OKC Thunder In the news: Griffin wants to emulate Thunder, Ferguson birthday
In the news features David Griffin pinpointing the OKC Thunder as the team the Pelicans want to emulate and Terrance Ferguson set to make birthday wishes.
Following the NBA Draft Lottery, new General Manager for the New Orleans Pelicans, David Griffin pointed to the OKC Thunder as the team he hopes to emulate. Shortly after the lottery was complete Griffin was mobbed by media who were still reeling from how much shifting occurred within the new system.
No one anticipated the Pelicans or Memphis Grizzlies for that matter would leap ahead of the three teams (New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Phoenix Suns) to take the top two picks this year. That is everyone except Griffin who told his peers the Pelicans were going to win the draft. Perhaps Griffin’s confidence came due to his success in Cleveland where the Cavaliers won the top pick in three of four seasons.
Then again, depending on much you believe in lucky charms there is the “magic tie” which Head Coach Alvin Gentry wore. This tie was worn by Cavaliers executive Jeff Cohen in 2011, 2013 and 2014 which coincidentally were the three years Cleveland got the top draft pick.
Griffin cites OKC Thunder as his inspiration:
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As Griffin was mobbed the most interesting thing he told reporters is his absolute commitment to retaining superstar Anthony Davis. Although it’s hard to imagine keeping a player after he sported a “That’s all folks” Looney Toons shirt on his final appearance this season perhaps Griffin has a point. The Pelicans GM points to what Sam Presti and the OKC Thunder accomplished by retaining Paul George as his inspiration.
More and more small markets are captivated by how the Thunder were able to retain George. Even though Toronto isn’t a small market GM Masai Ujiri also used the OKC Thunder – Paul George analogy when he took the risk of trading for Kawhi Leonard on a one-year rental.
James Herbert of CBS Sports offered the full story on Griffin’s comments regarding the Thunder:
“We can hold onto [Davis] and let him see what we really are,” Griffin continued. “[Winning the lottery] changes how quickly he can buy into it. It gets us closer. Every day, maybe he believes a little more. As much as elite talent likes to play with elite talent, I can’t imagine any elite player in his prime looking at our situation and saying to himself, ‘There’s a better grouping to play for’ than ours.”
Terrance Ferguson Birthday Wishes:
Closer to home Terrance Ferguson will celebrate a birthday today and our favorite illustrator perspective_7a served up a special Instagram picture in celebration:
Follow perspective_7a on Instagram as her illustrations are delightful. In season the images are completed in black and white for losses and in color for wins.
TFerg will turn 21 today which is hard to fathom given he has been with the OKC Thunder for two full seasons already. Sometimes we forget how young our players are especially when there are a number of players in this year’s draft class older than Ferguson.
Also, the following birthday illustration celebrated Russell Westbrook’s son Noah’s birthday.
It seems like just yesterday fans were celebrating Russell and Nina’s first child being born, not two years ago. Thunderous Intentions sends our Happy Birthday wishes to Terrance Ferguson and Noah Westbrook hoping they both enjoyed their special day.
Next. Thunder Season Review: Paul George’s MVP-caliber season. dark
That wraps up in the news for Friday, May 17. Enjoy your weekend, catch the draft combine and be sure to stop into Thunderous Intentions as we continue to roll out our season ending player reviews, draft prospect series and lots of exciting content on your favorite team and players.