Thunder in the news: Paul George and Russell Westbrook features
By Tony Heim
Thunder in the news provides OKC Thunder fans with a daily post dedicated to finding the most relevant content for their favorite team.
Well the NBA offseason is finally screeching to a halt. No more breaking news every hour, significantly less trade rumors – overall roster stagnation is the name of the game for a couple months. That means more time for projection pieces, but more importantly, more time for a spotlight outside of the basketball court. That’s what today is all about.
A young Russ is my favorite Russ
This article from the Norman Transcript’s Fred Katz is incredible. We all have watched Russ grow up in front of our eyes, but not all of us know much about college Russ. If you’re like me (or how I used to be), I highly suggest checking this piece out.
"By the time summer 2007 came around, Westbrook was readying for actual playing time. He was in the midst of an attempt to become a point guard. He had started showing off different types of facilitating moves in the pickup games at the men’s gym.He worked a similar schedule at UCLA to the one from the previous summer. But he was more independent. And he was more aggressive with his workout regimen."
Paul George and his priorities
As it sits now the Thunder aren’t the favorite to re-sign Paul George this offseason. But as Erik Horne from The Oklahoman points out, Oklahoma City has a full season to prove to George this is where he should stay. There’s one specific reason that gives OKC a chance.
"When four-time All-Star Paul George is introduced in Oklahoma City this week, his arrival will come with adulation, celebration and anticipation of his future even before he puts on the Thunder uniform. In June, George’s agent, Aaron Mintz, was upfront with Indiana about his client’s intention to leave the Pacers to become a free agent in 2018. George, a native of Palmdale, Calif., prefers to join the Los Angeles Lakers.Oklahoma City is not Los Angeles. But it’s also not the summer of 2018 yet."
A Demarcus Cousins conspiracy theory
I’m convinced Sam Presti is bringing in another star-caliber player at some point this season. Is it Demarcus Cousins? Probably not. But it’s Sam Presti we’re talking about, so it’s possible. Give my piece a read if the idea intrigues you even slightly.
"It’s early January, 2018. The New Orleans Pelicans are currently…bad. They’re hovering around .500, but that’s not good enough for a team fielding two All Star big men. Demarcus Cousins is a free agent this offseason – there’s no future in New Orleans. They worry he’s going to leave.Oklahoma City is lurking in the Western Conference. Like last year, there are tiers of teams out West. Unlike last year, the Thunder are in that second tier underneath Golden State. Paul George is going to be a free agent this offseason. More importantly, Russell Westbrook is going to be a free agent this offseason."
Catch you again tomorrow for another rendition of Thunder in the news!