That’s going to happen. But I support him 100 percent. Of course, I hated when people were saying the stuff they were saying, and he hated it as well. I didn’t want it to get to his head. I hate when people try to creep into the group and try to break things up.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: They’re good.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant wants everybody to know there’s no beef between him and point guard Russell Westbrook.

In fact, Durant likes Westbrook as a player and person. Any friction was nothing more than teammates holding each other accountable.

Fair enough. Credit Durant for showing maturity and attempting to douse out any fires before they burn in Oklahoma City.

Here’s the problem: Thunder coach Scott Brooks has real concerns with Westbrook’s shot-first mentality, and left him on the bench for key stretches of the 2011 playoffs.

Brooks wants Westbrook to stop acting like he’s the first-option and to facilitate for others like a classic table-setter. The team knows this. They have to.

And what happens if Westbrook, a headstrong and confident player, ignores Brooks’ advice and continues looking for his shot instead of creating for Durant and others?

Then there may be a problem.

--Oly Sandor.

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After arriving from the Celtics last season and being looked at as the veteran leader Oklahoma City needed to take the next step to compete for a title, Perkins went hard at Westbrook with his verbal criticisms, often saying that the Thunder's playmaker couldn't match Rajon Rondo as a playmaker. Those words didn't sit well with Westbrook, who already had been criticized for shooting too much and was the subject of a benching heard-round-the-NBA when the Thunder played the Mavs in June.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Chemistry matters. It can be the difference between a team competing and attending the Draft Lottery.

Such an intangible takes years to develop. So it’s surprising to hear that post Kendrick Perkins criticized point guard Russell Westbrook by comparing him to Rajon Rondo.

Perkins, who has acquired by the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline, understands the importance of chemistry from his days with the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics were a nice balance of talent and chemistry, especially on the defensive end where their rotations and help were a thing of beauty.

However, Perkins and Rondo are best friends. And the blue-collar point post is known, and even respected for his temper, outbursts, and intensity.

Whatever the case, this will be another thing the young Thunder address when the season begins.

--Oly Sandor.

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“We’ll see what happens,” Griffin said. “Right now my commitment is to the Clippers, and we’re working on making that team better. I know the Thunder are doing a great job here and everybody’s excited about them.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It sounds good. Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

And Griffin seemed open to signing with the Thunder when asked what he'll do when he becomes a restricted free agent in 2014.

This isn't just speculation; the dots do connect. 

First, the Thunder has a top player in Durant. Second, the Thunder is well-run -unlike Griffin’s current team, the Clippers. And finally, Griffin went to college in Oklahoma.

Unfortunately, Oklahoma City is one of the NBA’s smallest markets with few opportunities for marketing and branding. Los Angeles, even if Griffin is with the Clippers, is a massive market, which attracts sponsors.

So signing with the Thunder would be good for Griffin's NBA career, while staying with the Clippers would be good for his wallet.

Bottom line: rumors of Griffin’s departure will continue unless the NBA puts a franchise tag or other clauses in the new collective bargaining agreement. 

--Oly Sandor.

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It's official.. Pride 2 the side.. just filled out a application at Home Depot.. Lockout aint a game..

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: There's nothing wrong with working at the Home Depot, however, there's something wrong with Delonte West having to work at the big box reno' shop because of the lockout.

West is an active NBA player, and has earned $15 million plying his trade as a combo guard for the Boston Celtics, Seattle Super Sonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder), and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Yet, West is (supposedly) broke because owners have shut the door on the players. So he's applying for a gig at The Dep'.

If true, this is unexcusable. West should have set money aside for the labour strife, which everyone could see on the horizon. 

Somebody should be looking after West's interests. Like his agent. Or the Players' Union. Remember, West has his issues.

Speaking of the union, West's situation isn't good for negotiations. If other players are living cheque-to-cheque, they may have to settle sooner than they'd like.

There's nothing wrong with working at Home Depot -unless you're West and the Players' Union, and are in the middle of a lockout!

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below. 

In a press released obtained by 12 News HD, Beaumont attorney Langston Scott Adams says, quote "Mr. Perkins has maintained his innocence to the charges and is recovering at home with family suffering from injuries he received during the incident."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Well, every story has two sides, I guess.

Kendrick Perkins claims he was an innocent bystander and sustained injuries during a brawl at a nightclub in Beaumont, Texas, and in no way instigated the incident.

Perhaps the Oklahoma City Thunder center is innocent. Perhaps not.

Regardless, nothing good happens at 3 am. As a professional, as someone who claims to be serious about his craft, Perkins can’t be out all hours of the night.

Especially when considering Perkins had a charitable event the next day, an event he organized with children and teenagers where he was hoping to present himself and other NBA stars as models to follow.

