SB Nation Kansas City - Oklahoma City Thunder dominates Charlotte Bobcats, 114-69https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2012-11-27T07:02:46-06:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/34564192012-11-27T07:02:46-06:002012-11-27T07:02:46-06:00Blowouts, T-Mac comparisons and The Beard returns
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<figcaption>Mark D. Smith-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>From 55-point wins to an interesting comparison for Perry Jones, to the reigning Sixth Man of the year makes his triumphant return to Oklahoma City, here's todays Three Thunder Thoughts.</p> <p>Last weekend I traveled to Seattle, Washington for the Thanksgiving holidays. Like I said I would, I wore my <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> shirt into the Sea-Tac Airport. Expecting to be bombarded with jeers and taunts, I had my headphones on to possibly tune out what was going to happen when I got off the plane. Yet, when I got off the plane and entered the terminal, the craziest thing happened.</p>
<p>Nothing.</p>
<p>Not a damned thing.</p>
<p>In fact, in my four days in the Pacific Northwest I saw a few brave folks wearing Oklahoma City Thunder gear. Some snapbacks, some tees, nothing overwhelming but still I was able to spot them on occasion. Where I thought conversation would be apprehensive, I was greeted with cheerful talk about the NBA, Thunder included.</p>
<p>Heck, it seems everyone in Seattle wants to get the <a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kings</a> anyway. Here are my Three Thunder Thoughts for Tuesday.</p>
<p><b>1. Playing The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Charlotte Bobcats</a> Must Be What Rookie Difficulty Feels Like On </b><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thesportsfanjournal.com/sports/basketball/nba-2k13-releases-today-ladies-show-your-man-its-real/">NBA 2K13</a>:</b><b> </b>Here's a tweet from my good friend Johnathan Tillman that summarizes what happened on Monday night.</p>
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<p>Dawg. In the NBA, there was a score at one time of 82-29.</p>
— Till Fu Panda (@thetillshow) <a data-datetime="2012-11-27T09:06:17+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/thetillshow/status/273352032453283840">November 27, 2012</a>
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<p>At what point does thumping such a foe not become fun anymore? The Thunder amassed as high as a 54-point lead in the game and the feel-good story Bobcats were dealt the ultimate trump card. <a target="_blank" href="http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/27/thunder-114-bobcats-69-breaking-it-down-by-the-numbers/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk</a> gave a great breakdown of the insane positive and negative numbers that were thrown up on Monday night.</p>
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<p>• The Thunder went on a 24-6 run to end the first quarter and lead by 16 points. Then they went on a 10-0 run early in the second quarter then a 19-2 run to close out the first half. Then they went on a 15-1 run to open the second half.</p>
<p>• Oklahoma had a 40-point lead at halftime - 64-24. The Thunder shot 59.5 percent in the first half.</p>
<p>• Charlotte shot 21.6 percent in the first half. Point guards <span>Kemba Walker</span> and <span>Ramon Sessions</span> were a combined 0-9 shooting with a combined two assists at the half. The Thunder had as many points in the paint in the first half (24) as the Bobcats had points period.</p>
<p>• Oklahoma City led by as many as 53 and won by 45.</p>
<p>• The Bobcats shot 29.1 percent for the game.</p>
<p>• Kevin Durant, <span>Russell Westbrook</span> and all the Thunder starters played just the first five minutes of the second half.</p>
<p>• If you prefer your stats advanced, the Thunder had an offensive rating of 119.8 for the game, the Bobcats 76.1.</p>
<p>• <span>Jeff Taylor</span> had 10 points and he led the Bobcats and he was the only Charlotte player in double figures scoring.</p>
<p>• Oklahoma City had six players in double digit scoring, led by <span>Kevin Durant's</span> 18.</p>
<p>• OKC backup center <span>Hasheem Thabeet</span> had his first career double-double - 13 points, 11 rebounds.</p>
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<p>Good grief. Next.</p>
<p><b>2. Could <span>Perry Jones III</span> Be The Next Tracy McGrady?</b> There was a time when folks thought Perry Jones III would be a lock, let me repeat that...lock, No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. The Thunder were extremely fortunate to draft him late in the first round, and now the 6'11" forward has a chance to shadow the league's best scoring threat in Durant. <a target="_blank" href="http://theclassical.org/articles/why-we-watch-perry-jones-iii-the-next">Danny Chau of The Classical</a> gave this interesting perspective comparing PJ3 to...T-Mac? Yes, yes he did. (OMG CAN YOU IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES IF THIS HAPPENS??? WE'D....NEVER MAKE IT OUT THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS OMG OMG OMG)</p>
