OKC Thunder Blog – Page 47 – NBA Blog

Thunder management trying to avoid luxury tax for another season

Within the NBA’s rookie pay scale, teams are given enough leeway to sign their first-rounders to between 80 percent and 120 percent of their pick’s suggested value.

Almost always, rookies are quickly offered and sign near the maximum, like Steven Adams did last week, reaching a deal with the Thunder that will pay him $2.09 million next season, nearly $400,000 more than the suggested value of the 12th pick.

So that’s why it was a bit surprising when, late last week, word also surfaced that the Thunder brass had lowballed its other first-round pick, signing Andre Roberson to only 80 percent of his first-year value.

The 2013-14 pay scale suggests the 26th pick make $925,700 next season. Its maximum value is around $1.1 million. But Roberson will only bring in $740,560.

Reported by Anthony Slater of Oklahoman

Kevin Durant and Kevin Love will keep playing for Team USA Basketball

USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo and USA Basketball Men’s National Team head coach Mike Krzyzewski (Duke University) announced at the conclusion of today’s National Team mini-camp in Las Vegas, Nev., that Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves), winners of gold medals at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and 2012 London Olympics, had confirmed they planned to be part of the USA Basketball National Team program through 2016 and will participate in next year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup that will be held Aug. 30-Sept. 14, 2014, in Spain.

“Kevin Durant and Kevin Love have officially announced that they will be a part of our future going forward, including the World Cup next summer, and it means a great deal to us because of how committed they are to our program and we are very appreciative of their early commitment,” said Colangelo when speaking to media following Wednesday’s USA National Team mini-camp practice. “We think it will certainly send a message to some of our other guys, who have indicated they are interested, and so we are very excited.”

“To represent your country, you can’t really take that for granted, so I knew last summer I was going to commit and play this next World Cup,” said Durant, who averaged a U.S. team high 19.5 points per game at the 2012 Olympics and who was named MVP of the 2010 World Championship after posting 22.8 points a game. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity, man, playing against the best in the world with the best in the world, so it should be fun.”

The 6’10” Love, who averaged 11.6 points and a team leading 7.6 rebounds per game during the 2012 Olympics, echoed Durant’s comments, stating, “K.D. mentioned it, just being a part of USA Basketball has meant a lot for my career. I’ve been a part of the World Championship team in 2010 and the 2012 Olympic Team in London, just coming off of last summer and then heading forward, just being a part of the family. Jerry and Coach keep mentioning being part of the USA Basketball family, and heading forward we are looking for bigger and brighter things.”

“It’s an exciting day and no more appropriate time to do it than when we are also adding this influx of new, young talent,” said USA and Duke University mentor Krzyzewski. “For these veterans, although they are not old guys yet, for these veterans to make that commitment is a huge step. You have gold medal winners in two events. Both of them were 21-year-old guys when we won in Istanbul (2010 FIBA World Championship) and then at 23 they won gold medals (in the 2012 London Olympic Games). They now are the leadership. They are part of the leadership of our program, and they’ve been committed. Kevin (Durant), this is the first camp that we’ve been involved in that he hasn’t been a participant. So, he started when we as 17. He (Kevin Love) started when we was young. It’s the program that Jerry has started since he took over, and it’s paying a lot of dividends. So, it’s an exciting day for USA Basketball; a big day.”

The announcement came in Las Vegas following the final USA National Team mini-camp practice session. The mini-camp, which opened July 22, will close with the 2013 USA Basketball Showcase, a blue-white intra-squad game on Thursday, July 25, 6 p.m. PDT at the Thomas & Mack Arena on the campus of UNLV.

Thunder sign draft picks Steven Adams and Andre Roberson

Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team has signed center Steven Adams and guard/forward Andre Roberson.

Adams, the #12 overall selection by the Thunder in last month’s NBA Draft appeared in 32 games during his freshman season at the University of Pittsburgh where he averaged 7.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 23.4 minutes per game.

Adams was named to the Big East All-Rookie Team after ranking first all-time in school history for field goal percentage (.571), second in blocked shots (63) and sixth in rebounds (192) for freshman seasons. After being selected by the Thunder, Adams became the first player from New Zealand to be taken in the first round of the NBA Draft.

Roberson, the #26 overall pick in the draft, joins the Thunder after spending three seasons at the University of Colorado where he saw action in 105 games and posted career averages of 9.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks in 28.3 minutes per game. Oklahoma City acquired the draft rights to Roberson from the Golden State Warriors on draft night.

After his junior season at Colorado, Roberson was named the Pac-12 Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year while receiving First-Team All-Conference honors. This past season, Roberson ranked second in the nation after averaging 11.2 rebounds per game.

