SG Daequan Cook (Ironi Hai Motors Nes-Ziona - Israel)

[Buckskin86]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btz1gZxKLVU]YouTube - The Story of the Thad Five Recruiting Class[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

Catching Up With Daequan Cook

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Newly acquired guard Daequan Cook is in town to workout with -- and root for -- his new teammates.

In a quick interview before the Thunder faced the 76ers on Wednesday, Cook, whom the Thunder acquired from the Miami Heat in a draft-day trade, said he's adjusting well to his new surroundings. The Ohio State product, about to enter his third NBA season, has averaged 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 35.8 percent shooting from behind the arc in his career. He won the 2009 Three-Point Shootout at All-Star Weekend in Phoenix.

So, what brings you to Orlando?

?I?ve just been working out with KD (Kevin Durant) in the mornings. I just came over from Miami last night to work out today, tomorrow and Friday with KD.?

What?s your impressions of some of your new teammates?

?They?re real great guys. They?re around my age group, which makes it even better. We all know each other from the AAU circuit to college basketball to now, so it makes it a lot easier for me to be a lot more comfortable with the guys.?

Is it important to be here?

?It?s important to show my support to my teammates, the ones that are going to be on the floor with me at times and make sure I uplift them, especially James (Harden), knowing that he?s a great shooter and all the things that he can do. I?m always giving encouraging words to him.?

What are your early impressions of the Thunder organization?

?The organization is great and the players, you get a great vibe from them. Everything?s about the team, which is important for a young group. Everything that we do as a team is together, which is very important.?

In what ways can you help this team?

?I want to help them with my shooting, my maturity. I know the game pretty well, playing in the NBA for three years. I?m kind of a veteran on the team to a couple of guys who are only one or two years in and I can help them get through the season also.?

THUNDER: Catching Up With Daequan Cook

 

[Wingate1217]

YouTube - The Story of the Thad Five Recruiting Class

I just watched this piece and it was pretty good other than the fact that they interviewed Thad and the headline read "former Ohio State Coach".....

 

[ScriptOhio]

Seems like a smart trade for the Heat to me. Would you rather have Cook and the 18th pick or have the available money to be able to sign two stud free agents? Not a difficult decision.

Today it looks like THREE stud free agents. No not a difficult decision at all especially if one of the stud free agents is named LeBron.

 

[Buckskin86]

Where will Daequan Cook and Morris Peterson get minutes?
The Thunder's backcourt seems to be jam-packed, but Daequan Cook and Mo Peterson can both help as specialists.
By Darnell Mayberry
Oklahoman
Published: July 14, 2010

The Thunder needed shooters.

And so general manager Sam Presti went out and found two of them.

Where will Daequan Cook and Morris Peterson get minutes? Now, will Morris Peterson and Daequan Cook be able to make an impact?

Cook, acquired from Miami along with the 18th overall pick in the 2010 draft, is a career 35.8 percent 3-point shooter. Peterson, a 10-year veteran who came over in the trade with New Orleans that brought No. 11 overall pick Cole Aldrich, has shot 37.4 percent from 3-point range for his career.

Only Kevin Durant (36.5 percent) and James Harden (37.5 percent) shot a better percentage from behind the 3-point line last season than Cook and Peterson have for their careers. The Thunder ranked 25th among the league's 30 teams in 3-point percentage at just 34 percent.

But Cook and Peterson are joining a jam-packed backcourt that features incumbent starting shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha and emerging second-year swingman James Harden. The Thunder also has versatile forward Kevin Durant and point guard Russell Westbrook, both of whom can play minutes at shooting guard.

So where do Cook and Peterson fit?

The answer, for now at least and barring significant injuries, seems to be as specialists. With the Thunder committed to developing its young talent, Peterson and Cook appear to be long shots to remain on the roster past 2010-11. The Thunder, though, could use both in certain game situations, most notably the end of games, the point in the game that OKC struggled so much last season.

"I'm one of the premier shooters in this league now,? Cook said. "I can help a lot.?

Read more: Where will Daequan Cook and Morris Peterson get minutes? | NewsOK.com

Daequan Cook (traded to Thunder): He?s not a hopeless case, and joining the kiddie corps in Oklahoma City might rejuvenate him. He just lost all confidence here. The question is playing time. Eric Maynor will get major minutes behind ? and maybe even with ? Russell Westbrook. And James Harden is on course to get a much bigger role at the two-guard.

