SB Nation Kansas City - Spurs Currently Dominating Thunder During Game Sixhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2012-06-06T20:47:12-05:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/28110032012-06-06T20:47:12-05:002012-06-06T20:47:12-05:00VIDEO: Spurs Danny Green Reenacts Metta World Peace Elbow
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<p>In a bit of comedy during the pre-game warm-ups for both the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> tonight before game six of the Western Conference Finals, the Spurs' <span>Danny Green</span> took some time to give his own version of the famous <span>Metta World Peace</span> elbow that knock <span>James Harden</span> out for several games in the final stretch of the NBA regular season. You can check his antics below:</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6ZcD7nw8HWM" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1339033625260"></p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">For a more in-depth look at the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/nba/teams/oklahoma-city-thunder">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>, go to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a>. Check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a> for additional news and analysis on the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/nba/teams/san-antonio-spurs">San Antonio Spurs</a>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/6/6/3069439/video-spurs-danny-green-reenacts-metta-world-peace-elbowMatt Conner2012-06-06T20:35:21-05:002012-06-06T20:35:21-05:00ANIMATED: Stephen Jackson Warns Thunder 'We Ain't Going Nowhere'
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<p>No one asked <span>Stephen Jackson</span>, but he has a message for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> anyway. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> are going nowhere. The current score of 34-20 tells the same story, but here you can see Jackson mouthing the words early in tonight's game six:</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1087161/steve.gif"><img alt="Steve_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1087161/steve_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1169104/steve.gif">assets.sbnation.com</a></p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">For a more in-depth look at the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/nba/teams/oklahoma-city-thunder">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>, go to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a>. Check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a> for additional news and analysis on the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/nba/teams/san-antonio-spurs">San Antonio Spurs</a>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/6/6/3069407/animated-stephen-jackson-warns-thunder-we-aint-going-nowhereMatt Conner2012-06-06T20:24:50-05:002012-06-06T20:24:50-05:00VIDEO: Russell Westbrook Dunks Over Tony Parker
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<p>Luckily for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a>, the early authoritative dunk by <span>Russell Westbrook</span> over <span>Tony Parker</span> didn't help the OKC <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> set an early tone. Instead, they've come out with guns blazing. Still that doesn't take away from how incredible Westbrook's early dunk was in game six tonight. Check out the highlight below:</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2odLr7vbWac" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1339032205658"></p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">For a more in-depth look at the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/nba/teams/oklahoma-city-thunder" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>, go to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a>. Check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a> for additional news and analysis on the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/nba/teams/san-antonio-spurs" class="sbn-auto-link">San Antonio Spurs</a>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/6/6/3069397/video-russell-westbrook-dunks-over-tony-parker-spurs-thunderMatt Conner2012-06-06T18:58:27-05:002012-06-06T18:58:27-05:00Kevin Durant Says 'Every Possession Is Important' Tonight For Thunder Against Spurs
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<p>Turnovers have been a bit out of control for both the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> in the Western Conference Finals at some point. For the Spurs, they’re definitely focused on ball control more than ever after a horrific 21 turnovers in game 5. However, <span>Kevin Durant</span> says the Thunder are focused on the same thing — making sure every possession counts, since it’s all on the line in game six tonight.</p>
<p>"That’s our main focus, concentrating on every possession, how hard we’re playing every possession," Durant said today. "He (Brooks) always says that the easiest thing to do in basketball is play hard, and the hardest thing to do is play well. If we go out there and play hard, we’ll give ourselves a chance."</p>
<p>For that to happen, everyone has to be of one mind. <span>Scott Brooks</span> hammered home that point to the team between games five and six, and Durant said the message came home loud and clear. Everyone is ready to play their part, limit mistakes and contribute to the whole.</p>
<p>"Everything has to be about the team," Durant said. "Everything has to be with the group. That’s something we’ve done throughout this whole Playoffs and this whole year. It’s always been about the team and guys have sacrificed a lot. We’re just headed out there with a mindset that every possession is important. That’s the type of approach that we need to take. We’ll just leave everything out on the floor and see what happens."</p>
