Loud Links: Oklahoma City Thunder News for July 2, 2009
by daddydai on Jul 2, 2009 6:00 PM CDT
in Loud Links
31 comments
4D here with more Loud Links. Good News: Oklahoma City celebrates the one year anniversary of the Thunder franchise being relocated to OKC. Bad News: Gortat seems to be interested in the Mavericks. Another notable read in this edition includes a nice article about Mullens history. The Seattle Times actually write a nice article about OKC (I think that is a first). Ariza is talking to the Rockets. Nick Collison has a Q&A with Thunder.com. The Thunder and Jazz seem to be the only two teams pursuing Paul Millsap. I can’t wait to see what happens.
Update: Gortat to sign with Dallas; Rubio to stay in Spain | Daily Thunder.com - Where Thunder Happens
Of course free agents can’t officially sign until July 8th, but agreements can be reached. Obviously no word on what the Mavericks offered, but it’s got to be somewhere within the MLE, otherwise Dallas wouldn’t be making this move as they’re already about $12M over the cap. And remember, nothing is official by any means, but I have a feeling if Presti was willing to deal, this wouldn’t be happening. But that’s an assumption, based on Sefko’s wording: "Only hangup will be if the Magic decides to match the offer." He makes it sound like a done deal. Obviously, we just have to wait and see.
Orlando Magic's Marcin Gortat appears bound for Dallas Mavericks - ESPN
Sources told ESPN.com that the Mavericks are bringing Gortat to town to tour the area and the team's facilities after extending him an offer believed to be worth Dallas' full mid-level exception -- which could translate to a five-year deal starting at roughly $5.6 million -- in hopes of dissuading the Orlando Magic from matching the offer.
THUNDER: Collison Working On Jump Shot, Reuniting With Old Friends This Summer
Who are you working out with? "I work out with (former NBA player) Detlef Schrempf. He’s in Seattle. He’s kind of working me out, putting me through some stuff. (Sacramento Kings forward) Spencer Hawes has been in there most days. Jon Brockman, who just got drafted, has been there. There’s a lot of other pros – Jamal Crawford – guys coming in and out, guys who start later in the summer. It’s been good. I’ve been working out at the University of Washington, they’ve been really helpful letting me use the facilities. It’s been really good."
2009 NBA Free Agents and Salary Cap Deals | PROTECT THE PAINT
Paul Millsap would immediately add a tough rebounding presence and the blue-collar attitude that the young Thunder need. Adding Millsap makes the playoffs a possibility, especially considering Yao Ming’s injury in Houston puts the Rockets 2010 playoff hopes in major jeopardy opening up a spot for another Western Conference team. Millsap gives any team he’s on many second (and often third) chance opportunities on the offensive end. If Boozer opts out of Utah, then expect the Jazz to match any offer made on Millsap.
Marcus Dove to play with Thunder summer league team | NewsOK.com
Former Oklahoma State forward Marcus Dove and former Midwest City High School standout DeAngelo Alexander are among the non-roster players scheduled to play with the Oklahoma City Thunder in summer leagues in Orlando and Las Vegas this month.
Thunder talking with 2 free agents | NewsOK.com
Millsap, 24, and Gortat, 25, are both reserves but are considered two of the best up-and-coming big men in the league. Millsap averaged a career-high 13.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 blocks in 76 games, including 38 as a starter while filling in for injured two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer. Gortat averaged 3.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in just 12.6 minutes behind three-time All-Star and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard.
Utah Jazz: Two suitors for Millsap? - Salt Lake Tribune
Only a day into free agency, Paul Millsap 's options appeared to narrow to two suitors in the Jazz and Oklahoma City, while Millsap's agent, DeAngelo Simmons , couldn't be sure how long it would take for either to make an offer.
The Associated Press: Thunder's Mullens overcomes tough times
While he was growing up, his family bounced around to a dozen different homes with stops at a homeless shelter in between. He got shuttled around from one school to the next. His brother got in trouble for dealing drugs. Then basketball helped change everything. As he kept growing, opportunities started opening up for Mullens. He was accepted to a prep school on scholarship and then committed to Ohio State when he was in the ninth grade and already 6 feet 8.
Oklahoma City Thunder marks its first anniversary | NewsOK.com
Three years later, and one year to the day when Bennett and Co. delivered the Sonics to Oklahoma City, only now is Bennett grasping the ramifications of his decision to join one of American capitalism’s most exclusive fraternities.
NBA | How I learned to kinda, sorta like Oklahoma City | Seattle Times Newspaper
Easiest assignment ever: Go to the town that abducted the Sonics and write some impressions. Or, in other words, sip some Hater-ade and let 'er rip. But a crazy thing happened on this disdainful mission. I learned to tolerate Oklahoma City. Then I learned to kinda, sorta like the place. And then, shocker of all shockers, I learned to accept it as an NBA city and stop connecting the Thunder with the Sonics.
