OKC - Five-peat! Final summary

[Andrew]

I'm interested to see who you end up adding and how much tinkering you'll do with your roster. I'm guessing you'll be keeping your core intact for the most part.

[Phil89]

2/7/10

Off-season news update



Oklahoma City has today confirmed that they have opted not to re-sign 6 players from their roster.
Erick Dampier, Sasha Vujacic, Patrick O'Bryant and Jamario Moon were deemed surplus to requirements.
Whilst Nenad Krstic and Acie law decided to test free agency, but wouldn't rule out re-signing for the Thunder.

In other news, Houston Center Brad Miller has decided to bring an end to his NBA career.

[Phil89]

6/7/10

Some big name players decide not to re-sign with their teams




Center of attention
The biggest news coming out of free agency this season is Houston's decision not to re-sign injury plagued center Yao Ming.
The Rockets opted not to tie up a large amount of their wage budget on a player that hasn't lived up to his potential so far.
There was some good news for Rockets fans though, with point guard Aaron Brooks signing on for a further 4 years.

Abandon ship
Memphis fans were shocked to learn that 3 of their starters in Randolph, Gasol and Conley have decided not to re-sign.
They missed the playoffs after finishing 12th in the west last season and look set to enter a rebuilding phase.

Moving on
All-Star Al Horford has decided not to re-sign with the Hawks. He cited his ambition to win an NBA title as his motivation.
He said "I feel it's time for a change. We gave it our best shot but we just weren't good enough."

Grass is Greener in OKC
Thunder officials were delighted that Jeff Green decided to re-sign with the Thunder on a 5 year deal worth $47.85m.
Re-Signing the All-Star forward was Oklahoma City's top priority going into the free agency period.
A delighted Green said it was an easy decision to stay. "We just won the Championship. Why would I walk away from this team?"
Given that this deal was completed early on in the free agency period, the Thunder can now concentrate on signing a big man.

Staying to fight
There was also good news for three other playoff contenders.
Tony Parker, Joakim Noah and JR Smith re-signed with San Antonio, Chicago and Denver respectively.
All three seem to be comfortable with where their teams are at and didn't want to leave.

Players testing free agency
Yao Ming, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Al Horford, Al Thornton, Carl Landry, Caron Butler, Michael Conley, Andrei Kirilenko, Tayshaun Prince, Delonte West,
Kendrick Perkins, Sebastian Telfair, Ronnie Price, Corey Brewer, Kelenna Azubuike, Luc Mbah a Moute, Grant Hill, Marco Belinelli, Shane Battier, Kenyon Martin.

Players re-signing with their team
Tony Parker, Aaron Brooks, Joakim Noah, JR Smith, Jeff Green, Rodney Stuckey, Mario Chalmers,
Tyson Chandler, Arron Afflalo, DeAndre Jordan, Greg Oden, Jared Dudley, Nick Young.

[Phil89]

22/10/10

Free Agency wrap up



It wasn't quite the media frenzy of the James-Wade-Bosh free agency period last season, but there were a few big names moving teams.
The main deal involved former Houston center Yao Ming. The 7 ft 6 in giant surprised everyone by signing with the Sacramento Kings.

Surprisingly the busiest team was the NBA Champions. Oklahoma City re-signed forward Jeff Green to a 5 year deal.
Shortly after they completed the signing of All-Star center Al Horford, also on a 5 year deal.
They also added depth to their bench with former Timberwolves forward Corey Brewer.

Replacing Brewer in Minnesota is Zach Randolph. The big forward signed a 2 year deal with the Timberwolves.

It seems that the majority of teams making deal were happy with signing players to short term contracts.
With the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose, Brook Lopez and Steve Nash out of contract next season.



Full list of free agency signings

Atlanta
Grant Hill - 1 year - $5.85m
*Maurice Evans - 1 year - $442k

Boston
Jamario Moon - 1 year - $5.85m

Charlotte
Carl Landry - 1 year - $5.85m

Chicago
*Joakim Noah - 4 years - $44.97m

Cleveland
Joel Anthony - 1 year - $442k

Dallas
*Tyson Chandler - 4 years - $58.41m

Denver
*JR Smith - 4 years - $52.92m
*Arron Afflalo - 4 years - $41.54m
Al Thornton - 1 year - $5.85m

Detroit
*Rodney Stuckey - 4 years - $42.89m
Michael Conley - 1 year - S5.85m
Nenad Krstic - 1 year - $442k

