The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Oklahoma got its first glimpse of the Thunder in Monday's preseason game before an enthusiastic crowd of 12,055 inside the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa.

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                         Oklahoma City Thunder's Abel Nader drives to the basket around Dallas Mavericks' Isaiah Roby during a preseason NBA basketball game in Tulsa, Okla.,
                         Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Dave Crenshaw)(Dave Crenshaw / AP)--Dallas Morning News.

     TULSA, Okla. — Isaiah Roby’s final statistics from his first game with the Mavericks included two points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks in 17 minutes.

     What didn’t show in the box score from Tuesday’s 119-104 preseason loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder?

     Days worth of off-court learning for the rookie second-round pick.

     The curve started Monday afternoon, when Roby first boarded the team’s private plane. When he played the last three seasons at Nebraska, the team traveled well, Roby said,
     but the Mavericks in-flight menu to Tulsa included California rolls.

     “Sushi on a plane?” Roby said. “In college, we were fighting for granola bars.”

     Then hours before the preseason opener Tuesday, Roby walked onto the BOK Center court to take warm-up shots and saw Jeff Van Gundy preparing his notes for ESPN’s
     game broadcast.

     Roby had one thought.

     “That’s when it’s like, ‘It’s finally here,’” Roby said.

     Roby’s $1.5 million cap hit this season — part of the four-year, $6.7 million contract he signed this summer — will be the largest salary a player selected in the second round
     of the draft out of college has earned in his first NBA season.

     But his debut didn’t come without lapses.

     Roby hasn’t yet had a chance to develop a pregame routine. When he walked out of the training room before the game Tuesday, he realized he was 45 minutes ahead of
     schedule because the Mavericks have different benchmarks than he found a rhythm with in college.

     And he made just one of his six shot attempts from the field, including neither of his two tries from three, after entering the game midway through the third quarter.

     “At 46 in the draft, he’s a steal,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “But this is a big learning game for him, and it’s pretty clear the things he’s got to do. He’s got to keep refining his
     long-range shot and get used to the NBA reads.”

     ESPN Box score:  https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401163133 (https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401163133)


     Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder - Full Highlights | October 8, 2019:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8igyKhp1Fs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8igyKhp1Fs)

Oklahoma City Thunder are going thru an era of challenge post Westbrook, Durant, Ibaka & Harden era.  
NBA support has been strong since relocation of the NBA's Supersonics to OKC in 2008.  Thunder have enjoyed 392 consecutive sellouts since 2010 as of this day.  
Much of that support include season ticket sales & ticket packages from Tulsa & Wichita.

NBA Attendance:  http://www.espn.com/nba/attendance (http://www.espn.com/nba/attendance)

Oklahoma City 2018 Urban & MSA population is estimated at 650,000 & 1.4 million respectively.  Standards dictate that it takes 1 million population per major league sport (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL) to adequately support a major league sport.

Current efforts to address upgrades to Chesapeake Energy Arena to make it a viable NBA venue will include the passage of $104 million in renovation to our arena.

                    (http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena073119.jpg)

                    (http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena073119k.jpg)

Price tag:  $115 million of a MAPS 4 initiative total of $978 million that will be presentation before OKC voters December 10 of this year.

          MAPS 4 Initiatives:


                          Parks ($140 million)
                          Youth Centers ($110 million)
                          Senior Wellness Centers ($30 million)
                          Mental Health and Addiction ($40 million)
                          Family Justice Center operated by Palomar ($38 million)
                          Transit ($87 million)
                          Sidewalks, bike lanes, trails and streetlights ($87 million)
                          Homelessness ($50 million)
                          Chesapeake Energy Arena and related facilities ($115 million)
                          Animal Shelter ($38 million)
                          Fairgrounds Coliseum ($63 million)
                          Diversion Hub ($17 million)
                          Innovation District ($71 million)
                          Freedom Center and Clara Luper Civil Rights Center ($25 million)
                          Beautification ($30 million)
                          Multipurpose Stadium ($37 million)

Many fans & posters are concerned about the team's competitiveness beginning the rebuilding; seen as a reset for the franchise.  It will be crucial for our community to support these initiatives to keep our largest indoor venue up-to-date.

Just want to mention that the $115 million earmarked for the Arena upgrades includes $11 million in renovations to the City-owned Thunder's NBA practice facility.

(http://files.ctctcdn.com/e21c700d001/d179483a-4ed8-415f-9fa8-1460d22d404f.jpg) (http://www.methenyconcrete.com/site-images/24/PAGES/474/okc-thunder-training-facility.jpg)

Oklahoma City voters overwhelming approved a 16 project package $978 million  MAPS 4  initiative by a 70% 'Yes' vote to include $115 million in improvements to the Chesapeake Energy Arena ($104 million) and Thunder Practice Facility ($11 million) in upgrades.  

This vote of confidence coupled with the recent 2017 (13 bond propositions) passage of the $967 million General Obligation Bonds will infuse $1.9 billion in new construction for  streets, bridges, transit construction & capital improvement projects.  Construction will span 2020-2028.