Trevor Ariza meets with Houston Rockets - ESPN
HOUSTON -- A person close to the situation tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets are meeting with Los Angeles Lakers forward Trevor Ariza.
Nick Collison (nickcollison4) on Twitter
Bad day for the Dow. Maybe I shouldn't have bought that iced out chain with the huge diamond encrusted medallion of my face last night.
Had some good workouts with the young guys on our team. Rookies look good and seem to be good dudes.
Free Agent Watch Day 2 - Basketball News & NBA Rumors - HOOPSWORLD
"They didn't pursue me at all," Gordon told a Chicago-based ESPN radio affiliate Thursday morning. "They didn't even make an offer, so it was pretty much a one-man race."
THUNDER: Thunder Announces 2009 Summer League Roster
OKLAHOMA CITY, July 1, 2009 – The Oklahoma City Thunder 2009 Summer League Roster was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. Thunder 2009 draft picks James Harden (3rd overall), B.J. Mullens (24th overall) and Robert Vaden (54th overall) will join veterans Russell Westbrook, Kyle Weaver, D.J. White and Shaun Livingston. Oklahoma City will play 10 games between July 5-18 in both the Orlando Pro Summer League and the NBA Summer League presented by EA Sports. Check out thunder.nba.com for updates on the summer league team.
Buying clothes that fit | Daily Thunder.com - Where Thunder Happens
But right now, if you had to choose, which one do you go after? The seven-foot center Gortat or the brawny power forward Millsap? You can look at lots of things - need, fit, upside, price, nicknames. (Gortat has maybe the best in the league with The Polish Hammer and I don’t even know what Millsap’s is. I started calling him "The Milkman" last year, but I’m sure that’s not official. You’ve got to weigh those sort of things.) I see it this way: Which would you rather have, designer clothes that look really awesome or clothes that actually fit? What you buy needs to fit your wardrobe and shouldn’t make you start throwing away all the clothes you’ve already got. It should just be something that you can add right in and doesn’t cause a total rearranging of your closet.
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June 2009
| 06-01-09 | 06-02-09 | 06-03-09 | 06-04-09 | 06-05-09 | 06-06-09 | 06-07-09 | 06-08-09 | 06-09-09 | 06-10-09 |
| 06-11-09 | 06-12-09 | 06-13-09 | 06-15-09 | 06-16-09 | 06-17-09 | 06-18-09 | 06-20-09 | 06-22-09 | 06-23-09 |
| 06-24-09 | 06-26-09 | 06-27-09 | 06-28-09 | 06-29-09 | 06-30-09 |
July 2009
| 07-01-09 |
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well
now we know Gortat will be a bust. When was the last time Mark Cuban threw a lot of money down for a center and it was actually a good move?
Also Artest to the lakers means the rockets are screwed…Ariza could fit there and get major run.
hahahahaha
now we know Gortat will be a bust. When was the last time Mark Cuban threw a lot of money down for a center and it was actually a good move?
It’s funny because it’s true. As a former Mavs fan, I was torn between laughing and crying at that.
by ElectricPencils on Jul 2, 2009 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Just a name to throw out there
I know we have KD and will hopefully have him for the rest of his career but we dont have anyone capable behind him so i was thinking about a euro that intrigues me and is with a team that major salary cap issues of their own. Ersan Ilyasova. Some of you in the area may remember him when Milwaukee played him down in the D-League with Tulsa.
He has been playing in Spain with Regal FC Barcelona (alums include both Gasol’s, Anderson Varejão, Juan Carlos Navarro, Šarūnas Jasikevičius) the last two years and is an RFA this summer. he is number 8 on the draftexpress list of overseas rights held and i agree that watching him reminds me of young Rashard lewis as he is only 22 now. he averaged 10 pts and 7.5 rebounds in 22 min last year while shooting 50% from the floor and 48% from 3. The reason we liked Harden so much in the draft was he could hit the 3 and spread the floor well so can this kid. I am not saying go nuts and give this kid mega money but he is certainly worth what we give Wilkins or b/w that and what we paid Kristic…4 mil or something.
Milwuakee when they sign their draft pick will be at like 65 mil and if they bring back Sessions they will undoubtedly cross into the luxury tax so they may choose not to match on this kid. any thoughts…i know everyone here wants a big and so do i, but to overpay for one doesnt help us long term.
I see Sefolosha and Green backing us the SF spot.
There isn’t a need for anyone else there. The exception would be Mason, but he’d provide leadership mainly from the bench.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
Yeah...
I don’t see that happening since they drafted Harden and still have Thabo.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Jul 2, 2009 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions
what does it have to do with harden the man is a 6 9 sf obviously not playing the 2? thabo while i love his D cant hit the side of a barn consistently from outside. Im talking about a backup 3 that can step and hit the 3. sort of like the young Hedo role when he was in Sacramento.
Ron Ron to Lakeshow
Just reported on ESPN News by Chris Broussard (SP?)
