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Seems like everyone is making a big fuss over LeBron James and Kevin Durant training together for "hell week" in Ohio in preparation for the 2012-13 NBA season. Trust me people, this is the biggest non-news news I've heard in months. Lest we forget that Bill Russell used to go to dinner with Wilt Chamberlain immediately after heated contests on the hardwood, or that Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley would go gallivanting into any variety of places to gamble, smoke stogies and any other trouble they could find in the 90's. (Hint, a lot.)
Durant's hung out with LeBron all damn summer, so what's another week or two at this point, right? Besides, I figure they've taken a liking to each other, and as the young folks say. Game recognizes game, and you're looking familiar.
Anyway, KD and LBJ can hang out with each other and work out, then I imagine that the other 11 members on the Thunder roster should do the same. Here's my matchup of players with chief rivals and/or friends to work out with before the season begins.
Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose: At this point we need to figure out who holds the title of "biggest freak of nature point God" in the NBA. Maybe Rajon Rondo could also be invited to work out with these two, but he already owns the crown for "snarkiest point guard in the league with limbs longer than Dhalsim."
James Harden and Manu Ginobili: There's nothing to talk about here, this needs to happen. Two men enter, one man leaves. TWO MEN ENTER, ONE MAN LEAVES! TWO MEN ENTER, ONE MAN LEAVES! BRING ON TINA TURNER!
Serge Ibaka vs. Joakim Noah: While the two aren't that similar, this could be the greatest thing to watch on television ever. Watching Joakim hit the weights and struggle to get 135 pounds up, then do one set of three and beat his chest 37 times would be awesome. Then Serge punches him in the face, or something like that. Wait...what?
Kendrick Perkins vs. Kevin Garnett: The teacher gives the student a graduate level course on defense, rebounding and leadership. What Perk brought to OKC when he was traded from Boston was invaluable, and now with the team grown up and flourishing in other areas, Perkins has to evolve his game to keep up. Too many times Perk's inability to finish around the rim or stay out of foul trouble cost the Thunder in big games, and its something that one more course under Professor Garnett could cure. Of course, there'd be those egregious face gestures whenever something bad happened. Epicness would ensue.
Eric Maynor vs. Shaun Livingston: Eric needs to work out with Shaun, only to realize that he doesn't have it nearly as bad as Livingston from an injury standpoint. If Livingston can recover from his tragic knee injury, then Maynor should be primed to flourish next season.
Thabo Sefolosha vs. Stephen Jackson: Thabo's perimeter defense is on elite status after everything he did during the 2012 playoffs, but the one thing I'd like to see is Thabo to get a little nastier. Jackson, a.k.a. Cap'n Jack, is one of my all-time favorite players. Jackson's got swagger (as the kids say) and he's totally unafraid to shine defensively and offensively. If Thabo can learn a thing or two from Cap'n Jack, the rest of the league's got to watch out.
Nick Collison vs. Udonis Haslem: It just seems like these two guys were meant for each other, and their teams always seem to play better when they're on the floor.
Daequan Cook vs. James Jones: Just because the three-point shooting contests would be awesome.
Perry Jones III vs. John Lucas III: The battle of the cubed players in the NBA.
Cole Aldrich vs. Chris Andersen: Because as much as I love the Thunder bench, we need one wild crazy guy. Cole Aldrich grew his hair out last season and I'll be damned if he didn't look like a better player. I'm saying this, Aldrich just needs to go all out and start getting crazy tattoos and grease his hair into a mohawk and everything else. Chris Andersen was THAT guy for so long, and I think its time for OKC to have such a player as well.