Golden State
Caron Butler - 1 year - $5.85m

Houston
*Aaron Brooks - 4 years - $43.08m

Indiana
Sebastian Telfair - 1 year - $5.85m

Los Angeles
*DeAndre Jordan - 4 years - $33.74m
Larry Hughes - 1 year - $5.85m

Los Angeles
Ronnie Price - 1 year - $5.85m

Memphis
*Marc Gasol - 4 years - $44.19m
Andrei Kirilenko - 1 year - $7.46m

Miami
*Mario Chalmers - 4 years - $42.76m
Ronald Murray - 1 year - $5.85m

Milwaukee
Kendrick Perkins - 1 year - $5.85m

Minnesota
Zach Randolph - 2 years - $30.03m
Sergio Rodriguez - 1 year - $5.85m

New Orleans
Tayshaun Prince - 1 year - $5.85m

New York
*Kelenna Azubuike - 1 year - $5.85m

Oklahoma City
*Jeff Green - 5 years - $47.85m
Al Horford - 5 years - $47.43m
Corey Brewer - 4 years - $22.16m
*Acie Law - 4 years - $8.94m
Nick Collison - 4 years - $8.40m

Philadelphia
Erick Dampier - 1 year - $5.85m

Phoenix
*Jared Dudley - 4 years - $32.63m
Earl Watson - 1 year - $5.85m

Portland
*Greg Oden - 4 years - $36.48m

Sacramento
Yao Ming - 4 years - $57.50m
Kenyon Martin - 1 year - $5.85m

San Antonio
*Tony Parker - 4 years - $65.02m
Marco Belinelli - 1 year - $5.85m

Toronto
Delonte West - 1 year - $5.85m

Utah
Shane Battier - 1 year - $5.85m

Washington
*Nick Young - 4 years - $33.51m
Luc Mbah a Moute - 1 year - $5.85m


* Players Re-Signing

[Phil89]

25/10/10

New Thunder players look to help defend Title



Al Horford
GP: 76, GS: 76, 16.9 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 1.1 APG, 2.6 BPG, 0.9 SPG.
Horford decided not to re-sign with the Hawks after they got eliminated by Miami in the Conference Semis.
He was third in the league in rebounds last season, fourth in blocks and looks to be the answer to the Thunder's rebounding problem.
He also was selected on the All NBA second team.

Corey Brewer
GP: 82, GS: 82, 11.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.1 BPG, 1.3 SPG.
Despite playing every game last season for the Timberwolves, Brewer decided it was time for a new challenge after they failed to make the playoffs.
He jumped at the chance to play for the defending champions, despite knowing he would be behind last season's MVP Kevin Durant in the rotation.

Nick Collison
GP: 16, GS: 0, 0.5 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.2 APG, 0.6 BPG, 0.2 SPG.
Collison was traded by Oklahoma City last season to Los Angeles as part of the trade that saw Shannon Brown come to Oklahoma City.
He didn't see much playing time at the Lakers and decided to test free agency. He was more than happy to rejoin his old team when the chance arose.

Rocco Roe
With the last pick of the Draft the Thunder weren't afforded too many options. They chose a 21 year old small forward out of UCLA.
At 213cm tall, he is only shorter than Byron Mullens at the Thunder. He is big bodied and shouldn't have any trouble with the physicality of the NBA.

[Andrew]

Nice acquisitions there, particularly Horford. I like your chances of repeating.

[Phil89]

It was a toss up between Horford and Gasol. I went for Horford because of his stats last season and because I've always wanted to have him on my team.
I just hope he can repeat his 12+ rebounds per game from last season for me.

I could have signed Yao, but at his age it wouldn't have really fit in with my team model. I like young guys on my team for bigger championship windows.

Also, I would've preferred Krstic to Collison. But he only lowered his asking wage after I signed Collison.

[Bucket]

Congrats man, you did a great job again.

[Radioman]

Nice Offseason moves there,

also interesting to see Yao in Sacramento.

Go, Go Rocco Roe

[Houndy]

I like the signing of Horford, good player if you use him in his natural position (PF)

[Axel The Great]

Congrats on beating the cHeat for the NBA title. I like the signing in Horford, you finally have a legitimate force down low, but I don't like Yao's departure to Sacramento.

Interested to see what goes on with Rocco Roe, his name almost sounds like rock n' roll.

[Andrew]

[size=95]It was a toss up between Horford and Gasol. I went for Horford because of his stats last season and because I've always wanted to have him on my team.
I just hope he can repeat his 12+ rebounds per game from last season for me.

I could have signed Yao, but at his age it wouldn't have really fit in with my team model. I like young guys on my team for bigger championship windows.

Those would've been fun scenarios too, but I'd have to say you made the right call.

[Phil89]

Congrats man, you did a great job again.

Thanks. Love playing with this team.

Nice Offseason moves there,

also interesting to see Yao in Sacramento.

Go, Go Rocco Roe

It was weird that he went there. Especially because Dalembert was top 10 in rebounding last year.

I like the signing of Horford, good player if you use him in his natural position (PF)

Maybe if I already had a good center and Jeff Green wasn't playing so well.

Congrats on beating the cHeat for the NBA title. I like the signing in Horford, you finally have a legitimate force down low, but I don't like Yao's departure to Sacramento.

Interested to see what goes on with Rocco Roe, his name almost sounds like rock n' roll.

Thanks. They were a tough opponent, which made it all the more satisfying.

Rocco will be lucky to get much game time really, with Durant and Brewer.

