Tuesday Bolts – 10.1.13
Henry Abbott of TrueHoop: “The funny part about that is … every league could have those things. It’s not like the NFL lucked into a better format. They chose it. Meanwhile, there are, of course, real, long-term business reasons for minimizing the delays and standing around, and maybe even for reducing the number of games. Ironically, the reasons offered both of those things haven’t already happened already in the NBA is: business. There’s money to be made from the way things are. But that’s short-term thinking mired in tradition and a fear of letting the game evolve.”
Anthony Slater on Reggie Jackson: “The Thunder always knew they had a tireless worker. There are stories of Jackson, even in his flip-flops, putting up shot after shot in the gym, hours on end, for so long that a staff member would occasionally have to suggest he go home. But now the hope is, through that hard work, OKC is in the early stages of developing a potential Sixth Man and future star. The signs are positive, and the external expectations have never been higher.”
Adi Joseph of USA Today ranks the Thunder fifth in watchability: “Westbrook may not be ready to go by opening night, but he should be back soon enough as meniscus tears generally heal much faster than ligament tears. When he’s on and playing well with Durant, they are two of the five best players in the NBA. No other team has a pairing at this level. Westbrook’s freak athleticism and frenetic energy bounce off Durant’s cool-as-a-cucumber surreal scoring efficiency.”
Jeff Caplan of NBA.com: “James won his first title in his ninth season at age 27. Michael Jordan was also 27 when he claimed his first of six rings in his seventh season, the one Durant is about to enter. The depth question has gained plenty of traction in OKC, particularly if young guards Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb can replace the bench scoring of Kevin Martin (who replaced super sub James Harden). This is a team that boasts two top 10 players in Durant and Westbrook, 24, who might miss the beginning of the season as he continues to rehab from knee surgery. But, he is expected to return to his fearless ways before long. Add reigning shot-block king and evolving offensive weapon Serge Ibaka, 24, and the Thunder, which finished last season ranked No. 2 in offense rating and No. 4 in defense rating according to NBA.com stats, should once again be equipped to compete for the championship.”
Eye on Basketball’s Elite 100, where Nick Collison is ranked 96th.