<p>Both teams know how much is on the line tonight, so it should be another incredible game. Game six starts at 8pm CT.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">For a more in-depth look at the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/nba/teams/oklahoma-city-thunder">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>, go to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a>. Check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a> for additional news and analysis on the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/nba/teams/san-antonio-spurs">San Antonio Spurs</a>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/6/6/3069189/kevin-durant-thunder-spurs-nba-playoffsMatt Conner2012-06-06T18:51:43-05:002012-06-06T18:51:43-05:00Manu Ginobili Says San Antonio Spurs Will Be Aggressive For 48 Minutes Against Oklahoma City Thunder
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> are expected to be very aggressive tonight knowing that they are clinging to any slim hope of moving on past the Western Conference Finals to the <span class="caps">NBA</span> Finals over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>. In the last few games, they’ve moderated their intensity, but the team’s star shooting guard <span>Manu Ginobili</span> says there is no question about how they will look for all 48 minutes in tonight’s game six.</p>
<p>"We all understand it is mandatory that minute one we are going to be as aggressive as, for example, minute 26 two days ago when we really jumped on them and started to be more aggressive," <a href="http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2012/06/06/ginobili-we-have-no-choice-but-to-play-with-more-physicality-from-start-of-game-6/">said Ginobili.</a> "Because if we are flat and turn the ball over like we did, in this arena we are not going to win. So we have to be really active and sharp."</p>
<p>Ginobili is also expected to start tonight. Expect every Spurs starter to play maximum minutes tonight unless foul trouble or fatigue really sets in. Given the all-or-nothing nature of tonight’s game, it will be interesting to see how <span class="caps">OKC</span> responds as well.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif;">For a more in-depth look at the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/nba/teams/oklahoma-city-thunder" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>, go to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a>. Check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a> for additional news and analysis on the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/nba/teams/san-antonio-spurs" class="sbn-auto-link">San Antonio Spurs</a>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/6/6/3069175/manu-ginobili-san-antonio-spurs-aggressive-thunderMatt Conner2012-06-06T18:46:59-05:002012-06-06T18:46:59-05:00Thunder Vs. Spurs: Game Time, TV Schedule For Game 6 Of Western Conference Finals
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<p>Just a few days ago, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> were rolling over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> and talk of a sweep was making its way around NBA circles. Now the Thunder have turned the tables and <span>Kevin Durant</span> and company hope to close out the series in game six of the Western Conference Finals. </p>
<p>All eyes will be on <span>Gregg Popovich</span> and his ability to make the right adjustments to the suddenly red hot Thunder. It's amazing how the momentum has completely changed in the series, but the Thunder stars are playing great basketball and even lesser known players like <span>Daequan Cook</span> are rising at the right time. OKC has San Antonio on their heels, so <span>Tony Parker</span> and <span>Manu Ginobili</span> will be expected to limit turnovers and match the scoring ability of Durant and Westbrook. </p>
<p>Here's the info you'll need to catch tonight's game.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">Game Time:</b> 8 p.m. CT</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">Location:</b> Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">TV Coverage: </b>TNT</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">For a more in-depth look at the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/nba/teams/oklahoma-city-thunder">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>, go to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a>. Check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a> for additional news and analysis on the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/nba/teams/san-antonio-spurs">San Antonio Spurs</a>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/6/6/3069160/thunder-spurs-game-time-tv-schedule-nba-playoffsMatt Conner2012-06-05T08:41:28-05:002012-06-05T08:41:28-05:002012 NBA Playoffs, Spurs Vs. Thunder: Numbers Tell Story Of Game 5
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<p>Following the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder's</a> third straight victory against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a> on Monday night, Thunder beat writer Darnell Mayberry<a href="http://newsok.com/thunder-spurs-by-the-numbers-game-5-features-five-lead-changes-five-ties/article/3681599"> came up with this list</a> of stats that tell the story of what we saw in OKC's Game 5 victory. </p>
<p>Of course, it being the third straight win and one that put them up 3-2 in the series is the most important one, but just to reflect, consider all of these: </p>
