What might August be on the NBA calendar — other than an invitation for dreaded redrafts and for fanbases to mindlessly clash — if not for the league’s schedule release? The matchups. The storylines. The anticipation. All tangible, even while being two months from regular season NBA action. With plenty to dissect, The Oklahoman’s Thunder beat writer Joel Lorenzi and columnist Joe Mussatto picked apart the Thunder’s 82-game slate for the most important footnotes on the newest episode of Thunder B...
Aug 26, 2024•27 min
The Thunder added Gordon Hayward at the trade deadline Thursday. Beat writer Joel Lorenzi and columnist Joe Mussatto break down the deal.
Feb 09, 2024•35 min
Thunder beat writer Joel Lorenzi and columnist Joe Mussatto recap the Thunder's extended road trip and look back on the 2022 NBA Draft. Where would Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams go today?
Jan 24, 2024•35 min
Thunder beat writer Joel Lorenzi and columnist Joe Mussatto grade the Thunder's top-eight rotation players through the halfway mark of the season.
Jan 17, 2024•47 min
Thunder beat writer Joel Lorenzi and columnist Joe Mussatto recap the Thunder's East Coast trip, talk Aaron Wiggins' value and discuss the Ringer's updated player rankings.
Jan 10, 2024•40 min
Thunder beat writer Joel Lorenzi and columnist Joe Mussatto recap the Thunder's loss in Atlanta and make some rest-of-season predictions for OKC
Jan 05, 2024•46 min
Thunder beat writer Joel Lorenzi and columnist Joe Mussatto talk OKC's tough January schedule and ask the question: Do the Thunder need to make a trade?
Jan 03, 2024•27 min
Thunder beat writer Joel Lorenzi and columnist Joe Mussatto talk Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's game-winner in Denver, Chet Holmgren's place among rookie greats and where SGA ranks in the MVP race.
Dec 18, 2023•34 min
Oklahoma City residents voted yes Tuesday night to fund a new downtown arena. Thunder beat writer Joel Lorenzi and columnist Joe Mussatto break down the vote, what it means and what happens next. They also discuss their favorite arenas in the NBA.
Dec 13, 2023•31 min
Thunder beat writer Joel Lorenzi and columnist Joe Mussatto recap the Thunder's loss in Houston, Josh Giddey's ongoing struggles and what might change with OKC's guard rotation.
Dec 07, 2023•27 min
Meet Joel Lorenzi, The Oklahoman's new Thunder beat writer. Joel and columnist Joe Mussatto talk Joel's background, his early Thunder thoughts, his reporting on Josh Giddey and more.
Nov 30, 2023•37 min
After 95 incredibly fun podcasts, Michael Martin will be hosting his last Thunder Buddies podcast today. Michael explains what is going down, the timeline of events and what is up next for him. The Thunder Buddies: Joe Mussatto and Michael Martin then break down their most interesting storylines ahead of Sam Presti’s media availability and Thunder media day. Then to wrap things up on this chapter, Joe and Michael reminisce on the fun times they have had together over the past 9 months, some funn...
Sep 26, 2023•40 min
You all had questions and we had answers! The Thunder Buddies: Joe Mussatto and Michael Martin have a special mailbag pod with questions from all of you great listeners. We discuss rotation staples, possible trades, Shai’s writing skills, best-case scenarios for next season and more! For more Thunder Buddies Podcast updates, Thunder news, highlights and more make sure to follow @ThunderBudPod on Twitter! Also make sure to rate the show 5 stars along with a review on Apple, Spotify or wherever yo...
Sep 19, 2023•45 min
Today the Thunder Buddies are joined by a familiar face under a new title! Joe Mussatto, now a sports columnist, is back on the pod with Michael Martin and ready to talk Thunder basketball. Kicking things off we discussed the new Thunder arena announcements/news that came out on Tuesday night, what it means and more. Then the Thunder Buddies give their final thoughts on FIBA Shai along with a historical comparison of SGA’s run to Kevin Durant’s play in the 2010 World Cup. For more Thunder Buddie...
