OKC Thunder In the news: Williams first Sager Award recipient, KD hones in on MVP, Orlando Summer League

Welcome to OKC Thunder – In the news for Friday, June 9 featuring the most topical daily news on your favorite team.

As the OKC Thunder continue their prep toward the 2017 Draft the NBA Finals prepares for what may be the clinching title game.

NBA Finals nears end with Durant honing in on series MVP:

For many OKC Thunder fans this is a bitter sweet moment as Kevin Durant appears to be in line to receive the MVP award in addition to his first title. With these accolades new narratives have sprung forth such as Chris Herring of Five Thirty Eight providing an argument that Durant has over taken LeBron James as the best in the NBA.

"Durant was spectacular and will undoubtedly be named Finals MVP once the Dubs win a fourth game.1 His impressive showing here, largely against the best player of the past generation, figures to prompt conversation about whether we’re seeing a changing of the guard concerning which player deserves to be considered the best in the world.We watched this movie play out for a third straight game on Wednesday night: LeBron being on fire for a half, then suddenly becoming less aggressive when he runs out of gas in the fourth quarter, while Durant saves his best for last."

Familiar territory:

As for the MVP, my choice would go to Stephen Curry. In the past two games of the series Curry has dropped a triple-double and posted back to back double digit rebounding efforts (a first in his career). This isn’t shade on my part. Rather, an assessment of Curry’s performance and ability to make his court mates life easier. Game 3, the Warriors offense was at its most stilted during the early fourth quarter. Ironically this is when KD fell into over dribbling and iso ball habits. Once Curry returned the Warriors went on the 11-0 run to seal the win.

But, the feel good narrative at the moment seems to be rewarding Durant for this “difficult decision” he made (cough- read abandonment). So, the two-time regular season MVP, Curry is relegated to an after thought behind the great savior Kevin Durant (okay, now that was shade).

Consequently, Curry has seemingly become second fiddle on his team with KD’s arrival. Hmm, sounds like a certain former point guard KD played with.

Monty Wililiams to receive inaugural Craig Sager Award:

Last February, Monty Williams wife Ingrid was killed after her car was hit head on by an SUV. She was 44 years old. It was later discovered the SUV drive had methamphetamine in her system and was driving 92 miles per hour.

Ingrid was the beloved mother of five children and wife of Monty. At the time he was working as an Assistant Coach with the OKC Thunder. This season Williams is working with the San Antonio Spurs.

Monty Williams will receive the award as part of the NBA Awards event on June 26.

Erik Horne of News OK offers the full story:

"At the NBA’s first awards show, Monty Williams will receive an inaugural honor.The former Thunder assistant will be the first recipient of the Sager Strong Award. The award is named for the late Craig Sager, the Turner Sports sideline reporter who passed away Dec. 15, 2016, from cancer. According to Turner Sports, the award will be presented annually to “an individual who has been a trailblazer while exemplifying courage, faith, compassion and grace.”"

OKC Thunder prep for Orlando:

As the NBA Finals draw to their inevitable close, focus will shift to the NBA Draft on June 22. After the draft three Summer Leagues will occur with the OKC Thunder scheduled to once again participate in Orlando.

Evan Abramson of Click Orlando offers details on the Orlando event:

"ORLANDO, Fla. – For the 14th year in a row, the Orlando Magic will host the Mountain Dew Orlando Pro Summer League, starting with a game featuring the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat on July 1 at 11 a.m. With eight total teams participating in the summer league events held on the practice courts of the Amway Center, the Magic will see action against the Hornets, Heat, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons."

For more details on the event TI offered an article expanding on OKC Thunder players presumably slated to participate.

OKC Thunder prepare for Westbrook’s future:

More from Thunderous Intentions

Here on TI, Joshua Lea looks at Russell Westbrook’s future and hence what his potential Designated Player Extension might mean for the team.

"Next season Westbrook, Victor Oladipo and Steven Adams are set to make over $20 million. However, Oladipo and Adams struggled during the playoffs. In order for the Thunder to have success, those two are going to have to set up in a big way next season. Assuming the Thunder don’t make any drastic moves this offseason, they’ll have the current roster mainly intact next season."

That’s it for today folks. Still hurting over KD’s departure? If so, it might be wise to avoid the closing ceremony portion of tonight’s Finals game. Or you can choose to look at it with a degree of sardonic humor. If Curry is being pushed into the shadows then Thunder fans can revel in the fact Westbrook is most assuredly in the bright spotlight he deserves.

Enjoy your day, see you back here for In the News tomorrow.

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