Nuggets 106, Thunder 101
Nuggets from my notebook from Wednesday’s loss to Denver.
- Again, I’ll start with the biggest news of the night. James Harden has been cleared to play after passing all league-mandated protocol to return from a concussion. He’ll be back for the opening round of the playoffs. He again did not join the team tonight at the arena for precautionary reasons due to bright lights and such.
- Coach Scott Brooks said Harden will go through practice Friday and will not have a minute restriction upon his return. “I’m excited,” Brooks said. “I’m thankful that James is healthy. That’s the bottom line. I’m worried about James, and he’s back.”
- We don’t know yet when the Thunder will play its first game. It’ll either be Saturday or Sunday. We’ll find out late, late Thursday night.
- We do have a pretty good idea who the Thunder’s first round opponent will be. Are you ready for a Western Conference Finals rematch? Because it’s looking like Dallas will be the No. 7 seed. All Denver has to do is win at Minnesota on Thursday night, or get a Dallas loss.
- That’s what has got to make this loss sting a tad bit. The Thunder had a chance to sort of control its destiny with its first-round matchup but couldn’t seal the deal. A win over Denver would have increased the chances that the Thunder avoided the defending champions. Instead, it now appears that the Thunder will draw its least favorable matchup. And that marks the latest time the this team has displayed a disturbing trend. Every time the Thunder has a chance to control its destiny by winning, it seems the team doesn’t do it.
- Despite saying for weeks that matchups didn’t matter, it certainly looked like Brooks was playing for a win tonight, probably to keep Denver down and help Dallas move up. When Brooks brought back KD and Russell Westbrook inside the nine-minute mark, it certainly looked fishy just one night after allowing the bench unit to close out the game against Sacramento. Four starters played at least eight minutes in the fourth quarter tonight. But Brooks said he wasn’t trying to impact the standings. “I’m not one to manipulate who we play and who we don’t play,” Brooks said. “You play who you play. If you’re going to win a championship, you’ve got to go through four very, very good teams. And you’re going to have to play them all. The strategy was I wanted Kevin and Russell (Westbrook) to get in the mid-30s (minutes). I probably played Kevin maybe two or three minutes longer than I wanted. But the game was close and he wanted to stay in.”
- There was more injury news tonight in addition to Harden. Westbrook looked to have hurt his left wrist pretty badly late in the fourth quarter after landing on it awkwardly following an attempted blocked shot against Corey Brewer. Westbrook was holding his wrist and wincing as if he was in severe pain. But just like the warrior he’s proven to be, Westbrook stayed in the game and played through it. After the game, Westbrook said his wrist was “a little sore” but it’s all right. He said he doesn’t anticipate it affecting him going forward.
- Serge Ibaka also sent a scare through the entire arena with just less than five minutes remaining in the third when he collapsed to the floor after Andre Miller appeared to elbow him in the back. Ibaka remained on the floor while play continued at the other end before getting up and checking out of the game. He was said to have a hip contusion and later returned. Like Westbrook, Ibaka didn’t just come back, but he came back and played well. Ibaka had a filthy stuff on a dunk Brewer dunk attempt, meeting him at the rim and rejecting a potentially powerful tomahawk.
- Ibaka finished with four blocks tonight, giving him 241 for the season, good enough to give him a league-leading 3.65 average. It’s the first time Ibaka has lead the league in both total blocks and blocks per game. Last year, he just led the league in total blocks.
- Kevin Durant said before the game that Ibaka’s shot-blocking makes him Defensive Player of the Year material. “I think he is,” Durant said. “If you look at the guys that block shots, Dwight Howard, he got Defensive Player of the Year for blocking shots three years in a row. But some of that stuff is sometimes reputation and name. It’s sad to say those awards and stuff is like that but, hopefully, I think he deserves it. How many shots he’s blocked and double-digit shot blocks he had in the season and how he changes every shot for us. If people really watch our games they’ll really know how much of a defensive force he is. But like I said, that stuff goes down to popular names or stuff like that. But I hope he’s (among) the top two voted.” (more…)
Second Round Ripe For Retaliation
If the Thunder and Lakers make it to the second round, James Harden and Metta World Peace will once again share the court. Could tempers flare?
