Friday Bolts – 7.10.09

The Las Vegas Summer League starts today, but Oklahoma City doesn’t play until Sunday. The Thunder do play at 10 a.m. today to wrap up the Orlando Pro Summer League. Russell Westbrook will not be playing, I’ve heard. Let’s just be economical and make this an open thread for the game as well as your typical bolts. (Click HERE to watch the game.)

James Harden says he’s not intimidated by Kobe: “When he starts trying to defend the likes of Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, he may find himself a little more blistered than he thinks. “Kobe is the best player in the world, but he laces up his shoes just like I lace up mine,” Harden said earlier this week. “Sure, I’ll get a welcome-to-the-NBA moment, but it’s just basketball. I’ve played against him before [in the summer]. I won’t be intimidated.”

Susan Bible of HoopsWorld on Robert Vaden: “He’s counting on the Thunder recognizing his value. “Hopefully I can make the final roster,” he shared. “I’m just going out there, trying to play hard, make sure I’m playing good defense because that’s a lot of questions a lot of teams had about me was my defense. Everybody knows I can shoot the ball, so I’m just trying to make sure I can play on that end of the court.”

Darnell Mayberry’s thoughts on yesterday’s action: “Harden is about to enter into the category of, “It’s scary to think this guy is only 19.” Let’s at least get to the preseason before anointing him the next Clyde Drexler. But the question of, “Ricky who?” is definitely beginning to bubble in my brain. And I will also say this, I’m extremely close to handing Harden my preseason prediction for Rookie of the Year. Tyreke Evans is on such a bad team in Sacramento without much else around him that the numbers he could put up might dwarf Harden’s production on a more loaded team.”

Chris Littman says KD is a lock for the 2012 Olympics: “On the wing Michael Redd and Tayshaun Prince are clearly out. Kevin Durant steps in for one of those spots without question. He’d have size to bother opponents and be an excellent second-unit scorer. If you wanted to go with a defensive specialist, you could certainly look at Trevor Ariza. The good thing about him is you wouldn’t be looking for an early commitment like with some of the other stars, so you’d have time to see if he was a one-year wonder and could function outside of Los Angeles. If you strictly wanted to go with a young, rising talent, Danny Granger would slide in nicely to one of these spots.”

Byron Mullens, after the game: “The last few nights, I’ve been having some bad games, and I just went back to the hotel and sat down and prayed about it,” Mullens said. “I knew I was struggling, and my shot wasn’t falling, but today I started the game off right. I hit like a 10-foot shot, and I wasn’t rushing.”

Hey Dante and Galante, evidently Westbrook didn’t mule kick anybody: “I’m told today that Westbrook never made contact with the kid, contrary to the commentary by the broadcast crew of the amiable Dante & Galante. Westbrook, according to other eyewitnesses, unintentionally kicked the goal support and the kid flinched but wasn’t hit.”

Great, great story about how unselfish James Harden is: “James Harden made something perfectly clear when this week began. Even though he was the third overall pick in June’s NBA draft, even though so much usually is expected from a player chosen that high, he would gladly cede the spotlight during Orlando Pro Summer League games. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard said he would make his mark with the Oklahoma City Thunder by doing unselfish things. He would pass to open teammates cutting through the lane. He would defend the pick-and-roll. He’d dive to the floor for loose balls. “I’m not trying to come out here and show my individual game; that’s not the type of player I am,” he said. “Seeing everybody else score makes me happy, especially when we’re winning.”

Ross Siler for TrueHoop on Serge Ibaka: ”There have been momentary miscommunications this week — when Ibaka has to take out the ball, when he misses a play call — but he plays at the right speed for the Thunder and is a fan of the 20-year-old Westbrook. “He likes it a lot because they’re the same age,” Ehambe said. “[Westbrook] plays really hard, he likes running, just like he does. He loves playing with a point guard that runs the floor with him. He loves having a point guard like Russell Westbrook.” Just in case that wasn’t enough, Ibaka interjected, “I’m very happy my team point guard Westbrook.”

Greg Auman of NBA.com: ”In a summer in which three NBA teams — Miami, Atlanta and Charlotte — aren’t fielding Summer League squads, and two others (Philadelphia and New Jersey) are sharing a team, Oklahoma City is the only franchise playing in both leagues, hoping a combined three weeks of play will help forge a bond among a young nucleus. “We take development very serious,” said head coach Scott Brooks after watching a convincing 94-82 win Wednesday against the Celtics. “We’ve been getting after it all summer. … This is important to all our guys to continue to establish good habits.”

Jon Denton of HoopsHype on Westbrook: ”The Orlando Pro Summer League is three days old and this much has become blatantly obvious to all the coaches, scouts and players involved: Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook is the best player here. While some were shocked last season when Westbrook was the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft, no one is doubting that genius pick now by Thunder general manager Sam Presti.”

Mike Moreau on James Harden: ”You can’t appreciate Harden’s game and talent until you see him up close in an intimate setting such as the Orlando summer league. Even though these are games, to coaches they seem more like controlled scrimmages, played in the Magic’s practice facility and without all of the fanfare and hoopla surrounding a typical game. Harden’s level of talent just jumps out at you, from the way he flows and moves throughout an offensive possession to the poise he shows whenever things begin to break down or become chaotic. He’s not in a hurry, doesn’t panic, and carries himself like an eight-year veteran.”

Sam Amico on Presti and Harden: “Speaking of Presti, he’s already proving to be among the league’s best GMs. That’s easy to forget because the Thunder’s record was so bad. But just look at who Presti has drafted — from Kevin Durant to Jeff Green to Russell Westbrook to Harden and B.J. Mullens this year. At worst, those are four very quality young players, all of whom could be All-Stars someday.”