OKC Morning Loud Links: Back in the Saddle

The Thunder travel to Dallas tonight to visit with a Mavericks team that is renewed with spirit and vigor. Early on in the season they were struggling to find a new identity, given all the changes from last season. They have since begun to find their stride, and with a healthy Dirk Nowitzki, are looking to make up ground in the West.

Did Clippers Expose some Thunder Weak Spots? | NewsOK

The short answer - of course they did. You don't lose games without weaknesses being exposed. Winning just means the weaknesses didn't cost you as much as it cost the other team. I do know that the Thunder had better tighten up their perimeter defense though, because Jason Terry likes to let it fly.

3 on 3: Perk Questions | Daily Thunder

The trio examines the true value of Kendrick Perkins this season. Is he performing well? Underperforming? Getting dunked on too much?

Team By Team Assist Distribution | Hickory High

Levy is back with another entry into his statistical canon. This time out, he takes a graphical look at how team assists get distributed. Serge Ibaka, you need to be passing the ball a little bit more.

Beyond Blue Collar | The Classical

The 76ers are the young team in the East, perhaps the Thunder counterpart, who are demonstrating that teams can be rebuilt in the aftermath of a superstar's legacy.

Why Clutch is Dumb (Isn't Why You Think) | Hardwood Paroxysm

The latest entry into the ethereal definition of "clutch" is offered here.

Thinking, Fast and Slow | Basketball Prospectus

Using rational judgment and decision making in order to write about sports. Works for me.

Paul George Can Dunk Too | 8 Points, 9 Seconds

Even Pacers are getting into this dunkathon action.

Kyrie Irving is NOT Rookie of the Year | Wages of Wins

Ultimately, this race is going to come down to popularity between Ricky Rubio and Kyrie Irving, which the author admits. I just think it's great to have two more compelling point guards in the league.