With Metta World Peace receiving a seven-game game suspension for his vicious elbow to the head of James Harden, the Lakers forward could be back in time for a potential second-round series against the Thunder.
And that could be a problem.
No one on the Thunder will forget what World Peace did to Harden. And by allowing World Peace to return for what already would be an intense playoff series, the league is risking emotions rising and retaliation being served up.
World Peace will begin serving his suspension Thursday in the Lakers’ season finale at Sacramento. He must then sit out the next six games in which he is eligible and physically able to play. So if the Lakers get swept in the first round, World Peace must sit out the first two regular season games next season. Should the Lakers get knocked out in the first round, crisis averted.
But all signs point to the Thunder and Lakers being on a collision course to meet in the semifinals. OKC is locked into the 2-seed in the Western Conference playoffs. L.A. is locked into the 3-spot. Both teams are widely believed to be able to beat whichever first-round opponent they draw between Dallas, Denver and Utah. If they do, we’re looking at a second round series that will be filled with story lines and possible some good old fashion get back.
NBA Commissioner David Stern said on his annual pre-playoff conference call today that the league has “reason to believe that James will be available for the playoffs.” Of course, Stern and his staff would know. The Thunder must consult with the league and its appointed doctor who oversees the NBA’s concussion program before Harden can be cleared to return. Thus, the villain and the victim could soon be reunited on a court near you. (more…)
David Stern Drops Bombshell On OKC
I had an interesting five-minute chat with NBA commissioner David Stern last night.
With just minutes to spare before tip-off between the Thunder and Magic following his 25-minute pre-game press conference with reporters, Stern stuck around after I snagged him off to the side for a couple of quick follow-ups. There were two topics I wanted to inquire about: the so-called Derrick Rose rule and the more punitive luxury tax. More specifically, I wanted to know from the commissioner how he felt the presence of those two issues in the new collective bargaining agreement would impact Oklahoma City and markets like it.
It doesn’t take a salary cap expert to figure out that rising salaries (the Derrick Rose rule) coupled with stiffer penalties (a more punitive tax) is a mix that ultimately will put pressure on teams and perhaps might soon limit their ability to retain their stars and remain competitive. But Stern stood behind both rules and others, leading to my story today in which Stern admitted the Thunder would eventually have to be a taxpayer if it had any intentions on winning big with its current talented core. In my humble opinion, it was by far the most interesting thing that came out of opening night in Oklahoma City.
For years we’ve wondered how will the Thunder keep its core intact. And on opening night, Christmas night, the commissioner came to town and confirmed it can’t.
“People are saying to Miami, ‘Well, you’re going to have a decision to make with respect to one of your big three,’” Stern said. “And they may say the same thing to Oklahoma City, and that’s a good thing. That means you’ve arrived and you’re out there being competitive.”
Translation: you can have two stars, but you can’t have three. Not in the new NBA. Not unless you want to pay big bucks.
In other words, bye, bye James Harden. So long, Serge Ibaka. (more…)
David Stern Statement On CP3 Trade
The NBA has released a statement from commissioner David Stern regarding the vetoed trade of Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Since the NBA purchased the New Orleans Hornets, final responsibility for significant management decisions lies with the Commissioner’s Office in consultation with team chairman Jac Sperling. All decisions are made on the basis of what is in the best interests of the Hornets. In the case of the trade proposal that was made to the Hornets for Chris Paul, we decided, free from the influence of other NBA owners, that the team was better served with Chris in a Hornets uniform than by the outcome of the terms of that trade.”
I’ve got a sneaky suspicion that this paragraph isn’t the last we’ll hear about this fiasco.
