed how his athleticism, at any moment, can turn a routine play into a spectacular one (see below). For that, GQ absolutely nailed it by getting Westbrook involved in this piece.
-DM-
Kevin Durant Brings Basketball Back To OKC
Kevin Durant (left) and LeBron James combined for 82 points Sunday night.
News, notes and observations from Sunday’s US Fleet Tracking Basketball Invitational.
- This thing had the look and feel of a real NBA game…right up until the ball was thrown up. The place was packed in pre-game. The lights went down for intros. And in typical Oklahoma City tradition, a minister from Life Church trotted out and gave the invocation just before the lineups. Sandi Patty, a Grammy winning Gospel singer, delivered the national anthem. Event organizers talked about doing this the right way, and I’d say they did just that.
- Then the game started. When that happened, host Kevin Durant took the liberty of jacking up a 40-footer from the right wing on the opening possession. I joked on Twitter that it was right out of the Thunder playbook. Even the miss. Unfortunately, it set the tone for a largely defenseless showcase between star-studded teams more interested in putting on a show for fans. That’s just the way these things go.
- I may be different than others, but these types of games largely do little for me. It’s been that way for me all lockout, and it didn’t change one bit when these guys came into my backyard. But judging by fan reaction, I’d say many share my sentiments. While the game no doubt was fun and provided fans a rare opportunity to see so many stars up close, the basketball value is terrible. I got the sense many fans lost interest midway through the second quarter. By the fourth quarter, hundreds, if not thousands, of empty seats were visible in the upper bowl. This much is clear: if the lockout lingers and players want to keep up these barnstorming games one of two things must absolutely happen. 1) They’ll have to lower ticket prices, or 2) They’ll have to bring some defense to the games. Customers aren’t going to continue to spend big bucks on the equivalent of And 1 ball.
- I didn’t look at stats all night. At 11 p.m. I realized KD had a triple-double…WITH 42 POINTS, 26 REBOUNDS and 11 ASSISTS!! Durant is good. But make no mistake, he’s not Wilt Chamberlain. That says much more about the quality of ball being played folks.
- Since I’m on the subject. Chris Paul had 25 assists, 13 of them coming in the first quarter. OK, so that’s not really the same. Dude really could probably do that in a real game.
- Did anyone really miss Blake Griffin? Did I really just ask that? Considering our location, I can assume the answer to that is yes, probably with a few expletives. But my point is, this was still a great night if you’re a basketball fan.
- A whole lot of no-shows tonight. The list includes, in addition to Griffin, Kendrick Perkins, Amar’e Stoudemire, John Wall, Monta Ellis and Rudy Gay for three quarters. Gay showed up in street clothes at the start of the fourth after being announced as “running late” during pre-game intros. Wall was said to have missed his flight. And there was no word on the other guys. I guess that’s the risk you take when you throw an event like this together in a matter of weeks with no compensation for players.
- The no-show who carried the biggest disappointment was Perk. Obviously that has nothing to do with wanting to see him in an All-Star-styled event. I wanted to see how much weight he’s lost, how his knees look and whether he’s regained some of his explosiveness.
- Replacing Ellis was a nice surprise, Thunder rookie Reggie Jackson. And this setting was a great opportunity to see just how skilled and athletic he is. Unfortunately, the rook chose to largely defer to the stars. Probably a good decision on his part. He took just seven shots and made five for 10 points in six minutes.
- Tell me you loved this quote from Jackson as much as I did. When I asked him why he passed up a breakaway dunk attempt to throw it off the glass to KD for a dunk, Jackson said “I”m a point guard. I don’t need to score. I don’t really care about scoring. I just care about wins. So if it’s getting people baskets, getting assists, or sitting on the bench and watching a win, I’m cool with it.” The pick is looking better and better.
Should Kevin Durant Be Able To Diss OU?
Can't a guy rep his school while in the backyard of its biggest rival? Some folks don't want Kevin Durant to.
For the first three seasons, it was all fun and games.
Well, to be accurate, to some folks it was.
But now, Kevin Durant is growing into a bigger superstar by the day. His every move is being watched and scrutinized more than it’s ever been. People near and far have begun hanging on to his every word like never before. And locally, nothing seems to rattle folks’ cages like when Durant talks smack about their beloved OU Sooners.
The Thunder star started slinging jabs the moment he stepped foot in town in 2008. At that year’s Thunder media day, Durant said he “loves being in Oklahoma thus far and I’m going to love playing for (the people here).”
Then Durant was asked if he’d ever root for the Sooners.
“Never,” Durant vowed.
Durant then added that Longhorns and Sooners never will get along.
“I like the rivalry the way it is now,” Durant said. “OU hates Texas and Texas hates OU. That’s how it’s always going to be.”