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<p>Being compared to T-Mac is the most generous backhanded compliment a basketball player can receive. The comparison acknowledges that its recipient has the completely unfair competitive edge of good genes. It acknowledges the systems in play that transmit the perception of effortlessness and natural ability to the player; namely, the ability to jump higher, accelerate faster, and process the floor quicker than any of his peers. But the comparison also suggests that at any moment, the player's talent and promise can soften or implode; that there is something loose or missing in this particular machine that will inevitably leave the ideal incomplete and the actual in shambles.</p>
<p><span>Tracy McGrady's</span> vice was a notoriously poor work ethic. It was brought to public consciousness as early as his rookie season in 1998 when <span>Darrell Walker</span>, McGrady's first NBA coach, issued disparaging comments about his 18-year-old star to the Toronto press, and as recently as 2011 when his former coach Jeff Van Gundy made a joke about how much practice he had at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. Though, to T-Mac's credit, he probably skipped out on most of Van Gundy's practices because of the multiple career-threatening injuries he sustained as a Houston Rocket.</p>
<p>Jones' problem was similarly clear, if no less infuriating: he would intersperse flashes of unfathomable potential with a prolonged stretch of invisibility. His high school YouTube mixtapes had tantalizing footage of a 6'11" player running his own fast break, crossing up vulnerable guards and gliding his way to an easy dunk. He had perfect technique on his turnaround fadeaways and was a team player capable of making a drive and dish look like a gift from God. But he was not always that, or was not that quite often enough. He was clearly limiting himself on the court despite the entire universe demanding that he play up to the idealized version of Perry Jones III we had constructed. He was holding back. The question was why.</p>
<p>As it turns out, he might've done it to save his future in the NBA.</p>
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<p>Everyone cross their fingers and pray that this happens and doesn't happen to Perry Jones III simultaneously.</p>
<p><b>3. The Bearded One Prepares His Return To Oklahoma City:</b> On Thursday, November 29th, the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> will bring their talents to Chesapeake Energy Arena in a divisional matchup with the Thunder. Of course, no one cares about any of that, the people care because James Edward Harden, Jr. will return to his previous home.</p>
<p>I'll save for the analysis and just ask some rhetorical questions.</p>
<p>Will they boo?</p>
<p>WIll they give a standing ovation?</p>
<p>What will the dap sessions look like between Harden and Durant?</p>
<p>Harden and Westbrook?</p>
<p>Are we ready to see <span>Thabo Sefolosha</span> guard Harden?</p>
<p>Are we ready for <span>Kendrick Perkins</span> to give an egregiously hard foul and scowl on Harden?</p>
<p>Will Harden try and score 40 points on <span>Kevin Martin</span>?</p>
<p>I have so many questions, and the only answers will come on Thursday night. It might be the most depressing and exciting game for me personally all year. I can't wait, and yet I never wanted this day to come.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/11/27/3696400/three-thunder-thoughts-okc-thumps-charlotte-perry-jones-tracy-mcgrady-james-harden-returnsEddie Maisonet2012-11-27T07:00:33-06:002012-11-27T07:00:33-06:00OKC embarrasses Bobcats by nearly 50 points
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<p>The <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> dispatched of a woeful <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Charlotte Bobcats</a> team on Monday night, winning 114-69 in an ugly display of basketball from the visiting Eastern Conference squad.</p>
<p>Thunder reserves played as much or more than the starters as Oklahoma City (11-4) used a 64-24 halftime lead to coast to victory. In just 26 minutes of action, most for any Thunder starter, <span>Kevin Durant</span> scored 18 points on 6-8 shooting. <span>Russell Westbrook</span> racked up 11 assists in just 22 minutes of play.</p>
