Travis Singleton

The Brodie & Playoff P Lead OKC To Historic Game 5 Comeback Victory Over Utah (107-99)

by Travis Singleton | Apr 26, 2018 | Featured

The Thunder were down 3-1 coming into Game 5 against the Utah Jazz at home. Everyone knew how huge of a game this would be for Russell Westbrook and the Thunder organization after losing two straight in Utah. The Thunder and the Jazz both started off the game very nervous it seemed as it took about 3 to 4 minutes before any team scored. Donovan Mitchell was leading the charge against the Thunder as he’s played like a 10-year veteran instead of a rookie. Mitchell has been the one player that has been able to set the tone for the Jazz but with Billy Donovan making the proper adjustments and putting Paul George on him that slowed him down a bit. Mitchell was being contained but what OKC didn’t do in the first half was communicate on the defensive end. They allowed Jae Crowder and Joe Ingles to get hot from the 3 point line and were looking lost on the defensive end. Every time the Thunder were playing defense they collapsed to Rudy Gobert like he was Shaq in the early 2000’s. While the Thunder were giving all that attention to Rudy Gobert he was able to find the open player when OKC gave him multiple defenders. The Thunder were getting sucked into the paint leaving players on the Jazz roster open for anything they wanted in the 1st half. Jae Crowder made a huge difference as he finished the game with 27 points for Utah but OKC quickly caught on to what he was doing on the offensive end. The Thunder weren’t able to shut down Utah’s 3 point ball in that first half and that was something that really hurt OKC as they trailed going into the 3rd quarter. Donovan Mitchell finished the game with 23 points and was able to get to his spots but PG-13 wasn’t letting him go off how he did in this series.

Coming out in the second half of the Jazz were going for the haymaker as they scored a quick 5 points putting OKC down by 25 points. At this point, fans in the Chesapeake Energy Arena were getting worried. The one person that wasn’t worried about being down and counted out was Russell Westbrook. The MVP came out of that timeout and knocked down back to back 3 pointers that gave OKC fans hope. After Westbrook hit those three-pointers the Thunder locked in defensively swarming the Jazz like they haven’t done all series. The Thunder were in the passing gaps and were playing like a brand new team. The defense led to offense as Paul George was able to get a 3 point play off a Jazz turnover and you can feel the momentum shifting in the arena. Another huge difference in this game was the fact that OKC got Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert in foul trouble as both weren’t able to be aggressive at all or in the game. Russell Westbrook and Paul George took full advantage of that and punished any defender in front of them. The Utah Jazz was losing that lead and it seemed as though every timeout that Snyder called made things worse because Westbrook/PG-13 were feeding off the crowd energy. Russell Westbrook had a look in his eyes like I’m not to be denied and was willing this team to the victory. This was the breakout game that everyone expected from Russell Westbrook coming into the series against Ricky Rubio. Once Westbrook hit that 3 pointer to tie the game at 78 heading into the 4th quarter the roof came off the arena.

The Jazz wasn’t able to get any type of offense going as the Thunder were playing championship caliber defense in that 4th. Paul George was locking down Mitchell and Westbrook was doing the same with Rubio. Westbrook and Paul George finished with a combined 79 points and took over the game. Both Westbrook and George were able to do anything they wanted from 3 pointers, layups, and mid-range. If they can play with this intensity in Utah and take the crowd out of the game early anything is possible. This team has been fighting all season and series so it will be nothing but spectacular if they bring it back for Game 7. Billy Donovan had Carmelo Anthony on the bench during the 32-7 comeback to get OKC back in the game but Melo is due for a breakout game as well. The Thunder will need a huge effort from the Big 3 in Utah for them to stay alive. Utah has been playing their game it’s just the fact that OKC showed up on the defensive end in that second half and changed this series completely from a momentum standpoint. Both Westbrook and Paul George played the whole second half so they will be ready to continue to fight.

