Thursday Bolts – 9.19.13
Steve Aschburner of NBA.com says Westbrook will have the best comeback season: “First, his injury (meniscus tear) was the least serious of the three. And I think his motivation will be the simplest and most focused, because his absence scuttled the Thunder’s goal of reaching their second straight Finals. The seasons and ambitions in L.A. and Chicago were fuzzier in terms of goals and possibilities, and frankly they remain so. Bryant physically won’t be as advanced as the other two and Rose, if he flakes off the rust swiftly, will feel the full burden of the Bulls’ expectations (and shortcomings). Westbrook can just play.”
Redskins.com talked with KD about his fandom: “We could be 0-16 and I’m still going to be screaming “Skins!” all week, until the death of me.” So how does that type of DMV pride sit in Oklahoma City, which is solidly Cowboys territory? Not well, especially in the locker room. “Yeah! I still talk trash to all the Cowboys fans,” he said with a grin. “[Thunder teammate] Russell Westbrook is the biggest Cowboys fan, so I talk trash with those guys no matter what our record is.” For the long-suffering, high-profile Redskins fan, seasons like 2012 are extra sweet. “Last year was really rewarding for me. Winning the division, beating the Cowboys twice, [Robert Griffin III] winning Rookie of the Year, playing so well with some of our guys out–I’m looking forward to this season.”
Daryl Morey says the Thunder are better than the Rockets.
A Thunder breakdown by 3 Shades of Blue: “So why the inactivity? In part due to the necessity to be crafty with one’s cap situation in a small market and partially resulting from being hamstrung by the collective contracts of their big trio of Westbrook, Durant, and Serge Ibaka, plus Kendrick Perkins, the Thunder have been forced to choose between luxury tax hell and selective spending on their supporting cast — we Grizzlies fans should consider ourselves privy to the plight at this juncture. Oklahoma City’s choice to be selective has left them in an interesting position as a contending team that will call upon numerous unseasoned bodies to carry them through their run.”
Serge Ibaka is No. 29 in SI.com’s top 100: “Ibaka’s play without Westbrook provided a nice frame of reference for judging his development. A very productive offensive rebounder since his rookie year, Ibaka has long feasted on second-chance opportunities and lob plays in the basket area. Last year, he showed the ability to be consistently effective from virtually everywhere inside the arc, as long as the heavy lifting of shot creation was done for him. Take away one of Ibaka’s table-setters and ask him to initiate more of his own looks, either in the block or facing up against a set defense, and things got more difficult (and his shooting numbers got less impressive). That he struggled a bit in uncharted territory was no surprise, and it shouldn’t drastically alter the general perception of him as one of the league’s best third wheels.”
