Friday Bolts – 8.15.14

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com on the longer break

: “One thing it probably won’t do, however, is compel the game’s biggest stars to resume participation in the dunk and 3-point contests on All-Star Saturday night. The short break and packed All-Star schedules have been among the key reasons that superstars have for years avoided what used to be a highlight of the weekend. But there is no indication that any discussions have taken place about using the longer break to entice the likes of James, Paul George (when healthy), Russell Westbrook and others to join the Saturday night festivities and restore their long-lost luster. Of course, adding two additional days without games after the All-Star Game will only put more focus on trade deadline moves at that time. But in theory, the focus will be shifted away from the league’s showcase event. One step at a time.”

Coach K sounds a little cheesed about KD dropping out: “We had a whole camp building what we’re doing around him,” Krzyzewski said. “So that’s the very first thing: You had one of the great scorers at the [power forward position]. So how does that change your offense? That changes your offense immensely. You have to do more to get your guards shots. I mean, these guards are really good, but they were complementing one another – Kevin with those guards. … Now we have to look at developing our inside and getting the guards more involved.”

The Thunder are closing in on signing a new D-League coach.

KD is hanging in D.C.

Chris Johnson of SI.com on best games: “If you watched last season’s Western Conference semifinals between these teams, you can move on. You already know Oklahoma City and L.A. waged a thrilling six-game series highlighted by, among other notable developments, a 32-point game from Chris Paul, a 39-point, 16-rebound game from Kevin Durant and, let’s not forget the officiating controversy that triggered Doc Rivers’ memorable postgame rant. Though the thrill factor of last season’s playoffs waned after the first round, this series was objectively awesome. Here’s to hoping Oklahoma City and the Clippers entertain us again.”

The Thunder have reached a deal with Lance Thomas for training camp.

KD looks stupidly real in the new 2K screenshots.

A lot of stuff suggests the Thunder have the toughest schedule in the league next season.