How will former Heat players fare in new homes? – Ethan Skolnick's Season Ticket – Sun-Sentinel

 

[Buckskin86]

New Oklahoma City Thunder guard Daequan Cook looking to settle into his new surroundings
Daequan Cook says he's more than just a perimeter shooter, and he's working to improve on other aspects of his game.
By Darnell Mayberry Oklahoman
Published: July 28, 2010

The final tally is up for debate, but unofficially Daequan Cook registered more blocked shots in one hour Tuesday than he has throughout his three-year NBA career.

New Oklahoma City Thunder guard Daequan Cook looking to settle into his new surroundings

As the Thunder shooting guard manned the middle against miniscule campers at the Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County, he swatted shot after shot during a layup drill pitting novice pups against NBA player. One lad had his stuff thrown three times on one play.

"I just came back from working out, so I was still kind of loose,? Cook explained. "They actually were getting a little aggressive on me, so I had to step up my game a little bit, too.?

With a fresh start in Oklahoma City, the 23-year-old Cook is all about expanding his game.

Since being selected 21st overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, Cook has been tagged as strictly a shooter. His 759 3-point attempts account for more than half of his total field-goal tries. And before being traded to the Thunder last month, Cook logged just 29 blocks during his three seasons with the Heat.

So could you really blame him for brutally rejecting overmatched kids, aged 5 to 16, like the schoolyard bully?

"Playing in Miami, my skills weren't expanded as much as I know they can be because you have a guy in Dwyane Wade who had a lot of attention and the ball was with him most of the time,? Cook said. "But here, I'm going to get an opportunity to expand my game. I'm more than just a shooter and I've always been. So it's just important for me to work on those things and get back into the habit of doing the things I was doing.?

Read more: New Oklahoma City Thunder guard Daequan Cook looking to settle into his new surroundings | NewsOK.com

Dumped by Miami, Daequan Cook driven to be more than standstill shooter for Thunder
By Jeff Latzke (CP)

OKLAHOMA CITY ? When Daequan Cook got shipped away by the Miami Heat, he didn't realize the extent of what his former team was about to put together.

In an under-the-radar move the day before the NBA draft last month, the Heat dealt Cook and a first-round draft pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a deal that helped pave the way for the all-star trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to unite on South Beach.

"It's funny because nowadays people make jokes about how I got traded," Cook said Tuesday in his first public appearance in Oklahoma City. "At least I know I got traded for LeBron James."

The Canadian Press: Dumped by Miami, Daequan Cook driven to be more than standstill shooter for Thunder

Cook Aims to Help Thunder On Court, In the Community
By CHRIS SILVA | THUNDER.NBA.COM

It?s already known that the Thunder acquired a player with a knack for long-distance shooting in Daequan Cook; the 23-year-old guard won the Three-Point Shootout during the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend.

But what you might not know about Cook is that he also enjoys being out in the community, so much so that he was the recipient of the NBA?s Community Assist Award for the 2009 offseason.

So it really wasn?t a surprise to know when Cook showed up at a local Boys & Girls Club for a Thunder Youth Basketball Camp on Tuesday afternoon, he hadn?t even been in town for 24 hours.

The Thunder guard, acquired from the Miami Heat on the eve of last month?s NBA Draft, participated in drills, high-fived campers, signed autographs and posed for pictures.

?It?s very important for me,? Cook said of being out in the community. "Playing behind guys like Dwyane (Wade), Udonis (Haslem) and Alonzo Mourning, guys that always gave back to the community, I want to do the same thing not just in my own community, but the community I play in. It?s important because you?ve got a lot of young kids that look up to us and I can answer a lot of questions and also be around some kids who have never been around professional athletes.?

THUNDER: Cook Aims to Help Thunder On Court, In the Community

 

[Buckskin86]

Daequan Cook was at a water park near Cincinnati, lazily floating down a man-made river, when he got the news.

"I didn't have my phone," he said, "but one of my friends had his and he happened to be looking on the Internet and he said I got traded, which I didn't believe. I'm like, 'No, that's not true.'"

But it was.

Twenty minutes later, Cook retrieved his phone from his car, saw he had messages from his mom and his agent, and confirmed what had been rumored for a while: that he was a casualty of the Miami Heat's ambition to make room under the NBA salary cap for free agents Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh. The Heat shipped him to Oklahoma City on June 23.

