[44-8] | .:Thunder Up:. | DISCONTINUED

[Durant35]

Westbrook, Smart, reportedly got into an altercation



OKLAHOMA CITY NEWS (AP) - During a Thunder Practice, Westbrook and NBA Rookie Marcus Smart, a former Oklahoma State University Cowboy, got into a match after the latter player refused to be scolded by the coaches. "This guy's cocky. He's still a rookie." said the Thunder starting Point Guard, with the emphasis on the word 'rookie'.

Marcus reportedly was being scolded for not following the plays during practice by Assistant Coach Maurice Cheeks. Out came Russell, who tried to break things up between the two, prompting the third-string guard to shove the Team Captain. "I asked him to prove himself, and we kinda played." Russell added. After some shouting match, the two had a one-on-one match, with Westbrook destroying the rookie.

Reporters then went to Marcus' locker to ask him, "What happened?". The rookie replied, "Nah, we was just having fun." Clearly, frustration was seen in his face.

[Phil89]

Not very smart to get into a fight with one of the star players on the team. Are you planning on traded Marcus, maybe for a backup big man?

[Durant35]

We'll see about that. I have big men two rookies at the moment. I may also move Marcus into the bench, replacing Lamb.

[Durant35]

Thunder pursuing Nicolas Batum, Jeff Green



OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Thunder are actively trying to reach out to Boston and Portland in order to acquire their small forwards. Both are known to be above-average defenders and can constantly produce offense in starting or off the bench.

The Trailblazers' Nicolas Batum logged 38.5 minutes during the 2012-2013 season, and scored 14.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. He also had a +17.67 PER. He is still locked for three years, with a $34.2 Million contract left.

On the other hand, the Boston Celtics Forward was a Sixth Man off the bench and was a former Thunder Starter. He played 27.8 minutes a game, and notched 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. A +16.67 PER and was re-signed during the summer of 2012 to a 4 year, $36M deal.

Challenge!

1. Do you think the Thunder would make mid-season changes?
2. If yes, who would they trade for? Batum or Green?
3. If yes, how many Thunder players would be involved in the trade?

[Woogie98]

Dumb move by Smart(tehehehe) Challenging one of the stars..C'mon browski

1. Do you think the Thunder would make mid-season changes? YES!!
2. If yes, who would they trade for? Batum or Green? BATUM
3. If yes, how many Thunder players would be involved in the trade? 3!!

[hova-]

I guess you wont this guy out of your team, right?

1. Do you think the Thunder would make mid-season changes? Ye
2. If yes, who would they trade for? Batum or Green? Bring back Green
3. If yes, how many Thunder players would be involved in the trade? Dunno .. 2?

[Durant35]

December and January Transactions

Trades:

1. December 20, 2013

Spurs trade Nando De Colo and Tiago Splitter for Shawn Marion and Jermaine O'Neal.

Spurs Grade: A
Mavericks Grade: A

With the way things are looking, the Spurs may not reach the playoffs for the first time in a decade, so they look for more production-friendly players. On the other hand, the Mavs dumped some salary to prepare for the off-season.

2. January 9, 2014

Hawks trade Devin Harris for the Spurs' Trey Thompkins, and the 2015 2nd Round Pick.

Hawks Grade: C-
Spurs Grade: A+

By acquiring another great talent, the Spurs are pushing their limits just to make the playoffs. They can go for the 8th seed. The second rounder and a bench player gone won't affect them much. Hawks with the really dumb move, but I think they're clearing up cap space.

Signings/Extensions:

December:
- Wizards sign Emeka Okafor, 3yrs/$7.78M.
- Pacers lock up Danny Granger, 5yrs/$20.79M.
- Celtics bringing Paul Pierce back, 2yrs/$10.57M.
- Warriors up with Andrew Bogut, 5yrs/$24.16M.
- Lakers sign Pau Gasol for 3yrs/$12.56M.
- Wizards extend Trevor Ariza, 3yrs/$4.74M.
- Kobe Bryant wants another year, 1yr/$15.22M.

January:
- T'Wolves sign Luke Ridnour, $2.93M.
- Thunder sign Tony Allen to a minimum, 1yr/$600k.
- Heat sign Lucas Noguiera, 1yr/$1.25M.

