Monday Bolts – 7.26.10
After signing Royal Ivey, Darnell Mayberry points out something has to happen on the roster: “The easiest thing for the Thunder to do could be to waive Weaver or whomever it might be that is caught in the numbers game. But when have we known Thunder GM Sam Presti to take the easy route? It’s possible that Presti could turn an out-of-the rotation player into a future asset. While it sounds like a long shot, by now it’s safe to believe the Thunder will explore every option. And if there is a logical trade to be made it will be done.”
Chris Sheridan wraps up Team USA’s scrimmage nicely: “But that disappointment will pale in comparison to what the whole squad will feel if it cannot figure out how to play more than one way. Unconventional is not necessarily bad, but there has to be some ability to play conventionally when circumstances call for it. In the weeks ahead, we’ll get to see whether this U.S. team is capable of doing so.”
Also, a breakdown of who’s in and out: “Russell Westbrook, G: His ability to play off the ball, which he did at UCLA, is huge. And his defensive tenacity and floor leadership have both brought rave reviews thus far … Kevin Durant, G/F: The face of the team, the best player on the team, the only guy who can reasonably be called a lock at this point to also make the 2012 Olympic team.”
Matt Moore writing on PBT about how this is the time of shooters: “But there’s another player playing now that appears on the list. Kevin Durant. Durant won the scoring title last year, averaging 30.1 points per game. He shot 47.6% from the field and 36.5% from the arc. Not bad, but not elite, certainly. But then you realize he hit 90% from the stripe, while attempting the ninth most number of free throws (840) on the list. Oh, and by the way, Durant is 21. Twenty-one. Freaking. Years old.”
Mayberry with some reaction from the scrimmage: “Watching Durant tonight provided a true understanding of why many believe he is well-suited to play the power forward position down the line. His height and length obviously will allow him to steal minutes at the 4 once his body fills out and he gets stronger. But Durant’s nose for the ball was on display as he played closer to the basket. He got easy tip-ins and was able to corral rebounds and loose balls around the rim. By being under the basket and being the first with his hands on the ball, Durant also was able to lead the break at times, turning him into a dominant all-around threat. It was reminiscent of his days at Texas and probably isn’t too far off with the Thunder.”
A Q&A with KD: “On what the Team USA experience can do for his profile globally … To be honest with you, I really don’t care. I really don’t. It would be cool for most people to know who the Oklahoma City Thunder are. That’s what I’m about. I really don’t care about my global brand or anything like that. I just want to come out here and be the best player. This has never been about raising my profile. I mean you look around here (at this camp) and I’ve never been an NBA champion like Lamar Odom. I’ve never been a Finals MVP like Chauncey Billups. I haven’t played as many playoff games as a lot of the guys here. There are a lot of stars here. A lot of guys have a leg up on me. I’m here to learn from those guys to keep getting better.”
One fan is looking for a favorite team and OKC is leading the way: “Along with the Sacramento Kings, the Oklahoma City Thunder are leading the race to become my new favorite team. And there’s no mistaking why. Kevin Durant is rad. The Thunder have hit collective puberty as a team, transitioning out of their Rising Young Team phase and into actual Awesome Team phase. Kevin Durant is leading the way, moving himself from being Full Of Potential to being a Full-Blown Star, and somebody who will rightly challenge LeBron James for the MVP within a year or two.”
Jon Schuhmann of NBA.com on the US’s scrimmage: “The most positive sign from Saturday’s game, won by Kevin Durant’s White team 114-96, was the perimeter shooting. In the international game, with no defensive three-second call and a shorter arc, a lot more 3-point shots are attempted than in the NBA. Over the years, the U.S. team’s opponents have consistently packed the paint and dared them to shoot from the outside. And their success has often come down to their ability to knock down shots.”
