Monday Bolts – 4.9.12
Mike Prada of SB Nation with a terrific breakdown of Westbrook’s shot volume: “There’s a distinct difference in Westbrook’s shooting percentages before and after he signed a five-year, $82 million contract extension on Jan. 19. Prior to that date, Westbrook was shooting just 33 percent on off-the-dribble jumpers. Since then, Westbrook’s shooting percentage on off-the-dribble jumpers is 42 percent. Also, in those first 15 games before the extension, Westbrook was attempting just 8.9 off-the-dribble attempts per game. Since the extension, he’s way up at 10.7 attempts per game. This lends credence to the theory that Westbrook was trying to be something he wasn’t early in the year, and now that he’s playing his game, he’s performing better. This adds further proof to Durant’s argument.”
From Elias: “The Thunder went on a 24-0 run against the Raptors, their longest scoreless run since moving to Oklahoma City, and the longest scoreless run in the NBA since Jan. 20, 2010 (Spurs scored 25 straight vs Jazz).”
A tour of the Thunder’s pretty spectacular practice facility.
Bradford Doolittle for ESPN.com says Nick Collison is vital to OKC’s playoff success: “Even though Collison rarely shoots — his usage rate is a miniscule 9.8 percent — Oklahoma City has been seven points per 100 possessions better offensively with Collison on the floor. Everything gets better: the assist rate rises, the turnovers drop and the true shooting percentage is nearly 4 percent better. The Thunder play at a slower pace, or a playoff pace if you will, when Collison is on the court. If Oklahoma City breaks through to win the championship, it will be as much due to the dirty work provided by Collison and Fisher as it will be due to the dynamic production of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden.”
The Thunder Games are underway.
Tom Ziller of SB Nation has OKC third in his power rankings: “We told you that the Thunder’s Hell Week wasn’t over after they beat the Heat and Bulls! The Thunder got busted up three straight times. Why do we have them ahead of Miami given last week’s result? The Thunder looked more convincing in their win in the home-and-home than Miami did in its victory. #science”
KD’s opening a restaurant in Bricktown: “Durant said the concept is a mix between an upscale restaurant and sports bar. The Hal Smith Restaurant Group also operates Louie’s, Charlestons, Red Rock Canyon Grill and Mahogany Prime Steakhouse. “It was a deal I couldn’t pass up,” Durant said. “That’s something in Oklahoma City that I always wanted to do … No matter what’s going to happen, my name is going to be clear, and I’m not putting up money or nothing like that. So it was a perfect deal.”
Scott Brooks isn’t going to be resting any players.
Darnell Mayberry: “Because of the below average offense, the most interesting thing in this one for about 2 1/2 quarters was the triple-double watch Westbrook had us on. He came out doing a great job of facilitating early, setting up Serge Ibaka for baseline jumpers and getting Kendrick Perkins an easy layup all within the first five minutes. And when you see Westbrook passing like that early, you know a triple-double is well within his grasp. Unfortunately, after scoring 11 points with six boards and six assists by halftime, Westbrook got just four more points the rest of the way without another rebound or assist. It was an up and down game for him overall, because of turnovers, a few bad passes and a few questionable shots. But he was great managing the game early.”
Raptors Republic: “Sure, the Thunder did their thing on offense, but what didn’t help is the Raptors staying completely on the perimeter during this stretch. They took eight jumpers and turned the ball over seven times in 8:21. A three point deficit had turned into a 17-point hole and with that the battle was lost.”
You-Know-Who evidently wasn’t completely truthful with his high school athletic achievements.
