Thunder 99, Pistons 79
Nuggets from my notebook from Monday’s win over Detroit.
- I don’t know about you, but I knew this game was going to be a blowout when Russell Westbrook shredded the Piston’s defense and threw down a tomahawk dunk to make it 6-2.
- I was convinced when Westbrook threaded the needled with an on-the-run, behind-the-back pass to Kevin Durant to make it 8-2.
- Not very often two Top 10-worth plays by the same team are turned in within the first 2 1/2 minutes of a game. Westbrook did just that.
- Westbrook on his two early highlights: “I just tried to keep the excitement in the game. I just tried to keep the fans involved and keep my teammates involved as well.”
- If you ask me, this was by far Serge Ibaka’s best game of the season. He started off providing weak side defense at the rim and his presence was a big part of the Thunder shutting down the Pistons’ attack early. Ibaka then rebounded like a mad man. Only thing he didn’t do tonight was knock down shots, which (I may be in the minority on this) you can live with when he has nights like this. Ibaka finished with a game-high 10 boards and a season-high tying five blocks.
- In his last three games, Ibaka has now pulled down 29 boards and blocked 12 shots. Said Westbrook: “He’s back to protecting the paint and rebounding. In the last five or six games, he’s gotten people scared to come in the paint. I’d be scared if I was them, too.”
- Thunder coach Scott Brooks started Kendrick Perkins on Greg Monroe and Ibaka on Ben Wallace. I wasn’t sure about that one at first because of Monroe’s athleticism. But it was a brilliant matchup. Perk’s superior man defense limited Monroe’s effectiveness, and with Ibaka on a non-factor offensively in Wallace he was allowed to roam and provide that great weak side help. Well done by Brooks.
- Worst part of this game was Nick Collison not returning after halftime due to a sprained left ankle. He’s listed as day-to-day. A shame, really, because you never want to see bad things like an injury happen in a blowout.
- Detroit made its first shot. The Pistons then missed 15 of their final 17 in the opening period.
- Westbrook’s post-up game looked much better tonight. I’m nowhere near ready to say that it’s a good option yet, largely because he abused a rookie in Brandon Knight. But the first move Russ hit Knight with, a Dream shake-like fake that led to a smooth jumper was jaw-dropping no matter who it was scored against. It was by far the most impressive move we’ve seen out of Westbrook in the post. Give me more of that regularly and I can live with Westbrook on the block.
- KD missed the Dirk twice tonight. He’s like 0 for his last four on the Dirk…and I’m still not sure he’s hit one at home.
- The Thunder scored 15 of its 19 fast break points in the first quarter. There have been entire games this season in which the Thunder hasn’t had 15 fast break points.
- How sweet is home for James Harden? He scored his 18th points with 4:52 remaining in the second quarter. That total was more than his point production in any one game on the Thunder’s recent three-game road trip. Harden finished with 24, two shy of his career-high, on 8-for-11 shooting.
- Thanks to Harden coming back to earth, the Thunder finally made some 3-pointers. OKC was 7-for-16 tonight, and Harden was 5-for-6. In the previous two games, the Thunder was 8-for-26 from deep.
(more…)
Another contract for Thunder to work out
Thunder coach Scott Brooks is up for contract renewal.
Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook had until Wednesday to sign a rookie contract extension, or wait until the summer and become a restricted free agent. Six days before the deadline, Westbrook agreed to a five-year extension with OKC worth an estimated $80 million.
Westbrook is now under contract through the 2016-17 season and will be surrounded by familiar faces for several seasons.
Two-time scoring champ Kevin Durant is signed through 2015-16, Kendrick Perkins and Nick Collison are signed through 2014-15 and Thabo Sefolosha through 2013-14.
Next on the agenda are rookie contract extensions for James Harden, Serge Ibaka and Eric Mayor, who are signed through 2012-13, as is Daequan Cook.
Rarely has an NBA team been able to re-sign its top nine players for an extended period of time. For OKC to be in a position to do so is somewhat unfathomable. However, quietly the clock ticks even faster on another key “core” component of the franchise’s continuing success.
This is the final contract year of coach Scott Brooks, whose winning percentage has climbed steadily since becoming the Thunder’s coach – from 22-47 (.319) as interim coach in 2008-09, to 50-32 (.610) his first full season, to 55-27 (.671) last season, to 13-3 (.813) so far this season.
Asked Monday morning if he was concerned about extending his contract, the 46-year-old Brooks smiled and said: “I’ve got a contract. I have a job. There are 30 great jobs in the NBA, and I’ve got one of them. I’m with a great organization, a great place to be.”
