Daily Thunder.com

Andy Kamenetzky with a feature on Nick Collison: “The greatest sign of the respect Collison carries was demonstrated by Durant after a March win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The three-time scoring champ had just concluded his post-game media scrum, a part of the gig most players would decline if given a vote. Thus, the prospect of additional questions isn’t terribly appealing, and media relations reps are always stationed nearby to shoo reporters looking to extend conversations. As I approached Durant and told him I was working on a piece about Collison, I was quickly informed the session was done. Durant waved off the rep, then said with an eager smile, ‘I’ll talk about Nick.’ That Collison was my focus clearly pleased him.”

Berry Tramel: “Ibaka’s five blocked shots are part of that. Blazer guard Wes Matthews said ‘Perkins kind of controls the paint; Serge takes care of stuff at the rim.’ It’s a potent defensive combo, and the efficiency doesn’t drop off when Collison enters. That kind of defense can help the Thunder snap out of its recent doldrums. Kevin Durant said the Thunder can build off the defensive momentum shown in the last three games. And when Ibaka is blocking shots on one end and swishing shots on the other, the Thunder is tough to beat.” Keep Reading…

Kevin Pelton of ESPN Insider compaes OKC to the 90-91 Bulls: “Technically, the Thunder’s combination of the league’s best offensive rating and a fourth-rated defense is more similar to the 1991-92 Bulls, but since we can’t repeat the comparison, let’s lean toward the narrative of a Chicago team that, like Oklahoma City, was trying to win its first championship. Structurally, both the Heat and Thunder are built in the rough image of the Bulls, with a star wing, another star perimeter player and a power forward as their third option. Of course, Chicago had nothing quite like Miami’s small lineups loaded with shooters. The Bulls were much more conventional, especially at center, which matches up better with Oklahoma City.”

Henry Abbott of TrueHoop: “The Thunder’s schedule is about to take a turn for the easy, and all this will be forgotten. But they did just lose to the Nuggets and Grizzlies, which counts as worrisome for a team that’s used to nothing but sunny news. Meanwhile, there has been some eye-opening ball-hoggery from Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Against the Nuggets, the star duo combined for 44 field goal attempts and just 11 assists. Against the Grizzlies, it was 53 shots to a piddly six assists. Remember, their offense has long been at its best when the other players on the roster shoot more. Dean Oliver and Alok Pattani know this. I know this. I assume Scott Brooks know this. But until Durant and Westbrook know that victories are on the fingertips of open Serge Ibakas and Kevin Martins … that offense won’t be all it can be.” Keep Reading…