Game 6 will be on Friday at 9:30 CT

Apr 26, 2018 No Comments

Paul George Introduced “Playoff P” To The Utah Jazz In Game 1 Victory (116-108)

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by Travis Singleton | Apr 16, 2018 | Featured

The Oklahoma City Thunder came into Game 1 locked in and focused on trying to stop the Utah Jazz. The Thunder have a couple of mismatches at multiple positions on paper and proved that they had what it takes to get the job done on both ends. OKC’s success started off slow as the Utah Jazz came out looking like the more experienced team. Donovan Mitchell came out playing like he was a 10-year veteran playing in his 100th playoff game early scoring at will. That Utah energy and offensive efficiency died down quickly once OKC’s Big 3 settled in. Paul George was engaged on both ends of the floor and was able to do anything he wanted tonight against the Jazz. Paul George warned the OKC media about “Playoff P” and we were able to see exactly what he was talking about tonight. PG-13 had the 3 point shot going tonight as he finished 8-11 from behind the arch and was able to create space off his lethal crossover. When George has the crossover going like he did tonight no defender can stay in front of him. Joe Ingles tried to challenge Paul George on the defensive end and we found out early that he couldn’t handle PG-13 at all. The Thunder as a whole played amazing defense and were able to use their steals and blocks to start the transition game. This was one of the Thunders best games on the defensive end and they were able to use their size and experience to their advantage.

Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony complimented Paul George’s breakout game tonight with a combined 44 points. Russell Westbrook was able to dominate Ricky Rubio on both ends of the floor at ease. When Westbrook is coming at you full force all night it drains you and you can tell that’s what happened with Rubio. The Thunder forced someone else besides Donovan Mitchell to beat them tonight and it didn’t happen. Ricky Rubio shot 5-18 from the field on the night and wasn’t able to get any offense going at all. Westbrook has been locking in on defense since the Houston game last week and he’s taking the defensive end personal. Carmelo Anthony has been able to get his offense going but it’s his defense that has been super impressive in this win streak OKC’s on right now. Melo has been rebounding and defending at a high level and when the Big 3’s clicking like this no one should be able to stop them.

Donovan Mitchell was the bright spot for Utah tonight but he was hurt in the process. He went to the locker room to have his pinky toe examed and he was able to come back but was in obvious pain. Mitchell finished the game with 27 points and was trying to put the Jazz on his back like he’s done all season but they came up short. Mitchell is a special rookie and he was able to get some good looks on Corey Brewer but he needs someone else to help out and take some of the load off. Rudy Gobert was having a decent game but was in a lot of foul trouble early.

Paul George let it be known that he’s a different beast in the playoffs and if he continues this throughout the postseason it could be scary for the NBA. PG-13 finished with 36 points on the night and was playing like he was on fire from NBA Jam. In Game 2 the Thunder will need to keep playing through Paul George and continue to try and let someone else besides Donovan Mitchell try to beat them again.

Photo Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 16, 2018 No Comments

NBA Playoff Preview: 4. Oklahoma City Thunder vs 5. Utah Jazz

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by Travis Singleton | Apr 15, 2018 | Featured, NBA

The matchup between the Thunder and Jazz will be more exciting than everyone is expecting. The OKC Thunder are clicking on all cylinders right now and the shooters have been red-hot heading into the postseason. The Jazz have been clicking as well heading into the postseason as they won 6 of the last 7 games. Both teams want to set the physical tone in the paint and on the perimeter to get the upper advantage on the opposition. These teams know each other very well especially with being in the same division. The Thunder have the season series edge on the Jazz winning (3-1) in the 4 games played this season. That was the regular season and this is now the playoffs where it’s win or go home. This will be Donovan Mitchell’s first taste of the postseason but this will also be the first playoff game for OKC’s Big 3 playing together as well. One thing the Oklahoma City Thunder have an advantage in this series is playoff experience and instant offense. In the playoffs, OKC’s Big 3 playoff career stats combined are 70 PPG, 14.6 APG, 21.1 RPG. The Utah Jazz only have 4 years of experience in their starting lineup with 2 players in Rubio/Mitchell that will be making playoff debuts in OKC Sunday. The Thunder Big 3 combined has 23 years of playoff experience combined.

Below is a breakdown of matchups position by position and who will win that matchup and why including each teams bench.

