Russell Westbrook and What’s Next

Thunder Free Agents: Taj Gibson, Nick Collison, Andre Roberson 2016-17 Thunder Weaknesses:  30th: 3-Point Percentage, Small Forward Offense. 27th: Frontcourt Offense.  26th: Free Throw Percentage, Power Forward Offense.  25th: Assists.  20th: Paint Scoring, Shooting Guard Offense. 2016-17 Thunder Strengths: 1st: Offensive Rebounding, Total Rebounding, Point Guard Offense. 3rd: Fast Break Points. 4th: Free Throw Attempts. 6th: Backcourt Scoring. 8th: Defensive Rebounding.  9th: Pace, Center Offense. 10th: Blocks, Out…

Kevin Durant: Is it Redemption or Goodbye?

The Kevin Durant Saturday night brain freeze that overwhelmed him when everything was on the line seemingly was out of character for the one-time MVP. He appeared uncomfortable and tense from the opening tip as his first shot clanked off the rim so loud it was a startling sound amid the cacophonous bedlam in the…

What Happens Next?

The four year drought may be coming to a close at a perfect time. Kevin Durant may indeed look around him and see this is where he needs to be and this is where he has to be. The Thunder ruined the Spurs championship hopes and can do the same to the arrogant laden NBA…

OKC Respect: Better Late Than Never

A few months ago, the Los Angeles Clippers, not the Oklahoma City Thunder, were penciled in as a threat to the Golden State Warriors, even as the Clippers have never made it past the second round of the playoffs and the Thunder have been to the NBA Finals. The Thunder were repeatedly and continually downgraded…

Westbrook Making the Warriors Suffer

Throw out all those regular season stats that don’t matter anymore. The Thunder losing all three games to the Warriors. The Thunder not able to keep fourth quarter leads. Russell Westbrook erratic and reckless and coming in a distant second to Steph Curry. Kevin Durant efficient when the game is on the line. The Warriors…

Introducing Russell Westbrook, the NBA’s Best Point Guard

Not to rain on the Steph Curry parade but the best point guard in the NBA is Russell Westbrook. Through seventy-two games, Westbrook has been extraordinary: 23.6 points, 10.4 assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.1 steals. He is shooting 45.4%, a career high. He is making 50% of his 2-point shots, a career high. He is…

LeBron Winning In Oakland?

Our Basketball Panel Talks Christmas Day Games Is Warriors-Cavs going to be worth the hype as a Finals rematch? C.J. Hampshire: The Warriors haven’t lost at home. They have their hyper-kinetic style of play. The Cavs are now at full strength even if Kyrie Isn’t 100%. The Cavs want this more than the Warriors. The…

Kevin Durant to the Knicks? It is not That Crazy

The Knicks are light years ahead of where they used to be and all because of Phil Jackson. By drafting Kristaps Porzingis and sliding him next to Carmelo Anthony, Jackson has done the unthinkable, sort of like digging for gold in rock. He has complimented Carmelo’s game without ruining it or damaging Carmelo’s fragile psyche…

Enes Kanter: A Panic Move for the Thunder

Enes Kanter spent three and a half seasons in Utah before the Jazz dealt him to Oklahoma City last February. The Turkish center’s strengths include post scoring and rebounding. His Player Efficiency Rating (PER) last season ranked 36th among all NBA players which seemed to justify general manager Sam Presti pulling the trigger on the…