It felt funny to be traded for the first time, said Cook, who played three seasons in Miami. But it also felt good.

"I was put in an opportunity where I can show off my talent again," he said.

Having that opportunity never has been more important than this year, not only for Cook but also for his former Ohio State teammates Mike Conley Jr. and Greg Oden.

All three left for the NBA after one magical season in which they helped the Buckeyes go 35-4 and reach the 2007 NCAA championship game. All three are preparing for their fourth pro seasons - their "contract year," in Cook's words.

This is the last year of their rookie contracts with the teams that drafted them. Unless they sign extensions with their current team by Oct. 31, they will become free agents after the season - "restricted" if their current team makes them a qualifying offer by June 30, "unrestricted" if it doesn't.

"I've got to go out there with a mind-set that there's a lot on the line," Cook said.

There is for all three.

Second chance with Thunder

Cook's NBA career might be on the thinnest ice heading into his first season in Oklahoma City.

Coming off a second season in which he led the Heat in three-point field goals and ranked second in three-point percentage (and won the three-point shooting contest during the league's All-Star weekend), Cook regressed last season and fell out of favor with coach Erik Spoelstra. He played in only five of the Heat's last 27 games, for a total of 15 minutes.

Although the team said after the season that a nagging shoulder injury was a factor in his decline, Cook said last week that it was not. He is confident his stroke will return - "I've always been a shooter" - and said he has spent the offseason trying to add other dimensions to his game.

"It's not hard for me to know that relying on my jump shot 100 percent of the time is not going to get me where I need to get," Cook said. "I've got to really expand my game and show the coaches I can do more than just stand out there and shoot a jump shot.

"Everything I do from here on out has to be at the top of my game."

NBA: Buckeyes playing for a contract | BuckeyeXtra

 

[Buckskin86]

Daequan Cook Riding Old School
Posted by Darnell Mayberry
on September 28, 2010M

On a nice day, this pretty blue slab is sure to make you do a double take if seen around the metro. And once you get past the vehicle?s beauty, you might notice that the driver is none other than new Thunder guard Daequan Cook.

Ask Cook about his wheels, in this instance his ?69 Buick LeSabre, and it quickly becomes clear that he?s quite proud of this ride.

?That?s not an every day car. It?s an old-school,? Cook said. ?On good days?I will drive it when the sun?s out. And when it?s feeling pretty good I?ll drive it.?

Cook admits that he?s not a collector but enjoys taking this puppy for a spin.

?I?m not really into cars (that much),? Cook said. ?That?s just a car that?s been around for awhile for me now.?

I?m not sure what else Cook has in the garage, but I?d like to soon find out. Judging by this bad boy, Cook has a nice taste in automobiles, with a flare for punching it up just enough without going over the top.

http://blog.newsok.com/thunderrumblings/2010/09/28/daequan-cook-riding-old-school/

 

[naptownbuck]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxPmrQq9A10"]YouTube - Catching up with Daequan Cook[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

Cook still not close to returning
Daequan Cook participated in more drills during Thursday's practice and continues to progress from a concussion he sustained last week in practice. But Cook said Thursday that he doesn't expect to make his Thunder debut in the near future.

Cook will not be in the lineup tonight against the Heat, and he said he is doubtful for Tuesday's game against Memphis in Tulsa. Cook could make his debut against CSKA Moscow in Oklahoma City on Thursday, he said, but the team's coaches and training staff must first be comfortable with him in practices.

Read more: http://newsok.com/thunder-notebook/article/3502411#ixzz11lmVVQmr

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6nO1XtocFc"]YouTube - Mullens & Cook Media Day interviews[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

Five questions with Daequan Cook

Oklahoman Comment on this article 0
Published: October 12, 2010

Daequan Cook
→Explain what it's like to have a concussion.

"It's tough. Dizzy. Headaches. Light bothers you a lot. You've got to stay in the dark, which makes you tired. Can't play the game and things I'm normally doing. Those days were very tough.?

→Were you tempted to lie to the doctors so you could get back out on the court?

"No, I didn't lie. There wasn't a reason to. The important thing with the trainer was, 'We don't have to rush it. It's preseason. We'll get you back as soon as possible,' so I was doing the things I need to do to get myself back.?

→How does a guy miss nine days of practice with a concussion and then enter an exhibition game against his former team and hit his first four 3-pointers (with one waved off because of an offensive foul)?