Starting Point Guard Matchup – Russell Westbrook vs Ricky Rubio (Matchup Winner: Russell Westbrook)

Russell Westbrook is the reigning MVP and Ricky Rubio will have his hands full trying to guard or score on “The Brodie”. Russell Westbrook has locked in on the defensive end and he’s also playing within the offense finding his teammates with ease. Russell Westbrook is a matchup nightmare for anyone that wants to take the challenge of trying to stop him. Westbrook has one of the best mid-range jumpers in the game and he can easily blow by any defender. Ricky Rubio isn’t known for his defense or his offense but he’s able to find his teammate for assists. The biggest problem for Rubio is the fact that Westbrook stays in the passing lane and his intensity on the defensive end will make it tough to find his teammates at times. The way that Westbrook played all season and especially the way he ended the season shows that he will do anything to lead his team to victory. A lot of people don’t give Westbrook credit for his leadership and I don’t know why. All season Westbrook has led this team through the ups and downs. Westbrook put the team on his back and leads them inside and outside the locker room. Westbrook is the engine of this Thunder train and if the Utah Jazz want a chance to even stop this train they would need to double him. The problem with that is now Westbrook has help in Paul George and Carmelo Anthony which makes it tough on any opponent. Westbrook finished the season averaging 25.6 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 10.1 APG and I don’t see him slowing down anytime soon especially if Rubio doesn’t get help on the defensive end.

Starting Shooting Guard Matchup – Paul George vs Donovan Mitchell (Matchup Winner: Paul George)

Paul George gets the nod in this matchup just off the fact he reminded the media today that we haven’t seen “Playoff P”. On a serious note, PG-13 has found his shooting mojo as of late and it’s at the right time for the Thunder playoff run. Paul George is one of the best two-way players in the world and he will use the (ROTY) Mitchell as an example of how it is to lock up in clutch moments. Once Andre Roberson went down for the season Paul has picked it up defensively and has taken the challenge to guard the other teams best player. What people don’t get about PG-13 is that deflections/steals lead to easy buckets for him to get his offensive game going. When PG is being aggressive in games getting to the line 10+ times in a game the Thunder are 10-1 on the season and if he continues to attack it could be a quick round for Mitchell and Utah. When PG has his shot going early that opens up every element of his game from attacking, playmaking, and his confidence. Donovan Mitchell will have a huge task on his hands guarding Paul George but has a chance to slow him down a little bit. You can’t stop a player like PG you just hope to contain him and that’s what Mitchell will have to do. On the flip side, Paul George will have to defend Mitchell who averaged 20.5 PPG as a rookie and played amazing all year. Paul George will get physical with Mitchell and try to get him off his game early in games to knock his confidence down a couple notches. Mitchell will have to prove that he can lead the Jazz in 4-7 straight games against OKC and I don’t see that happening especially since PG is swarming you on defense. Mitchell is a rookie and doesn’t know the intensity of the playoffs yet and will make some mistakes because of lack of intensity. This will definitely be a great matchup but Paul George has the upper advantage overall.

Starting Small Forward Matchup – Corey Brewer vs Joe Ingles (Matchup Winner: Joe Ingles)

Joe Ingles has a slight advantage in this matchup because of his extended role on his team. Corey Brewer has been with the Thunder for only 16 games and will need to continue at the pace he’s been playing at in the playoffs. Brewer hurt his knee the other night against the Grizzlies and we don’t know if that will play a factor in his playing style. Brewer can defend and knock down 3 pointers for the Thunder but can he do it for 4-7 games straight against Ingles who means so much to this Jazz team. Joe Ingles will try to make it hard on Brewer with his playmaking ability, aggressiveness to the rim, and his knockdown shooting. Ingles is the emotional leader for this Jazz team and if he gets his confidence going he can get the better of Brewer in this matchup. Both players average about the same amount of points (10 PPG) with their respective teams and the player that gets their game going will boost that squad. Joe Ingles has a bigger role on his team and the Jazz depend on him more for offensive purposes as for Corey Brewer he takes what the defense gives him. Overall this should be a great matchup to watch for that isn’t star-studded in this series.