From that day on, Durant has enjoyed jabbing the Sooners and their die-hard nation every chance he gets. He’s added the phrase “Hook ‘em Horns” to each autograph he’s signed at OU football games. He’s sat courtside at OU basketball games and flashed the two-finger Hook ‘em Horns sign. He’s even taken his needling to Twitter. On Saturday, Durant posted a simple but around these parts scathing message: “LSU > OU…”
Today, one of the Sooners, sophomore defensive back Tony Jefferson, fired back.
Kevin durant. Please stop talking trash about the sooners. You play in Oklahoma. Regardless if you went to Texas. We support u #jerk : (
It brings up an interesting question.
Should Kevin Durant be able to diss OU?
Jefferson is right. This state supports Durant. And not all, but a good majority of sports fans around here cheer for the crimson and cream. But is that enough to prohibit Durant from being able to rag on OU?
Absolutely not.
Catching Up With Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant has every reason to smile this summer
BATON ROUGE, La. — After spending a day on the set of Kevin Durant’s upcoming movie “Switch” on Friday, today was media day, the day to ask Durant about his movie and any and everything else that’s been up with him this summer.
And that’s a tough job.
Try making a list of questions you’d like to ask Durant. Now try and trim that list to make sure you get the best ones in.
Because you’ve only got 10 minutes. After that, time’s up and you’re being shooed away so the next person on the circuit can come in and do it all over again.
But, we do our best. And all things considered, I actually covered a lot of ground with KD in a one-on-one interview this afternoon. Be sure to pick up The Oklahoman and stay on NewsOK.com in the coming days for a Q&A on a variety of topics. In the meantime, here’s some of the more significant tidbits that emerged from of our chat.
PBL to send contract offers to Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin
Thunder forward Kevin Durant was "drafted" by PBL fans to play for the league's new team in Scranton/Wilkes Barre. PHOTO BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN
If NBA players and owners fail to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement, many superstars, including Thunder forward Kevin Durant, have spoken about the possibility of playing overseas.
That may not be necessary.
The independent Premier Basketball League, which has four teams, conducted an online lockout draft over the past week, allowing fans to “draft” their favorite NBA stars onto PBL teams, which will send contract offers to the top-10 vote getters.
Durant was the No. 5 vote-getter, with PBL fans selecting him to play on the Scranton/Wilkes Barre team, which is beginning operations in 2012. Clippers forward and former Oklahoma star Blake Griffin came in ninth, going to the Chicago Muscle.
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was the top vote-getter, with fans selecting him for the Rochester RazorSharks.
Thunder Locks Up Home Court With Win Over Clippers
Nuggets from my notebook from Wednesday’s 112-108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Get ready for home court advantage, Thunder heads. Congratulations to the Thunder for winning its first Northwest Division title. It’s one measure that proves how successful this regular season has been.
- Here’s what Kevin Durant said about the accomplishment: “The first one means a lot, especially after the few seasons I’ve been through since I’ve been in this league. It’s a big turnaround for us, but we’ve just got to move past it. It’s a great accomplishment but we’re trying to get to something bigger.”
- That was a theme after the game. Thunder coach Scott Brooks said he barely mentioned the achievement in the locker room. “Just basically in passing,” Brooks said, adding that he shook each player’s hand.
- Brooks also summed up the significance of the achievement pretty nicely. “It’s great for our fans. It’s great for our city to be division champs. It is definitely a step in our process we started four years ago.”
- Now let me say this. Now that the Thunder has home court advantage, it’s going to be interesting to see what it does with it. This is one of the many questions that have been overlooked with this still-maturing team. While everyone seems to expects the Thunder to just automatically compete with the likes of the Spurs and Lakers in the Western Conference, the reality is we aren’t quite sure how the Thunder will respond in the first round when its not playing with house money. Last year, as an 8-seed playing against the defending champs, there were little to no expectations on OKC. Whatever happened, they weren’t supposed to win anyway. This year, the pressure is now squarely on the Thunder to not only play well but win.
- Lost in all the talk of a potential Thunder-Nuggets series is the fact that OKC now trails Dallas by just one game for third place. This playoff picture isn’t quite painted yet.
- What’s with everyone being so scared of the Lakers? I know a certain segment actually is holding its collective breath for that rematch. But I’m starting to hear a lot of concern over not wanting to move into third to avoid the Lakers in the second round.
- Here’s my question. Does the Thunder have that much better of a chance against the Spurs in round two (if they get out of round one) than it does against the Lakers? I think not. I chalk it up to the same ol’ lack of respect the Spurs get. I’m not saying the Spurs are better than the Lakers. I’m saying I think the Thunder’s chances are pretty similar against both, especially with having to win at least one in their building.
Clippers Come Back And Stun The Thunder
Nuggets from my notebook from Saturday’s 98-92 loss against the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Please. Allow me to be honest. I’m still trying to figure out what happened. By the time most of you read this, I still won’t know.