Remembers when GP & the Reign Man were the best Duo in the NBA, hence the 4020...R.I.P. Seattle Supersonics & welcome Oklahoma City Thunder
so ariza will go to Houston
and houston will be like SA when robinson got hurt, be awful get the number 1 pick and then be better if Yao can come back.
or just completely rebuild next summer
if it forces yao to retire they could bring in bosh and a joe johnson or something
I didn't expect that to happen.
Especially since LA wouldn’t take care of Ariza. Now I hope Ariza lands with a major contender.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
I like Ariza a lot.
it’s almost a wash in my mind since Artest is crazy. Though he could be ‘rejuvenated’ by Phil Jackson, sort of like Rodman channeling his inner craziness to get 18 rpg.
What happened to
all the Artest to Cleveland talk? LeBron flying to LA to have dinner with him, etc…
by ElectricPencils on Jul 2, 2009 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Brockman, Detlef, Hawes, Crawford, Collison
it’s like a who’s who of my favorite players. Add Brandon Roy, Nate Robinson, Terrence Williams, Adam Morrison, Marvin Williams, Martell Webster, and I’m in basketball heaven.
If Odom is $10 million per year
and Millsap is $10 million per year, which one would you rather have?
Odom is only 30, though I guess it would be weird to have two Jeff Green’s on the same team. I still say get someone for one year or someone for cheap, and get a defensive minded center the next year.
good link
I haven’t been able to find any recent new on Millsap. I feel this explains a lot:
It’s possible that the Thunder are seeing what the market for Millsap is and waiting until next week to make a move, thereby giving the Jazz less time to prepare to match their offer. Contracts can be signed on July 8, and a team has seven days to match the offer. If OKC were to make an agreement with Millsap before July 8, it would be giving the Jazz more time to potentially move players around to create room to re-sign Millsap.
I do not know the ins- and-outs of NBA contracts, but if the Thunder can front load the contract (as mentioned in the Oklahoman) Millsap would get his $10M and allow the Thunder to be flexible enough to resign our stars.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
the other part that is very unclear is if millsap wants to leave utah at all and if he and his agent are just using a team like the thunder to attempt to drive up the price for utah.
That may happen, but...
if he had respect for the Thunder’s need to stay cap flexible, he should consider the Jazz’s need to restore their cap space. I think if he signs an offer sheet he intends to leave.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
Info on Contracts i found concerning Frontloading
According to the NBA collective bargaining agreement, a contract can be decreased by as much as it can be increased annually. So when a team re-signs its own player, it can lower the annual salary by as much as 10.5 percent based off the first year of the salary. When a team signs a player from another team, it can lower the annual salary by as much as 8 percent off the first year on the contract. That is what I mean by frontloading.
So if Milsap was given 10 mil a year in year one by us he could be declined 800K a year so over 5 years he would make 10, 9.2, 8.4, 7.6. 6.8 or 42 million or an avg of 8.4 million. Now if he signed in Utah a 5 year deal with the annual increases allowed he could start at 8 million and get his 10.5% increases and end up with 43.36 million or 8.67 million a year. Now if we were the ones who wrote the contract for millsap and it was a match deal then utah would have to pay it our way, but if we offer a deal like that millsap could turn to utah and go this is what i have tell me what you are going to do kind of like we all do when we walk into 2 car dealerships looking for the best price.
Neither
Cause neither one is a 10 mil a year player…i know not the answer you wanted, sorry.
No, that's a fine answer as well, since I wouldn't want either for $10 million either.
How about if both were $8 million? Though I’d suspect that if the Lakers offered $8 million and the Thunder offered $8 million, Odom would go with the Lakers.
for 8 i take Millsap cause he can score in the post
odom while better all around doesnt have a true toughness in the post and doesnt show up every night where i dont think anyone has questioned millsap’s desire to play every night
What ever happened to Ioannis Bourannis?
I know the Spurs offered him a 4/12m contract. Did he accept it?
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Northwest Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Denver
|
53 | 29 | .646 | 0 | Lost 1 |
|
Utah
|
53 | 29 | .646 | 0 | Lost 4 |
|
Oklahoma City
|
50 | 32 | .609 | 3 | Lost 2 |
|
Portland
|
50 | 32 | .609 | 3 | Lost 2 |
|
Minnesota
|
15 | 67 | .182 | 38 | Lost 7 |
(updated 9.2.2010 at 4:09 PM CDT)
Thunder Schedule
Last 5 Games
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Los Angeles Lakers
|
Fri 04/30 | L 94 - 95 |
|
@
Los Angeles Lakers
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Tue 04/27 | L 87 - 111 |
|
Los Angeles Lakers
|
Sat 04/24 | W 110 - 89 |
|
Los Angeles Lakers
|
Thu 04/22 | W 101 - 96 |
|
@
Los Angeles Lakers
|
Tue 04/20 | L 92 - 95 |
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