Sep 15, 2023•43 min
The Canadians made history this weekend lead by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as they beat Team USA for the bronze medal in FIBA basketball. This is the first FIBA medal for Canada ever and their first medal in men’s basketball since the 1936 Olympics. Michael Martin is riding solo on this bite-sized pod breaking down Shai’s FIBA performance, Team Canada’s win, how different players, coaches and media members have reacted to Shai’s recent play and finally Shai’s standing in the league and how it helps...
Sep 12, 2023•23 min
While most Thunder fans were sound asleep, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort and Team Canada were in FIBA action against Serbia across the globe. The Canadians came up short, but Michael Martin and guest Rylan Stiles have all the info and breakdown from the game. Then we pivot to the future and preview Canada taking on Team USA for the bronze medal, how Shai matches up with Anthony Edwards, Shai on the big stage, what a win could mean for Canada and more! For more Thunder Buddies Podcast updates,...
Sep 08, 2023•41 min
The 2018 NBA Draft battle is going overseas as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Team Canada will take on Luka Doncic and Team Slovenia. We have a short preview of the game and how they have matched up against each other in the NBA since Shai was traded to OKC. Next up is a really fun exercise of “Right team, wrong time” Thunder players. The Thunder Buddies: Joe Mussatto and Michael Martin go into the time machine and take different past and present Thunder players and drop them into teams before or a...
Sep 05, 2023•37 min
The NBA is the sport that never sleeps. Earlier this week a rumor/report came out from an anonymous Western Conference executive claiming the Thunder are in the best position to go after Giannis if they want to. The Thunder Buddies: Joe Mussatto and Michael Martin break down the news, what it means, is it real and more. Then to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of the Thunder’s name reveal we ranked and drafted our top 15 Thunder players ever. Who is in your top 15? For more Thunder Buddies Podc...
Sep 01, 2023•56 min
We have real actual basketball to talk about! The FIBA World Cup is in group play. Team Canada was in action earlier this morning led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and even earlier Josh Giddey led the Boomers and Team Australia to a win over Japan. Then the Thunder Buddies: Joe Mussatto and Michael Martin fantasy draft FIBA players to build the best teams possible for international/FIBA basketball rules. For more Thunder Buddies Podcast updates, Thunder news, highlights and more make sure to follow...
Aug 29, 2023•43 min
Today on the Thunder Buddies: Michael Martin, Derek Parker, Rylan Stiles and Clemente Almanza have assembled like Voltron to give out some wild and fun, “would you rather” Thunder questions going into the 2023-2024 season. A unique pod for sure where the four get into some fun questions and discuss some expectations for next season. For more Thunder Buddies Podcast updates, Thunder news, highlights and more make sure to follow @ThunderBudPod on Twitter! Also make sure to rate the show 5 stars on...
Aug 28, 2023•34 min
Today on the Thunder Buddies: Michael Martin, Derek Parker, Rylan Stiles and Clemente Almanza have assembled like voltron to give out their best, “would you rather” Thunder questions going into the 2023-2024 season. A fun one for sure where the four get into some fun questions and discuss some expectations for next season. For more Thunder Buddies Podcast updates, Thunder news, highlights and more make sure to follow @ThunderBudPod on Twitter! Also make sure to rate the show 5 stars on Apple, Sp...
Aug 25, 2023•39 min
The Thunder roster crunch has been the topic of the summer in OKC. Earlier this week the Thunder cut ties with two former Houston Rocket first-round picks in TyTy Washington and Usman Garuba. The Thunder Buddies: Joe Mussatto and Michael Martin break down the news, when it happened and why we feel like this may have happened. Then it's trivia time! Michael has around 15 or so fun Thunder trivia-style questions and we will see how sharp Joe’s random niche knowledge is coming off vacation! For mor...