Sorry Perk’. Innocent or not, you’re guilty of bad judgment.

--Oly Sandor.

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EARLIER SATURDAY-KFDM has confirmed that NBA star Kendrick Perkins was booked and released early Saturday morning into the Jefferson County jail around 4:00a.m. on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct. The charges are a class C misdemeanor. Per Texas penal code 12.23, an individual guilty of a class C misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500. Perkins posted bond of $150 shortly after being booked and was released.

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Agent Aaron Goodwin told ESPN.com on Tuesday night that he has met with officials from Turkish club Besiktas and has likewise begun exploring opportunities for Durant in Spain and Russia.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Slide over George Costanza. This is ‘The Summer of Kevin’.

Clearly, Kevin Durant is making the most of his time away from his day-gig with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

A typical summer would see Durant train under the eye of OKC officials. This, however, has not been a typical summer because NBA players are locked-out.

The scoring champ’ has been free to live a Costanza inspired life of pick-up runs and you tube clips (all that’s missing is taking a bite of a hunk of cheese.)

The good press has made Durant the star of the lockout, which contributed to Besiktas floating him an offer to suit up for the Turkish club.

Here’s the question: how does Clay Bennett - the shrewd businessman and owner of the Thunder - feel about Durant heading abroad and generating revenue for another owner?

Bennett is one of the hardline owners who will sit the entire season to attain a hard cap and 50-50 split of Basketball Related Income.

Durant assuming wear-and-tear and risking injury in a second-rate league in Europe may frustrate Bennett enough to change his perspective. 

It’s one thing if his prize asset, Durant, is state-side. It’s another if he’s generating millions of dollars for another league.

Hopefully, Durant joining a foreign club pushes Bennett off his stance. Then ‘The Summer of Kevin’ would have been a success.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

“It wasn’t like the man passed away or something,” Rondo said. “I think we put too much emphasis on it. It’s a business. He got traded. He’s very happy where he’s at. We still talk and I’m always going to have his back. It shouldn’t have affected us the way it affected us.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: For all intensive purposes, it ended the Boston Celtics’ season.

Last February, Celtics executive Danny Ainge sent center Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder for forward Jeff Green.

In theory, it made sense. Perkins was coming off a nasty knee injury. He wanted a multi-year, big-ticket contract. And Green, a talented player, would be around long after The Big Three retired.
 
The reality was different, though. Perkins, even when injured, formed a large part of the Celtics’ identity as a tough, defensive-minded club.

And Perk’ did the little things: he banged, he glared, he rebounded, he blocked shots, he sometimes delivered cheap-shots, and he intimidated. In short, he did what an aging Kevin Garnett is no longer capable of.

So it didn’t matter who Ainge was getting back. And it didn’t matter that the O’Neals, Jermaine and Shaquille, never got healthy.

Boston had lost their identity, their way. It was plying the middle for an upstart Oklahoma City club.

Ainge can do his part by acquiring a body to plug-the-hole down-low. The current crop of Celtics need to forget Perk' -if they want one final run at a championship.

--Oly Sandor.

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Every team could use an enforcer and, in that category, there's no better free agent available than Thomas. As with every veteran free agent, Boston will use its championship potential as its best pitch.

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HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: They need a post. He needs a championship. So the Boston Celtics and Kurt Thomas seem a fit.

In February, the Celtics traded starting center Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Jeff Green. The green-and-white clearly missed Perkins' toughness, defense, and rebounding.

Nenad Krstic, who was included in the Perkins-for-Green deal, recently signed a long-term deal in Europe, while Glen 'Big Baby' Davis, when not fishing for lobsters, seems determined to leave when the lockout ends.

The Celtics have a hole down low. Thomas, a cross between Perkins and Davis, might be the answer.

Like Perkins, Thomas has presence. His shoulders are wide. His elbows are razor sharp. And his screens are lethal.

Like Davis, Thomas has skill. As a senior, he led the NCAA in scoring and rebounding. And he has a jump-shot, especially off pick-and-pops.

Then there's Thomas' demeanour. He's always professional, but has no problem calling out a teammate in the wrong –like Stephon Marbury.

The only downside is age. Thomas is 39, so the veteran-laden Celtics wouldn't get younger or more athletic.

Everything else works. Perhaps the Celtics and Thomas join forces for one last run at a championship.

--Oly Sandor.

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Demps laughed at Internet speculation there has been trade talks between the Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder regarding point guards Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook.

“(Thunder GM) Sam Presti and I, our offices used to be right next to each other, so we still text each other all the time, and I can assure you that has not been a conversation we’ve had,” Demps said, cracking a smile as he spoke to reporters.

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HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: Losing players in free agency leads to speculation. Losing games also leads to speculation.

