Thursday Bolts – 7.11.13
Darnell Mayberry: “DeAndre Liggins caught a swing pass at the top of the 3-point arc with his feet set and his eyes locked squarely on the basket. He was all alone. To his right, Liggins’ teammates on the Thunder’s bench were jumping out of their seats the moment he caught the ball. “Knockdown!” one screamed. It was a show of respect, a surprising one seeing as how that sort of reaction is reserved for the sharpest of shooters and Liggins’ career 3-point count stands at a mere eight. But without fear or hesitation, Liggins aimed and fired. Swish. The squawking on the bench grew even stronger.”
Marc Stein of ESPN.com: “The Wolves have agreed to sign Martin to a four-year deal in the $30 million range via sign-and-trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The deal will at least create a trade exception for the Thunder — along with draft considerations — after they failed to hang on to Martin, the most accomplished player Oklahoma City acquired in last October’s controversial James Harden trade.”
A really good Q&A with Thabo Sefolosha: “Now, you have one year left on your contract. Have you started thinking about what you are going to do when that time comes? Yes and no. Obviously you know I am thinking about what the future holds for me but at the same time I am not worried about it. You know my main focus is it to work and do the things that I have been doing. I am sure everything is going to turn out okay, but I’m definitely not nervous but it’s something that is in the back of my mind. But I don’t let it affect me at all.”
Jordan White for TrueHoop: “The Thunder’s second-year guard was, without question, Wednesday’s best player. He scored 32 points on just 14 shots, falling just four points shy of tying the Orlando Summer League scoring record set Tuesday by his teammate Reggie Jackson. The game seems to come so easily to Lamb that it often looks as if he’s not trying. While that was the case Wednesday, you could still see that he was being aggressive without forcing the issue, creating for himself and even for others at times. With Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder don’t need Lamb to score 30 a night, but even two-thirds of this production would be a welcome sight in Oklahoma City.”
Sarah Spain of ESPNW: “The Thunder superstar and the Lynx guard met at the 2006 McDonald’s All American games, and while it’s not clear how long they’ve been more than just friends, Wright confirmed they are now engaged to be married. It’s a great story, one right out of the movies. Two young basketball phenoms meet as teens, find success separately at different universities, go pro and then reconnect, promising to guard only each other for as long as they both shall live. In a Hollywood twist, Wright has the exact same name as the lead character in the 2000 romantic comedy “Love And Basketball.” Somebody get these two a reality show, already.”
