OKC - Five-peat! Final summary

20/8/11

Former UCLA teammates reunited in Oklahoma City



Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook spent a year together at UCLA and were dorm roommates throughout.
After Love recently joined, the two have been reunited and will team up again for the Thunder this season.
However, his arrival seemingly cost Al Horford his place in the team and resulted in his trade to San Antonio.

Love decided that he would rather take a pay cut to play for a contender then take double the money on a losing team.
"Ever since those 3 guys in Miami set the example, I've been thinking about what is more important." Love said.
"Obviously the amount of money I could have made by staying [in Minnesota] was very tempting."
"But I'd rather be remembered as a winner. Not someone who got rich and didn't achieve anything."
Minnesota have only won 62 games in the last 2 seasons, an amount that the Thunder managed in the 2010 season alone.

Love also cited Westbrook as a big factor in his decision. "I talked to him about it for a few weeks."
"He was really enthusiastic about the idea of it, but said that I should do what I felt was best for me."

Westbrook gave his thoughts on the deal, "It's really a dream to have him on our team now."
"After we both got drafted we kept in touch a lot. We texted or spoke to each other maybe once a week."
"It's been hard watching him play his heart out and not getting the results he deserves." He added.
"Hopefully he'll be able to continue his great form here and help our group improve even more."

In addition to having a similar sense of humour, they agree their strongest link is a relentless quest to become better players.
“From the beginning, we both just wanted to get better,” Westbrook said. “We both wanted to work and get to the next level.”

The pair never had any discussions about who would be chosen earlier in the 2008 draft.
Interestingly it was Westbrook. He was selected with pick number 4 by Seattle in their last draft before relocating to Oklahoma City.
“Neither one of us knew I was going that high,” Westbrook admitted. "It was a total surprise. I was really shocked."
Love was selected at number 5 by Memphis, but quickly traded to Minnesota in an 8 player deal that involved OJ Mayo.

As Westbrook stood to walk on stage and shake hands with NBA commissioner David Stern, Love told his friend, “See you soon.”
Minutes later, Love's name was called as the next pick. “As I'm walking to the back, I hear ‘Kevin Love,' and I just started clapping,” Westbrook said.

awww snap ! Nice one !

Great offseason for you so far, should secure a threepeat and maybe more when it's all said and done.

Rose leaving Chicago for Milwaukee is certainly surprising (and just a little disappointing!), but kind of works for the story since he's still fairly close to home.

All of the free agents were accepting MLE or minimum deals. (I was over my wage cap and I guess it has to give you a chance at signing someone?)

When I saw who was available I only really wanted to sign Love. Considering my rebounding issues and his performances in real life, it made sense.
Plus his background with Westbrook adds to the story of my dynasty nicely.
Signing Perkins was somewhat fortunate. I could only offer him a minimum contact and somehow the game turned it into a MLE deal.

Interestingly Miami added some more height and Portland added more depth. The Knicks and Clippers could also be surprise packets.

Derrick Rose, Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd leaving their teams. An era has finished

Liking that Spurs team!

28/10/11

Oklahoma City Thunder [0-0] vs Golden State Warriors [0-0]

Thunder's quest for a three-peat starts with defeat in Oakland



OKC - 26 25 19 37 19 126
GSW - 31 19 31 26 21 128

Player of the Game: Caron Butler




Video Highlights
Harden beats the shotclock with a long three.
Flash

Hill makes a tough floater from the baseline to give the Thunder a 105-103 lead with 54.5 seconds left.
Flash

Nice to see Biedrins posting huge numbers Oh this old Warriors jerseys ...

Last edited by Bucket on Sat May 28, 2011 5:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Tough way to start the season but Ellis and Butler were on fire. Make the next team pay.

30/10/11

Oklahoma City Thunder [0-1] vs Sacramento Kings [0-0]

Thunder grab first win of the season after slow start



OKC - 17 29 24 31 101
SAC - 27 18 24 23 92

Player of the Game: Brook Lopez




Video Highlights
Hill plays a nice one-two move with Brown and gets an easy lay-up in the paint.
Flash

No fourth quarter meltdown for the Thunder in this reality. Good to see you get back to winning after the opening night upset.

Brook Lopez outrebounded Kevin Love.

OFF-TOPIC: Speaking of Brook Lopez, I just found out Lopez and Bargnani make up Indiana's frontcourt in my Domination franchise, while Dwight and Zach Randolph play alongside each other in ORL.

When was the last time Westbrook had just five FG attempts?

1/11/11

Oklahoma City Thunder [1-1] vs Sacramento Kings [1-1]

Thunder run riot in second half to win in Sacramento again



OKC - 24 31 35 42 132
SAC - 24 26 27 23 102

Player of the Game: Kevin Durant




Video Highlights
Perkins comes up with a massive block.
Flash

Beastly fourth quarter performance. Durant and Hill were both on fire in that one.

Seems as if George Hill is taking some possessions/shot attempts away from Westbrook. Either way, doesn't matter as long as the team is winning. Yao in Sac-Town?

4/11/11

Oklahoma City Thunder [2-1] vs Portland Trail Blazers [1-2]

Thunder finish strongly again to see off Blazers



OKC - 29 19 29 35 112
POR - 24 24 29 21 98

Player of the Game: Chris Paul




Video Highlights
Durant gets past Roy and then dunks over Paul.
Flash

Seems as if George Hill is taking some possessions/shot attempts away from Westbrook. Either way, doesn't matter as long as the team is winning. Yao in Sac-Town?

I'm still working out the balance of my team. Figuring out what shots Love and Hill can take etc.

This is Yao's second season with the Kings.

Looks like KD isn't a number one choice in Thunder But you have very balanced team and also nice win over rival Blazers

Looks like you're cultivating a good rivalry with the Blazers in the West as well as the Heat out East.

7/11/11

Oklahoma City Thunder [3-1] vs Dallas Mavericks [4-1]

Poor shooting all round, but Thunder grab another win



OKC - 25 21 31 19 96
DAL - 18 25 22 22 87

Player of the Game: Kevin Durant




Video Highlights
Brewer hits a rare three from the corner.
Flash

Looks like KD isn't a number one choice in Thunder But you have very balanced team and also nice win over rival Blazers

I wouldn't say he isn't first choice. I'm just exploring all my scoring options early in the season.

Looks like you're cultivating a good rivalry with the Blazers in the West as well as the Heat out East.

Miami are the only team that concerns me from the east. Portland are probably my top western rivals now, but the Lakers are still strong too.

Take that Mavs. And Thunder only 22 team rebounds?

10/11/11

Oklahoma City Thunder [4-1] vs Memphis Grizzlies [1-4]

Big team effort sets up fifth straight win for Thunder



OKC - 43 27 32 28 130
MEM - 28 17 30 32 107

Player of the Game: Kevin Durant




Video Highlights
Durant with a couple of spins to get around Gasol, then makes the shot over O'Neal with contact.
Flash

That opening night loss is fast becoming a distant memory.

12/11/11

Oklahoma City Thunder [5-1] vs San Antonio Spurs [3-3]

Thunder hold on to win after Spurs comeback



OKC - 31 30 15 29 105
SAS - 17 28 26 20 91

Player of the Game: Tony Parker




Video Highlights
Ibaka gets around Blair and then finishes with a two-handed reverse dunk.
Flash