Three-team trade sends Kevin Martin to Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has acquired guard Kevin Martin via a sign-and-trade as part of a three-team deal with Oklahoma City and Milwaukee. As part of the trade, the Wolves send Luke Ridnour and a 2014 second-round pick (from the Los Angeles Lakers via the Phoenix Suns; acquired on July 27, 2012) to the Bucks. Minnesota and Milwaukee also receive cash considerations from Oklahoma City while the Bucks send the draft rights to Szymon Szewczyk to the Thunder.

“We are excited to add a talented veteran in Kevin Martin to our team,” said Flip Saunders, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “Kevin is one of the top shooters and more efficient scorers in the NBA and will help us immensely in those areas. Kevin is familiar with Coach Adelman’s style of play and had success playing for him in Sacramento and Houston. We expect that to continue.”

The Timberwolves were last in three-point shooting in 2012-13 and Martin shot a career-high 42.6 percent from three-point range last season and is 39 percent from that distance for his career. Also, in the last seven years, Martin is the fourth leading scorer at two-guard, behind only Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Monta Ellis.

In his nine seasons in the NBA with Sacramento (2004-10), Houston (2010-12) and Oklahoma City (2012-13), Martin has averaged 17.8 points. 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 552 games (387 starts). The 30-year-old has career shooting averages of .443 from the field, .385 from three-point range and .867 percent from the free throw line. He has averaged over 20.0 ppg and made more than 100 three-pointers in a single season five times in his career. Martin has previously played three-plus seasons for Rick Adelman (2004 – 2006, Sacramento; 2010 – 2011, Houston), averaging 14.9 ppg, including 23.4 ppg in the 2010-11 season which ranked ninth in the NBA.

In 2012-13, Martin, a 6-7 guard, averaged 14.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 77 games for Oklahoma City. He shot .450 from the floor and a career-high .426 from three-point range while making 158 treys, the second-highest single-season total of his career. Martin ranked 4th in the NBA in free throw percentage, shooting .890 from the charity stripe. In 11 playoff games with the Thunder, Martin averaged 14.0 points and 3.1 rebounds, including scoring 25 points in the series-clinching Game 6 at Houston and 25 points in the series opener vs. Memphis.

Martin was originally selected with the 26th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings out of Western Carolina. He was traded to Houston in exchange for Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey on Feb. 18, 2010. Oklahoma City acquired Martin, along with Jeremy Lamb and three future draft picks, on October 27, 2012 in exchange for James Harden, Daequan Cook, Lazar Hayward and Cole Aldrich.

Martin will wear uniform No. 23 for the Wolves.

“We thank Luke for his contributions to the Wolves during his three seasons in Minnesota,” said Saunders. “He is a consummate professional and we wish him the best in Milwaukee.”

In his three seasons in Minnesota, Ridnour averaged 11.7 points and 4.6 assists in 206 games (201 starts). In 2012-13, he averaged 11.5 points and 3.8 assists in 82 contests (all starts). Ridnour returns to Milwaukee where he played from 2008-10.

Kevin Durant may sign with Jay-Z and Roc Nation Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant is only 24 years old, yet for years already recognized as a top NBA superstar. He’s one of the league’s top scorers, a leader, and his future is bright. The sky is the limit.

And having the opportunity to be the agency that represents him is a big deal.

According to Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal via Twitter, Durant is “leaving Landmark Sports. Sources expect him to join Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports.”

If this happens, landing Durant would be a huge win for Roc Nation Sports, which is just beginning to enter the world of representing NBA athletes.

Jay-Z still owns a sliver of the Brooklyn Nets, and needs to sell his shares before he can start representing NBA players. It’s not yet known when that will happen.

Kevin Durant donates $1 million to disaster relief efforts in Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant has a very good reputation, and his generous actions today only solidified that sentiment.

On Tuesday, May 21, 2013, Durant through his family foundation pledged $1 million to the American Red Cross disaster relief efforts in Oklahoma.

“The Red Cross relies on its donors to perform its mission in relieving human suffering following disasters,” said Janienne Bella, regional CEO. “Mr. Durant’s gift and support to Oklahoma comes at a time of great need and we’re forever thankful for his generosity.”

The Durant Family Foundation pledged the matching gift to inspire and challenge others to immediately do the same.

To donate to the Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Memphis Grizzlies eliminate OKC Thunder from playoffs in five games

The Memphis Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 88-84 on Wednesday night.

Zach Randolph had 28 points and 14 rebounds, Mike Conley added 13 points and 11 assists for Memphis, the fifth seed.

