OKC - Five-peat! Final summary

[Phil89]

10/12/11

Oklahoma City Thunder [16-3] vs San Antonio Spurs [10-10]

Parker dominates as Spurs avenge earlier loss to Thunder



OKC - 26 30 24 30 110
SAS - 38 20 24 34 116

Player of the Game: Tony Parker




Video Highlights
Harden finishes emphatically after a nice pass from Durant.

-----
I was losing 20-4 early on but fought back. It was back and forth in the second and third quarters.
Love missed an easy dunk late on which would have tied the game.

[Andrew]

That's the kind of back-to-back midseason series the game should be generating in the schedule. Funny that the road team won both games, tough break in the loss but nice effort to make it competitive after such a slow start.

[kibaxx7]

Manu injured, but we stole a win from you. Incredible how TP scores here.

[Phil89]

12/12/11

Oklahoma City Thunder [16-4] vs Portland Trail Blazers [13-9]

Blazers end Thunder's unbeaten home run at 9 thanks to CP3



OKC - 34 28 19 28 109
POR - 25 32 30 31 118

Player of the Game: Chris Paul




Video Highlights
Hill drags defenders into the paint then kicks it out to Bargnani who nails a three.

[Andrew]

Huge game from Paul, tough loss.

[Phil89]

Manu injured, but we stole a win from you. Incredible how TP scores here.

I'm not sure if he's injured. I think he just isn't used because his rating has declined as he's gotten older.

Huge game from Paul, tough loss.

I thought it would be easier with Brandon Roy out injured, but Paul just upped his game and dominated.

[Andrew]

Isn't that your second home loss of the season? I thought the Spurs won the game in Oklahoma City on the second night of the home-and-home series.

[Phil89]

The two I just played against the Spurs? They were both in San Antonio.

[Andrew]

Sorry, I was looking at the jerseys.

[Phil89]

Haha, that's probably my fault.

When I have 2 games in a row against the same opponent I like to change the jerseys so I don't get them mixed up I'm writing up the reports.

[Phil89]

12/12/11

Big trade deal being touted



ESPN sources are reporting that the final details of a trade involving several teams are being discussed tonight.
The potential mega-deal could see up to five teams included and could well set a new NBA record.
It is believed that two of the teams involved are the Memphis Grizzlies and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Speculation has been spreading across fan forums about who else could be involved in the deal.

More details to follow.

[µTorrent]

Aaaah! Goodness!
First home loss of the season. Thats got to be disappointing for you.

[Andrew]

Interesting...guess there's a lot of big names changing address. I'm guessing Zach Randolph and Andre Iguodala, if the Grizzlies and 76ers are involved.

[Phil89]

Well Randolph is at Minnesota on this game, but Iguodala might be a good shout.

One of the other teams involved in the deal has a certain Australian center on their roster.

[Andrew]

I'm guessing you're not referring to Nathan Jawai.

[Phil89]

Not unless free agency is a team, no.

I'm just finishing up the write-up. Will probably post soon.

[Phil89]

13/12/11

Record breaking five team deal approved by the league



NBA commissioner David Stern today gave the green light on the biggest trade in league history.
The complex mega-deal involves five teams (Lakers, Grizzlies, Bucks, Magic and 76ers) and eighteen players.
It all got started when Memphis and Milwaukee decided that they needed to shake things up to save their seasons.
Their GMs got together and started gauging interest from other teams and finally came up with this deal.

Los Angeles receive
Brandon Jennings - 22 - PG - $2.66m - 1 year (85)
John Salmons - 32 - SF - $28.00m - 3 years (81)
Daequan Cook - 24 - SG - $9.59m - 2 years (74)
Keyon Dooling - 31 - PG - $8.95m - 2 years (71)

Projected line-up:
Andrew Bynum - Pau Gasol - Ron Artest - Kobe Bryant - Brandon Jennings
Bench options:
Eric Maynor, John Salmons, Ronnie Price, Mardy Collins, Daequan Cook, Keyon Dooling


Contracts In: $20.8m
Contracts Out: $23.4m


Conference standing: 6th in West


It may seem odd for the Lakers to be involved in a deal like this, but there is a few good reasons why they chose to be included.
Kobe (33), Artest (32) and Gasol (31) are all coming towards the twilight of their careers and there isn't anyone to take over when they finish.
All three veterans have only two years remaining on their current deals and may not feature in the Lakers' plans past that point.
Another important point is that center Andrew Bynum's contract is up after this season. This deal shows him there is a future in LA.
If the Lakers do decide to rebuild post Kobe, they now have some good building blocks. Bynum, Cook and Maynor are 24. Jennings is only 22.
Salmons and Dooling may both be over 30, but they'll be good backup off the bench. Salmons in particular will provide some good scoring.

Letting Odom go was a tough decision as he has won the sixth man of the year award in each of the previous two seasons.
But he is said to have wanted a chance to be a starter and he seemingly will now get that opportunity in Milwaukee.
Fisher is 37 and likely to retire when his deal is up at the end of the season. Walton was nothing more than a bench warmer.
Blake lost his starting spot to Maynor earlier this season. Now the Lakers finally have quality at PG in Jennings and Maynor.