-DM-
OKC Thunder’s flag football roster
Kevin Durant plays flag football at Oklahoma State on Halloween night. (Photo courtesy KT King)
Evidently, Kevin Durant has accepted LeBron James’ challenge to a flag football game. It was on Twitter, so it must be true:
@KDTrey5: Set it up! My team ready RT @KingJames:@KDTrey5 Team KD35 vs Team King James do I hear? Flag football.(Done deal! Date soon)
On Day 123 of the NBA lockout, Durant was at bored at his OKC home on Halloween night and asked via Twitter if anyone locally was playing flag football. What transpired was one of the coolest impromptu events ever to hit Stillwater.
The play-by-play of Durant’s escapade is detailed here and here.
OKC Thunder coach Scott Brooks and general manager Sam Presti no doubt cringe at the thought of their franchise player (due to start a five-year extension whenever next season starts) challenging the 6-foot-8, 260-poundish James on a football field. Doing so on a basketball court is crazy enough. The dude could start next Sunday for the Cleveland Browns … um, the Miami Dolphins.
Durant claims he has his flag football team ready to go. Thunder players organized four-day workout sessions this summer in Austin, Texas, and Lexington, Ky., so it’s not outlandish to think they would gladly huddle up as a flag football team to pass the time.
Here is a breakdown of the OKC Thunder flag football roster, with positions:
Kevin Durant — WR/FS: With Durant’s 7-foot-5 wingspan, every pass attempt should be a fade route, even from the Thunder’s own 10-yard line. If there’s a jump ball, offensively or defensively, it’s his. Boring, but effective.
Russell Westbrook — QB/CB: Best athlete on the field, including LeBron. A Michael Vick type. (Did you know Westbrook writes left-handed?) No matter how many completions he has, national media will complain Westbrook should have passed the ball more to Durant.
Kendrick Perkins — DL: Only non-platoon player on roster because of fragile knees. Ndamukong Suh’s attitude. Most penalized player in flag football.
Nick Collison FB/MLB: Instead of taking charges, Collison finally gets to knock some people down. He excels playing two physical positions. When you least expect it, Collison erupts (think Trey Millard 61-yard TD run vs. Kansas State).
Thabo Sefolosha WR/SS: A physical presence on both sides of the ball. Covers a lot of territory. Always helping out teammates. Good blocker. Outstanding receiver on underneath routes. Unsung player, but vitally important.
James Harden FL/OLB: Effective playmaker with the ability to take over a game. Streaky. Sneaky quick. And here’s some good news for him: he gets to start.
Serge Ibaka TE/DE: Remarkable athlete, but language barrier creates problems with on-field communication, which is why he plays the same position on both sides of the ball. He stands in the exact same spot going each direction.
Eric Maynor QB/CB: Westbrook’s backup at both positions. One of the most underappreciated backups in all of flag football. Rarely makes mistakes. Subtle in his effectiveness. A valuable commodity.
Nazr Mohammed TE/DL: Pretty much keeps his hands raised throughout the entire game, kind of like “Chief” in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Stands at the line of scrimmage, to either catch a pass or knock one down.
Daequan Cook WR/BANDIT: A specialist on both sides of the ball, as a receiver and as a fifth defensive back. Either way, he’s going deep. Restricted free agent, but hopes to have contract signed before coin toss.
Royal Ivey PLAYER/COACH: There in a pinch when you need him. Wise and dependable. Think George Blanda at age 29. Out to prove people from Austin still know how to play football.
Cole Aldrich C/NT: Just like in basketball, Aldrich is asked to have a presence in the middle. Is permitted three developmental assignments in the Canadian Flag Football League, which is handy because he can visit his parents in Minnesota.
Byron Mullens C/NT: Just like in basketball, is battling for the exact same positions(s) as Aldrich. Also is allowed three CFFL assignments. Mullens is better offensively than defensively, and vice versa for Aldrich.
Nate Robinson RB/CB/KR: An explosive weapon, when he’s focused. Played cornerback for one season at University of Washington before concentrating on basketball. Potential hero or goat and a crowd favorite.
Reggie Jackson: No assigned position as of yet. Durant and teammates have him busy doing rookie chores — laundry, washing cars, carrying luggage, Sonic runs.
Are you ready for some (flag) football?
