Wrap up and Box Score for Thunder's 1st Summer League Game

Pretty exciting game, at least in the sense there was a lot to get excited about.

*That Orlando Summer League team is really awful. A more competent team would have crushed OKC tonight; I stopped counting how many missed rotations/wide open jump shots (usually missed) the Magic got off. This was basically the OKC first team minus Durant/Green/Krstic vs. a bunch of guys that won’t make the league.

*Mullens has really nice touch on his jumpshot, and stroked at least 3 20-22 footers. Oddly, he missed a lot right around the basket, though he did make a pretty 8 ft hook. Really poor team defender, and he missed a ton of rotations. No reason he shouldn’t, though, as he’s plenty agile enough. Also doesn’t really have a feel for rebounding yet.

*Serge Ibaka! I thought D-league or another year in Spain was the proper course of action until tonight. Way, way more skill and polish than I was expecting (I was expecting a completely raw dunker/rebounder). Showed off some nice post moves that surprised the hell out of me.

*Harden played as advertised. Fantastic vision, was able to create one on one, hit his open threes. Patient passer, knows what his teammates are doing at all times. Showed his ability to absorb contact on a nice and-one from 16 ft. If this is the real James Harden, I’m pretty stoked.

*I was scratching my head at the Vaden pick on draft night and he didn’t do anything to change my mind about him. He’s a 24 year old volume shooter who’s numbers declined dramatically last year. I just don’t think he has the chops to hang in the NBA.

*I was ready to dump Earl Watson two seasons ago and with Shaun on board, Watson’s the clear third option at this point. Shaun Livingston is back to 100%. He was patient and saw the floor extremely well. He was in control at all times. Playing with RW and Shaun on the floor at the same time actually worked pretty well. He’s a much more sober and methodical counterpart to RW’s barely-in-control madness.

Glad to hear input from Thunder fans about the game most of us didn’t see. Sounds very promising!

# david b. thorpe The Thunder, as an organization, should be proud of their win. This was a prepared group of young men.
# david b. thorpe Add Ibaka to the list.
# david b. thorpe If the Thunder was a stock, it’d be a hot one. They have a number of good looking young players here. White, Westbrook, James Harden, Li …
# david b. thorpe Harden continues to impress. It looks like he’ll fit in great as the third or fourth wheel for OKC.
# david b. thorpe DJ White has returned to action after jaw surgery. He looks good.
# david b. thorpe Ryan Anderson has a lot of work to do on his body. But he’s not just a shooter. He’s a player.
# david b. thorpe Westbrook is 3 steps ahead of his teammates. He misses KD and Green.
# david b. thorpe Harden looks like a top 3 pick. He’s in total command of his game.
# david b. thorpe Livingston looks quicker and more sure of himself than any time I’ve seen him since his injury.
# david b. thorpe The D-league is made for Ibaka, and if used right, it will help him immensely. He has a future.
# david b. thorpe Ibaka just picked up a defensive 3 seconds call. It won’t be his last.
# david b. thorpe The Thunder are up 15-2, and Westbrook is playing horribly.
# david b. thorpe BJ Mullens looks good. He’ll get much bigger and stronger.
# david b. thorpe James Harden is not a gunner. He has a sense of where his teammates are at, and where they’re going.
# david b. thorpe Serge Ibaka is long and athletic, yes. But he’s quickly shown some skill too. Great late pick.
# david b. thorpe Sean Livingston gets the start for OKC. Welcome back!