Thunder Players Honor Russell Westbrook With Their Shirts
Project Runway
Russell Westbrook is known for his outrageous pre- and post-game fashion choices. In an apparent show of solidarity with their injured teammate, Oklahoma City Thunder players Kevin Durant and Hasheem Thabeet have chosen some memorable shirts to wear against the Houston Rockets.
Russell Westbrook bringing Matrix fashion back
Blue Or Red Pill
Russell Westbrook is nearly as well-known for his explosive fashion choices as he is for his explosive play on the basketball court. Following the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 105-102 victory over the Houston Rockets he broke out the Matrix-vintage black vinyl.
Nuggets mascot Rocky gets revenge on Russell Westbrook
Block This
Back on January 20, we posted the report of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook blocking Denver Nuggets mascot Rocky’s half court shot twice to rob fans queso and burrito. The Thunder returned to Denver and Rocky took precautionary measures to prevent the incident from a repeat. In order to remove Russell from the premises while Rocky takes his shot, the mascot barricaded half of the basketball court with security guards and children.
Russell Westbrook blocks Denver Nuggets mascot
The Oklahoma City Thunder guard went up and grabbed both of Denver Nuggets mascot Rocky’s half-court heaves during a timeout in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. This is a huge problem because fans apparently get free queso from burrito chain Qdoba when Rocky makes a shot. The Nuggets prevailed 121-118 in overtime, even as Russell Westbrook finished with 36 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.
WTF: Jeff Van Gundy
Looks Like A Science Teacher
ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy is getting in on the hipster craze and took a cue from Oklahoma City Thunders Russell Westbrook.
Jerry Colangelo Says Team USA Reconsidering Olympic Approach
USA! USA! USA!
Derrick Rose’s torn ACL has caused USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo to rethink his stance of not expanding the list of candidates for the U.S. squad that will compete at the London Olympics.
Colangelo said last week that despite injuries to Dwight Howard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Chauncey Billups as well as Lamar Odom being eliminated from consideration the 12-man Team USA roster would be selected from the 16 candidates remaining from the original list of 20. Rose’s season-ending injury brings the number of finalists down to 15.
“What I said (previously) was that we didn’t plan to do any additions, but we had to continue to monitor the injury situation,” Colangelo. “Obviously (Rose) is a big loss. (Point guard) seems to be, at this point, still a pretty strong position. But at this stage, quite honestly, I think all bets are off.”
Three point guards remain on the current list: Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Russell Westbrook. The team is also thin at center—Tyson Chandler is the only true ‘five’ left among the candidates.
Colangelo said that the original plan to announce the final roster on June 1 has been changed. June 18 is the deadline for teams to set rosters with the Olympic Committee, and Colangelo said USA Basketball will wait as late as possible before making its decisions.
“I think now we’re going to wait until the very last moment to pick the team, because it seems ridiculous with a lot of playoff games to play that we would select a team,” Colangelo said. “We might as well keep the options open as long as we can, and continue to monitor the situation.”
Colengelo will meet with Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff Monday and Tuesday in Las Vegas.
The current Team USA finalists are Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks, Chris Bosh Miami Heat, Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers, Chandler New York Knicks, Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder, Rudy Gay Memphis Grizzlies, Eric Gordon New Orleans Hornets, Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers, Andre Iguodala Philadelphia 76ers, LeBron James Miami Heat, Kevin Love Minnesota Timberwolves, Paul Los Angeles Clippers, Dwyane Wade Miami Heat, Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder and Williams New Jersey Nets.
Skip Bayless Called Out Over Fraudulent Boasts
ESPN loud-talker Skip Bayless may have reached a new low on Tuesday morning during an episode of “First Take.” During a debate about the NBA MVP race, Bayless got called out by Jalen Rose for lying about his high school basketball exploits. Not surprisingly, the events leading up to confrontation began with Bayless ranting about a professional athlete.
On March 31, Bayless tweeted that the Oklahoma City Thunder would be doomed if Russell Westbrook continues to play point guard instead of taking more of a scoring role. Seemingly to back up his assertions about the best use of Westbrook, Bayless added two more tweets citing his own high school basketball career at Northwest Classen High. Not only did Bayless claim that he started for the team that lost in the state finals in Oklahoma in 1970, he even compared himself to NBA legend “Pistol Pete” Maravich.
