Thursday Bolts – Deadline Edition
Likely top pick Anthony Davis says his favorite player is Kevin Durant and that he watched Serge Ibaka for shot blocking: “He’s blocking guys who know how to avoid getting their shots blocked,” says Davis. “I watch him to see how he does it.”
Darnell Mayberry on where OKC stands: “If no deal is made Thursday, we then know what Presti believes to be the answer of his team’s most pressing question. In the event that happens, the onus would then be on Brooks and the players to shore up the problem areas. And there are plenty. The Thunder still is in the process of forming the right habits. In other words, OKC is continually building up a bunch of small things like boxing out, setting solid screens, having good spacing offensively, communicating defensively, rotating, taking care of the ball, making the extra pass and playing with consistent effort and focus. All are traits of teams like San Antonio and Utah and Detroit and the L.A. Lakers that have recently enjoyed a string of success.”
James Harden on the Doug Gottlieb show.
Nick Gallo of the team’s official website: “One of the players who has made a huge impact on the team’s mentality since arriving in Oklahoma City is center Kendrick Perkins. The Thunder is now 41-13 with Perkins in the starting lineup, but the success is almost as much about the attitude and awareness he has brought to the locker room as his defensive prowess on the court. After the road win at Orlando last Thursday, Perkins said he was glad the Thunder had found ways to win on back-to-back nights on the road, but reflected on what is necessary for this team, and this organization, to continue to improve in order to have sustained success. It is Perkins’ foresight and program-building instincts that have been most valuable to Brooks and the rest of the team.”
The 76ers and Grizzlies made a deal that sends Sam Young to Philly.
A deal sending Jamal Crawford to Minnesota, Michael Beasley to the Lakers and Steve Blake to Portland is close. John Hollinger’s thoughts: “Crawford would help in the short-term too, and Beasley is a free-agent-to-be and isn’t in the Wolves’ plans. I get the logic, I’m just not sure if they would come out ahead at the end of it. Ridnour is pretty good and Beasley has some value too, and now they’d be exposed at the point if Barea can’t suddenly get healthy. As with the Lakers, I should add the caveat that other trades could change the final judgment. But for now, my take is that Portland would do well, Minnesota would do OK, and the Lakers could do better.”
Nobody tell Harden, but there’s scientific proof that women hate beards.
Here’s Westbrook’s dunk from the other night against the Rockets.
CBSSports.com’s power rankings: “The Thunder have traded body blows with every major power in the West and have victories to show in each case. They’re just treading water till the end of April.”
