Monday Bolts – 12.6.10
Anthony Macri of HoopsWorld with some Thunder analysis: “It seems a feature of the young Thunder squad to constantly be on the attack – an attribute that will serve them well as they grow and mature. While it may occasionally get them into trouble against the best defensive teams in the league–forcing drives into strong defensive teams tends to yield bad shots and turnovers–it will serve them well against the rest.”
Amar from SLC Dunk says don’t believe the hype with the Thunder: “You know all about potential, right? The post-RUN TMC Warriors had loads . . . or AI’s Nuggets . . . or the Dubs . . . or Webber’s Kings . . . or like LeBron in Cleveland, and so on. Think upon this before signing your life savings into the ‘savior’ of the NBA Kevin Durant. Remember we used to think that Kobe, LeBron, and Bosh had no faults when they were young too! Hope and optimism elevate the Thunder to adoration they have yet to deserve. In my language, this is hype. What’s that Chuck D?”
Marc Stein from his Weekend Dime: “One scout I trust did voice some concern about Westbrook’s floor game, suggesting that the 22-year-old’s QBing has suffered some because he’s looking so hard for his own shot and getting to the rim. The same scout, though, points out that Westbrook somehow looks even faster than he did before going away with Team USA. The scout said: “He goes from a jog to full speed as fast as anyone. You could be running side by side with Westbrook and then he can be six feet in front of you just like that. His change of speed is just ridiculous.”
A few commenters pointed out that one of Serge Ibaka’s siblings is playing basketball. Igor is 18 and looks a lot like his brother.
For OKC folks out there: Strange to watch this Hornets situation go down with the attendance issue and now the league buying the team. If the Thunder weren’t here, I think we’d be a little bit noisy about the situation, but right now, we’re indifferent. I hope the Hornets go to Seattle though (irony, eh?) but Marc Stein doesn’t see that as likely right now: “1. Seattle still needs new building to get the NBA back. 2. Way premature to start talking destinations for Hornets til we see who buys em.”
The Chicago Daily Herald looks at the elite point guards: “Westbrook: Rose’s best friend among opposing NBA players is also the most similar. He was unpolished and turnover prone when he first entered the league but is improving at a rapid pace.”
Zach Lowe of SI assesses the NBA at the quarter mark: “We knew he was good, but no one expected him to be second in the league in Player Efficiency Rating at the 20-game mark. He has improved his shooting from all over the floor, made more free throws than anyone in the league, played fierce defense and displayed uncommon rebounding. He’s also managed to improve his passing numbers while cutting down on turnovers, and he’s carried Oklahoma City’s offense while Kevin Durant has been out with injuries. What a start. Note: Oklahoma City’s defense allows fewer points with Westbrook on the bench, but that appears to be more of a problem with the starting lineup as a whole than with Westbrook individually.”
Power rankings from NBA.com: “Last season, the Thunder were the most improved defensive team in the league. This season, only one team (Cleveland) has regressed more defensively. Friday’s loss in Toronto, where they allowed the Raptors to shoot 55 percent, was the latest example of their defensive issues.”
Stein’s rankings: “Prof Hollinger sums up what I’ve been trying to say since the season’s first rankings: “Fans and media alike got way ahead of themselves” when the “ages of [OKC’s] top eight players are 21, 21, 22, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 27.”
From NewsOK, why Nick Collison is a perfect Thunderman: “He embodies what we’re trying to do,” Presti said of Collison, the 12th player selected in the 2003 draft. “A lot of things we’re always talking about, he’s been that.” That’s why the Thunder gave Collison a three-year extension worth roughly $11 million and chipped in another $6.5 million — all the money the Thunder had remaining under this year’s salary cap — as a signing bonus. It takes someone uniquely ungifted to command that kind of payday at age 30 with career averages of 7.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 23.7 minutes.”
I liked this headline from this Thunder-Warriors recap: “A fine three course meal with mustard and onions for dessert.”
Yeah, I don’t think this parody video was executed that well at all. That is if they were trying to make something funny.
