Sep 27, 2013; Deerfield, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (1), center Joakim Noah (13) and head coach Tom Thibodeau pose for a photo during media day at the Berto Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
NBA MEDIA DAY IS UPON US…hide the kids.
Yes, it’s that time of year again, the NBA season is right around the corner. First things first, Media day. Here are some of the highlights of the day from Chicago, Oklahoma City and Indiana:
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
Kevin Durant addressed his “diss” of Dwyane Wade one more time…
"“Dwyane Wade is a great, great player, man,” Durant said. “I’m not discrediting anything he’s done or nothing like that. I just voiced my opinion. He’s a great, great player. Finals MVP and champion. I didn’t mean to disrespect that or take that away or anything. I just voiced my opinion as of today. I love you D-Wade, man. It’s just competition.”[Royce Young]"
Thabo Sefolosha made a changed.
Thabo Sefolosha has changed his number to 25 for this season. Says it was just "time for change."
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) September 27, 2013
Thabo to the fans that had No. 2 jerseys: "Sorry to the 19 people that had No. 2."
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) September 27, 2013
Jeremy Lamb will be better.
Kevin Durant: "Jeremy Lamb has been looking great. You can really tell he's been working."
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) September 27, 2013
Kendrick Perkins is honest with himself, too bad honesty doesn’t come with decent post moves…
Perk on his offseason work: "The first step is you just gotta be honest with yourself and look yourself in the mirror."
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) September 27, 2013
Serge Ibaka wants to expand his game.
Ibaka: "I've been working a lot at putting the ball on the floor and my post moves."
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) September 27, 2013
INDIANA PACERS
Roy Hibbert will be bigger.
George Hill states the obvious, just in case we didn’t know.
Frank Vogel isn’t dialing back expectations. Bring on the pressure.
The Pacers want home court.
Paul George worked on his 1-on-1 game this summer.
Danny Granger doesn’t mind coming off the bench.
CHICAGO BULLS
Derrick Rose will play in every preseason game.
Bulls GM Gar Forman said he's hopeful Derrick Rose plays in each preseason game.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) September 27, 2013
Though, he may have a restriction on minutes.
Tom Thibodeau on DRose: "He’s made it clear to me that he doesn’t want big restrictions. But as I told him, we’ll have to wait and see."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) September 27, 2013
Omer Asik is going to be something to watch as the season progresses.
Rockets C Omer Asik on offseason trade demand: "I have no comment on that, I'm just here to do my job."
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) September 27, 2013
Bulls sucking up to Luol Deng.
Tom Thibodeau on Luol Deng: 'I don’t think you can win a championship without a player like Luol."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) September 27, 2013
Proof Derrick Rose will actually play this season.
Can't wait until we have a game to talk about. pic.twitter.com/0OmAmfWGGY
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) September 27, 2013
Rose says he’s still going to be Derrick Rose.
DRose: "I think I’m going to play the same way." #Bulls
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) September 27, 2013
Rose confirms reports that he’s added range to his jumper.
DRose: "I can shoot a little further." But can he make? #Bulls
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) September 27, 2013