Aug 23, 2023•38 min
Yesterday was a big day on the NBA calendar! It was schedule release day! Now we know the exact time and date of every Oklahoma City Thunder game in 2023-2024. Today on the Thunder Buddies: Michael Martin is joined by Brandon Rahbar of Daily Thunder to discuss and break down the top 5 Thunder games we are looking forward to most this season. For more Thunder Buddies Podcast updates, Thunder news, highlights and more make sure to follow @ThunderBudPod on Twitter! Also make sure to rate the show 5...
Aug 18, 2023•45 min
For this edition of the Thunder Buddies a special guest joined us: James Edwards III of the Athletic who is a senior NBA writer, Detroit Pistons reporter and podcaster. We get a different perspective on Thunder’s core from an outside source with his finger on the pulse of the NBA. A ton of fun in this one breaking down Shai’s status in the NBA, the Dort dilemma, Giddey’s ceiling, previewing Chet’s rookie season, JDub looking to take a second leap, Cade Cunnigham's return to the floor and finally...
Aug 15, 2023•51 min
We needed questions and you all came through! So it's only appropriate we answered as many as we could! The Thunder Buddies: Joe Mussatto and Michael Martin answer and discuss your great questions about the Thunder, the NBA and more! For more Thunder Buddies Podcast updates, Thunder news, highlights and more make sure to follow @ThunderBudPod on Twitter! Host: Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) Analyst: Joe Mussatto (@Joe_Mussatto) Producer: Michael Martin...
Aug 08, 2023•57 min
I hope I am not shocking or surprising anyone by asking this, but did you know the Thunder have a roster crunch and need to cut down some numbers? It seems with all the roster crunch talk it is always talking about the cases against these guys to stay on the roster. In this episode, we decided to flip this idea on its head! Michael Martin is joined by a special guest: Alex Speers of the Athletic’s NBA Saturday Morning Slam and Jam and Down to Dunk to help make the case for the Thunder underdogs....
Aug 04, 2023•54 min
This is NOT a player ranking. Inspired by Bill Simmons' trade value columns, the Thunder Buddies: Joe Mussatto and Michael Martin tier every member of the Thunder roster, explain their reasoning for tiering, how trade value can be measured, contract value and more hypothetical fun! For more Thunder Buddies Podcast updates, Thunder news, highlights and more make sure to follow @ThunderBudPod on Twitter! Host: Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) Analyst: Berry Tramel (@Joe_Mussatto) Producer: Michae...
Aug 01, 2023•1 hr
Don’t forget how the Thunder got here. There is tons of talk about the Thunder’s far away new arena plans and there is already murmuring about the city vote on the plans. The Thunder Buddies: Michael Martin and Berry Tramel breakdown more arena news, the history of NBA teams relocating and their reason for leaving. Then we dive into the comparisons that we should not make between Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembenyama along with any other comps for Chet. Lastly we discuss the current big man renais...
Jul 28, 2023•48 min
First Danillo Galinari, Mike Muscala, Eugene Omoruyi and now Jared Butler? It feels like there's a recent Thunder migration to the Washington Wizards. The Thunder Buddies: Joe Mussatto and Michael Martin have all the Butler news, why this happened and more. Then we get into some Q&A fun with questions coming from the beautiful people who listen to this podcast and read Joe’s work at the Oklahoman! For more Thunder Buddies Podcast updates, Thunder news, highlights and more make sure to follow...
Jul 25, 2023•52 min
Yesterday Mayor David Holt made a big announcement pushing forward momentum on a new downtown arena that would be the home for the Thunder. The Thunder Buddies: Joe Mussatto and Michael Martin breakdown all the new arena news, why this is happening, why now, what does this mean for OKC, the Thunder’s involvement, big picture things and finally we discuss Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren joining the Team USA select and how this experience could help both guys going into next season. For more Thun...
Jul 21, 2023•46 min