It`s no surprise there was speculation that the New Orleans Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder were considering swapping Chris Paul for Russell Westbrook.

Paul can opt-out of his contract next summer. He can leave New Orleans as a free agent. The Hornets will get nothing back. 

Meanwhile, Westbrook, fair or not, became the scapegoat for the Thunder losing the Western Conference Finals to the Mavericks.

Critics felt he was trying to get his offense at the expense of teammates. And critics felt his score-first mentality will make it difficult for the Thunder to take the next step.

A trade makes sense for both parties, right?  Well, wrong.

Hornets GM Dell Demps denied ever having a conversation about swapping point guards with Thunder GM Sam Presti.

It`s a no to the inquiring public. The real, unofficial story could be different.

Demps and Presti came up together with the San Antonio Spurs. They were tight. And still are. Demps admitted they text each other all the time.

Know this: NBA executives are no different than you or I. They do business with executives they trust and like.

For instance, Kevin McHale, when he was with the Minnesota Timberwolves, wrapped Kevin Garnett in a bow and gave him to former teammate and friend Danny Ainge, who was and still is boss of the Boston Celtics.

For instance, Jerry West played a part in Pau Gasol leaving Memphis for Los Angeles. West was once the front office Tsar for both the Grizzlies and Lakers.

If Paul for Westbrook happens, it will be because of the relationship between Demps and Presti.

After all, what's a swap of All-Star table-setters between friends?

--Oly Sandor.

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Celtics coach Doc Rivers offered an interesting criticism of Jeff Green following Sunday’s 101-90 victory over the Detroit Pistons. ‘I think he’s too nice,’ Rivers said. ‘He’s trying to please the other guys on the floor. I’ve always thought playing with us is difficult, when you’re new, because you’re playing with Paul [Pierce] and Ray [Allen] and Kevin [Garnett] and [Rajon] Rondo and you almost don’t think like you deserve to be an aggressive offensive player or you should be, and I think he does that way too much.’

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call:  You know where nice guys finish, right?

It’s hardly surprising Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers wants Jeff Green to stop deferring to future Hall of Famers Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce and headstrong All-Star Rajon Rondo.

Of course, it can’t be easy for Green, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Oklahoma City Thunder for Kendrick Perkins.

He doesn’t have the luxury of training camp, the regular season, or practices. He must learn on the fly. The playoffs are fast approaching.

Green’s best strategy is to use his athleticism and size on both ends of the floor to be an effort player. In time, he’ll get comfortable with the team’s half-court sets. Then, he’ll become more assertive.

For now, the Celtics have to settle for a nice guy.

--Oly Sandor.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Leave it Dwyane Wade to welcome Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Yesterday, the Heat’s superstar spun baseline and posterized Perkins, who happened to be playing in his second game as a member of the Thunder. Then Wade dropped some celebratory dance moves from the Kid N Play era.

--Oly Sandor.

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The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed center Kendrick Perkins to a multi-year contract extension, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. Per team policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but Yahoo! Sports reports that it will pay Perkins $34.8 million over four years.

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I’m not saying the Wolves are or should be looking to trade Love- the sole issue at point is that they would not hang up the phone immediately if Sam Presti came calling.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: On the surface, it doesn’t sound realistic –Kevin Love joining Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook with the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder.

Here are two facts about Sam Presti, the Thunder’s lead executive, resident whiz kid, and one of the up-and coming suits in pro sports.

First, after making his bones with the San Antonio Spurs, Presti has rebuilt the Thunder through astute drafting, collecting undervalued assets, and maintaining fiscal sanity. He’s ready to use some of these excess chips to put his club over-the-top with a significant trade and/or signing.

Second, that may mean trying to bring the league’s leading rebounder to Oklahoma City. After all, Presti has a plan for every situation and scenario, and knows how well Love would complement Durant, Westbrook, and the raw Serge Ibaka.

Right now, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Love seem connected. The country strong post has given the lowly Wolves an identity for the first time since you-know-who was dealt to the Boston Celtics.

These two are far from married, though.

Love may be having a fine season; however, he’s not untouchable. He has shown little interest in inking a long-term extension with the Wolves. His relationship with Coach Kurt Rambis is touch-and-go.

Bottom line: Love wants to win now. No more waiting; no more rebuilding. He knows he won’t win championships in The Frozen Tundra of Sota.

While it isn’t likely, Love to the Thunder isn’t impossible. It makes some sense. For now, that will keep us talking.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The legend of Kevin Durant continues to grow. 

Last night, the lanky scorer won the game for his upstart Oklahoma City Thunder with a fade-away three pointer against the New York Knicks. Watch the clip and get at us with thoughts on Durant’s heroics in the comment box. 

--Oly Sandor.