Category: OKC Thunder Blog

Russell Westbrook reiterated on Sunday, three days after signing a five-year extension, that he never considered leaving the Thunder.

“From day one, this is the spot I wanted to be,” Westbrook said. “The organization believed in me by surprisingly picking me No. 4. A lot of guys doubted me, but from day one this organization supported me.”

Westbrook would have become a restricted free agent if he had not agreed to a contract by Wednesday. But the Thunder’s commitment to him, Westbrook said, made staying for another five seasons a no-brainer.

“I can say this for any player in the league. You want to be somewhere where you’re wanted,” Westbrook said. “I wanted to be somewhere where I had great support, and this is the spot for me.”

— Reported by Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed guard Russell Westbrook to a multi-year extension, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. Multiple reports say the deal is for five years and $78 million.

“We are thrilled to solidify Russell’s future with the Thunder,” said Presti. “Since we arrived in Oklahoma City, Russell’s work ethic, persistence, character, and involvement in our community have helped us establish the standards that we are committed to on a day-to-day basis. He is a valued member of our organization and we look forward to his continued contributions on and off the floor.”

In three-plus seasons as a member of the Thunder, Westbrook has appeared in 261 games (244 starts) and registered averages of 17.9 points, 7.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 33.8 minutes per contest. At the end of the 2010-11 season Westbrook became one of only five players in league history (LeBron James, Chris Paul, Anfernee Hardaway and Oscar Robertson) to record 4,000 points, 1,500 assists and 1,000 rebounds through his first three NBA seasons.

Last season, Westbrook was awarded All-NBA Second Team honors after averaging 21.9 points (13th in the NBA), 8.2 assists (9th in the NBA), 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals (4th in NBA) in 34.7 minutes. During the 2010-11 season Westbrook received his first-career All-Star nomination before helping lead the Thunder to a spot in the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.

During the Thunder’s 2011 postseason match-up versus the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference Semi-Finals, Westbrook propelled the Thunder past Memphis after becoming just the fifth player in NBA history (Scottie Pippen, James Worthy, Larry Bird and Jerry West) to record a triple-double in a Game 7 of a playoff series.

After being named to the NBA’s All-Rookie team after the 2008-09 season, Westbrook proceeded to increase his scoring and assists totals in each of his next two full seasons with Oklahoma City.

This past week Westbrook was named among the 20 finalists for the 2012 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team. During the summer of 2010, Westbrook won a gold medal as a member of Team USA in Istanbul, Turkey, after the United States team posted a perfect 9-0 record.

“We are very excited that Russell will continue to be a part of the Thunder organization,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Clay Bennett. “He has demonstrated high personal character, a strong commitment to his teammates and a remarkable dedication to the development of his performance as a player. We especially value his role in the community as he has consistently  represented “Oklahoma City Basketball” with pride and integrity.”

Through 15 games this season, Westbrook has helped lead the Thunder to the best record in the Western Conference (12-3) while recording averages of 20.5 points, 5.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 33.3 minutes.  Westbrook joins Kobe Bryant and LeBron James as the only other players in the NBA to average 20-plus points, five-plus assists and five-plus rebounds this season.

Read NBA fan opinion or share your views in this basketball forum topic.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Eric Maynor underwent successful surgery this morning to repair a torn right Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), the team announced today.

Maynor suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of Oklahoma City’s game at Houston on January 7. Prior to his injury, the third year guard was averaging 4.2 points, 2.4 assists, 1.4 rebounds and 15.2 minutes in nine games.

Maynor is expected to be ready for the 2012-13 Training Camp.

The Oklahoma City Thunder today assigned forward Ryan Reid to the Tulsa 66ers, the Thunder’s NBA D-League affiliate.  The assignment marks the 22nd time and NBA player has been assigned to an NBA D-League affiliate during the 2011-12 season.  It is the first assignment for Reid this season.

Reid (6-8, 235) has appeared in two games with the Thunder since earning a GATORADE Call-Up from the 66ers on Dec. 13, 2011, scoring three points in five minutes of action.

In eight games, all starts, with the 66ers before joining the Thunder, Jones averaged 11.8 points and 8.9 rebounds in 34.3 minutes.

A rookie from Florida State, Reid is expected to be available tonight when the 66ers host the Canton Charge in Tulsa.

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti issued the following statement on the injury status of guard Eric Maynor:

“After further tests and evaluation this morning, it was revealed that Eric Maynor tore his right Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in the fourth quarter of last night’s game in Houston. The injury will require surgery and Eric will miss the remainder of the 2011-12 season.

It is unfortunate to lose a player like Eric, whose work ethic and leadership has contributed to the culture of our organization. Knowing him and the mental toughness he possesses, we are confident that he will do everything necessary to come back from this injury and be prepared for the 2012-13 season. Injuries are part of the NBA, and although it is tough to lose Eric, we must move forward and focus on our continued improvement as a basketball team.”