An Oklahoma City Thunder Dynasty - Win or Bust.

[Gaz.Hodg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Reggie_San88

new to the site, on board with this tho!

Thanks for the support!

[Gaz.Hodg]

Training camp underway in OKC

Oklahoma City, OK -- The Thunders training camp is underway as they prepare for the long haul season of 82 games. After sitting in on the first practice, every player seems to have improved, which is something the organization takes pride in "We take pride in the growth of our younger players, we believe we can make every player better" Sam Presti, Thunder GM told me earlier today. The only injury within the roster is all-star guard Russell Westbrook, he took part in some drills but sat out the scrimmage and most contact drills. He is expected to miss the two weeks of the season. As usual, the Thunder will take part in the NBA Global Games and play New Orleans in Turkey, and Philadelphia in England. Pre-season for OKC is just around the corner, as they have two weeks to get match fit for the start of their pre-season schedule.

The Thunder also released their pre-season schedule:
October 5th 2013: vs. New Orleans - Istanbul, Turkey.
October 8th: vs. Philadelphia - Manchester, England.
October 18th: vs. Denver - Chesapeake Energy Arena.
October 23rd: @ Chicago - Chicago, Illinois.

Oklahoma City have two weeks till their opening pre-season game vs. New Orleans.

21.09.13 | Nick Gallo | Chief Thunder Writter

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Matchup Preview *|* October 5, 2013
	@
Oklahoma City Thunder (0-0, 0-0 Away)		New Orleans Hornets (0-0, 0-0 Home)
Projected Starters Reggie Jackson Point Guard Jrue Holiday Jeremy Lamb Shooting Guard Tyreke Evans Kevin Durant Small Forward Al Farouq-Aminu Serge Ibaka Power Forward Anthony Davis Steven Adams Center Greg Smith Injury Report Russell Westbrook/Torn Meniscus 15.10.13 Ryan Anderson/Torn Hamstring 16.11.13 Kendrick Perkins/Dislocated Finger Next Game Eric Gordon/Sore Knee Next Game Game Notes Oklahoma City will be without three starters (Perkins, Sefolosha and Westbrook) and are expected to start Lamb due to a late injury to Sefolosha (bruised hip). New Orleans without Gordon due to sore knee in practice. Both teams are expected to give limited minutes to starters. OKC won the season series in 12-13 4-0.

[Gaz.Hodg]

OKC Victorious in Turkey

Oklahoma City, OK -- The Thunder showed a very good account of itself and the NBA in Turkey this Saturday in 96-86 win over the Pelicans. It was clear that Coach Brooks will be using these games to test out rotations, match ups and his full roster, and the whole roster came through and played excellently. Although the team didn't shoot well (43%) the Thunder moved the ball around brilliantly getting lots of open shots and lanes, especially Durant who happily passed up makeable shots for higher percentage shots, it was great to watch. It was also clear that the Thunder had worked on spacing in the first two weeks of training camp, something that the Thunders offense has been previously criticized on. Although they shot poorly from three point land (maybe due to rust) the Thunder, behind Durant got open shot after open shot, and on another day could of scored 120 points. This first pre-season game is a very good building block for the rest of the Thunders pre-season. With the Thunder losing three of the main starters, the defense held up behind a resurgent Ibaka who blocked 3 shots in 29 minutes. Jeremy Lamb also proved to be good wing defender, keeping opposing players to 36% shooting. All in all, the Thunder looked scary good in game 1 of the pre-season.
Box Score:

Oklahoma City Thunder at New Orleans Hornets
Oct 5, 2013	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Oklahoma City (1-0)	23	27	24	22	96
New Orleans (0-1)	18	24	24	20	86

