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An OKC Thunder Podcast & Blogsite

Rockets vs. Thunder Preview (Game 11 of 82)

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Alex Roig

When: Thursday, 08 November 2018 at 7:00 pm CST
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK
TV: TNT
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 930 AM (Spanish))
Line: HOU -4.0 | O/U: 214
Off Rating: OKC – 106.3 (19th) | HOU – 105.8 (20th)
Def Rating: OKC – 103.7 (4th) | HOU – 110.1 (22nd)

Winning ugly is the staple of a good team. Especially when the team is missing key contributors due to injury or other reasons. The Oklahoma City Thunder team of last season would’ve likely succumbed to the malaise of not having a Russell Westbrook and would’ve lost an ugly game. But this year’s team seems to be a bit different. Continue reading →

Thunder At A Glance – 08 November 2018

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Alex Roig

Topic: Thunder gives you a recap, in podcast form, of last night’s victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Maddie Lee (NewsOK) on why the Thunder wanted Russell Westbrook to join them on this road trip: “He’s a leader,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. “It gives him an opportunity here to get treatment while he’s on the road. I think he can help those guys from the bench and locker room, talking to them, spending time with them. I’ve always said this about him: People see him play, but they don’t see a lot of the things he does behind closed doors.” Continue reading →

Thunder @ Cavaliers Preview (Game 10 of 82)

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Alex Roig

cavs

When: Wednesday, 07 November 2018 at 6:00 pm CST
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH
TV: FSOK
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 930 AM (Spanish))
Line: OKC -6.5 | O/U: 218
Off Rating: OKC – 107.3 (18th) | CLE – 106.4 (20th)
Def Rating: OKC – 105.4 (5th) | CLE – 117.2 (30th)

Adversity is a word that has become synonymous with the Oklahoma City Thunder this season. Whether it’s Andre Roberson needing an extra two months of rehab due to a stitch. Or Russell Westbrook missing all of the training camp and the first two games of the season. Or Paul George having to deal with another weird injury (numb forearm last season, numb foot this year). Or Westbrook going down with a sprained ankle after the Thunder were on their current roll of five wins in a row. Continue reading →

Kings vs. Thunder preview (Game 3 of 82)

Posted on October 21, 2018 by Alex Roig

kings

When: Sunday, 21 October 2018 at 6:00 pm CST
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK
TV: FSOK
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 930 AM (Spanish))
Line: OKC -10.0 | O/U: 217.5

One of the biggest issues last season for the Oklahoma City Thunder was not winning the games they were supposed to win. Last season, the Thunder were 26-14 against non-playoff opponents. That, by itself, isn’t terrible. It’s a .650 winning percentage, which is great in any league. But when combined with the Thunder’s record against playoff teams (22-20), that’s where the problem lies. Continue reading →

Thunder vs. Warriors preview (Game 1 of 82)

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Alex Roig

gsw

When: Tuesday, 16 October 2018 at 9:30 pm CST
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
TV: TNT
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 930 AM (Spanish))
Line: GS -13.0 | O/U: 220.5

Even with the uncertainty surrounding Andre Roberson’s recovery from patella tendon surgery and Russell Westbrook’s recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery, there’s a sense of calm as the Oklahoma City Thunder embark on the 2018-19 season. Over the past three seasons, the beginning of the season has usually been accompanied with the unknown dread associated with the upcoming free agency decisions of key players on the team. Continue reading →

Thunder At A Glance – 15 October 2018

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Alex Roig

Listen in to the latest episode of The Weekly on the Topic: Thunder podcast where we discuss the upcoming slate of games for the Thunder and preview the divisions.

Nick Gallo (OKCThunder.com) with a practice report on the eve of the beginning of the regular season: “Terrance Ferguson completed the NBA’s concussion protocol and was back in practice on Sunday. Abdel Nader was also a full participant in practice after recovering from knee soreness. Russell Westbrook continues to do more and more in practice and is progressing well.” Continue reading →

Thunder At A Glance – 10 October 2018

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Alex Roig

A recap podcast of last night’s game hosted by myself and NTTB contributor Dylan Huntzinger.

Nick Gallo (OKCThunder.com) recaps the wild game against the Milwaukee Bucks: “During the third, however, the Thunder did get a shot in the arm from rookie guard Hamidou Diallo, who made his first NBA-level start at shooting guard in place of the injured Andre Roberson and Terrance Ferguson. Diallo went 4-for-4 for nine points in the third quarter, part of a 19-point, five-rebound, four-assist effort on 8-of-16 shooting in 40 minutes of play, but Donovan is more pleased right now about the rookie’s grasp of the team’s defensive concepts, his motor and toughness than his scoring.” Continue reading →

Thunder At A Glance – 09 October 2018

Posted on October 9, 2018 by Alex Roig

Chris Murch (OKC Thunder Wire) on Billy Donovan being a fan of the preseason schedule: “So what we can do is take these four games and then be able to use that week to really look and evaluate of things we have to continue to grow in and get better in, things we’re doing well, we want to continue doing.”

Nick Gallo (OKCThunder.com) with a preview of tonight’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks: “That process has been going well, despite the fact that the Thunder has had more than its share of injuries during U.S. Cellular Training Camp. Two starters in Russell Westbrook, Andre Roberson and Abdel Nader have missed every preseason game, Paul George missed one game due to a personal matter and Terrance Ferguson has had to leave early from two contests. Despite the adversity, the Thunder’s next-man-up mentality has served the group well, and the team has been able to press on in its growth as a unit.” Continue reading →

Thunder At A Glance – 08 October 2018

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Alex Roig

Check out the 2nd episode of The Weekly through the Topic: Thunder Podcast. We talked about the first two preseason games, injury updates, and previewed the Northwest Division. You can subscribe for the podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Nick Gallo (OKCThunder.com) on the energy shown by the Thunder in their win against the Atlanta Hawks: “Rookie Hamidou Diallo again was impressive, utilizing his athleticism, tenacity and intelligence to make plays, garnering more minutes after starter Terrance Ferguson went down with concussion-like symptoms. Sure, as a 20-year old, Diallo will have moments like when he hesitated on a cut to the rim. But he made up for it by receiving the pass from a posted-up George and turning the corner quickly to attack the rim to draw a foul. Diallo was aggressive on the glass in keeping loose balls alive and finished both at the rim and at the charity stripe as he chipped in 13 points and 5 rebounds.” Continue reading →

Thunder At A Glance – 04 October 2018

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Alex Roig

The Topic: Thunder crew recaps the Pistons game on their first recap podcast.

Erik Horne (NewsOK) with one of the major developments from the Thunder’s first preseason game: The Dennis Schröder/Steven Adams pick and roll: ““I spend time with him, mate,” Adams said of the chemistry between him and Schroder. “It’s more about finding out what you like, where you’re looking. Whenever you’re trying to figure out their body language in terms of them coming off screens, how they’re setting up, it helps on both sides. Especially with the passes, he will ask me what type of passes I like. It just comes down to that.” Continue reading →