Those would've been fun scenarios too, but I'd have to say you made the right call.

Now that I think of it though, signing Gasol would have added another layer to my Lakers rivalry.

[Phil89]

29/10/10

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

Horford steals the show on debut



OKC - 30 26 18 28 102
GSW - 23 18 28 25 94

Player of the Game: David Lee


OKC _______ GSW
42-83 - FGM/A - 36-75
1-4 - 3PTM/A - 2-6
17-17 - FTM/A - 20-24
26 - Rebounds - 30
28 - Assists - 17
12 - Blocks - 10
11 - Steals - 2
17 - Turnovers - 22
13 - Fouls - 10


Top Scorers
Al Horford - 28
David Lee - 20
Caron Butler - 20
Stephen Curry - 18
OJ Mayo - 18
Monta Ellis - 17
Jeff Green - 16
Kevin Durant - 16

Assists
Russell Westbrook - 9
Jeff Green - 7
Al Horford - 6
Stephen Curry - 6
David Lee - 4

Rebounds
David Lee - 10
Jeff Green - 9
Andris Biedrins - 8
Caron Butler - 6
Eddy Curry - 5
Al Horford - 5
Kevin Durant - 4

Video Highlights
Horford scores his first points as a Thunder player.


Collison blocks Lee on the half-time buzzer.

[Andrew]

Excellent start to the season and fine debut for Horford.

[Radioman]

Good Luck for the new season,

you have a big team now. Horford seems to be arrived in OKC

[Rta]

Good start for the new season.
Good luck

[kibaxx7]

Great job winning the title man, congrats

[Houndy]

Nice start for Horford and your team

[Phil89]

31/10/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [1-0] vs Los Angeles Lakers [1-0]

Bryant takes charge in second half



OKC - 29 26 22 28 105
LAL - 25 30 36 28 119

Player of the Game: Kobe Bryant


OKC _______ LAL
39-89 - FGM/A - 51-106
8-19 - 3PTM/A - 9-19
19-20 - FTM/A - 8-9
39 - Rebounds - 44
18 - Assists - 31
6 - Blocks - 12
8 - Steals - 6
19 - Turnovers - 12
8 - Fouls - 12


Top Scorers
Kobe Bryant - 34
Steve Blake - 24
Ron Artest - 23
Jeff Green - 21
Kevin Durant - 18
Al Horford - 17
Shannon Brown - 17
OJ Mayo - 13
Lamar Odom - 11

Assists
Russell Westbrook - 11
Steve Blake - 10
Kobe Bryant - 7
Ron Artest - 4

Rebounds
Pau Gasol - 16
Lamar Odom - 11
Al Horford - 11
Jeff Green - 9
OJ Mayo - 6
Andrew Bynum - 5
Ron Artest - 5

Video Highlights
Horford with a no-look alley-oop pass to Green.

[Andrew]

Tough to bounce back from a third quarter like that when they're keeping pace with you in the fourth. Looks like they were doing a pretty good job moving the ball around and basically just outgunned you. Hope you can get revenge in the next meeting.

[Phil89]

2/11/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [1-1] vs Phoenix Suns [1-0]

New Thunder players fitting in well



OKC - 31 38 28 30 127
PHX - 23 28 25 33 109

Player of the Game: Al Horford


OKC _______ PHX
51-93 - FGM/A - 44-95
3-10 - 3PTM/A - 4-11
22-23 - FTM/A - 17-22
33 - Rebounds - 38
32 - Assists - 28
9 - Blocks - 11
9 - Steals - 4
15 - Turnovers - 20
14 - Fouls - 13


Top Scorers
Jason Richardson - 24
Kevin Durant - 23
Jeff Green - 22
Channing Frye - 21
Steve Nash - 21
Josh Childress - 20
Al Horford - 20
OJ Mayo - 16
Russell Westbrook - 11
Corey Brewer - 11
Robin Lopez - 11
Shannon Brown - 10

Assists
Russell Westbrook - 12
Steve Nash - 11
Josh Childress - 9
Jeff Green - 6
OJ Mayo - 4
Nick Collison - 4

Rebounds
Jeff Green - 8
Robin Lopez - 8
Channing Frye - 8
Josh Childress - 8
Kevin Durant - 7
Al Horford - 5
Serge Ibaka - 5
Hakim Warrick - 5

Video Highlights
Green intercepts a Nash pass, then dunks over Frye.

[Phil89]

Interesting. It seems Horford, Green and Durant are all 205cm tall. Noticed that while looking at match-ups against Sacramento for an upcoming game.

They have Yao (228cm), Dalembert (210cm) and Thompson (208cm) in their starting line-up. No rebounds for me then.

[Andrew]

Better result, though I would've thought Horford would be snaring more rebounds than that. Hopefully that'll pick up as the season goes on.

[Phil89]

It's kind of frustrating that he isn't grabbing more. Especially seeing as that's the reason I signed him.

He has been playing on guys taller than him though so far. [/excuse]