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<p><i><b>5</b>: Lead changes and five ties.</i></p>
<p><i><b>12</b>: Steals by the Thunder</i></p>
<p><i><b>14</b>: Biggest lead by Oklahoma City.<br><b></b></i></p>
<p><i><b>17</b>: Turnovers by the Thunder, four coming in the final four minutes.<br><b></b></i></p>
<p><i><b>21</b>: Turnovers by San Antonio, leading to 28 Thunder points.<br><b></b></i></p>
<p><i><b>27</b>: Points scored by <span>Kevin Durant</span>, 22 coming in the second half.<br><b></b></i></p>
<p><i><b>34</b>: Points scored by Spurs guard <span>Manu Ginobili</span><br><b></b></i></p>
<p><i><b>83.5</b>: Percent of the time that the team that wins Game 5 in a series tied 2-2 goes on to win the series.</i></p>
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<p>OKC seems to be in the driver's seat now, with the athletic superiority and a defensive approach that seems to be quite different from earlier in the series. An NBA Finals appearance could be next for the young group if they keep playing this way. </p>
<p><i>Read more about the Thunder at <a href="http://welcometoloudcity.com">Welcome To Loud City</a> and head over to <a href="http://poundingtherock.com">Pounding The Rock</a> to see how Spurs fans are taking all of this in. </i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/6/5/3065201/thunder-vs-spurs-nba-playoffs-2012Brandon Scott2012-06-05T08:18:32-05:002012-06-05T08:18:32-05:00Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook And James Harden Show Strong Mental Focus For OKC Thunder
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<p>The talent has been here for some time. Even last year, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> made it this far before collapsing against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a>. <span>Kevin Durant</span>, <span>Russell Westbrook</span>, <span>James Harden</span> and others were nearly this talented last year. It’s just a matter of growing up, and that was the biggest question facing the trio of stars on the Thunder roster. When it would happen, the power structure would undoubtedly change.</p>
<p>It appears that it’s just now happening in the Western Conference Finals before our very eyes against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a>. The Spurs were the savvy veteran team ignited by a few new additions in <span>Kawhi Leonard</span> and company who were on a potentially historic role. <span>Tim Duncan</span>, <span>Tony Parker</span> and <span>Manu Ginobili</span> make a nice trio of their own and they’d won 20 games in a row and were even threatening to steam roll their way through another round of the <span class="caps">NBA</span> Playoffs.</p>
<p>Then came game three and the trip back to Oklahoma City. The Thunder won both home games and then upset the Spurs on their home court last night in game five, holding the upper hand for the rest of the series. Nothing is finished yet, of course, so it’s too early to speak of any series victory. But the Thunder have undoubtedly displayed a toughness, focus and determination typically reserved for the most seasoned teams. Someone, in short, has grown up.</p>
<p>"We talk about effort with our guys all the time," Brooks said after the game. "There is physical effort and there is mental effort. We all have enough in our tanks to be physical for 48 minutes. That’s easy to do… Mental effort is what gets you to win games against this team because they keep coming at you."</p>
<p>Harden agreed that the team was mentally prepared coming in and never panicked in the game or the series.</p>
<p>"There were times in this game where we could have folded," Harden said. "We were up I think nine or so in the third quarter and they went on a run and took the lead. We could have folded, but we’re family so we stuck together, stuck with it and made our run and took the lead and went from there."</p>
<p>"Our team showed mental toughness," Westbrook added. "Everybody stayed together. We got stops and we finally made some shots. And I think that was the turning point for us to see how the game was going to turn out."</p>
<p>Durant was already talking everyone down from the rafters immediately following the game, realizing the work that was still ahead of them. After all, it was only three games ago that the Spurs were supposedly making quick work of <span class="caps">OKC</span>.</p>
<p>"We don’t want to get too high for this win," Durant said. "We know that we still have a tough road ahead. But we came here, we wanted to get a win on their home floor. That’s what it (will take) for us to advance or to get to where we want to get to. We knew this was an important game."</p>
<p>Now they head back to <span class="caps">OKC</span> to try to finish the Spurs on their home court. The Spurs will be ready for the challenge, but it appears any mental edge the veteran team had over the fresh young legs of the Thunder has now been matched.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: none 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif;">For a more in-depth look at the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/nba/teams/oklahoma-city-thunder">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>, go to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a>. Check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" href="http://poundingtherock.com/">Pounding The Rock</a> for additional news and analysis on the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #232e80; font-weight: bold;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/nba/teams/san-antonio-spurs">San Antonio Spurs</a>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/6/5/3065176/kevin-durant-russell-westbrook-james-harden-oklahoma-city-thunderMatt Conner