Bayless claims revealed that he played on the Junior Varsity team in his junior year and only averaged 1.4 points per game during his senior season and didn’t even register any statistics in his team’s state final loss.
Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook Have Altercation
Can't We Just Get Along
Oklahoma City Thunder All-Stars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant got into a second-quarter altercation during a 98-95 win over Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. Westbrook finished with four points on 0-for-13 shooting.
Westbrook’s frustration manifested with 3 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter after he drove the lane and dished to Thabo Sefolosha in the corner. Sefolosha passed up an open 3-pointer and Westbrook yelled at Sefolosha to “shoot the f*cking ball.”
Sefolosha and other teammates, including Durant and center Kendrick Perkins, attempted to calm Westbrook down during an ensuing trip to the free throw line, but it didn’t work.
Durant appeared to again try to settle Westbrook during a timeout, but Westbrook didn’t take it well and they began shouting at each other. They had to be separated.
Westbrook did not speak to reporters after the game.
Jay-Z Turns Away NBA Players From VIP Room
Learing From Mistakes
As the NBA lockout continues it’s put a strain on the relationship with players and owners even if that owner is Jay-Z. The rap mogul and percentage owner of the New Jersey Nets had to turn away several NBA stars from the VIP area of a GQ party in Los Angeles this past week.
Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala, Russell Westbrook, JaVale McGee and Shannon Brown, among others were in attendance.
“So all the athletes were clamoring to talk to Jay-Z in his private section, even Melo, but because of the lockout, Jay had to turn them all down. He refused to let any of them thru, and also warned his security to watch out because of his NBA ownership, he wasn’t allowed to fraternize with them,” said a source.
Last time Jay-Z broke the NBA rules the league hit him with a $50,000 fine for hanging out in the University of Kentucky lockerroom.
Anthony Randolph Considering Joining LSU Fraternity During NBA Lockout
Alpha Phi Alpha
The talk amongst NBA players these days are whether they are going to stay stateside or play overseas however for one player his decision hinders on whether to join a college fraternity or just continuing to go to classes. Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Randolph is attending classes at LSU but with the extra time he has on his hands during the NBA lockout is considering joining a fraternity.
“The students know I’m from the NBA, but it’s more fun because I can focus on my schoolwork,” said Randolph. “I don’t have the basketball distraction. I’m a more focused student now after being in the real world for a couple of years.”
Randolph isn’t the only player that has decided to use the lockout to go back to college as Oklahoma City Thunder Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, New Orleans Hornets Trevor Ariza, Milwaukee Bucks Luc Mbah a Moute, and Cleveland Cavaliers Baron Davis, have enrolled in summer classes to work towards getting their degree.
Randolph is at LSU trying to fulfill his sociology major requirements. Randolph played only his freshman season at LSU before entering the 2008 NBA Draft, where he was selected 14th by the Golden State Warriors.
Kevin Durant Questions & Silences Heckler
Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant still has doubters like this one New York City fan. The Durant heckler called him “Baby LeBron” and began chanting the name of Russell Westbrook. Durant had last laugh.
Mama Margie’s Major Meltdown: Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder
Every Thursday Sports Grind Entertainment will present you with the Mama Margie’s Major Meltdown. The recipient of this honor goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder who lead by 15 points with only 5 minutes to play at home in game 4 of the Western Conference Finals but ended up losing 112-105 to the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas didn’t lead until Dirk Nowitzki hit two free throws 16 seconds into overtime. Kevin Durant missed a 3-pointer on Oklahoma City’s opening possession of overtime then didn’t get another shot until he missed a 3 off the front rim in the final 10 seconds with the Thunder down by five. Durant continued a trend from this season (including playoffs), in which he has struggled in game-tying or go-ahead field-goal situations. In Monday’s game, Durant had an opportunity to win the game in regulation with a 30-foot three-point shot which ended up being blocked by Shawn Marion. During the playoffs, Durant is now 0-2 and Russell Westbrook is 0-3 in these situations.
