OKC Thunder in the news: Durant shade extends globally, Morey vs Presti debate

Welcome to OKC Thunder – In the news for Friday, July 28, featuring topical daily news on your favorite team and the NBA.

OKC Thunder in the news  for July 28 offers three news features today. The great GM debate, Durant  shade extends globally and who should be protected in an expansion draft.

Sam Presti versus Daryl Morey:

Generally in a straight up comparison the logistics are fairly simple. Lay out a few fixed and variable benchmarks. Then enter performances statistics or provide a grade to decipher ranking. Certainly there are numerous fixed criteria which can be used to judge General Manager performances such as win totals. This could be extrapolated further by factoring the win percentage based divided by salary. Or using variables award a grade based on trades, contracts and deals.

Either way, comparing Daryl Morey to Sam Presti is akin to evaluating oil to vinegar. One is overt loves publicity and is one of the driving forces behind analytics. The other calculating, publicity shy and the master of the finding draft diamonds or up-selling assets in big trades.

Providing a deep dive on the subject, including the Bill Simmons component of the argument is writer Robert Mitchell of Welcome to Loud City:

"These two teams setting their aim at Golden State have a deep rooted history. The Harden Trade, Sam Presti vs. Daryl Morey GM debate (ESPN ranked Morey 4th and Presti 9th this year), The Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook incident in the 2013 playoffs (which for perspective was the ONLY year OKC won 60 games), (stat padding) Russell Westbrook vs. (analytical Picasso) James Harden MVP race, and the 2017 playoffs when Houston beat the Thunder 4-1. I’m sure after this season there will be another data point to enter into this list of conflicts, because I believe OKC and Houston are heading for a collision course for the number two seed in the western conference, and unlike everyone else I believe the Thunder will outperform Houston."

KD served shade by Westbrook fan in INDIA:

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

Since Kevin Durant’s ‘decision’  to join the Warriors the former OKC Thunder star has grown accustom to getting his fair share of shade. Whether it’s posters with snakes, fans dressed as giant cupcakes or resounding boos at Chesapeake Arena. Yet, news this offseason seemed to point to a thawing of the distance between Russ and K.D which was generating most of the ire.

Still, some will never be able to forgive the manner in which Durant departed or specifically how little respect he seemingly paid his former co-star. It’s likely the angst will lessen as seasons pass, but also likely some may never reach that apex. To wit, now with Paul George at his side, expect Westbrook’s circled game on the new schedule to be Warriors first visit to OKC. Moreover, expect Thunder Nation to be equally amped for this event, and prepared to serenade K.D. with another chorus of boos.

In a humorous, side bar to this Durant is on a NBA promotional tour currently visiting India. Well, it seems Russell Westbrook fans span the globe. As per @NBA_SKITS a welcome party of youngsters were on hand to welcome KD. That included some shade from the young lad (4th from the right) whose sign included a cupcake, snake and Russ’ trademark motto ‘Why Not?’ Suffice to say the Brodie aura is strong!

Who to Protect in Expansion Draft:

Thunderous Intentions writer Austin Sternlicht dropped a must read article on who the OKC Thunder brain trust should protect in the event of an expansion draft.

"Alex Abrines should also be an easy decision. At 23, he is a rising star for Oklahoma City. He will only continue to get better as he gets older and stronger. Plus, he is on a team-friendly contract for two more years before hitting restricted free agency.That leaves only two players for OKC to protect. With nine players still on guaranteed contracts, the Thunder will need to decide which two are the most important to keep for this upcoming season and beyond."

That wraps up OKC Thunder In the News for July 28.  With TGIF here it’s time to make weekend plans. With that, make sure they include stopping by TI for your daily OKC Thunder fix.