Cats in the NBA

[TheC]

NBA preseason has started and our former Cats are already making waves...

Brooks Barnhizer got the start for OKC last night against Dallas. OKC left all their regulars at home because they were on night two of a weird, preseason back to back. Anyway, I watched the first quarter and Brooks held his own. He was guarding wonder boy Cooper Flagg and basically shut him down. No points that I saw in that first quarter for Flagg. Brooks played most of the first quarter and had a driving bucket and a steal I think. I then went to bed. Flagg eventually got 10 points, though they may have come when Brooks was out of the game. The cool thing is that Brooks must have come alive himself as he finished as OKC's leading scorer and rebounder for the night with 16 points and 7 boards. It will be tough for him to break into that loaded roster in OKC, but I have to think people are excited about him and they will look for him to be a depth piece in the future. He has his chance now to make an impression as OKC's first round picks from this year and last are both out with injury. Their 2024 pick is out 6 weeks due to a testicular procedure, so guys... remember to practice gratitude today that your balls are intact.

Pete Nance also shined for Milwaukee. He scored 15 points in only 17 minutes including hitting 4 3-pointers and a two handed flush. He also finished with 3 boards, 2 steals and 2 assists. With his size and athleticism, if he can keep making 3's like that, he may push for some playing time. If you follow NU hoops on Instagram, they are posting highlights clips of Pete's night you can check out.

 

[Username Not Available]

I missed Brooks' game, but from the box score he played 37 minutes with decent stats. I watched the highlights, but you know how those are - it looked like OKC destroyed Dallas when they lost by double digits. It looks like pretty much everyone on Dallas played about 15 minutes. The one sequence they showed of him guarding Flagg, Flagg got by him for an easy score, so that's not great.

 

[TheC]

I missed Brooks' game, but from the box score he played 37 minutes with decent stats. I watched the highlights, but you know how those are - it looked like OKC destroyed Dallas when they lost by double digits. It looks like pretty much everyone on Dallas played about 15 minutes. The one sequence they showed of him guarding Flagg, Flagg got by him for an easy score, so that's not great.

Dallas played most of their roster including Anthony Davis. Kyrie was out. In the first quarter, Brooks was on Flagg and held him scoreless. There was one play where Flagg tried to take him in the paint and Brooks held his own. Flagg tried a couple pump fakes and eventually had to pass the ball back out. Of course, Flagg had at least 3 or 4 inches on him, so I wouldn't expect Brooks to completely shut him out all night. Still, a good debut for BB and probably gave him confidence!

 

[hdhntr1]

NBA preseason has started and our former Cats are already making waves...

Brooks Barnhizer got the start for OKC last night against Dallas. OKC left all their regulars at home because they were on night two of a weird, preseason back to back. Anyway, I watched the first quarter and Brooks held his own. He was guarding wonder boy Cooper Flagg and basically shut him down. No points that I saw in that first quarter for Flagg. Brooks played most of the first quarter and had a driving bucket and a steal I think. I then went to bed. Flagg eventually got 10 points, though they may have come when Brooks was out of the game. The cool thing is that Brooks must have come alive himself as he finished as OKC's leading scorer and rebounder for the night with 16 points and 7 boards. It will be tough for him to break into that loaded roster in OKC, but I have to think people are excited about him and they will look for him to be a depth piece in the future. He has his chance now to make an impression as OKC's first round picks from this year and last are both out with injury. Their 2024 pick is out 6 weeks due to a testicular procedure, so guys... remember to practice gratitude today that your balls are intact.

Pete Nance also shined for Milwaukee. He scored 15 points in only 17 minutes including hitting 4 3-pointers and a two handed flush. He also finished with 3 boards, 2 steals and 2 assists. With his size and athleticism, if he can keep making 3's like that, he may push for some playing time. If you follow NU hoops on Instagram, they are posting highlights clips of Pete's night you can check out.

Saw Spencer playing the other night the other night for Golden State

 

[GatoLouco]

MK also played yesterday!

 

[TheC]

9 points, 3 boards, 3 assists and a +11 for Brooks in 26 minutes off the bench in preseason Game 3 for OKC. He was the most used sub off the bench. I still think his destiny is the G league this year, but I bet the OKC brain trust really likes him.

 

[Username Not Available]

That's how I read it as well. Unless the injury bug strikes the forwards, Brooks is G league bound. But the coaches are very comfortable putting him on the court, knowing what he brings.

 

[TheC]

Double-double for Brooks on Saturday. 16 points and 11 boards!

 

[Username Not Available]

I was able to watch that game and Brooks played pretty well, he ate two embarrassing blocks and missed three free throws, but other than that he looked like one of the better guys on the floor most of the night. OKC's shooting was just horrendous and they were doing a lot of individual showboating and playing hero ball - and naturally got slaughtered by the Pacers as a result, but Brooks wasn't part of the stupid.

