Thunder(22-58) @ Trailblazers(52-28)

Post #1 » by **SD2042** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:23 pm

Who: Oklahoma City Thunder(22-58) @ Portland Trailblazers(52-28)
When: Monday, April 13th
Where: The Rose Garden in Portland, OR
Time: 9:00 PM CST
TV/Radio: FS Oklahoma
Season Series: Blazers lead 2-1
Team Trivia: Nate McMillan played 12 seasons with the Thunder franchise from 1986-87 to 1997-98, averaging 5.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.94 steals in 796 games ... His 19 assists on Feb. 18, 1989, are tied for the most in a game vs. Portland in the history of the franchise.

Thunder Starters

Trialblazers Starters

CoDeMaN8118 · Post #2 » by **CoDeMaN8118** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:55 pm

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Portland should win this game but OKC always finds ways to compete. They got a great team

Post #3 » by **SD2042** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:31 pm

It's a natural rivalry between these two teams with their histroies and all.

Also, SOS is set to be at The Garden tonight to appeal to the NBA about getting a NBA team back in Seattle again.

AZ BLAZER · Post #4 » by **AZ BLAZER** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:44 pm

Nate never played for the Thunder franchise and repoteredly would take offense to that statement. He played for the former Sonics franchise. That is like saying that Pete Maravich played for Utah or George Mikan played for Los Angeles.

SOS should be at the game tonight. They did their work to keep the name Sonics and also keep their banners and records. I hope they do get a team soon so that Portland can have a natural rival again. OKC does not have history with Portland, the Soics do. The closest OKC is to being a rival is simply because Stern is to lazy to re-align the divisions and we currently happen to be stuck in the same division.

GOBlazers · Post #5 » by **GOBlazers** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:07 pm

Blazers by 15+ They control their own destiny whether or not they get HCA in the playoffs. And they won't blow it tonight. If this game is close at all in the fourth quarter, I expect us to whatever it takes to win.

Including sending Oden in to decapitate someone.

Post #6 » by **SD2042** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:15 pm

AZ BLAZER wrote:Nate never played for the Thunder franchise and repoteredly would take offense to that statement. He played for the former Sonics franchise. That is like saying that Pete Maravich played for Utah or George Mikan played for Los Angeles.

SOS should be at the game tonight. They did their work to keep the name Sonics and also keep their banners and records. I hope they do get a team soon so that Portland can have a natural rival again. OKC does not have history with Portland, the Sonics do. The closest OKC is to being a rival is simply because Stern is to lazy to re-align the divisions and we currently happen to be stuck in the same division.

Nate may not have played for OKC, but the franchise used to be in Seattle. Therefore you have a history to reflect back on. After all, the Thunder didn't just form in OKC by themselves. It came through some rough trials and for Seattle fans, unfortunate circumstances.

As for Oden, he may get himself injured trying to decapitate someone considering the season he had with injuries.

Cro_Ruption · Post #7 » by **Cro_Ruption** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:32 pm

Team Trivia: Nate McMillan played 12 seasons with the Thunder franchise from 1986-87 to 1997-98, averaging 5.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.94 steals in 796 games ... His 19 assists on Feb. 18, 1989, are tied for the most in a game vs. Portland in the history of the franchise.

Wrong, he never played for the lightning.

Charlie78 · Post #8 » by **Charlie78** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:38 pm

Actually didnt the thunder abandon all the sonic history as part of the deal to get out of town. Im sure nate mcmillen doesnt consider himselve a former thunder player.

Post #9 » by **SD2042** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:10 pm

Don't kill the messenger. Despite my own knowledge and mostly everyone else, I simply copied what the game notes offer. If the follow about Nate and the whole history thing bothers ppl that bad, then simply censor the Thunder out and replace it with Sonics. It's so easy it's painless.

wiff · Post #10 » by **wiff** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 2:31 am

Bottom line The Thunder are not the Sonics. Period. Seattle still owns the team colors and history for the next 4 years unless they don't secure another franchise. Then the Thunder get the team history.

I do think Nate would be offended to have people state that he played for the Thunder's organization when he is known as Mr Sonic.

Although the Thunder's owners hijacked the Sonic's it might as well be an expansion team.

Post #11 » by **wizkid27** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:00 am

Well... on the subject of basketball, this game looks like crap.

The Thunder are just looking horrible! Oh well... draft picks! Right!?

GOBlazers · Post #12 » by **GOBlazers** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 4:55 am

SD2042 wrote:
AZ BLAZER wrote:Nate never played for the Thunder franchise and repoteredly would take offense to that statement. He played for the former Sonics franchise. That is like saying that Pete Maravich played for Utah or George Mikan played for Los Angeles.

SOS should be at the game tonight. They did their work to keep the name Sonics and also keep their banners and records. I hope they do get a team soon so that Portland can have a natural rival again. OKC does not have history with Portland, the Sonics do. The closest OKC is to being a rival is simply because Stern is to lazy to re-align the divisions and we currently happen to be stuck in the same division.

