Monday Bolts – 3.4.13

How Serge Ibaka explained the Blake Griffin thing: “He hit my hands away,” Ibaka told reporters. “He’s strong, so when he grabs you, your jersey or whatever, and you try to defend yourself and rebound. So maybe you can do some move, not to hurt, (but) just to get good position. But then something happens where you get hurt in the paint. It’s not anything where I want to try to hurt him. I’m not that kind of person. I just try to play hard, and that’s it … I just tried to play hard. I really don’t care if someone is dirty or not, that’s not my problem,” Ibaka said. “His game was intense, we all were complaining to the referees (about) some dirty stuff. It’s basketball. We just played. If you can see the replay, you can see he grabbed my jersey first so I wanted to try to defend myself. (But) not to hurt him.”

Interesting Q&A with Thabo Sefolosha (translated) where he says his foot hurts again and talks about that spat with Westbrook: “A month ago it was between you and Westbrook. On the field to a dispute He yelled at you. Why? Uf, what can I say? It happens. Westbrook is a great, great fighter. He fights against the enemy, sometimes even against themselves. In his head, playing out things I do not know. Sometimes you have to leave him alone and give him the space he needs. Westbrook was then taken by coach Brooks from the game. He went out of protest for a few minutes in the tunnel. With a Playmaker with such childish behavior can not be one champion, then criticized the media. He is an exceptional player, he has already won for us to kids. And so you have to accept his less good sides. I try to calm things down, as they heat up even more.”

Really nice trade deadline breakdown by Darnell Mayberry: “By sending Maynor to the Blazers for a trade exception, the Thunder only parted with a player that in all likelihood would have been on the first thing smoking out of here this summer. The exception, meanwhile, allows OKC to add about $2.5 million in salary via trade without having to send back equal money. It’s a move that essentially extends the life of the asset that is Eric Maynor. And the Thunder actually saved money by doing it. Even after the trade for Brewer and subsequent signing of Derek Fisher, the Thunder still shed roughly $1 million from its payroll. In the process, the team bolstered its bench and added some all-so important experience, going from the sixth youngest roster to the league’s 14th youngest. The presence of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka means the Thunder must continue to operate in this manner. With those big salaries on the books, this is how Oklahoma City will have to improve beyond basic player development in the league’s changing landscape. It’s not sexy by any means. But minor moves now hold great significance. Get used to it. Salary cap gymnastics.”

KD’s conversation with Magic.

J.A. Adande of ESPN.com: “This wasn’t typical Westbrook in many ways. Sure, there were the questionable fashion choices (tight Capri pants). But he was more expansive in his postgame interview than usual (certainly more than that night in Utah). He was in control in the fourth quarter, making all the right decisions. Brooks said the Thunder thrive on Westbrook’s emotion, and he leads in ways that we don’t often see. What we have seen is him push it too far, fly off the handle. So is Sunday’s Westbrook the version we’ll see in the postseason? Put it this way: It’s much more likely we’ll have that than another seven-point possession.”

Berry Tramel: “You win big in the NBA with talent, yes, but also with grit and guile and not a small dose of mean. Truth is, the Thunder has been on the mean side since the day two years ago when Perkins arrived. The Thunder’s popularity hasn’t waned because of it. It’s just a different kind of popular. And in many ways, the Thunder will remain America’s Team, basketball-version. But these angels have dirty faces now, and that’s not likely to change.”

Perk on Griffin via USA Today: “I didn’t see it to where it was like that flagrant. (Griffin) took (Ibaka’s) arm and knocked him down. The dude (is) known for flopping anyway, so that’s what it is,” Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins told USA TODAY Sports’ Sam Amick after the game. “I was (angry). The (Clippers’) reaction after that was kind of like Serge Ibaka against Blake Griffin … He ain’t going to get the benefit of (the doubt) or what’s really happening down there. You ain’t seeing all the stuff that other people are doing. Serge ends up getting the bad end of the stick. I didn’t like the whole thing — period. I thought it should’ve been a double foul.”

Leftover thought from yesterday’s game: Isn’t it kind of weird that beating a good team on the road in a close game feels like an achievement for the Thunder?

Can OKC’s two-man game succeed in the playoffs? KD says he can fill the Harden void: “A lot of people say that,” Durant said. “I don’t want to be arrogant or nothing, but I think I can fill that void. I can put the ball in the basket. That’s what I was born to do … Some nights they need me to do that, some nights we don’t need me to do that. But when the time comes, Coach [Scott Brooks] is going to call my number and I’ve been practicing my whole life to come through. So we’ll see what happens.”

From Elias: “Kevin Durant scored a game-high 35 points in the Thunder’s 108-104 victory over the Clippers, shooting 10-for-25 from the field and 12-for-15 from the line. There have now been six NBA games this season in which a player attempted at least 25 shots from the field and 15 or more from the line, but it’s only been done by three guys: Durant, Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony, who’ve each done so twice.”

Bill Simmons on bargain deals: “Specifically, Serge Ibaka (next 4 years: $49 million), Ty Lawson (4 years, $48 million), Jrue Holiday ($44 million) and Stephen Curry (4 years: $44 million). All four deals looked steep and/or risky in October; four months later, they range from “well-priced” to “brilliant” thanks to the way all four elevated their games. But if you’re wondering how these extensions occasionally could go wrong, click on this link. And cover your eyes if you’re a Wizards fan.”

Tramel on OKC’s crunchtime offense: “But before the Clippers’ seven-point possession, the Thunder scored to take a 99-93 lead with 2:23 left. And here’s how the Thunder did it. As he crossed halfcourt, Russell Westbrook tossed the ball to Kevin Durant on the wing. Durant flipped the ball to Thabo Sefolosha back out front. Thabo passed to Westbrook. Westbrook passed back to Durant. Durant threw the ball to Thabo on the deep right wing. Thabo zipped a pass to Kendrick Perkins on the baseline. As the Clippers’ zone defense collapsed on Perk, he fired a pass to Ibaka under the basket for an easy dunk. Seven passes. A bunch of hockey assists, which the Thunder likes to talk about although it doesn’t much embrace the concept. How amazing was the possession? On Friday night in Denver, the Thunder made six passes — in the final eight minutes of the game. Six passes total. No. I’m not kidding.”