"The day before, I actually had a chance to practice, get a little wind, get a lot of shots up, which is very important. I went from there.?

→You were traded away from Miami during the offseason. Were any words exchanged between you and your former teammates during last Friday's game?

"When I played with the Heat, I was a real big jokester. I kept the locker room laughing and that's what they were trying to do to me when I was at the offensive end or defending. They were just making jokes. D-Wade (Dwyane Wade) or Carlos (Arroyo) were making jokes that I used to always make when I was on the team.?

→How tough is it to not think, "I could still be with the Heat with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh??

"It's not tough at all. I'm in a great position now. The Heat is what they are now, but I'm here in Oklahoma City and I feel comfortable, playing with a great group of young guys who are up-and-coming, especially in the West. It just feels good to be on this team.?

Read more: http://newsok.com/five-questions/article/3503709#ixzz12971EX3d

 

[ScriptOhio]

→How tough is it to not think, "I could still be with the Heat with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh??"It's not tough at all. I'm in a great position now. The Heat is what they are now, but I'm here in Oklahoma City and I feel comfortable, playing with a great group of young guys who are up-and-coming, especially in the West. It just feels good to be on this team.?​

Read more: http://newsok.com/five-questions/article/3503709#ixzz1298fgL00​

That question is a "no brainer". ​

1. Even if he would rather still be with he Heat (which I'm sure he wouldn't) he is not going to "disrespect" the Thunder (his current team) and say so.​

2. The Thunder is a up-and-coming team and they (probably) have the 3rd best player in the NBA in Durant (behind LeBron & Kobe). They also have a real good point guard in Westbrook. If you look at their roster a good shooting guard like Cook may be exactly what they need to reach the next level.​

3. I'm sure he wants more playing time and to prove himself. Why would he want to be with he Heat? Which one of the big three is he going to beat out for more playing time and/or salary increases (when his contract is up)? ​

 

[Buckskin86]

Kevin Durant: Watch out for Thunder's Daequan Cook
Thunder notebook: All-Star says new shooting guard is ready to shine
Oklahoman
Published: October 27, 2010

Which teammate intrigues Durant?
The spotlight has shone on Thunder All-Star small forward Kevin Durant the entire offseason, for everything from becoming the youngest NBA scoring champ, to being MVP on the gold-medal-winning Team USA at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey, to being this year's projected league MVP, to leading the Thunder to new heights in the postseason.

But who on the Thunder roster is Durant excited about? Which teammate does he believe might surprise people?

His answer was shooting guard Daequan Cook, who was acquired from Miami last June along with the No. 18 draft choice in a salary dump move by the Heat in exchange for the 32nd pick.

"People kind of forgot about him,? Durant said of the 23-year-old Cook. "I think he's ready. Preseason, he's shown flashes. He'd stay in the game 12-13 minutes and put up 14-16 points. That's what we're going to need coming off the bench on offense. On defense, he brings it, too. People forgot about him, I think during the season they're going to know who he is.?

Thunder coach Scott Brooks said Cook "brings a tremendous shot to our team. He has the ability to make 3s and make them in bunches. It remains to be seen how much playing time he will get. We have a good team with a lot of good pieces. We're deep in a lot of positions, so guys that don't play, it's not because they can't play. There's only so many minutes to go around. Daequan brings something to our team that we like. He can spread the floor and make shots.?

Read more: http://newsok.com/thunder-notebook/article/3508393#ixzz13Yoe7mvr

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

0 points (0-4 from the field, all 3-pointers), 2 rebounds, 2 assists in 18 minutes of a victory over Chicago.

 

[Buckskin86]

NO GUARANTEES FOR COOK

On Saturday, guard Daequan Cook received his first playing time since Nov. 12. He missed his only two field goals, both of them 3-pointers, but his 9 minutes, 42 seconds marked the first time since Nov. 4 that he logged more than five minutes.

?He's had about two weeks of great practices,? Brooks said. ?And it was just to reward him. I wasn't planning on playing him, but the game told me that he deserved an opportunity?It wouldn't be fair for me to just continue to not look (at him) and address it. I thought he's been terrific in practice. He's kept a great attitude all year long.?

Read more: http://newsok.com/thunder-notebook-...from-bad-habits/article/3534873#ixzz1BxQRnqBM