Deal grade: A+

Memphis receive
Jameer Nelson - 29 - PG - $7.60m - 1 year (85)
Brandon Bass - 26 - PF - $4.00m - 1 year (82)
Drew Gooden - 30 - PF - $20.80m - 3 years (77)
Jason Williams - 36 - PG - $3.10m - 1 year (68)

Projected line-up:
Marc Gasol - Brandon Bass - Rudy Gay - OJ Mayo - Jameer Nelson
Bench options:
Jermaine O'Neal, Ersan Ilyasova, Brandon Rush, Luc Mbah a Moute, Drew Gooden, Jason Williams


Contracts In: $21.3m
Contracts Out: $22.0m


Conference standing: 15th in West


With their season slowly slipping away as they sit bottom out west, Memphis decided it was time to shake things up.
They've managed to hold onto their three star players in Gay, Gasol and Mayo and fill some big gaps in their roster.
Since Zach Randolph opted not to re-sign two summers ago, they've had more room to move within the wage cap.
Part of it was taken up when they signed Gasol to a $44m deal during the same off-season as Randolph left.
Along with extending Gay's deal, they handed Mayo a four year $40m deal at the end of last season.
Mayo would have no doubt been expecting to be playing in the playoffs this season when he was signing the deal.

They also re-signed Kirilenko and Cook last off-season. Strangely though they added three more swingmen afterwards.
So at the start of this season they had eight on their roster. (Gay, Mayo, Kirilenko, Ilyasova, Cook, Mbah a Moute, Rush and Allen).
They were lacking in both power forward and point guard positions, which led to Kirilenko and Mayo having to fill in those spots.
Bass and Nelson should fit right into the starting line-up as Kirilenko leaves and Rush drops back down to the bench.
Gooden adds some much needed height and experience to the bench. Williams could retire when his contract is up this season.

Losing Cook and Allen wasn't too big of a deal as they have a handy replacement on the bench already in Rush.
Kirilenko was a big contract and at 30 years old he didn't really have many years left to offer this franchise.
The draft picks may still turn out to be lottery picks, but it's a risk the Grizzlies are willing to take in order to compete now.


Deal grade: A

Milwaukee receive
Andre Iguodala - 27 - SG - $33.28m - 2 years (89)
Louis Williams - 25 - SG - $5.35m - 1 year (84)
Lamar Odom - 32 - PF - $9.60m - 1 year (83)

Projected line-up:
Andrew Bogut - Lamar Odom - Andre Iguodala - Louis Williams - Derrick Rose
Bench options:
Michael Redd, Luther Head, Jon Brockman

Contracts In: $31.2m
Contracts Out: $24.6m


Conference standing: 15th in East


Almost everyone was surprised when Derrick Rose chose to leave Chicago and sign a one year deal with Milwaukee this past off-season.
Unsurprisingly though the team he joined continued to perform poorly. The Bucks have missed out on the playoffs in the last two seasons.
They are in a similar position to Memphis. Currently bottom of the eastern conference and looking like missing the playoffs again.
To incorporate Rose alongside Redd and Jennings, he has been forced to play in his unfavoured shooting guard role this season.
As a result his numbers are way down on his previous season's efforts as he sees less and less of the ball during games.

With this in mind, the Bucks decided to seek a deal to improve their roster and hopefully salvage their season.
Snaring both Iguodala and Williams from Philadelphia was a major coup and the pair should add much needed scoring.
Also a great deal was bringing in Odom from the Lakers. The Bucks can offer the skillful forward a starting role.
That was reportedly the major factor in Odom's agreeing to this deal. He will also be able to help out Bogut with rebounding.
In the unlikely scenario that Odom doesn't perform well for them, the Bucks do have an out as he is on an expiring contract.

Bringing in talent like this comes at a cost though. Milwaukee's bench is looking mighty bare now with mainly rookies.
The way things were going though they are more than happy to sacrifice depth for quality as they push for the playoffs.
Of course trading Jennings was a major risk, especially given that Rose is only contracted for one season.
But it does give Rose the opportunity to play in his favoured point guard position and hopefully lift his game.

Maggette was a solid contributor but he is now 32 and was a big expiring contract that interested Philadelphia greatly.
Gooden was also a good squad player but is also 30 years old and would have been second choice behind Odom.
There was no longer a need for Jennings and with his contract expiring, the Bucks will be happy not to lose him for nothing.
The Bucks will also be happy to get rid of John Salmons big contract. They upgraded at PF whilst taking less wages on.

Unsurprisingly Milwaukee were not able to get rid of 32 year old Michael Redd's $51m three year contract in this deal.