Oklahoma City Thunder
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Reggie Jackson	32	6-14	0-2	4-4	3	4	1	0	2	16
Jeremy Lamb	35	4-13	2-2	3-3	4	2	1	1	3	13
Kevin Durant	27	7-12	1-4	5-6	5	4	3	1	0	20
Serge Ibaka	29	4-11	0-2	3-4	7	1	1	3	1	12
Steven Adams	31	5-8	0-0	3-5	7	0	0	2	2	13
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Nick Collison	20	2-5	0-0	1-2	4	1	2	2	1	4
Derek Fisher	14	4-5	1-1	0-0	0	2	1	0	1	9
Andre Roberson	18	1-5	0-0	1-2	2	1	1	1	2	3
Perry Jones	22	1-4	0-2	1-1	3	2	1	2	1	3
Hasheem Thabeet	12	1-3	0-0	1-2	5	0	0	1	2	3
Ryan Gomes	-- DID NOT PLAY --
Kendrick Perkins (Inactive)	-- DID NOT PLAY --
Russell Westbrook (Inactive)	-- DID NOT PLAY --
Thabo Sefolosha (Inactive)	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		35-80	4-13	20-27	40	17	11	13	15	96

New Orleans Hornets
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Jrue Holiday	28	3-9	1-4	4-7	4	6	2	1	2	11
Tyreke Evans	30	5-13	0-2	5-7	5	3	1	0	3	15
Al Farouq-Aminu	33	2-8	1-4	2-2	8	1	1	1	2	9
Anthony Davis	35	9-16	0-1	3-4	11	4	3	3	2	21
Greg Smith	22	3-6	0-0	0-2	3	0	0	1	2	2
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Austin Rivers	22	5-11	1-3	4-5	1	3	1	0	2	13
Josh Childress	19	2-5	0-1	1-2	3	0	0	1	1	3
Darius Miller	18	4-9	1-3	0-0	2	1	2	0	0	9
Jeff Withey	17	0-2	0-0	0-2	5	1	1	1	0	0
Anthony Morrow	15	1-3	1-2	0-0	2	0	1	0	1	3
Brian Roberts	-- DID NOT PLAY --
Gregg Stiemsma	-- DID NOT PLAY --
Lou Amundson	-- DID NOT PLAY --
Eric Gordon (Inactive)	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		32-82	4-18	19-31	44	19	10	8	15	86

Interview with Scott Brooks:
Interviewer: Scott, your team shot poorly today, why do you think that was?
Brooks: I honestly couldn't tell ya, it just wasn't our day for shooting, but I'm not to fussed on that, I care more about the shots we were shooting, and they were pretty good.
Interviewer: You talk about the many open shots you had today, how much have you worked on that in training camp?
Brooks: This year I put more emphasis on the spacing of the team, we have more three point shooters than ever and for us to be successful we have to play to our strengths, so it was great to see that the new schemes I have injected have been successful.
Interviewer: Jeremy Lamb played great, how much more are you going use him this year?
Brooks: Jeremy is a very underrated player, but now spots on the roster have opened up and he is clearly proving to me and the NBA he deserves a spot, so yes he will play a lot more this season.
End of interview.

[Gaz.Hodg]

Thunder prepare for game 2 of pre-season, play 76ers

Oklahoma City, OK -- The Thunder travel to Manchester, England to take on the the 76ers, the game will be played on NBA TV at 2PM ET.

Matchup Preview *|* October 8, 2013
	@
Philadelphia 76ers (0-0, 0-0 Away)		Oklahoma City Thunder (1-0, 0-0 Home)
Projected Starters Michael Carter-Williams Point Guard Reggie Jackson James Anderson Shooting Guard Jeremy Lamb Evan Turner Small Forward Kevin Durant Thaddeus Young Power Forward Serge Ibaka Spencer Hawes Center Steven Adams Injury Report Nerlens Noel Torn ACL Russell Westbrook Torn Meniscus Lavoy Allen Concussion Kendrick Perkins (day to day) Dislocated Finger Game Notes Philadelphia open pre-season vs. in form Thunder. Noel will miss game, Lavoy Allen out, Westbrook will miss game and Perkins a gametime decision will not play. Sefolosha returns from a hip injury and will play minutes off the bench. This game is England for NBA Global Games.

