Monday Bolts – 8.24.15
Anthony Slater on Billy Donovan at Florida: “As a key recruiter for Rick Pitino’s reboot of Kentucky, Donovan was shoved right in the middle. Still in his mid-20’s, still navigating the waters at his first coaching job, Donovan hit the trail a novice legitimized by his school’s reputation. As a youth, Billy’s basketball desire drove him to greatness. As a young coach, his energy and passion guided him to success. But during his climb to the top at Florida, it was that early experience at Kentucky – and the recruiting knowledge and confidence that resulted from it – which helped him morph a vision into reality in Gainesville.”
Kevin Pelton of ESPN Insider on Jonas Valanciunas: “If that sounds like a lot for a player who averaged 12.0 points and 8.7 rebounds per game last season, prepare to be shocked over the next 12 months. The new salary cap will change the market for player value dramatically. As I explained in previewing 2016 free agency, teams will have to spend at least a billion dollars — that’s billion with a B — on free agents to reach the salary cap on average. In all likelihood, they’ll spend more than that.”
Russell Westbrook opened reading rooms in L.A.
Steven Adams on playing for New Zealand: “Absolutely, I’m proud to be a New Zealander, I don’t think there is any doubt about that, but I just need a little bit of time to make sure that everything else is all good and all the boxes are ticked.”
Summer Forecast projects best newcomer.
LaMarcus Aldridge to USA Today: “No, because I’m not trying to be Tim Duncan. I’m not trying to fill his shoes. No one is going to fill his shoes. First of all, he started there and he ended there. I’m not doing that. I didn’t start there. There’s no pressure, because I didn’t start there and I’m not trying to be him. My game is totally different than his.”
