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NTTB Podcast – Episode 35 (Live Free Agency Frenzy)

Posted on July 1, 2018 by Alex Roig

On Episode 35 of the NTTB podcast, we discuss the following topics:

Scared Money Don’t Make None
Russell Westbrook flies from Hawaii to Oklahoma City voluntarily
Paul George re-signs with the Thunder
Jerami Grant re-signs with the Thunder
Where LeBron ends up
I thought LeBron was supposed to be the first dominoe
Other free agency signings as they happened live
And again, Scared Money Don’t Make None

Intro/Outro music provided by OSC Productions

Thank you for listening. We will be doing a podcast once a week. If you have any Thunder or NBA related questions, make sure you hit us up on Twitter (@alexroig_NTTB or @Montero_A13).

We are on ITunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Tune In under the NTTB Podcast. Make sure you leave us a 5-star review if you can. As always, Thunder Up!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/111153/739799-episode-35-live-free-agency-frenzy.mp3?download=true

NTTB Podcast – Episode 33 (The Aftermath of the Finals)

Posted on June 16, 2018 by Alex Roig

On Episode 33 of the NTTB podcast, we’re joined by friend of the pod, Ryan Rivera, to discuss the following topics:

The Aftermath of the Finals
LeBron vs. MJ
The Impact of JR Smith’s flub
Kawhi Leonard wants out of San Antonio
Where do the Thunder go if Paul George does not re-sign
Can you win with Westbrook as your No. 1
Some draft talk
Host Q and A’s

Intro/Outro music provided by OSC Productions

Thank you for listening. We will be doing a podcast once a week. If you have any Thunder or NBA related questions, make sure you hit us up on Twitter (@alexroig_NTTB or @Montero_A13).

We are on ITunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Tune In under the NTTB Podcast. Make sure you leave us a 5-star review if you can. As always, Thunder Up!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/111153/728366-episode-33-the-aftermath-of-the-finals.mp3?download=true

NTTB Rumblings – 16 May 2018

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Alex Roig

Erik Horne (NewsOK) looks at Andre Roberson’s value to the Thunder: “The injury had elements of a Greek tragedy. The Thunder’s defense carried it through the first two months of the season as the offense finally came around in December. The demolition of the Pistons was the apex — the Thunder overwhelming them on both ends with Roberson at the core, snatching defensive rebounds and starting the fast break, cutting to the basket for give-and-go layups off Steven Adams post passes, shutting off drives to force ball reversals and turnovers.”

Albert Dadson (Hoops Habit) says the Thunder need to try and get into the first round: “An interesting place that Carmelo may not agree to go but would be a place where he could win again is Philadelphia. The Philadelphia 76ers will more than likely have two first round picks after the Los Angeles Lakers’ pick falls out of the first three slots, in addition to their own pick at No. 26. That second first round pick would be the one to target, though again, expecting a first-rounder for Melo at this stage is an uphill battle.” Continue reading →

NTTB Rumblings – 15 May 2018

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Alex Roig

Happy Draft Lottery Day!!!!!

Fred Katz (Norman Transcript) evaluates the season that was for Russell Westbrook: “The superstition started back in another era, when Tumbleson would honor a couple of greats with double-circles: Westbrook and Kevin Durant. During the 2016-17 season, only Westbrook received the double-circle. Paul George and Carmelo Anthony entered double-circle territory at the beginning of this past season, but Tumbleson went back to doing just Westbrook after the team’s 8-12 start. He figured becoming too indiscriminate with the double-circle was bad luck.”

Katz also evaluated the season that was for Alex Abrines: “Oklahoma City switched everything on defense with those lineups, and the Jazz hunted Abrines during said moments. Specifically, they found ways for the 25-year-old to defend Mitchell, who sliced OKC all series. But Abrines actually held his own.” Continue reading →

NTTB Rumblings – 14 May 2018

Posted on May 14, 2018 by Alex Roig

Jeff Olalo (CluthPoints) on Russell Westbrook releasing some shoes that were inspired by his son, Noah: “With the release of his signature performance shoe the WhyNot Zer0.1 “Noah” – the seven-time NBA All Star credits his son by not only naming it after him, but also using an Emerald colorway inspired by his birthstone. Even better, the launch date is just around the same time of Noah’s birthday, which is on May 16th and is inscribed on the inside strap.”