[Gaz.Hodg]

Oklahoma City handle lackluster Sixers

Oklahoma City, OK -- The Thunder easily handled the 76ers in Manchester this afternoon as they win 105-95. Despite another poor shooting night from behind the arc, OKC handled the Sixers defensively causing 20 turnovers, as well as 40% shooting. Durant had another good night shooting 9-18 for 21 points, and step in guard Reggie Jackson impressed all night with 29 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Guard Jeremy Lamb struggled immensely offensively but had a huge game defensively which impressed Scott Brooks "his shot wasn't falling so he made up for it with defense, that is a veteran move and great to see." The win in Manchester leaves the Thunder 2-0 on the pre-season.

Philadelphia 76ers at Oklahoma City Thunder
Oct 8, 2013	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Philadelphia (0-1)	22	27	21	25	95
Oklahoma City (2-0)	25	25	25	30	105

Philadelphia 76ers
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Michael Carter-Williams	26	4-8	3-5	0-2	4	4	0	0	1	11
James Anderson	27	2-8	2-5	0-2	1	4	2	0	3	6
Evan Turner	36	6-16	0-1	5-10	7	4	1	0	2	17
Thaddeus Young	29	5-7	2-2	0-0	4	4	0	0	2	12
Spencer Hawes	27	5-11	0-1	1-2	9	2	0	1	3	11
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Gani Lawal	6	0-1	0-0	2-2	1	0	0	0	1	2
Lavoy Allen	19	2-5	0-1	0-0	3	0	2	0	2	4
Hollis Thompson	15	1-3	0-1	2-2	7	0	2	0	2	4
Darius Morris	21	1-7	0-3	3-5	2	4	0	1	4	5
Tony Wroten	22	4-13	4-8	6-6	4	3	2	0	3	18
Khalif Whyatt	14	2-4	1-3	0-0	0	0	0	0	1	5
Arnet Moultrie	-- DID NOT PLAY --
Royce White (inactive)	-- DID NOT PLAY --
Jason Richardson (inactive)	-- DID NOT PLAY --
Nerlens Noel (inactive)	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		33-83	12-30	19-31	42	25	9	2	20	95

Oklahoma City Thunder
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Reggie Jackson	36	10-17	1-6	8-8	6	8	1	2	1	29
Jeremy Lamb	40	3-12	0-8	3-3	4	2	3	2	5	9
Kevin Durant	33	9-18	3-6	0-0	4	1	1	2	4	21
Serge Ibaka	36	9-16	0-0	0-0	11	1	0	3	1	18
Steven Adams	17	3-4	0-0	0-0	4	1	1	2	1	6
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Nick Collison	8	2-4	0-0	0-0	4	1	1	0	0	4
Derek Fisher	19	1-4	0-0	4-6	4	1	1	1	1	6
Andre Roberson	6	0-2	0-1	0-0	1	0	1	0	1	0
Perry Jones	24	2-7	1-2	2-2	5	0	0	1	1	7
Ryan Gomes	11	2-6	1-3	0-0	0	2	1	0	2	5
Thabo Sefolosha	9	0-2	0-1	0-2	4	2	1	0	1	0
Hasheem Thabeet	-- DID NOT PLAY --
Kendrick Perkins (inactive)	-- DID NOT PLAY --
Russell Westbrook (inactive)	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		41-92	6-27	17-21	51	30	10	11	15	105

[Gaz.Hodg]

Oklahoma City, OK-- Denver @ Oklahoma City tonight on NBA TV, tune in as the Nuggets look for first road win of the season.

Matchup Preview *|* October 18, 2013
	@
Denver Nuggets (1-1, 0-1 Away)		Oklahoma City Thunder (2-0, 0-0 Home)
Projected Starters Ty Lawson Point Guard Reggie Jackson Evan Fournier Shooting Guard Thabo Sefolosha Wilson Chandler Small Forward Kevin Durant Kenneth Faried Power Forward Serge Ibaka JJ Hickson Center Kendrick Perkins Injury Report Javale McGee Strained Hamstring Russell Westbrook Sore Knee Danillo Gallinari Torn ACL Game Notes Oklahoma City's first game back from Europe, still without Westbrook but Sefolosha and Perkins expected to return back to starting lineup, Adams and Lamb to drop to bench. McGee will miss game after straining hamstring in practice, Hickson expected to start. Game will be live on NBA TV at 7.30 ET.