               2020 MAPS 4 Initiative ($978 million) :  https://journalrecord.com/2019/12/10/voters-approve-maps-4-in-a-landslide/ (https://journalrecord.com/2019/12/10/voters-approve-maps-4-in-a-landslide/)
               2017 Bond Package ($967 million):  https://www.okc.gov/residents/better-streets-safer-city-projects/bond-package (https://www.okc.gov/residents/better-streets-safer-city-projects/bond-package)

                              Oklahoma City Thunder reach .500

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                        Box score:  https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401161068 (http://"https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401161068")

               House of Highlights:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLl4Eci-yGQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLl4Eci-yGQ)

   NBA Teams Values 2020

   Here’s the full list of NBA franchise valuations, per Forbes:

          _1.  New York Knicks: $4.6 billion
          _2.  Los Angeles Lakers: $4.4 billion
          _3.  Golden State Warriors: $4.3 billion
          _4.  Chicago Bulls: $3.2 billion
          _5.  Boston Celtics: $3.1 billion
          _6.  Los Angeles Clippers: $2.6 billion
          _7.  Brooklyn Nets: $2.5 billion
          _8.  Houston Rockets: $2.475 billion
          _9.  Dallas Mavericks: $2.4 billion
          10.  Toronto Raptors: $2.1 billion

          11.  Philadelphia 76ers: $2 billion
          12.  Miami Heat: $1.95 billion
          13.  Portland Trail Blazers: $1.85 billion
          14.  San Antonio Spurs: $1.8 billion
          15.  Sacramento Kings: $1.775 billion
          16.  Washington Wizards: $1.75 billion
          17.  Phoenix Suns: $1.625 billion
          18.  Denver Nuggets: $1.6 billion
          19.  Milwaukee Bucks: $1.58 billion
          20.  Oklahoma City Thunder: $1.575 billion

          21.  Utah Jazz: $1.55 billion
          22.  Indiana Pacers: $1.525 billion
          23.  Atlanta Hawks: $1.52 billion
          24.  Cleveland Cavaliers: $1.51 billion
          25.  Charlotte Hornets: $1.5 billion
          26.  Detroit Pistons: $1.45 billion
          27.  Orlando Magic: $1.43 billion
          28.  Minnesota Timberwolves: $1.375 billion
          29.  New Orleans Pelicans: $1.35 billion
          30.  Memphis Grizzlies: $1.3 billion

Source:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2020/02/11/nba-team-values-2020-lakers-and-warriors-join-knicks-in-rarefied-4-billion-club/#d5806a22032f (https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2020/02/11/nba-team-values-2020-lakers-and-warriors-join-knicks-in-rarefied-4-billion-club/#d5806a22032f)

Thunder vs. Jazz -  2:30 p.m.,CT,  Saturday, August 1, 2020 in Orlando.  All Thunder games on Fox Sports Oklahoma

              (https://kslsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Chris-Paul-Mike-Conley-Oklahoma-City-Thunder-Utah-Jazz-768x432.png)

https://www.nba.com/thunder/video/okc-in-orl?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=200626ThunderinOrlando&elqTrackId=2b23c60ae21d45bd8b57f8f711f5d5ad&elq=dd61fa29f451449987c52db249ed8c27&elqaid=5059&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=3060 (https://www.nba.com/thunder/video/okc-in-orl?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=200626ThunderinOrlando&elqTrackId=2b23c60ae21d45bd8b57f8f711f5d5ad&elq=dd61fa29f451449987c52db249ed8c27&elqaid=5059&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=3060)

Rockets' Russell Westbrook to produce docuseries about 1921 Tulsa race massacre

(https://ionehiphopwired.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/15918089407644.jpg?quality=80&strip=all&w=1024&h=683)

NBA ESPN https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29290054/rockets-russell-westbrook-produce-docuseries-1921-tulsa-race-massacre (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29290054/rockets-russell-westbrook-produce-docuseries-1921-tulsa-race-massacre)

     (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EegpnZeXgAEkfxe?format=jpg&name=900x900)

               Congratulations Billy, so deserving of a job well done...

Another 1st round exit against a veteran laced team that included 3 former Thunder stars (Harden, Green & Westbrook) who were starters.

Proud of our Thunder guys to take this all the way to a 7 game series. Wanna see who we keep and who we draft for next season. Maybe there's another Luguentz Dort out there who was originally an un-drafted pick up by the Thunder in the 2019 draft or a Darius Bazley the 21st pick in the 2019 draft.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have released their new 'City Edition' uniforms for the upcoming season.

For the first time, only the name “Oklahoma” will appear across the chest of the Thunder’s jersey. The all caps black lettering is similar to the font on the state flag.
 

Trades:


    Phoenix Suns receive: Chris Paul.

    Oklahoma City Thunder receive: Ricky Rubio and Kelly Oubre Jr.