Starting Power Forward Matchup – Carmelo Anthony vs Derrick Favors (Matchup Winner: Carmelo Anthony)

Carmelo Anthony hasn’t been in the playoffs since 2015 with the New York Knicks and this will be his moment to put the NBA on notice. People have always labeled Melo as a ball stopper and when he came to OKC he sacrificed his ball-dominant style for this very moment to be in the playoffs. Carmelo has made the adjustments and will showcase his new playing style on a Derrick Favors that isn’t used to guarding a scoring threat like Carmelo in a series. This is a total mismatch for Favors because Melo can beat you anyway offensively once he gets the ball in his spot you’re at his mercy. Melo has been able to change his game to play off of Westbrook and PG but that has given him more energy to play on the defensive end as well. Melo increased his dunks and blocks this season with the Oklahoma City Thunder which shows he still has what it takes to prove doubters wrong. Favors will have his hands full on both ends and will have to use his post moves to advantage if he wants to at least make a serious impact in the series. The way that Westbrook and Anthony attack those boards it will be hard for Favors to have a consistent double-double effort in this series. Favors won’t be able to body Melo in the paint like he does other players that guard him because Anthony is stout and unmovable at times on the block. Carmelo Anthony will be able to draw Derrick Favors away from the basket which will leave him on “Melo Island” where he can get beat with the jumper or the quick first step of Melo. When you take Favors away from the basket it leaves the Jazz struggling on the defensive end when people attack the rim. Overall Carmelo Anthony will be feeling right at home in this matchup especially since the game slows down in the postseason.

Starting Center Matchup – Steven Adams vs Rudy Gobert (Matchup Winner: Toss Up)

This matchup between Steven Adams and Rudy Gobert will most definitely be EPIC!!! It’s very rare in the NBA to get a good matchup at the center position nowadays since the way the game has evolved into a permieter dominated sport. With that being said we get to see one of the most improved players (Big Kiwi) against one of the best defenders in the NBA (Eiffel Tower). This matchup can go both ways because each player has a post presence and great post moves. This matchup will come down to who is playing better at the rim and helping their teammates the most on the defensive end. Steven Adams has the smooth offense with a mini hook and catching alley-oops from Westbrook but Rudy Gobert also can dunk on opponents and shoot the occasional mid-range jumper. Both have improved on their skill set and it will be a great matchup in the paint. The thing that would help Adams in this matchup if I can choose one would be the fact that OKC has slashers that will cause Gobert to help on defense leaving Adams open a lot more. Rudy Gobert has stepped his game up as seen in last years postseason so we will have to see both of them in action in Game 1 and re-evaluate this matchup. This is one of those matchups that everyone will be looking forward too in the entire postseason.

Bench Matchup – OKC Thunder Bench vs Utah Jazz Bench (Matchup Winner: Thunder Bench)

The Thunder bench has more experience as a unit and has found their identity. Jerami Grant and Raymond Felton have been able to put the Thunder bench on their back and hold it down in moments when Westbrook, George, and Anthony need rest. The Thunder may be without Alex Abrines who has been great as of late but OKC’s bench is clicking at the right time as a whole. On the other end, the Jazz has players like Crowder and Exum who can get hot at times but haven’t been consistent on a nightly basis. The Thunder have been able to put together a great number of games at the end of the season which have boosted the benches confidence. If Grant and Felton can continue to play at this high level the Thunder bench will be fine. It’s going to come down to who’s bench has less responsibility in this series and with OKC’s firepower, it’s going to have the Jazz bench scrapping to try to stay in games by the time they come in the game.

I have the Thunder winning this series 4-1 as I believe the Thunder will have a lot of mismatches to expose in this matchup against Utah. If the Thunder continue to shoot the way they did to end the season this should be a quick round before they run into the 2nd round opponent. Westbrook, Anthony, and George formed together this summer to play for this very moment and I don’t see the Utah Jazz doing anything to pose a threat to their road to the NBA Finals.

Photo Credit: (Nate Billings, The Oklahoman) (Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman) (Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports)

Apr 15, 2018 No Comments

SneakerReporter.com Exclusive 1 on 1 Interview With Mike Conley of the Memphis Grizzlies

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by Travis Singleton | Mar 30, 2018 | Featured, NBA

Mike Conley took the time out to talk with SneakerReporter.com about his season-ending heel injury, sneakers, video games and etc. Conley is one of the most underrated players in the NBA and his focus is to make sure that everyone puts respect on his name. Being sidelined has been tough but Mike talked about the positives and talked about still being connected to the team. In his career, he’s averaged 14.2 points per game and 5.7 assists per game. Mike has shown consistency throughout his career and has been deserving of the big payday he received last offseason of 5 Year/$153 Million from the Grizzlies. In this interview, we were able to dive into a lot of interests of Mike on and off the court so enjoy.