Next game is tomorrow and I'm hoping Brooks gets another 38 minutes on the court!

 

[TheC]

Very interesting game last night as Brooks' Thunder faced off against Pete's Bucks. OKC took the win, but the most exciting part was that despite OKC playing most of their regular lineup, Brooks still got the most minutes off the bench with 28. He went on to record a double-double in those 28 minutes with 10 points and 12 boards!! Add in a couple steals and a couple assists and once again, he was all over the stat sheet. Pete only played 7 minutes and hitting 1 three-pointer and pulling down 2 boards. That three, however, was at a crucial moment in the game as it cut the OKC lead to two with 30 seconds left.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Brooks getting lots of minutes as coach is not decided yet about whether they roster him

 

[Username Not Available]

 

[SteelCityCat]

3 cats on nba rosters. When was the last time that happened (if ever)?

 

[JournCat]

Beautiful words from Mike Tirico in the first quarter: “the rookie out of Northwestern”

 

[docrugby1]

I looked up OKC roster and Barnhizer was not listed but was a designated 2-way , so I did not watch the start of the game

 

[Username Not Available]

Two minutes, no stats, as of the last minute in the third quarter.

 

[NU Houston]

Two minutes, no stats, as of the last minute in the third quarter.

He played a couple of minutes at the end of the first quarter. That's it. Didn't get a touch on offense, as he was positioned in the corner. He'll need to be a solid NBA 3-point shooter in that role. He played decent on defense. It'll be an adjustment defending against NBA size and athleticism. The Rockets' starting five tonight averaged 6'10".

Welcome to the pros, Brooks!

 

[TheC]

He played a couple of minutes at the end of the first quarter. That's it. Didn't get a touch on offense, as he was positioned in the corner. He'll need to be a solid NBA 3-point shooter in that role. He played decent on defense. It'll be an adjustment defending against NBA size and athleticism. The Rockets' starting five tonight averaged 6'10".

Welcome to the pros, Brooks!

I didn't see it. Was there quick foul trouble for somebody? Or was this just a case of a coach thinking long term and wanting to give him a quick taste without really influencing the overall direction of the game?

 

[NU Houston]

I didn't see it. Was there quick foul trouble for somebody? Or was this just a case of a coach thinking long term and wanting to give him a quick taste without really influencing the overall direction of the game?

Nope, not a situation where one of the starters was in foul trouble. Perhaps the OKC coach simply predicted that the game would go to double OT and that some of the players would need to rest.

Seriously though, the announcers on TV were surprised to see Brooks on the court and said something to the effect that it showed the "out of the box" thinking by the OKC coach.

It was fun to see Brooks play last night, and the game itself was very exciting, even though the Rockets lost. I don't understand people saying that the NBA is boring. I'll also point out that SGA hit a bunch of mid-range jumpers (not three pointers), including one to tie the game at the end of regulation.

 

[GatoLouco]

He played a couple of minutes at the end of the first quarter. That's it. Didn't get a touch on offense, as he was positioned in the corner. He'll need to be a solid NBA 3-point shooter in that role. He played decent on defense. It'll be an adjustment defending against NBA size and athleticism. The Rockets' starting five tonight averaged 6'10".

Welcome to the pros, Brooks!

All true. But, yesterday, improvements needed or not, he was already there, a part of the roster, even if it was just getting up from the bench to play 2 minutes. And not with the Utah Jazz, with the actual champions.

I'd say amazing. My all time favorite cat.

 

[NU Houston]

All true. But he was there, a part of the roster, even getting up from the bench to play 2 minutes. And not with the Utah Jazz, with the actual champions.

I'd say amazing. My all time favorite cat.

I agree! And in the first game of his rookie season!

 

[Username Not Available]

He played a couple of minutes at the end of the first quarter. That's it. Didn't get a touch on offense, as he was positioned in the corner. He'll need to be a solid NBA 3-point shooter in that role. He played decent on defense. It'll be an adjustment defending against NBA size and athleticism. The Rockets' starting five tonight averaged 6'10".

Welcome to the pros, Brooks!

Not to be too snarky, but OKC shot 13 of 52 from three last night so Brooks might not need to improve that much

 

[Donatello Cat]

I agree! And in the first game of his rookie season!

He just scored his first bucket in game 2!

 

[BosCat]

 

[TheC]

I didn't think about the Indiana angle. Extra special! Probably a lot of friends and family there.

 

[Username Not Available]

sorta off topic, but 91 free throws were taken in that game. Just wow.

 

[TheC]

sorta off topic, but 91 free throws were taken in that game. Just wow.

Almost all by SGA

 

[TheC]

With the G League season a week away, it looks like Brooks' time with the Thunder is done for now. He wasn't listed on the roster last night and I imagine he is now practicing with the OKC Blue. Hope we get some more chances to see him in the show this year!

