Welcome to OKC Thunder – In the news for Tuesday, July 25, featuring topical daily news on your favorite team and the NBA.
OKC Thunder in the news for July 25 where today’s articles look at wild rumors, Russell Westbrook paying tribute to Nick Collison and one scribe offers his reasons on why Steven Adams would never be part of a Melo trade package.
Westbrook Shouts out Nick Collison:
It’s no secret Westbrook and Collison are tight. After all, it was Collison who was at the infamous dinner table with Kevin Durant and Russ the week prior to the K.D. ‘decision’.
Collison also attended the awards event where Russ won his first regular season MVP. So, it’s not surprising he would jump on the instagram shout-out to Udonis Haslem and Manu Ginobili who were both cited for their tenure with one franchise. Clutch Points writer Bruno Manrique highlights the rarity of players remaining with the same franchise is this NBA era:
"In a modern NBA where the players now have all the power to choose their desired destinations, playing an entire career with one organization has become somewhat of a lost art.Collison has been the one constant in the OKC locker room throughout Westbrook’s career, though now in a much more limited role with the team."
Rumor mill heats up with Melo to OKC:
As my esteemed cohort made clear the latest rumor on Carmelo Anthony had him potentially coming to the OKC Thunder. When rumors of this nature are leaked it’s generally not much smoke to the fire. Especially when it’s coming out about certain teams who guard their moves under vault-like protection. Rarely will the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs or OKC Thunder leak stories about their moves. Rather, they tend to be used as fodder to bait other teams. Why? Because they also won’t deny the rumors. Talk about a catch 22.
Regardless, check out the great article Tony Heim offered on the Melo to OKC rumor.
"First off this is Bill Simmons we’re talking about here. Simmons has become basketball media’s resident Thunder-hater. He still brings up the James Harden trade, he’s Kevin Durant’s personal PR agent and he didn’t think Russell Westbrook was the MVP. Oh and Simmons occupation isn’t as a reporter, but as a columnist.Secondly, word never gets out about what the Thunder are up to. It’s very possible that this is just a way to make Houston give up more in a trade for Melo. The best part about this theory if it’s true? Simmons is also friends with Daryl Morey, the Rockets GM."
Why Steven Adams won’t be part of trade package for Melo:
As per the swirling rumors Brodyn Knuckey of TVNZ offered his reasoning on why Steven Adams would never be part of a trade package.
"Contrast that with Adams securing an extra rebound (7.7), twice as many steals (1.1) and double the blocks (1.0) than Kanter per game last season and suddenly you can appreciate how much more the ‘Big Kiwi’ can offer in the new Thunder line up than what Kanter would."
"And despite critics arguing Adams didn’t produce the numbers of a max-contract player this season, what he did show is exactly what the Thunder hoped for – development."
That wraps up OKC Thunder In the News for July 25. Have a wonderful Tuesday, and remember to make Thunderous Intentions a daily stop.