SR: Since it’s March Madness time. What did it mean to you to see your school Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament this year?

MC: It’s always fun around this time of year with March Madness when you get to watch all these games. To have your school apart of that is always a great thing to have the representation of your school and the fans. People get to see all the schools that you don’t usually see nationally and they match up with different kind of powerhouse teams. It’s a cool environment and something cool to be associated with. I’m just happy the Buckeyes made it to the tournament again and hopefully, next season will be our year.

SR: What were your thoughts on (Ohio States) Kam Williams and what you like about his game?

MC: Kam has improved every single year man. He’s a great athlete and a great scorer as well. Kam has a very nice jump shot and as he’s gotten older he’s learned how to play at a certain speed and let the game slow down for him a little bit. He’s able to find his places a lot better than he did earlier in his career. I’m happy for him and hope he got everything he got out of college and more.

SR: What does it mean to you being apart of Jordan Brand and Nike? We’ve seen you spotted in some Jordan/Nike Off-White heat all year.

MC: It’s honestly a blessing to be apart of Jordan Brand. It’s a dream as a kid you never dreamed that you would be apart of a great company like this. Now that I am it’s really like a family atmosphere because they treat you like family and care about you as the individual. It’s not just about the basketball side or the shoe side they really want to see you succeed as a person. Those are all values that I looked for and hold dear to me. Now the shoes are obviously my favorite thing because I get to wear something exclusive or something new that no one else has and Jordan Brand always makes sure that we have that.

SR: What is your favorite Air Jordan of all-time? Also if you could customize your own Air Jordan to play in which would you use?

MC: My favorite Air Jordan of all-time is the Space Jam 11s. I like all the Jordan 11s but if I could customize my own pair to play in it would probably be the Jordan 10s. I love the way the Jordan 10s feel when I’m hooping and I play ball with them in my spare time.

SR: What were some of the positives you took from watching your team during your injury-recovery process?

MC: When you’re off the court and able to watch from the stands you learn a lot more about the coaching aspect of things. You get to understand different plays, sets, and different opportunities for game management. There are things that you don’t really get the feel of while you’re playing because you do it off of instinct. When you’re watching you have to think the game a lot more. So for me, it’s been a constant cycle of going through each game and picking and choosing different lessons I can learn from different games. I see different things that teammates have done better so hopefully, I can learn from them when I get back on the court. All those things are helping me become a better thinker of the game.

SR: How would you describe the Memphis Grizzlies atmosphere/culture? Also what does playing for the city of Memphis mean to you?

MC: Memphis is a unique city and a unique organization. We honestly feel like this city and organization is all one. We’re hand and hand with everything that we do in our community and with our games. It’s a small city and a blue-collar city because everyone works hard for what they get and they earn it. That’s kinda what we’ve had to do over the last seven or eight years we had to earn everything little bit that we got. That’s what is so special about this place because it’s unique but directly relatable to fans and relatable to the community in that aspect.

SR: How much do you miss being out there on the court/off the court with your teammates during your recovery?

MC: I miss it so much man honestly. I’m reminded of it every time I’m around the team just how I miss the game and how much I miss being around them. They mean everything to me. You don’t realize how much you need them and how much you want to be around them until you don’t have them around you all the time anymore. You miss them when you have to be at home rehabbing while they’re on the road. You miss all those plane rides and the time you spend with them in between games. They’re like my extended family and it’s really tough not to be around them and have to watch from sidelines/TV. They know how much I need them and they know how much they do good for my spirits just being around them and to be one of the guys again.

SR: Do you believe you’re underrated in the NBA? Also, do you still have that chip on your shoulder like I have to still prove myself?

MC: I definitely still play with that chip on my shoulder as if I am underrated. I feel like each year I get better and each year I proved somebody else wrong but my sights are still set on improving this group to get better. One day somebody will put me up there with the guys that I believe I’m up there with. I just have to keep grinding and keep my head down while staying focused like I always do and the other stuff will work out.