 

[Username Not Available]

An interesting note, I've been checking the Thunder's depth chart as shown on ESPN and Brooks was 4th in the power forward line from pre-season until a couple of days ago when he was moved to 3rd, switching places with Deng - but Deng was the one who got the minutes last night along with Wiggins. Youngblood has disappeared from the chart, but played 6 minutes last night.

I don't know the source of ESPN's information, but someone has been updating that chart for some reason.

On a vaguely related note, Topic's 'groin surgery' has now been revealed as chemotheraphy for testicular cancer. He's had a rough couple of years.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

With the G League season a week away, it looks like Brooks' time with the Thunder is done for now. He wasn't listed on the roster last night and I imagine he is now practicing with the OKC Blue. Hope we get some more chances to see him in the show this year!

Given he has already played over 40 minutes in 5 of the Thunder’s 6 games, all wins, including time in close games, I’d be shocked if they don’t use as many of his 50 game allotment as possible, especially when they’ve got back to backs and a lot of games. If he was just there to develop and chill in the G Leaghe for awhile they wouldn’t be playing him real minutes right out the chute. Brooks continues to defy what people say he can and cannot do!

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Given he has already played over 40 minutes in 5 of the Thunder’s 6 games, all wins, including time in close games, I’d be shocked if they don’t use as many of his 50 game allotment as possible, especially when they’ve got back to backs and a lot of games. If he was just there to develop and chill in the G Leaghe for awhile they wouldn’t be playing him real minutes right out the chute. Brooks continues to defy what people say he can and cannot do!

Brooks has continued to play, four more times since this post. He’s now played in 9 of the 10-1 defending champs’ 11 games, including in the in season tournament games. He’s only averaging 5 mpg in his four November games, but he missed the first OKC G League game because he was with the big squad in Sacramento playing 4 minutes in a win. His most recent game was a classic Brooks Barnhizer line in only 7 minutes (other than missing his only shot): 4 rebounds, an assist, and a block.

Honestly at this point they’re gonna have to start figuring out if they plan to elevate him to the full roster since he’s going through his 50 games in no time. They clearly love him.

 

[NUera]

Brooks has continued to play, four more times since this post. He’s now played in 9 of the 10-1 defending champs’ 11 games, including in the in season tournament games. He’s only averaging 5 mpg in his four November games, but he missed the first OKC G League game because he was with the big squad in Sacramento playing 4 minutes in a win. His most recent game was a classic Brooks Barnhizer line in only 7 minutes (other than missing his only shot): 4 rebounds, an assist, and a block.

Honestly at this point they’re gonna have to start figuring out if they plan to elevate him to the full roster since he’s going through his 50 games in no time. They clearly love him.

Maybe someone on here who is a Thunder fan can confirm, but I would imagine that Topic being out with testicular cancer probably opened the door for Brooks.

 

[Deeringfish]

Brooks has continued to play, four more times since this post. He’s now played in 9 of the 10-1 defending champs’ 11 games, including in the in season tournament games. He’s only averaging 5 mpg in his four November games, but he missed the first OKC G League game because he was with the big squad in Sacramento playing 4 minutes in a win. His most recent game was a classic Brooks Barnhizer line in only 7 minutes (other than missing his only shot): 4 rebounds, an assist, and a block.

Honestly at this point they’re gonna have to start figuring out if they plan to elevate him to the full roster since he’s going through his 50 games in no time. They clearly love him.

He is probably gold in practice too. Studies the other team knows how to imitate the opposition.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Maybe someone on here who is a Thunder fan can confirm, but I would imagine that Topic being out with testicular cancer probably opened the door for Brooks.

Isn't Topic a PG?

 

[SteelCityCat]

Warriors play the Thunder tomorrow. Will be interesting to see if Spencer and Brooks get on the floor at the same time. Spencer had 23 minutes and 10 points on Friday. Assume Curry being out was a factor

 

[Catreporter]

Barnhizer scratched the scoresheet for four points and three boards in OKC's blowout win over Golden State. Great to be able to follow a Cat in the NBA. (I know Spencer is there too but he only spent one year here).

 

[NJCat]

Barnhizer scratched the scoresheet for four points and three boards in OKC's blowout win over Golden State. Great to be able to follow a Cat in the NBA. (I know Spencer is there too but he only spent one year here).

Pat is NU's only "One-and-Done" NBA player.

 

[Catreporter]

More PT for Brooks last night in another OKC rout (2pts and 2 reb) He is getting some nice experience at the next level.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

Barnhizer scratched the scoresheet for four points and three boards in OKC's blowout win over Golden State. Great to be able to follow a Cat in the NBA. (I know Spencer is there too but he only spent one year here).

Only one year but his only bball year, right? It's not like he spent 4 years playing bball elsewhere