Week 1 NBA Notes

The first week of the NBA season just finished but not without some big headlines.  I'll touch on a few today in case you missed it.

Down but Not Out
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been hit hard so far this year.  They started the season with injuries to key role players Jeremy Lamb and Reggie Jackson.  The hard luck did not stop there though as Kevin Durant went down with a significant foot injury.  All was not lost though, as the Thunder still had a brilliant point guard in Russell Westbrook.  Westbrook was proving he was up to the task of being the main scoring option until he also went down with a broken hand.  The injury bug has certainly hit hard for Oklahoma City who is now left with just seven available players for next game.

There is a small bright side to the injuries.  After the third game they are allowed to sign an additional player to fill one of the roster spots while the others are out.  Shortly after they will be allowed to add a second player to fill in for Westbrook.  This is a roster exception in place for teams that endure many extended injuries.  It should allow them to have their roster back to nine while waiting for the troops to return.  The injuries will also allow ample opportunity for the "supporting cast" to step up and gain experience.  Perry Jones has been the main benefactor from this as he's put up two big games to start the year.  The extra reps should allow Jones and the other players to gain valuable experience and provide for a deeper bench once the four bigger names return.

Score One for the Kid
Carmello Anthony reached another milestone in his career last night.  In the first quarter against the Charlotte Hornets he received the pass from Shane Larkin for a catch and shoot 3 pointer over Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.  That basket earned him the honor of being in the 20,000 point club solidifying himself in history as one of the most dangerous scorers.  He is now one of 40 players to achieve this milestone and is the sixth youngest player to reach that mark.  Only Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, and Oscar Robertson reached it at a younger age.  He should pass two more players this week and could make it all the way to number 30 on the all time list if he can match last year's output.

Show Me the Money
There were two players who became very happy this past week.  Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors signed new contract extensions that will take into effect after this season.  This marks the first big pay day for both as Rubio received a 4 year $56 mil deal and Thompson is said to have cashed in with a 4 year $70 mil deal. 

Rubio has been a side note in Minnesota the past few years due to the emergence of Kevin Love but he has been very good at point guard.  Last year Rubio finished last season second in assists behind only John Wall and first in the league in steals.  He also proved it was a good deal as the following night he went off for 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and tied a career high with 17 assists.  He should continue to be a force with the young and athletic lineup Minnesota has built.

Klay Thompson did his damage as one of the two Splash Brothers.  He finished second in 3 pointers made behind only his fellow Splash Brother, Steph Curry and was 18th in the league in scoring.  Thompson has grown from a complementary player to a major contributor in his short career which is evident by his big contract.  He, like Rubio, went out and proved it was the correct decision.  He currently leads the league in scoring average with 29.7 points per game including a 41 point explosion the day after signing.  He looks to be a top scoring option and perfect compliment to Curry giving Golden State arguably the best back court for years to come.