Brooks is represented by agent Warren LeGarie, who represents many NBA coaches and front-office executives.
Brooks said he has no expectations to what a new deal might entail. “We’ll see,” Brooks said with a shrug. “I’m not even focused on that. I’ve got a group of guys who love to be coach and it’s fun to see their development. That’s all I’m focusing on.”
Thunder general manager Sam Presti reiterated his policy of not publicly discussing contract negotiations involving team personnel, but added, “I think everybody knows how we feel about Scotty and we hope he remains with the organization for many years to come. I have a lot of respect for Scott. We have been through a lot over the last four years, but that’s part of the process when you’re trying to build something that can last and endure. It’s great to come to work with someone that is committed to the organization. That means a lot here. It’s easy to support him as our coach.”
Presti did not share a specific timetable in resolving Brooks’ future status, but Brooks isn’t exactly playing hard to get. “Sam and I have a great, open communication,” Brooks said. “I love the guys I coach. This is where I want to be.”
In the past, Presti has waited until the end of the season to announce contract issues with Brooks, who had the “interim” label lifted on April 15, 2009, the final day of the regular season. On May 4, 2010, four days after a first-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Thunder announced it had picked up Brooks’ third-year option, which extended him through the 2011-12 season.
Brooks became an assistant under Seattle SuperSonics coach P.J. Carlisemo at the start of the 2007-08 season and was named interim head coach when Carlesimo was fired 13 games (1-12) into the 2008-09 season.
Brooks won the 2009-10 Red Auerbach NBA Coach of the Year Award in his first full season in charge, directing a 27-win improvement (from 23-59 to 50-32) that tied for eighth largest in NBA history.
Terms of Brooks’ current deal have never been announced, but he is believed to be making $1.75 million this year.
Power Lunch Chat with Darnell Mayberry
By The Numbers: Thunder-Nets
Numbers to note from Saturday’s 84-74 win at New Jersey.
4: Missed free throws by Kevin Durant. He was 2-of-6 on the night. In his previous six games, Durant had made 46 of 48 from the stripe.
5: Blocked shots by Serge Ibaka, a season-high. Ibaka helped the Thunder record 10 blocked shots, the third time this season that the Thunder has had at least 10 swats. Ibaka also had nine rebounds, giving him 19 boards in the past two games. Ibaka had pulled down only 19 rebounds in his previous four games prior to the last two.
8: Rebounds by guard Thabo Sefolosha, a season-high.
9: Rebounds by James Harden, a career-high. Harden also scored 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting, salvaging something of the three-game road trip. In the first two games, Harden averaged just nine points on 31.2 percent shooting.
12: Turnovers by Durant in his last two games. KD had five against the Nets after seven at Washington.
13: Percent shooting from 3-point range by New Jersey. The Nets were just 3-for-23.
14: Points scored by Nets guard Deron Williams on 5-for-18 shooting. Williams missed all six of his 3-point attempts and had six assists and three turnovers in 39 minutes.
16: Offensive rebounds by the Nets. Oklahoma City out-rebounded New Jersey 55-46 but got beat by two on the offensive end. The Nets’ total on the offensive end raised the Thunder’s league-worst opponent offensive rebounds to 13.5 per game.
17: Biggest lead by the Thunder. OKC led for good after taking a 13-12 lead with 4:49 left in the opening period.
19: Turnovers by the Thunder. The Nets scored only 10 points off those giveaways. But OKC had just 13 assists. It was the sixth time the Thunder has finished a game with more turnovers than assists.
22: Points off turnovers for the Thunder. OKC had 18 points on 12 Nets turnovers by halftime alone.
31: Percent shooting by New Jersey, an opponent low for the Thunder.
35: Halftime points by the Nets, an opponent low for any half this season by the Thunder.
74: Points scored by the Nets, an opponent low for the Thunder this season. In the previous game, the Thunder allowed Washington to score 105 points, which set an opponent season high.
84: Points scored by the Thunder, a season-low. The previous low by OKC was 87 at Dallas on Jan. 2.
-DM-
Where Thunder ranked in GM poll
NBA.com recently conducted its 10th annual GM Survey, polling the league’s general managers once the tumultuous offseason calmed down a bit.
Results involving the Thunder are as follows:
Which team will win The 2012 NBA Finals?
1. Miami — 74.1% 2. Oklahoma City — 14.8% 3. L.A. Lakers — 7.4% 4. Chicago – 3.7%
Last year: L.A. Lakers — 63.0%
Which team will win the Western Conference?