The Suns tabbed Ricky Rubio as their rebuild accelerator last offseason and saw a decent return on the investment with a jump in winning percentage from .232 to .466. But Chris Paul could be a different kind of fast-forward button.

The Point God might zoom this developmental process to ludicrous speed.

His reputation took a few hits in recent years due to his colossal contract (which still has two years and more than $85 million left on it) and a sometimes awkward fit with the Houston Rockets, but Paul proved he remains a special talent. He propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder to a jaw-dropping fifth-placed finish in the Western Conference and landed fifth overall in ESPN's real plus-minus.

Rubio showed the Suns what they could achieve with a competent point guard. Paul could change the possibilities as a top-of-the-line floor general. He could take defensive heat away from—and simultaneously raise the efficiency of—Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton and pinpoint the offensive comfort spots of Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson.

Even after an 8-0 run through the seeding games in the bubble, Phoenix is at most a mild curiosity in a fully loaded West. Put Paul on the roster, and the Suns could find themselves competing for the right to host a first-round playoff series.

OKC, meanwhile, would gain significant financial relief—Kelly Oubre Jr. has an expiring $14.4 million salary; Ricky Rubio is owed $34.8 million for the next two seasons—and add two players to keep or trade. Oubre in particular could be interesting for the Thunder. He fits their mold of long, athletic wings, and at 24 years old, he's young enough to grow alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort and Darius Bazley.

(https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/columnists/full/wojnarowski_adrian.png&w=160&h=160&scale=crop)Adrian Wojnarowski Senior NBA Insider

The Los Angeles Lakers are in advanced talks with Oklahoma City on a trade for guard Dennis Schroder, sources tell ESPN. Deal expected to include OKC acquiring LA's pick at No. 28 in Wednesday's draft. Deal can be completed at noon ET on Monday.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have released their new 'City Edition' uniforms for the upcoming season.

For the first time, only the name “Oklahoma” will appear across the chest of the Thunder’s jersey. The all caps black lettering is similar to the font on the state flag.
 

 
    Anticipation move to NBA Oklahoma City:

          (https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/3133603.png&w=350&h=254)
          Kelly Oubre Jr., Small Forward - HT/WT 6' 7", 203 lbs., DOB 12/9/1995  - College:  Kansas:  Age 24.

          (https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/4011.png&w=350&h=254)
          Ricky Rubio, Point Guard - HT/WT 6' 3", 190 lbs., DOB 10/21/1990  Age 30 - Draft - 2009: Rd 1, Pk 5

          (https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/4065733.png&w=350&h=254)

          Ty Jerome, Guard HT/WT 6' 5", 195 lbs., DOB 7/8/1997 - Age 23 - College:  Virginia - Draft Info:  2019: Rd 1, Pk 24 (PHI)

          (https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/4423887.png&w=350&h=254)
          Jalen Lecque,  Guard HT/WT 6' 4", 185 lbs., DOB 6/13/2000 - Age 20
                                                                                                                                                               ...From Phoenix

                                                         (https://ak.picdn.net/shutterstock/videos/8699836/thumb/1.jpg)

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                                                     House of Highlights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XG0mD1OVSE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XG0mD1OVSE)

                         NBA: Grizzlies @ Thunder Box score  https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401307377 (https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401307377)

     Aleksej Pokusevski Full Game Highlights | March 24 | Grizzlies vs Thunder  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LuUf-TXSMg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LuUf-TXSMg)

[INDENT]
(https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/03/88d64-16147436678877-800.jpg)

 

 

Players want to secure an individual future with the Thunder and not be used for tanking purposes.  Our 2 original pivotal starters Al Horford & Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are being sat out. 

Look for the Thunder to finish no higher than the 5th seed.  IMO you can't ask players or a coach to purposefully lose a game;  Sam Presti took care of that by asking Coach Daigneault to experiment with players like Charlie Brown Jr., and Tony Bradley with earned playing time. 


Presti selected Luguentz Dort (now a starter) undrafted in 2019; think what he's going to get from a first round top 5 draft pick in 2021:

    Cade Cunningham - Oklahoma State. 6'8" 220 lbs - PG.
    Evan Mobley - USC. 7'0" 215 lbs - C.
    Jalen Suggs - Gonzaga. 6'4" 205 lbs SG.
    Jalen Green - USA. 6'6" 186 lbs SG.

    Jonathan Kuminga - Congo. 6'8" 220 lbs  PF.
    Keon Johnson - Tennessee. 6'5" 186 lbs  SG.
    Jalen Johnson - Duke. 6'9" 220 lbs  SF.
    Davion Mitchell - Baylor. 6'2" 205 lbs PG.
    Franz Wagner - Michigan. 6'9" 220 lbs SF.
    Scottie Barnes - Florida St. 6'9" 227 lbs SF.



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Wow. NBA teams tanking to get a better draft pick. It's been happening for years and every team has done it to some degree.

So True...