- This was a demoralizing loss. If you ask me, all that momentum from March is destroyed. To lose to the Clippers, in this fashion, just one night after a tough defeat at Portland, cancels out every bit of steam this team had created. That’s not to say the players’ confidence is not still high. But now there is real work to be done in these last seven games to be able to go into the playoffs feeling good about where this team is and exactly what it’s capable of.
- What makes this loss doubly tough is that the Nuggets are on deck. I dare you to tell me that will be a walk-in-the-park win. Denver has got to be licking its chops right about now, looking at the Thunder as raw meat ready to be cooked on Tuesday night. It’s going to be extremely interesting to see whether the Thunder can salvage something out of this three-game road trip.
- The Nuggets are now just 3 1/2 games behind the Thunder as they prepare to face the Lakers on Sunday afternoon. While the Thunder is still very much in control, the battle for home court advantage in the first round just got much more interesting.
- OK. Let me take a swing at this. The theme in this one was how the Thunder failed to put together four quarters. Couple that with the offensive droughts this team seems more than capable of having, and I don’t think that’s a good recipe going into the postseason. But don’t take my word for it. “We got seven games left and we got to make sure we come out here and get right before the playoffs start because you don’t really just turn it on in the playoffs,” said Kendrick Perkins.
- What was so shocking is that the Thunder played a great first half. And then it all fell apart. Midway through the third quarter, when the Clippers trailed just 57-50, you knew this was just one of those games. The Thunder played around and played around and then it cost them. As Nick Collison said: “That’s kind of been our Achilles’ heel all year, getting leads and letting teams back in. We just have to get better at that. It’s a matter of keeping that focus and not playing differently based on the score.”
- Thunder coach Scott Brooks didn’t sugarcoat it tonight: “We relaxed. They got their confidence going. And once that happens, it’s tough to stop anybody in this league.”
Russell Westbrook scored just nine points on 1-for-12 shooting. His season-low is eight points. Said Westbrook: “It happens. It’s nights like that. You just got to deal with it and get better.”
- Kevin Durant couldn’t save the team either. He were for 23 points on 10 of 24 shooting. Said Durant: “It’s been like that for the last couple of nights. I just got to fight through it…Hopefully I’m getting all the misses out of the way before the last few games and the playoffs.”
- KD and Russ combined to score just 13 points in the second half…on 4-for-14 shooting. Ouch!
- Am I the only one who thought the Thunder got caught looking ahead?
- Blake Griffin has given Clippers fans a reason to live. That’s the first thing that caught my attention as I walked out of the tunnel toward my media seat just as Griffin was being introduced. I can’t tell you how much of a difference Griffin has made here. There’s a small buzz in the building now. People are excited to see the Clippers. That wasn’t the case as recently as the last visit here on Nov. 3. You have no idea how many times I’ve told a shuttle driver or a hotel valet man or front desk clerk or whoever why I was in town and watched them turn their noses up at me when I told them to go to the Clippers game. Their responses were all the same. The Clippers???
- How about the Thunder getting swept against the Clippers in L.A. this season? Sacramento, Minnesota and Denver are the only other Western Conference teams to be on that list. It’s safe to say OKC and Denver should not be on that list.
- Is there any way I can say Serge Ibaka did a great job on Griffin even though Blake had 26 points and 16 rebounds? I’m going to do it any way. Ibaka’s length really bothered Blake all night. All Griffin could do in the post was turn sideways and throw up a shot from his hip.
- And the refs bailed out Griffin on at least two plays that Ibaka got clean blocks on.
- Speaking of the refs, looking at the foul count tonight: Thunder 29, Clippers 19.
- Durant admitted that the technical fouls in the third quarter took something out of the team: “With the way the game was going, they were kind of on their way back and I think those techs just pushed them over the top,” Durant said.
- Brooks didn’t mind the techs: “This is an emotional game,” he said. “I’m not disappointed with our guys showing their emotion. But we have to do a better job of restraining ourselves.”
- I really don’t have anything else. I’d be shocked if the Thunder didn’t blow out these boys next week. It might be a small measure of how good OKC really is.
-DM-
Thunder Tames Bobcats, Wins Sixth Straight
Nuggets from my notebook from Friday’s 99-82 win over Charlotte.
- Kevin Durant sustained a shoulder injury late in this one when he ran into teammate James Harden. Durant said he’s OK. The team is calling it a shoulder bruise. “It was a quick stinger,” Durant said. “I could have stayed in the game, but I just wanted to be cautious about it. I’ll be all right by tomorrow.”
- As for the game, it was pretty open and shut. The Thunder let the Bobcats hang around a little longer than they probably should have. But in the end, OKC had one of its most impressive stretches of D that we’ve seen all season. It just won’t raise many eyebrows because it came against the Bobcats. Still, the Thunder closed out Charlotte by holding it to empty possessions on 13 of its final 15 possessions. The Bobcats had five turnovers in that eight-minute stretch. Those are really impressive figures, and only now is it becoming commonplace to see the Thunder on the right end of them.