Kevin Durant missed a 16-foot jumper from the left wing to tie it with 6 seconds left, finishing off a miserable shooting night for the three-time NBA scoring champion.

Durant ended up with 21 points on 5-for-21 shooting, the third-worst performance of his playoff career. The Thunder, who made it to the NBA Finals last season, were eliminated in five games. The top seed in the West went 2-6 after All-Star guard Russell Westbrook went out with a knee injury that required surgery.

Serge Ibaka had 17 points and eight rebounds before fouling out with 1:26 to play during a desperation comeback try for the Thunder.

Oklahoma City trailed by 12 with three minutes left before going on a 16-6 rally, with Reggie Jackson’s 3-pointer cutting the deficit to 86-84 with 14.3 seconds remaining.

Randolph missed both free throws with 11.3 seconds on the clock to give the Thunder one last chance to save their season. Durant got the ball beyond the 3-point line on the left wing and navigated around Tony Allen before missing the jumper.

Allen then made two free throws to close it out.

— Reported by Jeff Latzke of the Associated Press

Grizzlies assistant coach Barry Hecker leaves team

Grizzlies assistant coach Barry Hecker left the team during the Western Conference semifinal against the Thunder for what Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said is a “personal matter.”

Hollins said after the team’s shootaround Monday morning that Hecker’s departure is “nothing that’s public consumption.”

Hecker was with the Grizzlies for their Game 2 win in Oklahoma City but was not with the team in Memphis for their Game 3 win Saturday night. Team officials said only that Hecker is no longer with the Grizzlies.

Hecker had been on Hollins’ staff in Memphis the past five seasons.

Reported by Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman

Grizzlies beat Thunder in OT for 3-1 series lead

The Grizzlies are proving they know how to grab an advantage and hold onto it this postseason.

Tony Allen scored on a driving layup to open overtime and the Grizzlies held off the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-97 Monday night to push the defending Western Conference champions to the edge of elimination.

The Grizzlies shook off a first half in which they couldn’t hit shots and the Thunder seemingly couldn’t miss in building their largest lead in this series at 17 points. But the Grizzlies have yet to lose on their home court this postseason, and they won their third straight and seventh in eight games to grab a 3-1 lead in the series…

Kevin Durant scored 27 points but missed all five of his shots in the extra period, including a layup in the final seconds. Durant went 2 of 13 in the fourth quarter and overtime and had only five points. The All Star played 48 minutes and was just short on his shots as the game wore on.

Durant got the help from his teammates that he had been needing. Kevin Martin scored 18 points, Serge Ibaka had his best game of the series with 17 points and 14 rebounds, and Reggie Jackson had 15. Nick Collison even added 10.

Mike Conley led Memphis with 24 points and Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph each had double-doubles. Randolph had 23 and 12, while Gasol had 23 and 11 along with six blocks on the day the Defensive Player of Year was named to the NBA’s second All-Defensive team along with Conley, who had four steals.

Allen, who finished with 10 points, had three steals on the day he edged LeBron James for most points for the NBA’s All-Defensive team.

— Reported by Teresa M. Walker of the Associated Press

Grizzlies beat Thunder 87-81 in Game 3

The Memphis Grizzlies call it grit and grind, and it got them through another ugly game.

Marc Gasol scored 20 points and hit two free throws with 1:03 left to put Memphis ahead to stay, and the Grizzlies held off Oklahoma City 87-81 Saturday to take a 2-1 lead in this Western Conference semifinal.

Gasol scored 16 in the second half as Memphis remained unbeaten at home in the postseason.

The Grizzlies pulled out the win in a choppy performance for both teams following a three-day layoff since Game 2 with the Thunder beating them at their own game, dominating the boards and in the paint. After struggling at the free throw line in Oklahoma City, the Grizzlies hit all six at the line in the final 1:03 to clinch it.

”We just stayed after it like we’ve done all year long,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. ”It’s not always pretty. Tonight wasn’t pretty, but it was pretty for us because we got the win.”

Game 4 is Monday night in Memphis, and Hollins wants one more home win for a franchise in its second Western semifinal in two seasons. The Grizzlies lost to Oklahoma City in seven games in 2011 after splitting Games 3 and 4 in Memphis. But they are 18-1 at home since Feb. 8.

”I’d rather take my chances with where we’re sitting now and try to win all of our home games,” Hollins said. ”We got a long way to go, and we got to keep battling.”

Kevin Durant scored 25 points, but only two in the fourth quarter. A 91 percent free throw shooter in the regular season, Durant missed two with 39.3 seconds left. Durant also had 11 rebounds and five assists.

— Reported by Teresa M. Walker of the Associated Press