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OKC Loud Links: Wrapping Up the Week

We wind down this past week with at least a few more links. The biggest news that has come out has fortunately involved actual basketball, so hopefully we can put aside the labor stuff for a moment and think about things like Euro-ball and the Drew and Goodman Leagues.

Durant, Harden Will Go Head to Head in East-West Battle | NewsOK

Next month's game pitting the Drew League and the Goodman League will pit Kevin Durant and James Harden against one another. I really need to figure out how to get to this game.

OKC Arena Now "Chesapeake Energy Arena | Daily Thunder

Young gets the scoop on the Thunder's new naming rights going to Chesapeake Energy, a local firm that is chaired by  Aubrey McClendon, who also co-owns the Thunder franchise.  

Get a Great Player and Win! | Wages of Wins

If you were to define the success of an NBA team in a sentence, it would be this - find a great player, keep the great player.

Salary Cap Chat With Larry Coon | HoopsWorld

Larry Coon is probably one of only two or three guys covering the NBA lockout whom I would implicitly trust when he's making assertions as to what is going on. If he's addressing the CBA and lockout, we need to pay attention.

Why Being an Impure Point Guard Isn't a Bad Thing | SB Nation

Ziller takes aim at the notion that the classic "pure" point guard is superior to all other point guards. In fact, as these last playoffs have born out, these days a team needs their point guard to be multi-faceted. 

More links after the jump.

The NBA's European Vacation | Grantland

Here is another good take on which players have a realistic shot to play overseas and thrive, as well as the implications of such a move.

Two Teams Will Be Fined For Talking to Players | Hardwood Paroxysm

Naturally, the first guess goes to David Kahn. Who else may have pierced the cone of silence? 

NBA Logo Roundup: Part 3 | Behind the Basket

Blott takes a look at the last group of logo designs, including OKC's. The Thunder get a B-, but at least it's still better than Washington's.

D-I's Top 100 Players: 11-20 | Basketball Prospectus

Even though we're now in the top 20, there are still a wide array of players from different schools making the list. 

Durant Has a Lot of Tattoos | Ball Don't Lie

We've covered this topic here in the past, but BDL hones in on one tattoo in particular that Durant seems to have added recently. He seems to have the logo of the Washington Nationals on his stomach. That just cracks me up for some reason.

Interview With Andrew Bogut | HoopsHype

Andrew Bogut offers some very candid answers to questions in this interview. He's probably overvalued as a cornerstone player, but there is no doubt that he's a valuable asset.

J.J. Barea: Living the Dream | SB Nation

Apparently Jose Barea got one heck of a pep talk during the NBA Finals.

Moving Past Michael Jordan | Hardwood Paroxysm 

Here is one argument that Michael Jordan's success on the court essentially ruined expectations for everyone else. He is probably right, and the one guy who can speak to it better than most, Phil Jackson, has argued that when you compare players today, it is kind of necessary to remove Jordan from the equation all together.

Dirk Nowitzki, Seeker | 7thInningSketch.com

And shockingly, Rasheed Wallace, Keeper.

John Salmons, Hipster | The Basketball Jones 

Did you ever think to yourself, "I'd really like to dress like John Salmons?" Well then, your day of victory has arrived.