The Mavericks are the only team in the last 15 seasons to win a playoff game in which it trailed by 15 or more points with 5 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
New Orleans Hornets Chris Paul Sings
The NBA has some of the best point guards the game has every seen in the league right now with the likes of New Orleans Hornets Chris Paul, Boston Celtics Rajon Rondo, Chicago Bulls Derrick Rose, Utah Jazz Deron Williams and Oklahoma City Thunder Russell Westbrook but who really leads this elite group of floor generals in the vocal department? Check out Paul as he gives his best Bill Withers impression.
Shane Battier Forever Linked To Russell Westbrook
I’m sure Oklahoma City Thunders Russell Westbrook will have about a thousand more of these once his career is said and done with but till then here is another million dollar moment in his resume. The only thing for Houston Rockets Shane Battier to do is to look at the floor.
Past, Present & Future Of Michael Jordon On NBA 2K11
Game play looks absolutely sweet as Andre Iguodala, Russell Westbrook, and Josh Smith get together to play as Michael Jordan in the Past, Present, and Future on NBA 2K11. I hope I’m not the the only outside of the NBA excited to play NBA 2K11.
WTF: Oklahoma City Thunder
Green For The Money, Gold For The Honeys
Last night the city of Oklahoma City celebrated their first ever NBA playoff victory when the Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 101-96 to make the overall series 2-1. While the people in Oklahoma celebrate another city in the pacific northwest cannot and more than likely is not basking in the glory of a Laker defeat.Oh yeah there’s still outrage in Seattle.
As much of a Stan I am of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Nick Collison it has nothing to do with them, it’s still hard for me to look at that franchise and realize there’s no professional basketball being played in Seattle. Plus the coolest color combination’s of green and gold is out of the league now, come on that should be enough outrage.
Lamar Odom Forever Linked To Russell Westbrook
Oklahoma City’s Thunder Russel Westbrook will more than likely have a few more million dollars moments throughout his career considering he’s super badass but how about your first real million moment coming in the NBA playoffs. That’s exactly what Westbrook did to the Los Angeles Lakers Candy Man. Used him, abused him and tossed him to the side.
Does the Candy Man get treated the same way in bed with King Kong Kardashian.
NBA Announces Rookie Challenge Participants
Rookie Challenge
Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, the reigning T-Mobile Rookie of the Year, and Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans, the leading scorer among first-year players, lead a list of 18 players selected for the 2010 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam to be held on Friday, Febuary 12 in Dallas during NBA All-Star 2010. San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair will also be making an appearance for the Rookie Team.
The participants in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam were selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot.
At halftime of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, the Los Angeles Clippers Eric Gordon and the Toronto Raptors DeMar DeRozan will compete in the first NBA All-Star Slam Dunk-In, a single-round slam dunk competition. Fans will be able to vote via text message and at NBA.com to determine who will advance to the Sprite Slam Dunk the following night.
The Sophomore Team:
| Player (Team) | Position | Height | School |
| Michael Beasley (Heat) | F | 6-9 | Kansas State |
| Marc Gasol (Grizzlies) | C | 7-1 | Spain |
| Danilo Gallinari (Knicks) | G-F | 6-10 | Italy |
| Eric Gordon (Clippers) | G | 6-3 | Indiana |
| Brook Lopez (Nets) | C | 7-0 | Stanford |
| Kevin Love (Timberwolves) | F-C | 6-10 | UCLA |
| O.J. Mayo (Grizzlies) | G | 6-4 | USC |
| Derrick Rose (Bulls) | G | 6-3 | Memphis |
| Russell Westbrook (Thunder) | G | 6-3 | UCLA |
The Rookie Team:
| Player (Team) | Position | Height | School |
| Omri Casspi (Kings) | F | 6-9 | Israel |
| DeJuan Blair (Spurs) | F-C | 6-7 | Pittsburgh |
| Stephen Curry (Warriors) | G | 6-3 | Davidson |
| Tyreke Evans (Kings) | G | 6-6 | Memphis |
| Jonny Flynn (Timberwolves) | G | 6-0 | Syracuse |
| Taj Gibson (Bulls) | F | 6-9 | USC |
| James Harden (Thunder) | G | 6-5 | Arizona State |
| Brandon Jennings (Bucks) | G | 6-1 | Lottomatica Roma Italy |
| Jonas Jerebko (Pistons) | F | 6-10 | Sweden |