You have these younger players with an opportunity to make big money--to them, $1 million or more contract is enormous. Especially doing something they have done all of their young lives as natural as play.  We all know that if your wants increase and you don't know how to manage your money or spend wisely that an ole phrase comes to surface, "a fool and his money are soon parted..."

Now he's posting the same spam posts in multiple threads?  Come on mods, this isn't informational and hasn't been in some time. It's just crap.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are among teams who will have to wait to know exactly what odds they’ll have in the draft lottery. They are tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the fourth-worst record in the NBA.

  Oklahoma City, Cleveland and the other teams who have a record that is equal to another team’s will have their draft or lottery spot determined by a coinflip, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.  Givony tweeted that the coinflips will take place on May 25 early in the day.

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Thunder win pre-draft tiebreaker over Cavs, jump to 4 spot https://www.koco.com/article/thunder-win-pre-draft-tiebreaker-over-cavs-jump-to-4-spot/36536514 (https://www.koco.com/article/thunder-win-pre-draft-tiebreaker-over-cavs-jump-to-4-spot/36536514)

The teams finished with identical records this season, prompting a “coin flip” that didn’t go the Cavs’ way. The drawings were conducted by NBA executive vice president Kiki VanDeWeghe at the league office in Secaucus, New Jersey, and overseen by the accounting firm Ernst & Young.

The league decided five other teams among those with identical regular-season records: Chicago (31-41) won a tiebreaker with New Orleans and Sacramento; Charlotte (33-39) won a tiebreaker with San Antonio; New York Knicks (41-31) won a tiebreaker with Atlanta; Dallas Mavericks won a tiebreaker with the Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers; and the Clippers (47-25) won a tiebreaker with Denver.

The draft lottery is set for June 22, 2021 & The draft is July 29, 2021

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     Here’s a look at the NBA’s key dates & milestones over the next 12 months.

          2021

                   June 21-27: NBA draft combine
                   June 22: NBA draft lottery (ESPN:  7:30 - 8:00 p.m.)

                   July 23 to August 8: Toyko Olympics
                   July 29: 2021 NBA draft

                   August 2: Free agency negotiations can begin at 5 p.m. Central
                   August 3: Official start of 2021-22 league year; brief moratorium period begins on transactions
                   August 6: Moratorium period ends at 11:01 a.m. Central, allowing free agents to be signed and trades to be executed
                   August 8-17: NBA Summer League in Las Vegas

                   September 28: Training camps open

                   October 19: Regular season begins
 
         2022

                    April 16, 2022: 2021-22 playoffs start

                    June 2, 2022: NBA Finals Game 1
                    June 19, 2022: NBA Finals Game 7

ESPN will air the ping pong balls selection pick that will determine the pick selection order tonight at 7:30 p.m.   This will be a pivotal moment in NBA Thunder history.  Time:  7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Are we feeling lucky; this will be much more agonizing (anticipation filled) than the recent coin flip the Thunder won.
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Lottery picks for Oklahoma City: #6 pick,  

          Lottery order:
 
               #5  Orlando Magic
               #4  Toronto Raptors
               #3  Cleveland Cavaliers
               #2  Houston Rockets
               #1  Detroit Pistons


On the positive side; Presti will make the most of a #6 pick...

Davion Mitchell projected to be drafted by Thunder at #6.

(https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/03/7b6df-16169782959122-800.jpg)
Age:  22,  Height 6' 2 -  205 lbs.,  position - point guard

The Thunder will pick No. 6, No. 16 and No. 18 in July’s draft.

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(https://arizonasports.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ap_89406665157e454bbcd6179da95b271b-600x400.jpg)

Wish the best for Coach Monty Williams. 

(https://i.imgflip.com/5gmgrq.jpg)

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With the No. 32 pick in the 2021 draft, the Thunder selected 6-foot-9 Villanova big Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Oklahoma City gave up picks No. 34 and 36 to move up and acquire the New York Knicks’ selection, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Oklahoma City Thunder 2021-2022 roster:  https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Oklahoma-City-Thunder/33/Rosters (https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Oklahoma-City-Thunder/33/Rosters)

Note:  Roster hasn't been updated.  Kemba Walker traded to New York Knicks

               Small Ball: Meet the OKC Thunder Summer League roster

                    (https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_850,h_560,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fthunderousintentions.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fimagn-images%2F2017%2F07%2F16050512-850x560.jpeg)

          (https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,f_auto,w_150,h_150/https://fansided.com/wp-content/assets/site_images/thunder/logo_thunderousintentions-com__150x150.png)  https://thunderousintentions.com/2021/08/07/meet-okc-thunder-summer-league-roster/ (http://"https://thunderousintentions.com/2021/08/07/meet-okc-thunder-summer-league-roster/")

OKC Thunder Summer League roster guards:
#3 Josh Giddey, 6’9, 210 pounds, G, Australia
#44 Charlie Brown Jr., 6’6, 199 pounds, G, St. Joseph’s
#25 Rob Edwards, 6’5, 205 pounds, G, Arizona State
#14 Jalen Lecque, 6’4, 185 pounds, G, Brewster Academy
#31 Ryan Woolridge, 6’3, 175 pounds, G, Gonzaga
#21 Aaron Wiggins, 6’6, 200 pounds, G, Maryland
#23 Tre Mann, 6’5, 190 pounds, G, Florida
#11 Theo Maledon, 6’5, 180 pounds, G, France

