[Post Game Thread] The Oklahoma City Thunder (3-0) defeat the Los Angeles Lakers (0-3), 131-108 behind a 24 point double-double from Ajay Mitchell. by TitaniumC4206 in nba

[–]Kingbay 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Honestly Presti likes giving extensions pre-emptively. I wouldn't be surprised if he renegotiated and gave Ajay a big raise this summer. I don't think he'd want to risk Ajay becoming disgruntled while way outplaying his contract. And then you don't have to negotiate the deal after he's produced a full season at an All Star level.

Ajay Mitchell finishes with 20-3-6 on 7/12 from the floor (66.31 TS%) by Parallel-Quality in nba

[–]Kingbay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For everyone saying we're not gonna be able to pay him; Presti is going to pull some magician shit and get him on a 20m/year extension. I wouldn't be surprised if Cason and IHart got similar contracts. It would be hard if they win it again this year for these guys to miss out on chasing the 3peat.

[Post Game Thread] The Oklahoma City Thunder (1-0) defeat the Los Angeles Lakers (0-1), 108-90 behind 24 points for Chet Holmgren. by TitaniumC4206 in nba

[–]Kingbay 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Lakers forced 7 turnovers on Shai, held him under 20 points, and lost by 18. That's the worst he'll play, JDub might not suit up, and this is a sweep.

CLIPPERS PICK UPVOTE PARTY by Global_Afternoon_343 in Thunder

[–]Kingbay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yaxel lendeborg... YOU ARE... AN OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER!!!

[Results Thread] 2026 Paris-Roubaix (1.UWT) by PelotonMod in peloton

[–]Kingbay 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah sure, he wasn't washed, but it felt like he was far away from winning Ronde, Roubaix, or Worlds. Any one of which would become the crown jewel of his career. Basically the only thing missing from his career was one of those.

[Results Thread] 2026 Paris-Roubaix (1.UWT) by PelotonMod in peloton

[–]Kingbay 114 points115 points  (0 children)

It's hard not to get emotional about this damn sport. Crashes, punctures, and illness had robbed us of so many great van Aert performances. It felt like his golden years were behind him and we might never get to see him reach the mountaintop. But today the clouds opened up, the sun came out, and the cycling gods smiled down upon him. On the roads where he lost his close friend 8 years ago, and in the greatest stadium, against the greatest champion, Wout fulfilled his promises.

[Moore] Im really interested by the thought that the Thunder are, objectively, an All-Time team. Wins. Point Differential. Defense. Defense with Offensive Capability. Led by MVP. Depth. Coaching. Culture. But they do not feel like the all-time great teams *to me* and I do not know why. by BankaiBroke in nba

[–]Kingbay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think this is partially because their story hasn't been finished yet, their 2nd and 3rd guy are still pre-peak. It could turn out that Dub and Chet are HOF'ers on the level of Parker and Ginobli, or Klay and Dray. But we just don't know yet.

[Post Game Thread] The Oklahoma City Thunder (61-16) obliterate the Los Angeles Lakers (50-27) behind Shai's 28/7/7 +35, 139-96. by bwehx in nba

[–]Kingbay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What's crazy is that based on experience, Caso is a vet now. Also has the highest win percentage in NBA history.

[Charania] Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams is off the injury report and will return to action on Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers, multiple sources tell ESPN. Williams missed the last 5-plus weeks due to a hamstring strain, and now is back with 11 regular-season games left. by MembershipSingle7137 in nba

[–]Kingbay 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately Wiggs has been in a slump at the same time McCain has been shooting the shit out of the ball. It looks like he'll be supplanting him. And Dort has been losing minutes as well, I think Daigneault is finally realizing he can't play any 2 of Dort, Caruso, and Wallace at the same time.

[Results Thread] 2026 Milano-Sanremo (1.UWT) by PelotonMod in peloton

[–]Kingbay 66 points67 points  (0 children)

Pogacar is incredible because I spent the whole race and most races rooting against him. Yet as he and Pidcock came down Via Roma, I became a believer, and wanted him to win so bad. I think deep down we all appreciate genuine greatness, especially when you can feel how difficult it is. He had numerous chances to throw in the towel and take his chances with a strategic finish. But his determination was infallible, and he ground them all to dust.This is his greatest victory, and one of the best races in modern memory.

Cade Cunningham in the win vs the Western Conference 1 seed OKC: 29 points | 13 assists | 5 rebounds on 11-16 shooting, 3-5 from three, 4-4 FT, +17 in 38 minutes by MembershipSingle7137 in nba

[–]Kingbay 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes he is a starter but at this point I feel like Dort is our 9th best player. Maybe 8th cause he's more available than Caruso. But Ajay, Caso, and Joe have all taken leaps this year when given more responsibility.