Staff Firing/Hiring:

December:
- Pacers fire Frank Vogel, Hire Wendell Hollins

[Durant35]

Jeff Green is back to Oklahoma City



With a month left till the trade deadline, the Oklahoma City Thunder already made their move. They shipped the problem rookie Marcus Smart, defensive specialists Thabo Sefolosha and Dominic McGuire for the rebuilding Celtics' Jeff Green and their 2014 2nd Round Pick. The decision to find Low Post presence both defensively and offensively has left the Thunder choosing Green over Batum, who was supposed to become Thunder Superstar Kevin Durant's backup.

The Celtics extended Green prior to the start of the 2012-2013 NBA Season. He signed a 4 year, $36M contract and still has 3 years left. The final year is a Player Option. He served as Pierce's backup during his tenure with the Boston squad.

On the Thunder's side, trading Rookie Marcus Smart was a very 'smart' move, as he was shaking up the chemistry and did not fit Head Coach Scott Brooks' system. With an expiring contract, Thabo Sefolosha isn't getting any younger. He is 29 and is looking for more money since he already won a championship the season before this season. Dominic McGuire, a bench warmer, will find more minutes on the rebuilding squad.

After the trade, the Thunder signs the veteran Tony Allen for a year, $600k deal.

Thunder get:

F Jeff Green
2014 2nd Round Pick

Celtics get:

G Marcus Smart
SG/SF Thabo Sefolosha
F Dominic McGuire

NLSC Challenge:

1. Yes
2. Jeff Green
3. 3 Players

Score Tally:

Woogie98 - 4.5 (+4.0)
Andrew_Wiggins - 0 (+0.0)
hova- - 4.0 (+4.0)

[Durant35]

Thunder win in Atlanta, 101-97

phpBB [video]

GAME RECAP | GAME SUMMARY | TEAM STATS

BOX SCORE

Player of the Game: Kevin Durant (29 PTS, 7 REB, 1 STL and 2 BLK in 36 MIN)

It was definitely an exciting fight. After failing to outscore the Hawks during the third quarter, the Oklahoma City Thunder used a late run to get back into the top. They locked down shooters and closed in the lanes, preventing Atlanta from using it's inside-outside system. Kevin Durant carried the load offensively, scoring 29 points and capping the night off with a pair of three-pointers to give his team a five-point lead over the Hawks.

Russell Westbrook scored 22 points but was having trouble shooting from the field, he was 9-of-23, and not one of his 3-pointers went in. It was definitely a good thing that Serge Ibaka and newly-acquired Jeff Green scored 10 and 16 respectively. Jeff Green, a Thunder during the early parts of the franchise, immediately contributed as if he was playing there his entire career.

In 19 minutes, the now-Sixth Man got 16 points, shooting 6-of-9 and grabbed 5 rebounds and an assist. Serge Ibaka clearly outplayed the declining Carlos Boozer, denying his dunk attempt, then spun on him on their next offensive possession. He had 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals too.

Photos:

[hova-]

Good job getting Green. I think you did not give up too much, depends on how much you use Sefolosha. Nice dunk by Russell.

[Durant35]

Since I'm feeling generous today, I'll give you guys an easy challenge.

NLSC Challenge!

You are to post the statistics of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook during these five simulated games. (PTS, AST, REB)
+3.0 PTS to the first five, +2.0 to the others!

OKC vs BOS: W - 102-77
OKC @ DAL: W - 111-64
OKC vs SAS: W - 111-62
OKC @ LAC: W - 89-70
OKC @ CHA: W - 112-64

[Woogie98]

Good game from Green in his debut To lazy to do this challenge

[Durant35]

Woogie98, that's sad.

Simulated Games:

OKC vs. WAS: W - 104-74
OKC @ MIN: W - 122-116 (KD goes off for 61 points!)
OKC @ MIL: W - 103-91
OKC @ PHI: W - 108-103

[Durant35]

Hey guys, I'm really sorry but. I have to end this short. Since the school term started, I haven't been performing quite good at school and actually got an "R" during the midterms for the programming subject. So I decided to cut this short and really focus on school first. Thanks for all your support guys!

[hova-]

Totally understandable. Have been out for quite some time because of University. Thats life. Maybe you can come back sometime. Good luck @school.