OKC Thunder Summer League Roster: Wings
#13 Oscar da Silva, 6’9, 230 pounds, F, Stanford
#15 Josh Hall, 6’8, 200 pounds, F, Moravian Prep
#8 Jaylen Hoard, 6’8, 216 pounds, F, Wake Forest
#30 Emmitt Williams, 6’6, 225 pounds, F, LSU
#50 Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, 6’9, 230 pounds, F, Villanova


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I would assume (hope) the Paycom logos will come off the sidelines. 

If you dislike the Love's NBA patch, well, here's a patch quilt for the floor you probably won't like.   A menagerie of a partnership.:D   

I think it looks great.   Go Paycom, Go Thunder.

Oklahoma City Thunder 2021-2022 schedule will be released tomorrow (08-20-2021);  Go to the Google Pay app store to get your free download of the Oklahoma City Thunder for your mobile device.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yinzcam.nba.thunder (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yinzcam.nba.thunder)

(https://play-lh.googleusercontent.com/JmRsQFwP2NogDF7rEiz40EgL85NqsBd5C2YMQlWBnQZmXyay1sKp_jFIP-aw53TUUtY=s360)




(https://www.nba.com/thunder/sites/thunder/files/nb-pod210817.png?w=756&h=440)

Oklahoma City Thunder Preseason schedule:

2021

          Monday, October 4 - Charlotte Hornets, Paycom Center - OKC, 7 p.m.
          Sunday, October 10 - Milwaukee Bucks, Fiserv Forum - Milwaukee, 7 p.m.
          Wednesday, October 13 - Denver Nuggets, Paycom Center - OKC, 7 p.m.
          Thursday, October 14 - Denver Nuggets, BOK Center - Tulsa, 7 p.m.

                                                            Oklahoma City Thunder 2021-22 Ticket Interest:
                    http://okcthunder.com/interest/?campaignid=paidsearch&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpf2IBhDkARIsAGVo0D3MUV7Q60NvJveZmwKSVJOtjlfN71cAjc4G2A01aM4YjR0AsK0YYrQaAkIjEALw_wcB (http://okcthunder.com/interest/?campaignid=paidsearch&\gclid=Cj0KCQjwpf2IBhDkARIsAGVo0D3MUV7Q60NvJveZmwKSVJOtjlfN71cAjc4G2A01aM4YjR0AsK0YYrQaAkIjEALw_wcB)

                                                           Paycom Center: Attendance 14,256

                                                    Game Highlights:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3u6OYnKdzc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3u6OYnKdzc)

          Video link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7lXU1nQLoE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7lXU1nQLoE)

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          Video Highlights  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtsNJ8ecH5o (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtsNJ8ecH5o)

     All Star Weekend Link:  https://www.nba.com/news/2022-all-star-schedule-of-events (http://"https://www.nba.com/news/2022-all-star-schedule-of-events")


    

   

Several good things about Laramie's posts....

We know the forum is still alive.  It's easy to scroll past his oversize text and pictures of things I don't care about.

Early stages of Glaucoma.  Thank God they caught (McGee Eye Institute, OKC) it in its early stages.  True, you want have any trouble seeing
my posts (LOL).  Best of luck, Red Arrow...

   

   

                   

     (https://okcfox.com/resources/media2/16x9/full/1015/center/80/64cde732-d2ba-4260-9e4f-62a8e57d064b-large16x9_IMG_1175.jpg)

Despite ending March 16 on a 7 game losing streak, home attendance at Paycom Center has had a slight increase.  The 20-49 Thunder moved ahead of the 27-43 Spurs in NBA average attendance:

     27   Thunder  (35)   501,066   14,737   81.0   34   
     28   Spurs   (36)   529,458   14,707   80.1   34   
     29   Kings   (37)   511,057   14,196   80.7   34   
     30   Pacers   (35)   496,211   14,177    79.1   35 

March home games:

     March 14 vs Hornets - 15,810
      March 13 vs Grizzlies - 17,482
      March 8 vs Bucks - 15,743
      March 6 vs Jazz - 15,079
      March 4 vs T-Wolves - 15,180

(# of home games played)

Oklahoma City exhibits solid support as an NBA city.

   

Just want to say, the Thunder players who are stepping up to fill the spots of our depleted player roster:

          Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
          Luguentz Dort
          Josh Giddey
          Kenrich Williams
          Ty Jerome
          Derrick Favors
          Mike Muscala
          Tre Mann

     All of the original starters are out and some key reserves.  Thunder needs some love for next season's draft. 