Berry Tramel (NewsOK) on what others are saying about Nick Collison’s retirement: “But time is merciless, and eventually it relegated Collison to a lesser role. By the 2014 playoffs, even against Memphis, the team for which he was born to play against, Collison’s value was diminished. He hadn’t even played in Game 7 of the first-round series against the Grizzlies, and through five games of the West semifinals against the Clippers, Collison had played only 37 minutes, some of it garbage time.” Continue reading →

The Offseason Beat : 03 – 09 May 2018

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Alex Roig

Here on NTTB, during the offseason, we’ll be looking to do a weekly article on the happenings around the Thunder organization. Before the explosion of social media, the offseason was usually a waiting game of news and stories. A signing here. A signing there. Unless someone made the police blotter in a major way, the stories weren’t really there. But now, with most players giving fans access to their lives 24/7, newsworthy events and stories are plentiful.

Here are a couple stories from this past week:

May 3rd – Alex Abrines undergoes surgery to repair a sports hernia.

It’s always been known that when it comes to Alex Abrines, problematic knee issues can sometimes creep to the surface. Last summer, while playing for his native Spain, Abrines had to sit out most of the FIBA EuroBasket tournament with knee issues. Because of the knee issues, Abrines was unable to fully implement an offseason training regiment and as a result, came to camp a little out of shape. Using the first 2 months of the season as a training camp, Abrines eventually found himself a featured part of the rotation and stayed healthy throughout the season, save for a couple minor injuries here and there. Continue reading →

NTTB Rumblings – 10 May 2018

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Alex Roig

Royce Young (ESPN) on Paul George’s knee scope that occurred yesterday: “George dealt with knee soreness for much of last season, sitting out a game on Dec. 29 because of it. According to a press release, “the Thunder, George and his representation collectively determined” the procedure be done by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, with Thunder medical personnel present.”

Jimmy Do (OKCThunder.com) on the Thunder opening up their 19th Thunder Cares court: “Our goal is to do courts across the state of Oklahoma. Ardmore was a place we wanted to get to and it worked out because our partner at Enable Midstream has a presence here,” said Christine Berney, vice president of community relations for the Thunder. “It’s a perfect match.” Continue reading →

NTTB Rumblings – 09 May 2018

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Alex Roig

Dr. Rajal Brar (The Injury Insight) gives an in-depth look at Andre Roberson’s injury and recovery: “Think about it like this: You’re about to do an explosive dumbbell curl with a light weight (lets say 5 pounds) and as you’re about to intensely curl the arm up, an additional 50 pounds is added. You’re making a forceful contraction against a weight that you weren’t ready for or expecting – that’s a recipe for overloading the muscle and tearing fibers. That’s what happened to Roberson – in his case a complete rupture.”

Kyle Newport (Bleacher Report) on the idea around the league that the Thunder should trade Russell Westbrook: “There’s an increasing number of people around the league who think the Thunder should look at trading [Russell] Westbrook. To be clear, not a report. Not Thunder sources think they should do this. Just in spitballing ideas with teams around the league, there’s a number of people who have heard, just like, ‘It’s time for something to change here.'” Continue reading →

NTTB Rumblings – 08 May 2018

Posted on May 8, 2018 by Alex Roig

Tim Bontempts (Washington Post) looks at the biggest questions facing the Thunder this offseason: “It ended with Russell Westbrook taking 43 shots for the second time in as many years in a playoff game – both Thunder losses – and getting into confrontations with fans at halftime and after the game. It ended with Thunder Coach Billy Donovan going down with the Carmelo Anthony ship, playing the fading star with the season on the line when all evidence suggested the team would be better with Anthony on the bench.”

Albert Dadson (Hoops Habit) on the Thunder’s options for Carmelo Anthony moving forward: “Anthony wants to be more involved in the Thunder’s offense if he comes back. The problem with trying to get rid of Carmelo Anthony is the fact that he will have the final say in his status for next year thanks to a player option for the final year of his contract.” Continue reading →

NTTB Rumblings – 07 May 2018

Posted on May 7, 2018 by Alex Roig

If you are a true Thunder fan on Twitter, than you know who Nanae Yamano is (by Kaz Nagatsuka of the Japan Times): “Sometimes nonverbal means of communication can connect you to the world. And social media makes it so much easier nowadays. Saitama Prefecture housewife and amateur artist Nanae Yamano has proven that with her cute drawings of NBA players.”

Brett Dawson (NewsOK) on how the Thunder have prepared for the cost to bring back Paul George: “In 2012, it traded James Harden rather than sign him, a move that’s been widely criticized in hindsight — and no doubt is one reason why skeptics wonder if the Thunder will pay the cost to remain competitive. But it was a younger franchise then, coming off its fourth season and third playoff appearance in OKC. It hadn’t built the equity it has now, and the financial future of the league looks different.”

The new episode of the NTTB podcast is up. Give it a listen. Continue reading →