- Serge Ibaka played his tail off doing what he does best — being an energy guy — from start to finish. He had three blocks in the first eight minutes and was an animal on the boards (game-high 13). He added 12 points to secure his ninth double-double of the year. Ibaka finished with five blocks, giving him 23 in his last four games.
- I guess I have to say Ibaka’s man defense on Boris Diaw was awful. Ibaka single-handedly allowed Diaw to join the list of players who’d be All-Stars if they played the Thunder every night. To my knowledge, it includes Tony Allen, Trevor Booker and Matt Bonner. Am I missing anyone?
- On a serious note, I had visions of Jeff Green being out there as I watched Diaw light up Ibaka. Green could have defended Diaw much better on the perimeter and perhaps not have gotten beat off the dribble as easily as Ibaka. Granted, Diaw could have made Green his…in the painted area. Still. Green is gone and it’s all water under the bridge, I know. But that little game within the game illustrated the benefits of having a 4-man as versatile as Green was. It’s not all gravy having Ibaka in that spot.
Monday Morning Mailbag
How will Kendrick Perkins change the Oklahoma City Thunder's rotation?
It’s that time again.
Our Monday morning mailbag is back.
Kendrick Perkins has yet to play a game for the Thunder after his trade from Boston. But questions about how his presence might impact the rotation are already prevalent. We also get a little history lesson on the dunk contest and some surprise talk of vuvuzelas.
Let’s get to it. And as always, feel free to join the discussion next week if you like.
Hey Darnell- With M. Daniels out indefinitely and P. Pierce getting an MRI for his foot injury today, rookie L. Harangody is the only thing resembling a SF left on the Celtics roster. Don’t the Cs NEED somebody like Jeff Green now? His salary is almost exact match with Perkins’, they have 2 O’Neals and Semih Erden under contract thru 2012, and Big Baby can play the 5 in need be. Am I crazy, or would this be a perfect trade for both squads? – Steve H.
Major props to you Steve. You sent this e-mail on Feb. 14. And you absolutely nailed it! Remind me to get you on speed dial next February.
Has a rookie ever won the dunk contest, and if so what year and who won it if you know? —- Jamie C.
Yes. Blake Griffin became the 11th rookie to win the dunk contest. Spud Webb won it as a rookie with Atlanta in 1986. Dee Brown won it as a rookie with the Celtics in 1991. Harold Miner won it as a rookie with Miami in 1993. Isaiah Rider won it as a rookie with Minnesota in 1994. Brent Barry won it as a rookie with the L.A. Clippers in 1996. Kobe Bryant won it as a rookie with the L.A. Lakers in 1997. Desmond Mason won it as a rookie with Seattle in 2001. Jason Richardson won it as a rookie with Golden State in 2002. Josh Smith won it as a rookie with Atlanta in 2005. Nate Robinson won it as a rookie with New York in 2006.
After the Boston trade went down there were some quotes from Rivers about how he and Ainge agonized over it. It makes me wonder how involved Brooks is with the FO decisions, especially since he had been playing Green so much, nearly to a fault. Insight? — Steven R.
I know that Brooks and Sam Presti talk about possible player acquisitions, whether they’re potential free agent pick-ups or trades, regularly. But at the end of the day, the Bull’s eye is on Presti for all roster moves. He’s the one who’s held accountable for player movement, so the final call is his. Brooks isn’t going to persuade or dissuade Presti from making a move if he feels it’s best for the team and its long term prospects.
Talkin’ Beards With Baron Davis
Next to Blake Griffin making his pro debut, the best thing about the L.A. Clippers coming to town was Baron Davis being in the building. Davis is like the Godfather of today’s players when it comes to big ol’ beards. His, you could say, set the standard.
So I spoke with B-Diddy about it before his Clippers played the Thunder. Here’s what he had to say.
DM: What were you doing to James Harden’s beard out in L.A., and what do you think of his beard?
BD: Man, I think it’s sharp. I think it’s sharp. That’s like my little brother so I was just teasing him about it. He’s young but he got a lot of beard hair. I told him I got to catch up to him again.
DM: Is his one of the better ones in the league?
BD: Yeah, definitely. He got that style.
DM: Are these beards sort of like an L.A. thing?
BD: Yeah it is. It’s an L.A. thing. It’s something that we’ve been doing in L.A. I think over the last four or five years. It’s just our own little style.
DM: Why did you trim yours?
BD: Because I couldn’t get it properly. It has to properly grow in the right way. So sometimes you have to trim it so it can grow faster.
DM: Any advice for James on his?
BD: Nah. He’s straight.
-DM-
