Friday Bolts – 3.11.16
Christian Clark of NewsOK.com: “The sequence represented one of the NBA’s quirks: the
dead-ball denial, which, like the way players high five between free throws no matter if it’s a make or miss, has become one of the game’s curious staples. In the last decade, dozens and dozens of NBA players have adhered to the art of goaltending shots after the whistle. Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki , LeBron James are all serial offenders. Yet the practice of swatting or snatching dead-ball jumpers is most often attributed to one player in particular: Kevin Garnett. The NBA legend, whose Timberwolves visit the Thunder at 7 p.m. Friday, has been so emphatic about deterring the seemingly insignificant shots during his career that ABC featured a story about the practice during halftime of a Cavaliers-Celtics game in 2010.”
From ESPN Stats and Info: “Kevin Durant had 30 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. It’s the seventh straight game he had at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, tying Larry Bird for the most consecutive games since the 1976 ABA/NBA merger. This is the 11th time this season that Durant posted at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a game. Nobody else has done it more than three times. He also became the fourth player in the last 15 seasons with four straight games of 30 points and 10 rebounds, joining Kevin Love (2014), Dwight Howard (2011) and Tim Duncan (2004).”
So it appears Russ’s historic 20-assist game is actually a 19-assist one.
Michael Rothstein of Dime on the mistake: “Hometown scoring is real, and it’s gone too far here. Obviously, the scorer didn’t pump Russ’ stats just to get him to 20, since the number was still far off at the time. Still, the error should get a second look from the NBA. The league doesn’t often correct scoring errors like this, but come on, it’s egregious. Still, it’s a good thing none of us get bogged down in things like round numbers or quibble over statistics. How boring our lives would be if we did.”
Steven Ruiz of FTW: “There’s no grey area in this situation: The stat-keeper clearly erred in giving Westbrook the dime instead of Steven Adams, who not only made the pass but also set a screen to give Durant more room to make the shot. Adams was not credited with an assist during the game. So that settles it: Westbrook should have been awarded for “only” 19 assists. What a scrub.”
Mike Singer of USA Today: “The win also was significant given the three separate tragedies that all how somehow involved the Thunder franchise. Following the death of Thunder assistant coach Monty Williams’ wife, co-owner Aubrey McClendon died last week in a one-car crash that further jarred the organization. Earlier this week, guard Dion Waiters’ younger brother was shot and killed in Philadelphia. Given the sobering context, Wednesday’s win doesn’t seem as significant, but the Thunder still have aspirations of a deep postseason run. That, and a relatively big offseason looming.”
Anthony Slater: “Westbrook is averaging the most rebounds for a point guard since Jason Kidd. Andre Roberson is long, quick and active. Durant leads the team with his 8.4-per game average. Steven Adams is a physical presence. And Enes Kanter, in his highly productive pockets of playing time off the bench, gobbles offensive rebounds at an incredible rate. Some criticize Serge Ibaka for not getting more. His 6.9-per game average is the fewest since his rookie year. But in the grand scheme, it doesn’t seem to affect the Thunder. Because though he may be losing out on rebounds, he’s often losing them to teammates.”
