Tuesday Bolts – 1.21.14
Matt Moore of CBSSports.com is taking KD for MVP: “I held out. I did. I took my time, because what LeBron James does on both ends of the floor is amazing. But there’s no getting around it, even with James shooting 60 percent from the floor for mos of the season. Durant has been downright unstoppable and there’s a point where the offensive domination simply exceeds everything else. James remains the one player I want on the floor for me in a fourth quarter of a playoff game (how amazing is that turnaround from a few years ago?) but Durant has had the objectively better season. His production isn’t just scoring it’s rebounds and assists and blocks and working in the post and leadership. Durant’s ability to draw fouls can be maddening for fans, but think of what it does to an opponent’s rotations. You’re literally forcing the opposing coach to change what he wants to do with his lineups.”
Marc Stein has OKC third in power rankings: “The committee (of one) tweeted this one out Saturday because it speaks to the rare scoring brilliance Kevin Durant possesses: This is the third straight season in which KD has recorded the NBA’s first 50-point game. The only other players to ever do so in three straight seasons are MJ and Wilt.”
CBSSports.com has OKC third: “Kevin Durant has elevated his game to even bigger heights. Russell Westbrook had had two knee procedures in six months, but the Thunder have found young players who can step up. Can Westbrook stay on the floor? If he can, there’s no reason to take OKC off the contenders list.”
NBA.com has OKC fourth: “The Thunder had lost five of their last eight games and were down 14 at halftime in Houston on Thursday. Things turned around pretty dramatically after that, as they shut down the Rockets in the second half, out-gunned the Warriors on Friday, and dropped the Kings on Sunday. Now, they have momentum for their most important back-to-back of the season, facing the two teams ahead of them in the standings.”
The Thunder get an A for the first half of the season.
ESPN.com’s Winter Forecast predicts OKC at 60 wins.
Darnell Mayberry on if Westbrook should still be an All-Star: “Westbrook is averaging 21.3 points, six rebounds and seven assists in those contests. But the Western Conference coaches who select the reserves might feel other guards are more deserving of a spot in the annual showcase due to them being in the lineup. Even if Westbrook returns earlier than expected, the Thunder would have to determine whether it’s in the player or the team’s best interest for Westbrook to play in a glorified pick-up game.”
A nice little video from the DT comment army.
KD is No. 1 in NBA.com’s MVP watch: “Durant’s mettle is being tested while Russell Westbrook continues his rehabilitation from a third surgery on his knee. And Durant continues to squash any doubts about what he and the Thunder are capable of without the other half of their dynamic duo. That epic comeback in Houston on Thursday (they trailed by 14 at halftime after the Rockets made 12-of-20 from beyond the 3-point line and scored 74 points) is just the latest example. The Thunder held the Rockets to just 19 points after halftime and won with Durant leading the charge on both ends. Even when they appear vulnerable, the Thunder continue to surprise. It’s only possible because of Durant.”