1. Oklahoma City — 67.9% 2. L.A. Lakers — 17.9% 3. Portland — 7.1% San Antonio — 7.1%
Last year: L.A. Lakers — 96.4%
1. Oklahoma City — 71.4% 2. Portland — 28.6%
Last year: Oklahoma City — 63.0%
1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 55.6% 2. LeBron James, Miami — 44.4%
Last year: Kevin Durant — 66.7% (more…)
By The Numbers: Thunder-Celtics
Numbers to note from Monday’s 97-88 win at Boston
4: Blocked shots by Serge Ibaka, a season high. Ibaka notched the new mark in just 15 first-half minutes. He played only seven minutes in the second half.
5: 3-pointers made by the Thunder in the final five minutes. Oklahoma City had made just two of 13 3-pointers in the previous 43 minutes.
7: Game-winning streak by the Thunder, two shy of the franchise’s Oklahoma City era record for consecutive wins.
11: Bench points scored by the Thunder, which saw its reserves make just 5-of-22 shots. James Harden scored a season-low five points on 2-for-8 shooting while Nick Collison added six points on 3-for-7 shooting. Nazr Mohammed, Daequan Cook and Reggie Jackson combined to miss all seven of their shot attempts.
12: Fourth-quarter points scored by guard Thabo Sefolosha, the most of any player in the final quarter. Sefolosha went 4-for-4 from the field, including 2-for-2 from the 3-point line and made a pair of foul shots.
13: Thunder turnovers, leading to just two Celtics points.
19: Celtics turnovers, leading to 24 Thunder points.
20: Second-chance points by Boston. The Celtics out-rebounded the Thunder 48-40, including 15-9 on the offensive end. Kevin Garnett (12 points, 12 rebounds) and Jermaine O’Neal (12 points, 11 rebounds) both had double-doubles for the Celtics.
39.1: Percent shooting for the Celtics, tying the second lowest percentage by a Thunder opponent this season. OKC held Orlando to 37 percent in the season opener, and limited Memphis to 39.1 percent in the Game 3.
54: Combined points by Kevin Durant (28) and Russell Westbrook (26).
88: Points scored by Boston, the seventh straight game that the Thunder has held an opponent to less than 100 points. During its seven-game winning streak, the Thunder has held opponents to 92.1 points per game.
-DM-
Power Lunch: Chat with Darnell Mayberry
John Rohde’s Power Lunch Chat Recap
Thunder 95, Hornets 85
Tidbits from the Thunder’s victory at New Orleans on Wednesday night:
- On Tuesday night, after recording their fourth victory in five nights, Thunder players somberly explained during post-game interviews in Memphis that this was no time to gloat. Point guard Russell Westbrook said it wasn’t even time to smile. On Wednesday night, OKC’s back-to-back-to-back, five-games-in-six-nights sweep had been completed with a 95-85 victory at New Orleans. Inside the smallest and hottest visitors’ locker room in the entire league, there still was no gloating. However, there were plenty of smiles. Westbrook included. No one popped champagne, of course, but for the first time all season, Thunder players let down their guard and simultaneously exhaled.
- One night earlier, Serge Ibaka and Thabo Sefolosha had a spirited conversation in French. Tonight, when a much happier Ibaka made a joke, his teammates laughed in a French accent.
- The 66-game regular season is only 18.2 percent complete, but OKC is off to a 10-2 start in the first 18 days. The Thunder’s final 54 games will be played in a span of 100 days, which is still hectic, but not ridiculously so.
- Reserve forward Nick Collison leads the team in ice consumption. After every game, both knees are wrapped in ice and both feet are soaked in ice water. Calculated in his responses while evaluating Thunder performances, there was a bit more pep in Collison’s tone Wednesday. “I was proud of our team tonight. It’s not easy (winning five straight in six nights). It wasn’t the prettiest game, but you saw a lot out of our team when we fought back from a bad start and a couple of rough stretches throughout the game. We had a muddy start. We didn’t have the extra juice and I think it’s probably just the schedule, but we got out of it.”
- The Thunder trailed by 10 in the first quarter and understandably could have collapsed given their fatigue from a hectic schedule. Collison then revealed the difference between this year’s team and last year’s team that was good enough to win the Northwest Division title by five games and advance to the Western Conference Finals: “In the past, that’s a game we would have stayed in a funk the whole game,” Collison said. “It was good for us to snap out of it.”
- Kevin Durant is on his way to becoming a complete nightmare for opponents. He’s making an effort to care as much about rebounding and passing as he does about scoring. In what areas has Durant improved? “He’s gotten stronger,” OKC coach Scott Brooks said. “He’s growing up in front of our eyes. He catches the ball where he wants it now. He doesn’t get pushed off. He didn’t want to get pushed off (before), but he wasn’t strong enough to hold his ground. I think he’s doing a better job of doing that. He can score in different spots easier and that’s the most important thing. I think he’s really seeing the floor better. He’s able to make passes to open guys. He’s never been a selfish player. He’s able to see it quicker before the play closes up on him. He’s passing the ball very well.”
