Welcome to Thunder in the news, your daily check-in on the happenings of the OKC Thunder.
Happy first day of August! The turn of the month means we are one step closer to NBA basketball. Before we can get to the regular season, however, preseason games must be played. And some interesting news came out regarding the Thunder’s preseason schedule.
Let’s find out what.
Thunder hosting Melbourne United in preseason
Call this the Terrance Ferguson effect. Yesterday a newspaper in Sydney reported that Oklahoma City would be hosting a team from Australia in a preseason contest. This isn’t unusual for OKC – last season the Thunder traveled to Spain for contests against Real Madrid and Barcelona. The Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns will also host teams from the NBL (Australia’s pro league) during the preseason, just another instance of the NBA looking to expand globally.
Check out Brett Dawson’s report here.
"The United-Thunder game is one of three that NBL teams will play against NBA teams this preseason in the U.S., according to The Telegraph’s report."
What will Russell Westbrook average this season?
This is a question that will determine how the Thunder play this year. If Russ is averaging a triple-double Oklahoma City will be in a dark, dark place. But if he is averaging somewhere close to these numbers put out by the Sneaker Reporter himself? Then OKC will have a legitimate chance at a top three seed in the West.
Bryce Alford, Thunder agree to contract
UCLA guards unite! Alford announced on his Instagram that he’s signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The terms of that contact? Nobody knows. The Thunder have yet to release a statement regarding the signing and Alford didn’t mention specifics in his post. Either way it seems like he’ll be in Thunder training camp.
"Going into the Draft I didn’t think Alford was an NBA talent. Even though he’s on the Thunder (yes I tend to be bias) I still don’t see it."
Thanks for reading yet another edition of Thunder in the news! We’ll be back tomorrow with more hard-hitting journalism 😉