Wednesday, January 7, 2009

I Just Can't Keep Up

No sooner do I jump back into the fray when I learn that the Thunder have made a trade. So Johan Petro is now a Nugget and Chucky Atkins is now a Thunder (Thunderer? Thunderee?). My first thought is, "Cool, I'm glad we still have Joe Smith for the time being". My second is, "Well, I guess either Chucky or Earl Watson will be gone sooner than later". And my third is, "We got a first round pick for Petro?"

Essentially it's the two players plus Denver's 1st round pick in the upcoming draft for the Thunder's second round pick. Still, the Thunder are poised to be big-time players as the trade deadline approaches and this offseason.

Joe Smith and Earl Watson have been the names most often mentioned in trade rumors and now the Thunder, with the addition of Krusty and Chucky are prepared to move on down the path this season while making those more valuable trading chips expendable.

It will be interesting to see whether it's Chucky or Earl that gets moved. My money is on Earl. He was kind of on the outs when the season started and Chucky appears to be simply content with the chance to play. With Slim coming along nicely that should mean just breather minutes for Chucky, something he should be able to stomach better than Earl.

Interesting indeed. But there's a lot more action on the horizon and the Thunder look to be in the center of it.

Long Time No See

Ah, let me kick off the shoes and scratch the toes here a little bit. Sure has been a while. Thanks to all the loyal followers out there who conspired to coax me out of the Holiday Coma I've been in. Really, emails are flattering but smooching a bobblehead in my likeness out in the front yard is a little creepy.

In any event, Happy 2009 and what a start it's been. Let's see, where were we:

  • The Thunder put 2008 to bed with a win on New Year's Eve at the Thunderdome against the dysfunctional Warriors. Of course I didn't see it because $200 dinners with friends are much more important. I kid, I kid it was wonderful (It had better be, eh?).
  • Carmelo Anthony took all the fun out of what would have been the Thunder's first two game win-streak of the year when he did his best super-kung-fu-backflip-off-the-wall-dagger-to-the-heart-routine. It took less time for him to do it than it did for me to write it. I didn't get to see that either because of yet another dinner party. Do you think I blog from Mom's basement or something?
  • Nenad (Krusty) Krstic has officially cleared customs and is on the squad, though he has yet to suit up. There is rumor and hope that his first game could be this very night against the suddenly frisky Timberwolves. By the way, Krusty has to be one of the best nicknames on the team. I know one other Krusty and it's served him well for ages. The two actually look similar. I'll have to do a side by side if possible.
  • Assistant coach Ron Adams joined the coaching staff. By all accounts he's a defensive specialist and if the game against the Knicks (see below) is any indication, things are working out.
  • After defeating the Celtics (now looking as though the Playoff Intensity carried over from last season has finally worn the old fogies down), the Knicks got beat by our own youngin's in a game that really shouldn't have been as close as it was. KD, Young Dro and Slim each had over 20 points.

Yes sir, 2009 is starting out looking alright for the Thunder. Russell Westbrook is starting to get some notice for Rookie of the Year consideration (he was named the NBA's top Rookie for December). The boys are playing with some fire and are proving they can compete with anyone.

Don't look now but this worst-team-in-history nonsense could be behind us by the All-Star Break.