Category: OKC Thunder Blog

Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman reports:

Despite the NBA lockout threatening to postpone the regularly-scheduled start of training camp, 10 of the Thunder’s projected 15-man roster got together for what became a voluntary minicamp.

It happened two weeks before camp is scheduled to start. It took place in Austin, Texas on the campus of the University of Texas. It lasted four days…

According to the Twitter account of forward Nick Collison, veteran guard Royal Ivey organized the meet up. Both Ivey and Kevin Durant are Texas alums who return to Austin to work out for stretches each summer. Together, they tag-teamed last week as hosts to their teammates.

Ivey, Durant and Collison were joined by James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Nazr Mohammed, Eric Maynor, Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook and rookie Reggie Jackson.

Of the five who were absent, Serge Ibaka is competing overseas, Thabo Sefolosha resides in his native Switzerland in the offseason and Byron Mullens was busy, well, enjoying his newlywed status. Nate Robinson and Kendrick Perkins also were not in attendance.

The AP reports:

Kevin Durant made his points on the court and off it Saturday, throwing down several thunderous alley-oops during a charity pickup game and saying afterward that the players will not give in to the owner’s demands in the ongoing NBA labor negotiations.

Durant, John Wall and other NBA players headlined the “Clash of the Superstars” at Coolidge High School in Washington, D.C.

“I think we’re going to stand up and stick to what we want,” Durant said. “I don’t think we’re just going to give in to a deal just because we want the season to start.

“I know fans may not want to hear that, but it’s kind of tough to put us in that position, but hopefully, like I said, everything gets resolved.”

Several hundred people watched the glorified scrimmage, one of numerous games players have organized across the country to reach out to fans and keep their skills sharp while they wait for the union and the league to reach a new collective bargaining agreement.

The truth is, at this point, the Thunder is far more concerned with Durant chilling out on chicken wings rather than increasing his chest press numbers. Because Durant, roughly three weeks shy of his 23 birthday, still has a tendency to eat like a college kid.

“I could eat a lot better,” Durant recently admitted.

The two-time scoring champ can cram wings with the best of them. Durant loves them so much that Wingstop this year was a sponsor at his annual basketball camp in Oklahoma City, and there’s been talk of Durant possibly signing on as a spokesman for the Texas-based chain. It’s just one of his many food fetishes.

But after four seasons, Durant is finally figuring out the importance of healthier choices. As a naturally skinny person, Durant isn’t likely to ever undergo the transformation most would prefer. Eating better, however, could help offset his inability to bulk up. It could improve Durant’s conditioning and help protect that frail but growing frame.

“This past year, I was really big on eating a lot of foods with vegetables. That’s all I really ate this past year was foods with vegetables,” Durant said. “I’m trying to stay away from the red meats and the fast food as much as I can, even though it’s tempting.”

— Reported by Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder starting center Kendrick Perkins has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct and is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 30.

According to documents released to The Associated Press on Thursday after an open records request, Perkins entered his plea by mail through attorney Langston Adams. He was arrested just after 2 a.m. Saturday in Beaumont, Texas, where an event for his charitable foundation was being held.

Denise White, a spokeswoman for Perkins, says doctors instructed Perkins to stay in bed and drink fluids after he passed out while playing dominoes at Milwaukee Bucks guard Stephen Jackson’s home last Thursday.

— The Associated Press