     The players who have stepped up are getting invaluable playing experience;

        Theo Maledon
          Aleksej Pokusevski
          Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
          Isaiah Roby
          Olivier Sarr
          Aaron Wiggins
          Lindy Waters III
          Vit Krejci

     The playing experience these guys are getting will help them to the next level.  Truly feel our Thunder will make the playoffs next season.
     We only need another pick on Josh Giddey's level to get there.  Oklahoma City Thunder IMO replaced Coach Billy Donovan with a coach who
     has gotten all of our players to buy in and continue to motivate their competitiveness.

                         (https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/head-coach-mark-daigneault-of-the-oklahoma-city-thunder-looks-on-the-picture-id1239534747?s=612x612)
                                     Kudos to Coach: Mark Daigneault who himself is a practitioner of the game.

      What are your thoughts...

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The Oklahoma City Thunder, meanwhile, currently own two lottery picks -- the second thanks to Friday's play-in loss by the LA Clippers -- and three first-rounders to go along with OKC's No. 34 pick in the second round.

The Thunder's two lottery picks carry a 12.5% chance and a 1.5% chance of winning the top pick.

Link:  https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33748170/2022-nba-draft-order-complete-picks-first-second-rounds-ahead-lottery (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33748170/2022-nba-draft-order-complete-picks-first-second-rounds-ahead-lottery)

The 2022 NBA Draft Lottery is officially in the books, meaning we have roughly half of the first round draft order complete. Below are the results from tonight's Lottery.

The complete 1-58 draft order for the 2022 NBA Draft presented by State Farm was determined after the results of the NBA Draft Lottery, which was won by the Orlando Magic who will pick first. The NBA Draft will be held in Chicago on Thursday, June 23.

Below are the results from the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery presented by State Farm:

1ST ROUND:  


(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FTACyA5WIAAy76l?format=jpg&name=small)
15. New Orleans (to Charlotte)
16. Atlanta
17. Brooklyn (to Houston)
18. Chicago
19. Minnesota
20. Toronto (to San Antonio)
21. Denver
22. Utah (to Memphis)
23. Philadelphia^^
24. Milwaukee
25. Boston (to San Antonio)
26. Dallas
27. Miami
28. Golden State
29. Memphis
30. Phoenix (to Oklahoma City)

2ND ROUND:

31. Houston (to Indiana via Cleveland)
32. Orlando
33. Detroit (to Toronto via San Antonio, Washington and Chicago)
34. Oklahoma City
35. Indiana (to Orlando via Milwaukee)
36. Portland
37. Sacramento
38. Los Angeles Lakers (to San Antonio via Chicago and Washington)
39. San Antonio (to Cleveland via Utah)
40. Washington (to Minnesota via Cleveland)
41. New Orleans
42. New York
43. LA Clippers
44. Atlanta
45. Charlotte
46. Brooklyn (to Detroit)
47. Cleveland**
48. Minnesota
49. Chicago (to Sacramento via Memphis and Detroit)
50. Denver (to Minnesota via Philadelphia)
51. Toronto (to Golden State via Philadelphia)
52. Utah (to New Orleans)
53. Boston
— Milwaukee (forfeited)
— Philadelphia (to Miami via Denver; forfeited by Miami)
54. Dallas (to Washington)
55. Golden State
56. Miami (to Cleveland via Indiana)
57. Memphis (to Portland via Utah)
58. Phoenix (to Indiana)

** This pick (47) will be conveyed either to New Orleans via Atlanta, or to Memphis via New Orleans and Atlanta


If there are any picks on the quality player level of an undrafted Lu Dort, Sam Presti already has his eye on them for
the 12th, 30th & 34th picks.

(https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/05/USATSI_179154511.jpg?resize=1024,683)
     1.  Orlando Magic: Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga - Height: 7-0 - Weight: 195 - Position: C

(https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/04/USATSI_17943886.jpg?resize=1024,794)
     2.  Oklahoma City Thunder: Jabari Smith Jr., Auburn - Height: 6-10 - Weight: 220 - Position: F

Link:  https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nba-mock-draft-may-20-post-lottery/ (https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nba-mock-draft-may-20-post-lottery/)

1st Round:

     1. Orlando
     2. Oklahoma City
     3. Houston
     4. Sacramento
     5. Detroit
     6. Indiana
     7. Portland
     8. New Orleans (from Los Angeles Lakers)
     9. San Antonio
    10. Washington

    11. New York
    12. Oklahoma City (from LA Clippers)
    13. Charlotte
    14. Cleveland
    15. Charlotte (from New Orleans)
    16. Atlanta
    17. Houston (from Brooklyn)
    18. Chicago
    19. Minnesota
    20. San Antonio (from Toronto)

    21. Denver
    22. Memphis (from Utah)
    23. Philadelphia
    24. Milwaukee
    25. San Antonio (from Boston)
    26. Dallas
    27. Miami
    28. Golden State
    29. Memphis
    30. Denver/Oklahoma City (from Phoenix) For Forward JaMychal Green and a future first-round pick.