SR: Who’s the toughest point guard you’ve gone up against in your career so far?

MC: There are so many point guards nowadays. Hmmmm one of the tougher point guards for me has always been Russell Westbrook. Just because of his size and his strength. He can easily just bump you off your spot and with him being a 6″1 guard you’re not used to seeing that too often especially with the speed that he has. He’s definitely one and obviously, Steph is pretty tough to guard when he’s got it going so they’re plenty of different people I can point at and say they’re some of the tougher ones to guard out there.

SR: What are some of your hobbies outside of the Basketball?

MC: What a lot of people don’t know is that I love going to the movies. I’m always trying to watch out for the latest movies that come out no matter where I’m at.

SR: What’s your favorite movie of all-time?

MC: I would have to go with Anchor Man the original because I can watch that all day it’s hilarious.

SR: Name 3 music artists that you have to listen to in your pregame playlist?

MC: Probably would be Jay-Z, Moneybagg Yo, and Kanye West

SR: I heard you’re a huge gamer. Which video games are you playing right now?

MC: I was on Fortnite before it was popular so I don’t play it as much. I play Fortnite, Battleground, Madden, NBA 2K, Call of Duty, Gears of War. I’m in a Madden league right now and I play every couple of days on that. I honestly play all of the games that are out man.

SR: Do you play PlayStation or XBox One?

MC: I stay on the XBox

SR: Do you play as yourself when you’re playing NBA 2K? Do they have your looks/mechanics down in the game?

MC: Nah I can’t do it because I’m careful with my own guy. I think the looks are almost identical and the moves are close not all the way there but it’s a video game. They have to get my floater in the game a lot better I feel like we will be good.

SR: What would your message be to the Memphis Grizzlies fans that are waiting for you to get back on the court. So that they can have something to look forward to next season?

MC: I would tell them to stick with us. I’ll be back really soon and that progress is key. This is a small bump in the road for us but we’ll be back next year ready to go and even better. So stick with us and Go Grizzlies!!!!

You can follow Mike Conley on social media —> IG – @Mac11 , Twitter – @MConley11

Photo Cred: (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren), (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) Jerry Perez/Pacific Coast News, AP Photos, Clutch Sports, (AP Photo/Brandon Dill), Basketball Insider, Ronald Tillery, USA TODAY NETWORK, House of Heat, Bleacher Report, Joe Murphy/Getty Images,Jos’e Blanco, Sole Collector

Mar 30, 2018 No Comments

Paul George Talks About The Nike PG2 Options Available/Coming Soon On Nike ID

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by Travis Singleton | Mar 19, 2018 | Featured, Sneakers

The Nike PG1 came in the sneaker industry and made a huge splash instantly. Once Paul George wore them on the court everyone wanted to make some different flavors as soon as they hit Nike ID. The colors/patterns were amazing and definitely didn’t disappoint when it came to quality in a basketball sneaker. Personally, I made about 2 pairs of the Nike PG1 when they hit Nike ID and was already thinking about even more possibilities in the OKC colorways when he was traded from Indiana. Once the Nike PG1s moment was over and it was time to get ready for “The Sequel” aka the Nike PG2 they wanted to make it happen with a splash. Nike started off with the Nike PG2 “PlayStation” and kept the flavors coming with all of Paul Georges Nike PG2 PEs. I had the chance to talk to Paul George about the Nike PG2 finally hitting the Nike ID for the people. Everyone has been really excited about the PG2 so I had to catch up with PG with the PG2 appearing for customizing on March 12th. Below are some of the Nike PG1 options and also more options with the Nike PG2.

SR: How excited are you about the Nike PG2 going on Nike ID?

PG: I’m excited about all the options that we got coming for the Nike ID with the PG2.

SR: Are they going to add more options and flavors for the Nike PG2 in the near future?

PG: Yeah for sure they were doing a basic package for the first wave of the PG2 based on high school teams. The second batch will be premium colorways and patterns/materials. The 3rd wave of Nike PG2 is going to be based on college teams to be on the lookout for that bro.

Below are some of the Nike PG2 options that are on Nike.com with the speckled midsole, personalized heel tab, and more.