The 2011-12 NBA Season Was On The Brink Before It Ever Came Close To Starting
NBA Commissioner David Stern announced the cancellation of the first two weeks of the regular season Monday night after league and players union officials failed to reach an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement.
This is a sad day for the NBA.
But the league is headed for many more.
The first two weeks of the regular season were canceled Monday night in the wake of the league’s labor dispute. The remaining 20 can’t be far behind.
“We remain very, very far apart on virtually all issues,” NBA commissioner David J. Stern said of the failed collective bargaining agreement negotiations that led to this owner-imposed lockout.
Most saw this day coming. Few close followers hadn’t long ago resigned themselves to the inevitability of the NBA missing games for only the second time in its 65-year history. Few, however, could predict the resignation with which league and union officials allowed this first wave to come and go.
That’s what’s most troubling.
The two sides have dug in. They’ve each drawn the line, and they dare not inch across it. Surrendering game nights at this point simply is seen as the cost of doing business.
“This is what we anticipated would happen,” said union president Derek Fisher, “and here we are.”
All that matters now is that someone gets off their soap box. The clock is ticking. Each passing day is now a costly one. Each passing week now sheds another two from the season. When asked Monday night whether the season is in jeopardy, Stern said “I’d like to think not.” How’s that for a ringing endorsement? He’d like to think not.
The truth is, this season has long been on the brink. The players knew it when their union began preparing them for this day two years ago by imploring them to save their money. The owners orchestrated it when their initial proposals in early 2010 were so preposterous the only place for which the union deemed the documents fit was the dumpster.
“I’m convinced that this is all just part of the plan,” union executive director Billy Hunter told reporters Monday night. (more…)
‘Only in Lawrence’ could Nick Collison and Cole Aldrich play to a draw
Boston's Paul Pierce, right, playfully chokes Miami's Mario Chalmers after Chalmers converted a 3-pointer with 0.1 seconds left, which forced the "Legends of the Phog" exhibition game to end in a 111-111 tie Saturday inside KU's Allen Fieldhouse. (Photo by Richard Gwin, Lawrence Journal-World)
John Rohde: 475-3099. John Rohde can be heard Monday-Friday from 6-7 p.m. on The Sports Animal Network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. Follow him on Twitter @RohdeOK.
Thoughts On Jerry Sloan
A teary-eyed Jerry Sloan said farewell to the NBA on Thursday.
One day, he signed a contract extension.
Hours later, he resigned.
Longtime Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan no longer will pace the sidelines after calling it a career Thursday. The news shocked the NBA world and could greatly alter one of the league’s pillar franchise.
Sloan has been on the Jazz bench since 1988. He compiled 1,221 wins, third most in NBA history, and had 10 seasons of at least 50 wins. In Utah, Sloan won six division championships and led the Jazz to two NBA Finals appearances. In 2009, Sloan was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Sloan will be missed by many.
In today’s question of the day, we ask our panel what their reaction was to Sloan stepping down.
JENNI CARLSON
I was shocked hearing the news, then sad watching the press conference. Seeing everyone crying during the announcement, you realized that this wasn’t what anyone wanted but what Sloan felt was necessary. He deserved to go out in a better way, to be cheered at other arenas, to be celebrated at home by one of the most loyal fan bases in the NBA. To leave the Jazz so unceremoniously on a random Thursday afternoon, that just isn’t right. The Hall of Famer earned a better exit, a grander departure. Sadly, he didn’t get it.
BERRY TRAMEL
I was stunned, but we shouldn’t have been surprised. Like the Jazz owner said Thursday, all good things must end. Bobby Cox stepped down from the Atlanta Braves last autumn. The Titans jettisoned Jeff Fisher last month. So it shouldn’t come as a shock that Sloan is leaving the Jazz. He stayed ahead of the posse for 23 years, and while Utah provided a supportive working environment that is rare in the NBA, the fact remains that it’s a player’s league. If LeBron doesn’t want Erik Spoelstra, Spoelstra is out. If Kevin Durant doesn’t want Scotty Brooks, Brooks is out. If Deron Williams doesn’t want Jerry Sloan, Sloan is out. Sloan avoided mutiny for almost a quarter century, but the law of the NBA jungle stretches even to Salt Lake City. All good things must end.