         The Oklahoma City Thunder made their first move of the offseason on Monday when it was announced that they have traded away the No. 30
         pick in the 2022 NBA draft and two future second-round picks to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for JaMychal Green and a protected 2027
         first-round pick.


2nd Round:

    34. Oklahoma City



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Paolo Banchero, born and grew up as an NBA Seattle Supersonics fan.   


Experts expect Banchero — along with Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Auburn’s Jabari Smith Jr. — to comprise of the first three selections on draft night this Thursday, slotting Banchero squarely in the mix for the Oklahoma City Thunder to select at No. 2...
...If OKC opts for Banchero, the 19-year-old’s scoring prowess pairs nicely with Thunder guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, and it could mold an offensive trio for the future.--Oklahoman, 06/19/2022

Oklahoman, https://oklahoman-ok.newsmemory.com/?token=2e431c5e2bdeb0eff1e03baa68925324& (https://oklahoman-ok.newsmemory.com/?token=2e431c5e2bdeb0eff1e03baa68925324&)
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     Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

               (https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/mens-college-basketball/players/full/4433255.png&w=350&h=254)(https://cdn.nba.com/manage/2022/05/holmgren216.jpg)

               Chet Holmgren  Position C  - Projected 2nd Pick, Oklahoma City Thunder
                           Height/Weight - 7-0 / 195 lbs - School/Gonzaga - Status Freshman - Age:  19

              (https://nbaanalysis.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Chet-Holmgren-Wants-To-End-Up-With-OKC-Thunder-678x381.jpeg)


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Oklahoma City Thunder 2022 draft picks

    Round 1, No. 2: Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga
    Round 1, No. 11: Ousmane Dieng, NZ Breakers (acquired in trade with Knicks)
    Round 1, No. 12: Jalen Williams, Santa Clara

    #     #     #

    Round 2, No. 34: Jaylin Williams, Arkansas


Source:  Oklahoman, 06/24/2022

Top 5 Centers in the 2022 NBA Draft (Sporting News):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLf0TjdcI6w (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLf0TjdcI6w)

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(https://okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2022/06/1_11_Ousmane-Dieng_OKC_Lead.png?w=1000&h=600&crop=1)
Ousmane Dieng  Height/weight: 6-foot-10, 216 pounds - Position: Forward
Drafted: First round, No. 11 overall by N.Y. Knicks (proposed trade to OKC Thunder)

(https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/i_Y_zMeDHAZbfxy_sZjt9g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTM2NQ--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/9eFgENWldC4cVE_n7z7BeA--~B/aD02Mjg7dz0xMTAwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://media.zenfs.com/en/thunder_wire_usa_today_sports_articles_686/ee4bf82bebacebbb0b6cb7df0d0f4613)
Jalen Williams   Height/weight: 6-foot-6, 195 pounds - Position: Forward
Drafted: First round, No. 12

(https://razorbackswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2022/06/2_34_Jaylin-Williams_OKC_Lead.png?w=1000&h=600&crop=1)
Jaylin Williams   Height/weight: 6-foot-10, 240 pounds - Position: Forward
Drafted: Second round, No. 34

(https://content.2kdb-cdn.com/2k21/players/jamychal_green_44252.jpg) 
JaMychal Green   Height/weight: 6-foot-8, 227 pounds - Position: Forward-Center
Undrafted:

(https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/06/1_2_HolmGren_OKC.png?w=1000&h=600&crop=1)

2022 NBA Draft results: Picks 1-58: https://www.nba.com/news/2022-nba-draft-order (https://www.nba.com/news/2022-nba-draft-order)

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                                        The 23-year-old guard averaged a career-high 17.2 points and 4.2 rebounds with Oklahoma City last season.

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   WELCOME TO OKLAHOMA CITY

               Oklahoma City Thunder News Release

(https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/E5rsyh-rAloF7wV-XxidCdG2dxQ=/0x0:3014x2009/920x613/filters:focal(1141x621:1623x1103):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71180783/usa_today_15694822.0.jpg)
The Oklahoma City Thunder are hiring Philadelphia 76ers executive Vince Rozman in scouting
as VP of Identification and Intelligence, sources tell ESPN. Rozman worked his way up in
Philadelphia from intern to a VP role over 15-plus years.

(https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1P0bXnkFgFS8dQ-t5djStYOewWs=/0x0:4992x3328/920x613/filters:focal(1131x558:1929x1356):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71180704/usa_today_17883214.0.jpg)
ESPN Sources: The Oklahoma City Thunder are hiring Chip Engelland as an assistant coach.
Engelland, considered the NBA's preeminent shooting coach, spent 17 years with the Spurs
where he's considered to have had an immense impact on Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker, among others.

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Oklahoma City  Thunder 2022-23 schedule to be released in two weeks.

          (https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/B7Sz7HV26EGLuYe71DHidg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQyNg--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/v0y8R2oJurgxlWewaSamxA--~B/aD02NjU7dz0xMDAwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://media.zenfs.com/en/thunder_wire_usa_today_sports_articles_686/862554243e2d22e43a3b9ee38b461ee2)

The Thunder will play an 82-game schedule that ranges from October to April.

