Daily Thunder.com

Rob Mahoney of SI.com on the clutch: “Miami may make for the best clutch collective and James the best all-around endgame performer, but there are three others who rate a clear cut above the rest of the field when it comes to late-game scoring proficiency: Kyrie Irving, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant. None should come as much of a surprise; all three of these players have forged reputations as steely fourth-quarter scorers, and that esteem is validated by daunting per-minute scoring numbers in clutch situations. Irving ranks tops in the league with 41.3 clutch points per 36 minutes, but Durant (38.6) and Bryant (38.2) aren’t far behind. Still, that threeish-point margin doesn’t fairly indicate the discrepancy between Irving and the rest of the field. Although all three players have comparably ridiculous usage rates in clutch situations, Irving does his damage while shooting 47.8 percent overall, while neither Durant nor Bryant make more than 42 percent of their shots in the clutch. That, ladies and gentlemen, is bonkers.”

Henry Abbott of TrueHoop on superstar calls: “Kobe Bryant draws a foul on an opponent every 6:36 he plays, and he plays a lot. Referees have called whoever is guarding Bryant for 30 fouls already this season just against the Thunder. Makes you wonder how the Thunder could ever win a game against the Lakers, until you realize Durant gets even more calls than Bryant — one for every 5:50 he plays. Over just four Thunder vs. Lakers games this year Bryant and Durant have combined to draw 60 fouls and shoot a mighty 87 free throws. The dead ball eternity of those walks to the line has done little to endear fans to the game.” Keep Reading…

Darnell Mayberry on Nick Collison: “Collison’s contributions have been a boost to a bench unit that, for much of the season, has struggled to consistently keep up with its counterparts in the wake of almost wholesale changes that included the loss of reigning Sixth Man of the Year James Harden. The Thunder’s bench went from outscoring opposing benches by 5.1 points on average to getting outscored by a tenth of a point. But thanks in large part to Martin’s renowned efficiency, as well as Collison’s emergence as a scorer and passer, the Thunder’s bench is quietly more efficient than ever. Last year, the bench shot 45.5 percent. This year, in fewer minutes and shot attempts, OKC’s bench is shooting 46.5 percent.”

Rob Mahoney of SI.com on shooters: “Durant gets to the rim a ton — as evidenced by the solid glob around the basket in the middle of this Rorschach test of a shot chart — but it’s the rest of the court that interests us. The mid-range is littered with makes and attempts that come in all manner of plays, as Durant’s versatility affords the Thunder the opportunity to use him as an isolation scorer, a curl shooter, a pick-and-roll player or a spot-up option. His shot is quick and deadly regardless of cutting route or style, and in that alone Durant is a unique specimen. Even the shooters with the most idyllic shooting form don’t often see their success translate so perfectly across the field, but Durant’s combination of size, speed and handle allow him to manufacture points in just about any fashion.” Keep Reading…