Deal grade: A-

Orlando receive
Andrei Kirilenko - 30 - SF - $28.84m - 2 years (81)
Tony Allen - 29 - SG - $3.30m - 1 year (70)
Derek Fisher - 37 - PG - $3.70m - 1 year (68)
Grizzlies 2012 First round draft pick
Grizzlies 2012 Second round draft pick

Projected line-up:
Dwight Howard - Andrei Kirilenko - Jason Richardson - JJ Redick - Gilbert Arenas
Bench options:
Chris Duhon, Hedo Turkoglu, Ryan Anderson, Tony Allen, Derek Fisher, Earl Clark

Contracts In: $21.0m
Contracts Out: $17.2m


Conference standing: 4th in East



Orlando have spent the last couple of seasons trying to get the right pieces around Dwight Howard to get him a championship.
Last season they traded for Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu. Now they are involved in another deal.
Many feel that Orlando's championship window is closing and this deal is their final attempt at keeping Dwight in Florida.
They now have seven veteran-aged players whose contracts are up in the next few seasons and will likely rebuild then anyway.
Arenas, Duhon and Allen are all 29, Richardson and Kirilenko are 30, Turkoglu is 32 and Fisher is still playing at age 37.

Kirilenko gives an already potent line-up even more spread. Adding to the three point threats of Richardson, Redick and Arenas.
The Magic also acquire two draft picks, which will come in handy if the worst case scenario happens and Dwight leaves.
Another concern for them is that Redick is also on the final year of his deal. But he hasn't indicated any unhappiness.

Nelson had fallen out of favour this season. The Magic have gone with Arenas at point guard and JJ Redick at shooting guard.
Things seemed brighter for Nelson in the last couple of weeks as he's been starting games with Redick is out injured.
But with the Magic commited to Arenas' big contract, he was always likely to leave next season in search of a starting role.
Bass could be a big loss as they only really have Ryan Anderson as natural cover at the power forward position.
But then again, Kirilenko, Turkoglu and Clark are all 6 ft 9 or taller and can probably fill the position if needed.
Losing Quentin Richardson shouldn't matter too much. They've still got a good deal of depth on their bench.

Deal grade: B-

Philadelphia receive
Corey Maggette - 32 - SF - $10.92m - 1 year (79)
Steve Blake - 31 - PG - $8.00m - 2 years (78)
Quentin Richardson - 31 - SF - $2.50m - 1 year (72)
Luke Walton - 31 - SF - $6.10m - 1 year (67)
Bucks 2012 First round draft pick
Bucks 2012 Second round draft pick
Lakers 2012 First round draft pick (via Milwaukee)

Projected line-up:
Spencer Hawes - Thaddeus Young - Corey Maggette - Evan Turner - Jrue Holiday
Bench options:
Elton Brand, Andres Nocioni, Kelenna Azubuike, Steve Blake, Quentin Richardson

Contracts In: $23.5m
Contracts Out: $21.3m


Conference standing: 13th in East


It seems that after a poor start Philadelphia have given up on their season and their roster and decided to start fresh next season.
They've dealt their star players for expiring contracts and draft picks. Given the talent potentially available though it's not all bad.
Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, Blake Griffin, Kevin Martin, Tyreke Evans and Stephen Curry among others.
Depending on who they choose to re-sign, they could have as much as $20m in available cap room to sign a star or two.
Elton Brand's $18m contract is coming to an end this season and the 76ers could be glad to see him off their salary list.

They will aim to build around youngsters like Hawes, Turner and Holiday, who they hope will become big stars in the future.
The two extra first round draft picks will come in handy as well. They now have a total of five picks, three of which are in the first round.

Deal grade: C+

[Andrew]

That sure is a huge deal. I'd agree that the Lakers and Grizzlies got the best of it.

[Phil89]

Knowing my luck though all the players that I want to see re-sign with those teams won't and the 'expiring contract' players will re-sign.

I hope they fix the AI decision making in the free agent market for the next game.

[µTorrent]

The Lakers and the Bucks won it! So is the Magic too.
Jennings replacing Fisher? A+!
Bucks are gonna have one hell of a season!

[Martti.]

Jennings in LA? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[kibaxx7]

Yeah, Jennings in Los Angeles, terrible... the Lakers keep getting the best young players

[Phil89]

The Lakers and the Bucks won it! So is the Magic too.
Jennings replacing Fisher? A+!
Bucks are gonna have one hell of a season!

Well they are bottom at the moment, but hopefully they improve after this.

Jennings in LA? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Sorry..

Yeah, Jennings in Los Angeles, terrible... the Lakers keep getting the best young players

On this game though they aren't even the best in their division. The Warriors are. Clippers and Kings are quite good now too.

[Phil89]

14/12/11

Oklahoma City Thunder [16-5] vs Utah Jazz [10-11]

Thunder return to winning ways against Jazz



OKC - 36 29 26 40 131
UTA - 26 24 23 31 104

Player of the Game: Brook Lopez




Video Highlights
Quick thinking from Westbrook sets up an easy dunk for Love.

[Andrew]

Back on track. You're in pretty good shape when you've got four players scoring at least 20 points.