<p>After scoring only 12 points in each of the first two quarters, the Bobcats (7-6) tallied 45 points in the second half to at least avoid the NBA record for fewest points in a game. Even with the stronger second half, Charlotte shot just 29 percent from the floor, including a 6-22 effort from the three-point line. Only one Bobcat hit double digits, as Jeffery Taylor scored 10 points to lead Charlotte.</p>
<p><span>Hasheem Thabeet</span> led the strong bench effort for the Thunder, scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in 27 minutes of relief action.</p>
<p>Both teams next play on Wednesday night, as the Thunder host the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a>, while the Bobcats visit the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a>.</p>
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<p><i>This story originally appeared at </i><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2012/11/26/3695756/bobcats-thunder-final-score-recap-nba">SB Nation</a><i>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/11/27/3696622/thunder-vs-bobcats-final-score-okc-charlotteMatt Conner2012-11-26T18:31:54-06:002012-11-26T18:31:54-06:00Kendrick Perkins: We like getting overlooked
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<figcaption>Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Big man Kendrick Perkins is confident in the different Thunder squad this season.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> are a different team than the one that appeared in the NBA Finals last season. In part because of the surprise trade of <span>James Harden</span>, last year's Sixth Man of the Year, the Thunder aren't as hot of a topic nationally as the NBA season is not yet one-fifth of the way complete. All that is fine with Thunder big man <span>Kendrick Perkins</span>.</p>
<p>"We actually like getting overlooked," <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hoopsworld.com/Perkins-Confident-In-New-Look-Thunder">Perkins told Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld</a>. At 10-4, with only three other teams with a better record, it seems Perkins would love for nothing more than talk to circle around the surprise <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Knicks</a>, the stars of the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a>, and the storylines surrounding the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Lakers</a>. "We like being overlooked and it does motivate us to keep going and keep winning games."</p>
<p>It may not last long, however. Despite having the league's fourth-best record, Perkins says the Thunder are still at an eight <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hoopsworld.com/Perkins-Confident-In-New-Look-Thunder">on a scale from one to ten</a>:</p>
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<p>"We have a lot of new guys and a lot of young guys so we're just trying to build our chemistry one game at a time ... We just have to make sure we follow the process and keep getting better."</p>
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<p>The Thunder host the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Charlotte Bobcats</a> (7-5) Monday night at 7 p.m. CT.</p>
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https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/11/26/3695080/kendrick-perkins-okc-thunder-overlookedBrett Hein2012-11-26T07:18:23-06:002012-11-26T07:18:23-06:00Charlotte at OKC preview
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<figcaption>Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Oklahoma City hosts Charlotte Monday night.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> will try to pad their lead in the Northwest Division when they host the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Charlotte Bobcats</a> at Chesapeake Energy Arena Monday night.</p>
<p>After a 1-2 start, Oklahoma City (10-4) has won nine of its last 11 games. The Thunder average 103.7 points per game, which ranks first in the Western Conference and second in the NBA behind the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a>. <span>Kevin Durant</span> is second in the NBA in scoring, averaging 26.5 points per contest. He only trails the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a>' <span>Kobe Bryant</span>, who is putting up 26.9 points per game.</p>
<p>The Bobcats (7-5), coming off a season in which they lost their final 23 games, have been much more competitive this year. Charlotte has used improved defense to get off to a good start and move into third place in the Southeast Division. The Bobcats rank ninth in the NBA, giving up 99.6 points per game.</p>
<p><b>Game date, time: </b>Monday, Nov. 26, 7 p.m. CT</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City</p>
<p><b>TV: </b>FSOK in Oklahoma City, SPSO in Charlotte</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/11/26/3690792/thunder-vs-bobcats-preview-game-time-tv-scheduleChris Fuhrmeister