[Gaz.Hodg]

Durant explodes for 36 as Thunder thrash Nuggets

Oklahoma City, OK-- Kevin Durant exploded for 36 point in 23 minutes as Oklahoma City defeated the Denver Nuggets 109-81. Once again it was clear that the Thunder were in defensive mode as they held their third straight opponent to 43% shooting or under. The Thunder look brilliant defensively as they take a offensive hit with the injury to Russell Westbrook. The Thunder next play in Chicago for their final pre-season game.

Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder
Oct 18, 2013	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Denver (1-1)	17	22	24	18	81
Oklahoma City (2-0)	30	24	33	22	109

Denver Nuggets
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Ty Lawson	26	3-8	1-3	0-0	0	4	0	0	4	7
Randy Foye	23	1-6	0-2	2-2	0	2	0	0	1	4
Anthony Randolph	20	2-7	0-1	0-0	3	1	1	0	2	4
JJ Hickson	23	3-4	0-0	1-2	4	0	2	0	2	7
JaVale McGee	21	2-6	0-0	5-5	8	0	0	0	2	9
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Darrell Arthur	16	1-5	0-0	2-2	3	0	0	0	1	4
Kenneth Faried	13	0-3	0-0	0-0	2	1	1	0	2	0
Damion James	13	0-3	0-0	0-0	5	2	0	0	1	0
Jordan Hamilton	12	3-7	1-4	0-0	1	1	0	0	1	7
Quincy Miller	20	3-8	2-5	0-1	3	2	1	2	1	8
Timofey Mozgov	15	3-4	0-0	1-3	3	0	0	2	1	7
Andre Miller	9	3-5	1-2	3-3	0	0	0	0	0	10
Nate Robinson	14	3-7	2-5	2-3	0	3	1	0	2	10
Evan Fournier	16	2-4	0-1	0-0	0	1	3	0	0	4
Danillo Gallinari (Inactive)	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		29-77	7-23	16-21	33	17	9	4	21	81

Oklahoma City Thunder
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Reggie Jackson	22	2-6	0-1	4-4	3	3	3	0	2	8
Thabo Sefolosha	28	4-6	1-3	4-4	6	3	0	0	1	13
Kevin Durant	23	13-20	4-8	6-7	6	4	1	1	1	36
Serge Ibaka	28	4-10	0-0	5-6	9	5	1	2	1	13
Kendrick Perkins	20	2-3	0-0	0-0	4	0	0	1	0	4
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Nick Collison	13	0-2	0-0	2-2	3	2	0	0	1	2
Perry Jones	19	3-5	0-0	0-0	2	0	0	3	0	6
Steven Adams	18	2-4	0-0	1-4	6	0	1	0	2	5
Ryan Gomes	9	1-2	0-1	3-4	1	2	1	0	2	5
Derek Fisher	18	2-6	0-1	3-3	1	2	3	0	1	4
Jeremy Lamb	20	3-12	0-1	0-0	0	1	1	0	1	6
Andre Roberson	23	2-8	0-2	0-2	9	1	3	0	2	4
Hasheem Thabeet	-- DID NOT PLAY --
Russell Westbrook (Inactive)	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		38-84	5-17	28-36	55	24	13	7	15	109

[Gaz.Hodg]

Thunder @ Bulls on NBA TV at 7PM ET.

Oklahoma City, OK --Oklahoma City travel to Chicago to play out their final pre-season game before the regular season starts on the 30th. The Thunder are currently 3-0 in the pre-season.

Matchup Preview *|* October 23, 2013
	@
Oklahoma City Thunder (3-0, 2-0 Away)		Chicago Bulls (3-0, 2-0 Home)
Projected Starters Reggie Jackson Point Guard Derrick Rose Thabo Sefolosha Shooting Guard Jimmy Butler Kevin Durant Small Forward Luol Deng Serge Ibaka Power Forward Carlos Boozer Kendrick Perkins Center Joakim Noah Injury Report Russell Westbrook Torn Meniscus Game Notes The Thunder and Bulls play out their final pre-seasons game at the United Center in a star studded affair. Both teams have held all their opponents to a field goal percentage of 45% or under so expect a tight defensive minded game. Thunder still without Westbrook due to torn meniscus recovery.