The full NBA schedule will also coincide with each team's release.  Here are some key dates:

          September 30, October 2: Warriors, Wizards to play preseason games in Japan
          October 6, October 8: Bucks, Hawks to play preseason games in Abu Dhabilan.
          January 19: Pistons, Bulls to play regular-season game in Paris

          February 17-19: 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend/All-Star Game in Salt Lake City
     (https://www.nba.com/jazz/sites/jazz/files/jaz1718_allstar_bid_logo.jpg)

New arena? OKC’s relationship with the Thunder faces an expensive test

          (https://nondoc-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/DSC_5255-640x417.jpg)
Link:  https://nondoc.com/2022/07/26/okc-thunder-new-arena-discussion-starts/ (https://nondoc.com/2022/07/26/okc-thunder-new-arena-discussion-starts/)


Jim Traber Afternoon Sports Podcast interview with OKC Mayor David Holt: https://twitter.com/mattravis/status/1547691000776167425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1547782772801957888%7Ctwgr%5E3bf0f2df8800b6fb8cdc3686c9404641d68ef95c%7Ctwcon%5Es4_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnondoc.com%2F2022%2F07%2F26%2Fokc-thunder-new-arena-discussion-starts%2F (https://twitter.com/mattravis/status/1547691000776167425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1547782772801957888%7Ctwgr%5E3bf0f2df8800b6fb8cdc3686c9404641d68ef95c%7Ctwcon%5Es4_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnondoc.com%2F2022%2F07%2F26%2Fokc-thunder-new-arena-discussion-starts%2F)

National TV Thunder telecast:

          November 1: vs. Orlando, 6:30 p.m., TNT
          November 3: vs. Nuggets, 7 p.m., NBA TV
          November 14: at Celtics, 6:30 p.m., NBA TV
          November 26: at Rockets, 7 p.m., NBA TV

All games on Bally Sports Oklahoma, except for Nov. 1 vs. Orlando

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     Three Thunder preseason games leaked . . .


          (https://images.discovery-prod.axs.com/14-08212012-50343c46e4b6c.jpeg)
               October 5th Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks in Tulsa, at the BOK Center.
          (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/34/AT%26T_Center_at_day.jpg/600px-Mapcarta.jpg)
               October 13th Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs, at the AT&T Center.
          (https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/10/04/NOKL/ee183d49-ec3b-4d91-be28-da1ae9903728-32da93fd-c28f-4266-b87b-0edaa16aeca3_thumbnail.png?width=660&height=371&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
               October TBA Thunder vs. NBL’s Adelaide 36ers, at Paycom Center.

     The Adelaide 36ers were the NBL team for Josh Giddey and Ousmane Dieng before they joined the Thunder.

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          (https://www.si.com/.image/ar_8:10%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620/MTkwODEyMjk3ODQ3OTA3OTIx/usatsi_18678811.jpg)
Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft, underwent a successful surgery on the
Lisfranc injury to his foot, the Thunder announced Tuesday.

          Video link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzF0PDLRARw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzF0PDLRARw)


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The Oklahoma City Thunder is set to return to Tulsa during the 2022 preseason. The Thunder will host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, October 5 at BOK Center. The matchup will be the Thunder’s 13th preseason game in Tulsa and the third time Oklahoma City and Dallas will face off there.

Tickets  https://tickets-center.com/search?performerName=Oklahoma+City+Thunder&performerId=16164&tagid=156&nid=1&accid=3371195697&campaignid=17631868263&cid=619302471055&akwd=okc%20thunder%20preseason%20tickets&mt=p&network=g&dist=s&adposition=&device=c&ismobile=false&devicemodel=&placement=&target=&random=13924295556230053021&loc_physical_ms=9026249&loc_interest_ms=&exid=&fiid=&vx=0&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhfnbr8PJ-gIVmx-tBh3GdgFzEAAYASAAEgIbPPD_BwE#&gameTurf=All (https://tickets-center.com/search?performerName=Oklahoma+City+Thunder&performerId=16164&tagid=156&nid=1&accid=3371195697&campaignid=17631868263&cid=619302471055&akwd=okc%20thunder%20preseason%20tickets&mt=p&network=g&dist=s&adposition=&device=c&ismobile=false&devicemodel=&placement=&target=&random=13924295556230053021&loc_physical_ms=9026249&loc_interest_ms=&exid=&fiid=&vx=0&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhfnbr8PJ-gIVmx-tBh3GdgFzEAAYASAAEgIbPPD_BwE#&gameTurf=All)

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                                                       Attendance: 8,723

                            House of Highlights:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XQ7Al1Dzd4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XQ7Al1Dzd4)

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                                                                         Attendance: 13,836


                                                                 Highlights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7co53N9ZYU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7co53N9ZYU)

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It is a three-year, $6 million deal, which is fully guaranteed in the first year, non-guaranteed in the second year, and includes a team option in the third year.

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