Nate may not have played for OKC, but the franchise used to be in Seattle. Therefore you have a history to reflect back on. After all, the Thunder didn't just form in OKC by themselves. It came through some rough trials and for Seattle fans, unfortunate circumstances.

As for Oden, he may get himself injured trying to decapitate someone considering the season he had with injuries.

Yeah Oden had a couple injuries, but he played 60 of 82 games and still looks like a wise pick over Durant

Post #13 » by **SD2042** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:53 am

For Portland, yeah a wise pick. Just a question of how durable will Oden be for the Blazers considering the rough start he's been through from missing a season to playing 60 out of 80 games right now? If he's able to weather the storm and become more consistant in playing many games as his career goes on, then great for Portland. If he continues to struggles with injuries at this rate, then not so good for the Blazers.

wiff · Post #14 » by **wiff** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:53 pm

GOBlazers wrote:Yeah Oden had a couple injuries, but he played 60 of 82 games and still looks like a wise pick over Durant

LOL ya he sure does. He has practically put the team on his back this year hasn't he. Very wise, very wise.

But what I find even more interesting is that everyone in this forum is glad the Blazers were so wise and drafted Oden over Durant.

So that means there is nothing to argue.

YAY Blazers you drafted Oden way to go!!!!

Dick Tate · Post #15 » by **Dick Tate** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:59 pm

Good grief, Wiffler! You've really hit rock bottom, haven't you?

GOBlazers · Post #16 » by **GOBlazers** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:04 pm

He can be injured, it happens, especially with big guys. He just needs to continue to improve, and be healthy for the playoffs.

Post #17 » by **wizkid27** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 1:00 am

I'll just put it this way... The Blazers can be happy with their pick, and I hope that they are. But the Thunder would not have been happy had things worked out the other way around.

I thought the Blazers had to pick Oden over Durant at #1, so I'm by no means saying I would've done any differently if I was the GM of the Sonics and had to make that pick (I would've gone with Oden). But in hindsight, with the Thunder, I wouldn't give a thought to any other player on the draft board.

wiff · Post #18 » by **wiff** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 2:21 pm

Dick Tate wrote:Good grief, Wiffler! You've really hit rock bottom, haven't you?

Oh my good friend Dick who loves to give me a bad time.

I hit rock bottom a long time ago Dick!

Dick why are you trying to call me out?

Dick I have simply come to terms with the situation.

Do I hate Bennett and McClendon? Hell yes.

Do I still have an emotional connection to the game and the team I grew up with? Yes.

Dick I know that you know me, well enough to know I hate the fact the Sonics have morphed into the Thunder.

But am I the one who sold the team to an out of state buyer? Am I the one who pulled down my trousers and took it up the butt and accepted a buyout?

I'm just a regular guy who was about 500mil shy from being able to save the Sonics.

Frequently I think about what if Nickels had not accepted the buyout. With McClendon losing 1.9bil this last October with the economy tanking would he and Bennett been more inclined to sell to Balmer?

I think so. I still think if Nickels would have played hardball the Sonics would still be the Sonics. But he didn't, he was a huge man whore.

But I'm still the same guy who loves watching the NBA. Unfortunately for me I simply can't turn it off. I tried, seriously I tried.

I also simply can't cheer for Portland, or Denver or Boston any other team team because for my entire life I have rooted against those teams. So until the city of Seattle steps up and hi-jacks another team from another city I'm stuck with the Thunder. It's not really my desired situation but.........

What makes it worse is that Presti has made move after move that has been great. Even the crappy trade where he gave away WallyZ and Delonte West, later he ended up using the TPE for West and a late draft pick for Thabo. Brillant!

Of course that is about 10,000,000,000 times more clever than Wally Walker ever was.

Like I said above Dick, until the city of Seattle manages to land another NBA team I'm going to keep following the team that at one point was in Seattle. Sue me.

If I were you Dick I'd cross your fingers they land one soon because I think you are going to win our bet by a landslide. I hope I have a chance to pay up and pay for two seats to the Sonics. But if they don't land a team in the next 4 years, I don't see it happening for a long time and we could very well be dead and gone by the time they do play another NBA game in Seattle.

Plus I don't want Bennett to own the teams colors and history to the Sonics.

Poke fun all you want Dick but obviously you have been snooping around here for a reason and I doubts it's to simply give me a bad time.

By the way Dick I love your Fire Engine red suspender's they really add a nice touch to your look.

jenn_gp · Post #19 » by **jenn_gp** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 3:02 am

Wiff, you know we love ya, but I've read your explanations and I still have to agree with Dick here...

You really have hit rock bottom buddy. It makes me sad to see this display. But I don't fault you. Some people have just been stronger than others.

*leaves without trying to cause a scene*

wiff · Post #20 » by **wiff** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 3:29 am

jenn_gp wrote:Wiff, you know we love ya, but I've read your explanations and I still have to agree with Dick here...

You really have hit rock bottom buddy. It makes me sad to see this display. But I don't fault you. Some people have just been stronger than others.

*leaves without trying to cause a scene*

Oh Jenn......

I did see on your facebook that you listed the Thunder as your favorite NBA team.

Now I'm just trying to figure out who's the pot and who's the kettle?