| |
|
NBA -- Cloudy with a chance of Thunder
By Artemio Mesiona
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 23 Oct 2012
CHICAGO -- It's only the preseason and the Bulls without Derrick Rose tote a less than spectacular three wins and three losses in the ongoing NBA preseason schedule. But there is a buzz among basketball fans here in the Windy City, the kind of electricity that usually sizzles only during the playoffs.
So, what's all the hoopla?
It's the Thunder, who will visit the United Center Tuesday night to tussle with the Bulls. The Thunder, those boys from Oklahoma City increased their profile and legitimacy by tearing through the Western Conference last season before being stymied by LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA Finals.
The merry, young Thunder parades an impressive line-up spearheaded by 3-time All-Star Kevin Durant, a back-to-back scoring champion who is fast morphing into one of the NBA's most prolific figures. Alongside the 6-foot-9 Durant is sidekick Russell Westbrook, easily one of the league's top five point guards who averaged 23.6 points and 5.5 assists per game last season.
But the Thunder are deeper than a 1-2 punch. The team also boasts of 6-foot-10, 235-pound Serge Ibaka who left a stamp last season as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders. Ibaka, who recently inkied a four-year contract extension north of $50 million, is a terrific defender with a reliable jumpshot.
Rounding up OKC's core is James Harden, the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
The Bulls, meanwhile, will be ready with Kirk Hinrich at point, Richard Hamilton at shooting guard, Joakim Noah at center, Carlos Boozer at power forward and Luol Deng at small forward. (Artemio Mesiona)
The author during a Bulls game.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Artemio Mesiona.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Gaballo and Laurente to Co-Headline Sanman Boxing Event in Gensan
, Thu, 07 Aug 2025Paulo Salud and His POWer Punches
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 07 Aug 2025Jamaine Ortiz Eager to Face Steve Claggett in Co-Main Event of MVP Fight Night on DAZN
, Thu, 07 Aug 2025Happy 53rd Birthday to the One and Only Gerry Peñalosa!!!
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 07 Aug 2025FLORIDA POOL OPEN DAY TWO: GORST FALLS TO ATENCIO AS CHUA, YAPP, AND DUONG CRUISE INTO LAST 64
, Thu, 07 Aug 2025128 chess players officially registered for Touchmove
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 07 Aug 2025Japanese Rule of the Lower Weights Under Challenge by Pinoy, Latino Boxers
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 07 Aug 2025September 6: Former World Champion Oscar Valdez Faces Ricky "El Castigo" Medina in Mexican Homecoming at Domo Binacional in Nogales
, Thu, 07 Aug 2025Former World Champion & U. S. Olympian Sadam Ali to headline “The Return” on August 31 in Detroit
, Thu, 07 Aug 2025"Pitbull" Cruz receives his WBC Belt in Mexico City
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 06 Aug 2025Japanese Rule of Lower Weights Under Challenge; Head-Scratching Latest WBC World Rankings
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 06 Aug 2025UNDERCARD ADDITIONS ANNOUNCED FOR ALLEN v MAKHMUDOV AS HEARN EXPECTS TICKETS TO FLY FOR OCTOBER 11 IN SHEFFIELD
, Wed, 06 Aug 2025Yoenis Tellez to Defend WBA Interim Title Against Abass Baraou in High-Stakes Showdown on DAZN
, Wed, 06 Aug 2025CB Promotions To Debut This Fall
, Wed, 06 Aug 20252 Division World Champion, Current WBO, The Ring Super Lightweight Champion Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13,
, Wed, 06 Aug 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 11 - ALI GETS BACK HIS BOXING LICENSE, WINS OVER QUARRY, BONAVENA AND ELLIS
By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 4 AUGUST 2025: Canizales Stops Pradabsri in Caracas; Duarte Outpoints Sims; Prograis Edges Diaz; Ancajas Wins in US Return
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Unforgettable Moments with the Champions
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025IT’S A “HOMECOMING” FOR FIVE-TIME WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER MARICELA CORNEJO FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 AT LEGENDS CASINO
, Tue, 05 Aug 2025HERNANDEZ STOPS GARNETT IN TENTH ROUND IN MAIN EVENT OF CHRISTY MARTIN PROMOTIONS’ “MAYHEM IN MUSIC CITY 2”
, Tue, 05 Aug 2025YOELVIS GOMEZ READY TO SHINE IN RETURN BOUT AGAINST EDWINE HUMAINE JUNIOR
, Tue, 05 Aug 2025Team USA’s Youth High Performance Team made a major statement in Germany
, Tue, 05 Aug 2025Adam wins 2nd BBG 300 Ultra Marathon
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025Legendary boxing trainer John Brown honored by Kansas City Royals
, Tue, 05 Aug 2025All or nothing for Jerwin
By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 04 Aug 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