- Durant, when asked if he was worried his team was too tired to come back from a double-digit deficit against the Hornets: “I never worry about our guys, man. We always come to play. They hit us right in the mouth early and made more plays than us. They played hard, man.”
- On Tuesday at Memphis, Sefolosha went 4 for 4 from the field and 3 for 3 from 3-point range. On Wednesday, Sefolosha didn’t take his first shot until midway through the third quarter, which was a missed 3-pointer. What took so long for Sefolosha to pull the trigger? “My teammates didn’t want me to shoot,” deadpanned Sefolosha, who is shooting 58.8 percent on 3-pointers. Asked to explain his new-found shooting success, Sefolosha said: “It is rhythm and it’s confidence, that’s the main thing. I work hard on it and I know I can knock them down. It’s a matter of doing it in the game. I know my role has evolved as far as my offensive game and I just try to fit that role to the best, you know. I know I have to knock down those 3-pointers to help the team.”
- More stone hands from Ibaka. Two second-quarter passes from Durant directly underneath the basket went uncaught. Late in the third quarter, Ibaka mishandled a pass underneath from Westbrook.
- Though rookie Reggie Jackson has played well – better than expected, in fact – there are still too many times the ball gets sticky in his hands. Jackson no doubt is athletic, but no matter how quick he is, he’s not quicker than good ball movement. Nazr Mohammed shouted for Jackson to get the play started quicker, and to get on the proper side of the court.
- An odd sight with 1:37 left in the second quarter: Westbrook, who never admits fouling anybody at anytime, raised his hand when Chris Kaman was fouled in the act of shooting. Thing of it is, the foul was called on Ibaka.
- The Hornets shot 1 for 16 from 3-point range. That’s 6.3 percent.
- The Thunder often draws well on the road, but not this round trip – 13,601 in the FedExForum and 13,565 in New Orleans Arena.
- JOHN ROHDE
Reggie Jackson Ready To Lead
Reggie Jackson is known for offense, but he says it's his defense that will grab your attention.
If Reggie Jackson interviewed with me for a job opening, I’d hire him on the spot.
And you would, too.
Talk to the rookie point guard for 12 minutes, as a small group of reporters did at the Thunder’s media day last month, and you’d be floored by the manner in which the 24th overall pick out of Boston College carries himself. His oozes confidence, so much so that it’s easy to mistake his self-assuredness for arrogance or cockiness. But that’s just Jackson. And even as a 21-year-old newbie to the NBA, Jackson is beginning his career beaming with that same self-belief.
“Continue to just try and be a leader, no matter my age or years in the league compared to anybody else’s,” Jackson stated as somewhat of a personal mission. “I’ve always been a vocal leader. I’ve always been very confident and I plan on remaining that way.”
He’ll need to now.
With Eric Maynor out for the year after tearing up his knee Saturday at Houston, Jackson must now step in as the team’s backup to Russell Westbrook. The truth of the matter is the Thunder has avoided the risky proposition of entrusting its primary reserve point guard role to a rookie. Prior to Maynor and his super steady hand coming to town midway through the year two seasons ago and lodging a wedge in the revolving door of reserves, the organization made it a point to backup Westbrook with experience, guys like Earl Watson, Chucky Atkins, Shaun Livingston and Kevin Ollie.
Maynor was special, even as a rookie, and Jackson must fill his shoes. But it’s a job Jackson appears ready for. His makeup suggests he won’t shrink in the moment. Take, for instance, his response to one reporter’s question about making it to the NBA and fulfilling a dream.
“I’ve always dreamed big,” Jackson started. “I don’t feel like my dream was just to get into the NBA. I feel like that’s just a step. It’s a requirement of my dream. My dream always has been to be one of the best point guards to ever play the game. And it doesn’t mean statistically. But I feel like to be one of the best players you have to win day in and day out. And at the end of the day, only one team can win it all. And hopefully I can help this organization rack a bunch of Ws up and bring home a bunch of titles.”
Typically, when a rookie starts talking that tough the natural reaction is to roll your eyes. But then you keep listening and you realize the rook might just be wise beyond his years. And if nothing else, you certainly learn that his maturity will make life easier on him. By the time you hear Thunder coach Scott Brooks rave about Jackson’s work ethic, marveling at how he might spend too much time in the gym, you start to become a believer in Jackson, too. (more…)