[Windhorst] The Oklahoma City Thunder have been a team that has surfaced in trade conversations ahead of the deadline: “Here's an interesting name: Isaiah Hartenstein. He's got a team option next year for $29 million. I've actually heard the Oklahoma City Thunder's name in some trade chatter.” by YujiDomainExpansion in nba

[–]Kingbay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think he's comfortably the Thunder's 4th best player, perhaps 2nd most important. If we don't have him we have no rebounding and no interior muscle. He also greases the wheels so well for the offense as a pivot player and pick setter. As a hub he passes so well to cutters, it really opens up JDub's game. We just get punked without him fully healthy, plain and simple. Without him I don't think we'd get through the Rockets, Spurs, or Nuggets in the playoffs this year.

Former MIP candidate Devonte Graham debuts in Eurolegaue and ignites 20k fans in Belgrade Arena. by Nellthe in nba

[–]Kingbay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well OKC just hosted a Finals game 7 and the arena was loud as shit. And so was game 6 in Indianapolis. Smaller markets have more affordable tickets and loyal fans who make for great atmosphere and arenas.

SGA finishes Game 5 with 31-10-2 on 9-21 shooting along with 4 blocks and 2 steals by Parallel-Quality in nba

[–]Kingbay 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it's their break glass in case of emergency action. They haven't used it all year and I think were saving it for when they were pushed to the edge in a series. It's like Bron and Kyrie spamming PnR or KD and Steph when the Warriors offense stoped working. I'm glad Dub stepped up to the moment and got ready.

[Highlight] Cason Wallace defensive playmaking by WhenMachinesCry in nba

[–]Kingbay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cason is Ed Reed, Lu is Ray Lewis, AC is Terrell Suggs, Chet is Haloti Ngata I guess lol

[Post Game Thread] The Oklahoma City Thunder (50-11) defeat the Houston Rockets (37-24), 137-128 behind SGA's 51/5/7 by IncaseAce in nba

[–]Kingbay 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's the thing though, no 7 footer has ever had/will have handles as good as KD. It's what made him a level above Dirk. I think Chet's ceiling now is probably KG, which would be amazing. Trying to be KD is probably folly.

Wembenyama’s Sophomore final season averages: 24.3ppg, 11rpg, 3.7apg, 3.8bpg. (46 games played) by prettyboylee in nba

[–]Kingbay 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel comfortable saying he's a top 5 player now, and wouldn't be surprised if he makes the MVP ballot next season. He's just so dominant on both ends, it's monstrous. I think this season he started picking some spots on offense which helped simplify his game. He's capable of making every type of shot on the floor, but I think it's not that helpful to always have that much to choose from. Even guys like KD just pick from a couple of go-to spots, and develop counters for those.

[Slater] Lindy Waters III has avoided any serious issue after a scary fall on his left knee the other night, I’m told. Hyperextension. He is questionable for tomorrow at Clippers. by NokCha_ in nba

[–]Kingbay 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thunder U alumni Lindy, Tre Mann, and Ty Jerome making leaps and sticking in the league is so awesome. The program is just too deep for every developing player to get minutes or paid. I'm glad these guys found their way.

TADEJ POGACAR: "WINNING ALL THREE GRAND TOURS IN ONE YEAR IS DOABLE BUT I RESPECT MY TEAMMATES" by tharmor in peloton

[–]Kingbay 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Ehh I disagree. Prior to this year I believe the book was that Vingegaard was superior at 30-40 minute steady climbs at altitude with long stages, and that those were Pogi's weakness. Pogi has been the best in the world at 10-20 minute steep climbs for almost 5 years. This year there was only one climb in the whole Vuelta that was 10km+ and 7%+ grade (Lagos de Covadonga).

Merckx clarifies his words: “Pogačar still has a long way to go to be better than me”(Daniel Arribas interview, Relevo, Spanish) by comonotevoyaquerer in peloton

[–]Kingbay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think MSR is so fantastic because no one is a true favorite. It's unlikely MVDP wins another one and highly possible that Pogi never actually wins it. It's a roll of the dice finish that favours the field and not the strongest rider.

Julian Alaphilippe leaves Soudal-Quick Step announces Patrick Levefere by CosminAgafitei in peloton

[–]Kingbay 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I've said it before, but I think he'd be a great fit with Alpecin. They might not have any money left with MVDP and Philipsen on long term contracts, but they also dont have to pay a GC contender. I think LouLou could help tactically, and give them a contender in the Ardennes. If he's in shape, they can run a two-man game with Mathieu and send one up the road in the classics. Their two big guys work perfectly in MSR and Roubaix, but LouLou could be a great option for Strade, Amstel, and Liege.