OKC Thunder in the news: Crazy rumored super team George-Westbrook-LeBron, odds favor Russ MVP win

Welcome to OKC Thunder – In the news for Saturday, June 24 featuring topical daily news on your favorite team and the NBA.

With the NBA Draft now complete the OKC Thunder move on to the next phases of the offseason. Specifically the team prepares for the Orlando Summer League Event and Free Agency. In today’s column Russell Westbrook and our new rookie dominate the news.

Crazy Rumor Super team of LeBron, George and Westbrook:

In what should be considered wishful thinking over serious analysis Bobby Illich of the International Business Times pens  an article on the potential Lakers super team of Paul George,  LeBron James and Russell Westbrook.

Obviously, the George part is a believable component since he’s made no secret LA is his desired location. Even the LeBron portion is more or less conceivable James owns a home and business in LA. Moreover he seems smitten by the acting bug and a desire to go ‘more Hollywood’. This coupled with the star’s disenchantment with Cav’s GM David Griffen being let go could provide more fuel to this fodder. But, it’s more reasonable to assume James would have a desire to join buddy Chris Paul on the Clippers assuming he returns as a free agent this summer.

Westbrook portion a stretch:

But, the Westbrook portion of this equation is far fetched at best. Sure, Russ is from LA and went to college there. But he’s given no indication of a desire to return home. Nor have his actions prompted any reason to believe he wants to leave OKC. Rather, he’s been demonstrative about his wish to remain the face of the OKC franchise and is enjoying leading the team.

Hey, it’s okay to cut Mr. Illich and his Lakers fans some slack. I’s not like anyone would blame them for wishing Brodie would suit up in the Lakers purple and gold.

"But will he play for the Lakers? Westbrook isn’t exactly the most transparent player in the league, so it’s difficult to gauge his intentions. But if the Lakers make a serious push, he seems like he can be convinced to return to his hometown with a better chance to win a title.Prediction: Lakers trade for Westbrook after he declines the Thunder’s contract extension"

Sure wish there was a way to bet on silly items like this. It would be a nice way to get rich!

Butler learns of trade in middle of night while in Paris:

OKC Thunder players might be thanking their lucky stars they work for such a quality organization after witnessing what Jimmy Butler just experienced.

Butler who (like Westbrook) is in Paris for  Fashion Week learned of his trade to Minnesota while in bed.  No forewarning came to the Bulls franchise star and face of team.  To put this in perspective, can anyone imagine Russell Westbrook being traded? Let alone being traded and told well after the fact? As scribes it can sometimes be frustrating the OKC brain trust keep information so tightly concealed. Like which draft prospects they worked out.  But, it’s situations like this which give credence for why the Thunder conduct business the way they do.

CBS Sports details Butler’s situation via Colin Ward-Henninger’s article:

"Butler, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Dwyane Wade appeared to be having a great time, taking in a fashion show while in the City of Lights.After the fun, however, Butler reportedly found out in the middle of the night that the Bulls had traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The news of the trade broke just before 8 p.m. ET, which means it was nearly 2 a.m. in Paris."

Russ Fashion:

Long considered one of the NBA’s more intriguing dressers, Russell Westbrook takes his fashion seriously.  As per above, Westbrook is in Paris for fashion week.  A series of social media images show he’s taking a more old school laid back approach to his styling while in Paris. He’s been photographed wearing a Nascar t-shirt along with other casual fare. Here’s a sampling of images captured of him this week:

Sporting a printed shirt undone with chains:

In GQ:

Megan Gustashaw of GQ Magazine has a fuller image of Westbrook in the above ensemble and cites him for being a trend setter by wearing the shirt open.

In Midnight Oasis t-shirt, track pants and polka dot Gilligan hat:

In Nascar t-shirt and plaid pants:

Westbrook Predominant Favorite to Win MVP:

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

With the NBA Awards Show set to air on Monday, June 26 when fans will finally learn who has won MVP.  Although the race was super close in season, it was only Westbrook’s spectacular closing month which seemingly distanced him from counterparts James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.  Now with days left til the event Shane Kristopher Lambert Blasting News reports the odds of Westbrook winning are in the 90 percentile region.

"However, BetVictor and Paddy Power are two firms that are active in the market at the time of writing. The former makes Westbrook 1/10 to win the award while the latter prices that event even shorter at 1/16. To convert those odds to percentages, each would imply a greater than 90% chance for Westbrook to win the MVP."

Terrance Ferguson Quality Pick, Sure to be OKC Thunder Fan Fave:

An initial reaction article on Thunderous Intentions was less than flattering toward the number 21 draft pick. But, it’s important to note the staff were split on their view of Terrance Ferguson by OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti. In fact, two scribes (including yours truly) not only had Ferguson earmarked in our mock drafts, but were pulling for the selection to come to fruition.

The other important caveat to make is when looking at a player’s past comments on social media it might be wise to recognize  being forever tied to one comment made by a much younger version of yourself isn’t fair. I mean, imagine if every job interview you went to started pulling out a life time of tweets made and based their opinion on something you said years ago– well enough said.

For Ferguson, as you’ll recall in this very column a few weeks ago his Mother was hoping he would land in OKC and I’m sure Oklahoma City will embrace him with open arms upon his arrival. Moreover, once the fanbase gets to witness his upside, work ethic and grittiness he’ll become a fan favorite.

TI Scribe Notes TF Upside:

Native Australian Matthew Hallett provided some more context on Ferguson in his article:

"To make sense of his numbers, you must understand the league which is the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). The NBL is a 40 minute game as opposed to a 48 minute game in the NBA. These extra eight minutes can make a huge difference to a rookies playing time.Secondly, opposition players targeted Ferguson due to him being an import. It is safe to say Australians have a different understanding of how much physicality should be allowed in a game of basketball. I hesitate to say they play dirty, well, because I happen to be an Australian myself.Ferguson was on the receiving end of what players of the caliber of Russell Westbrook deal with most weeks, and Westbrook is well used to it.Ferguson never complained, at least not publicly. He played, he learned, he grew. What more can you want from a rookie."

That wraps up OKC Thunder In The News for Saturday June 24, enjoy your day and meet you back here tomorrow.