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OKC Thunder In the news: Collison Hall bid, Adams spicy LeBron compliment

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 13: Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers go for a rebound during the game on February 13, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 13: Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers go for a rebound during the game on February 13, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder In the news for August 17 examines the Collison Hall bid, Steven Adams hat tip to LeBron James and connection to James Johnson.

Collison for the Hall:

Perhaps it will seem odd to state the Thunder’s greatest loss this season came via a retirement. Nick Collison may not have garnered many appearances yet his presence was no less important than Russell Westbrook.

If that feels like a stretch than you probably won’t agree with TI scribe Rylan Skiles who feels Nick Collison deserve a nod to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Collison cold be considered a throw-back player. The type of veteran every team could use and whom the Thunder youngster’s reaped copious benefits from.

Last season the big man only got on the court 15 times and in those limited appearances averaged just five minutes playing time. He stat line is meager 2.1 points 1.3 rebounds, 0.3 assists and shot a robust 68.4 percent from the field.

As Skiles aptly points out it was the intangible qualities Collison provided which cannot be forgotten. Check out Stiles detailed rationale why Collison is deserving of the nod.

"Collison totaled 5,359-career points. He hauled in 4,701 career rebounds. His dominance came with the dirty work, which hurts his Hall of Fame effort. The big man set some of the nastiest screens in NBA History, building a brick wall for his star-studded teammates like Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.So does Nick Collison deserve a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame? Let’s take a journey through his career, and decide together.”"

Steven Adams ready for spicy West battle with king:

More from Thunderous Intentions

For years LeBron James ruled the Eastern Conference laying waste to all the top teams. Just ask the Toronto Raptors who continue to lick the wounds from successive ousts the King almost single handedly inflicted.

With his move to the West teams are sitting up to take notice. At TI we’ve discussed how much immediate credibility James is giving the Lakers who won just 35 games last season. Perhaps we are underestimating James ability. But, one person who isn’t is Steven Adams who noted the move makes the West even spicier.  Stuff writer David Long offered the following:

"Steven Adams says LeBron James moving to the LA Lakers will spice up the NBA Western Conference this season.The off-season switch from the Eastern Conference Cleveland Cavaliers to the Lakers makes life harder for Adams’ Oklahoma City Thunder, while helps teams in the East like Toronto, Boston and Philadelphia."

Adams connection to James Johnson:

Steven Adams continues to promote the game of basketball in his native country via basketball camps. Three camps are slated to occur in Auckland, Palmerston North and Dunedin.

Currently there are two New Zealanders playing in the NBA – Adams and Celtics big man Aron Baynes. However, In a press conference Adams noted a connection to two other players.

One is James Johnson who plays for the Miami Heat. Notably Adams is part Tongan and has a strong connection to his heritage. His sleeve tattoo is something that denotes this and as it turns out a tattoo is how he realized the connection to Johnson.

JJ is part Samoan and sports several tattoos of which some are of Polynesian in nature. In his inimitable fashion One News Now video highlights Adams discussing first seeing the tat on JJ and his acknowledgement of their mutual connection.   The other player who Adams notes as having a similar heritage is Jabari Parker who is also part Tongan.

dark. Next. Offseason report card – Grading every Sam Presti move

That’s all for In the news for August 17. Make sure to bookmark Thunderous Intentions daily and keep abreast of your favorite team and players. Have a great weekend.

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