JOHN ROHDE
Utah players shoved a Hall of Fame coach out the door and into the cold. Jerry Sloan is 68 years old and tired of shoving back, surrendering to point guard Deron Williams and those who think they know better than a man with 1,221 career victories. Twenty years earlier, a younger, feistier Sloan had flare-ups with players like Karl Malone and fought back, but enough is enough. Sloan deserved a far better exit, but locker-room fights are never pretty. Williams won this shoving match, and the evil inside me predicts it will end up making losers of all that Jazz.
DARNELL MAYBERRY
I knew something wasn’t right in Utah. But never did I think it would end with Jerry Sloan leaving. Sloan is the Utah Jazz. Has been for 22 years. News of his resignation didn’t seem real Thursday. And the reports that trickled out throughout the day left a bad taste. Hopefully there was no mutiny in Utah. Hopefully Deron Williams didn’t think so much of himself that he couldn’t coexist with one of the most brilliant basketball minds the game has ever known. Sloan has done more for that franchise than any one player has ever done and probably will ever do. The way it ended is a shame. It’s a sad day for NBA fans.
DAVID STERN (in a statement released by the NBA)
Few people have epitomized all the positives of team sports more than Jerry Sloan. A basketball lifer, Jerry was as relentless in his will to win on the sidelines for the Utah Jazz as he was as an All-Star guard for the Chicago Bulls. In over two decades as a coach, he taught his players that nothing was more important than the team. His most impressive qualities were his leadership and his extraordinary ability to encourage his players to subjugate their individual games for the benefit of the whole. Two trips to The Finals and over 1,200 regular-season victories more than validate his philosophy. Jerry moves on having established himself as one of the greatest and most respected coaches in NBA history. I and the rest of the NBA family wish him great success and happiness as he moves to the next chapter of his life.
-DM-
Is The NBA Further Away From A Lockout?
The NBA and NBA Players Association convened in New York today for another round of labor talks for a new collective bargaining agreement. And it appears that, unlike in Dallas over All-Star Weekend, the two sides are warming up to actually ironing out a deal.
After the meeting, the two sides issued a joint statement.
The NBA and NBPA held a four-hour bargaining meeting today that included
constructive dialogue and a productive exchange of information. While we
still have much work to do, it was encouraging how many players and owners
participated in the process and all pledged to continue to work together.
We all agreed to meet again before training camp.”
That’s a stark difference from the 90-minute meeting in Dallas that union head Billy Hunter deemed “contentious” and declared “round one of what could be a 15-round fight.”
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com has a full report from New York, and he tells us that this go-round was indeed much more positive.
According to people in the bargaining session, there was less far less rancor and rhetoric than in the session at All-Star weekend, when the players rejected the owners’ initial proposal. The word “lockout” was thrown around less frequently, too. According to one person present, commissioner David Stern proclaimed at one point during the meeting, “There’s a gap, not a gulf.”
There is no question I’m in the minority here, but I highly doubt the league is headed for a work stoppage. I can see a scenario where the two sides fail to reach an agreement by July 1, and a lockout lingers into October 2011. But under no scenario do I see the league forfeiting regular season games come November 2011. Interest in the NBA game is incredibly high. The league is flourishing, both stateside and abroad. Why would the league risk throwing it all away, or at least taking several steps backward, by souring its fan base? Sure, NBA Commissioner David Stern projected the league would lose $400 million in 2009-10 and has lost hundreds of millions in each previous year of the current CBA. But if Hunter has reason to doubt those reports, as he did in June, I do too, especially since the salary cap for next season increased rather than plummeted as originally projected.
The current deal needs to be altered. And it will be. The players will yield and so will the owners. A middle ground will be found.
Business is booming, and the NBA has grown strong — but not strong enough to suffer a setback like another work stoppage.
-DM-
