Tuesday Bolts – 6.21.11
Someone asked KD about the most athletic point guards and ranked Westbrook third. KD’s response: “son u sayin Brandon Jennings is more athletic than Russ westbrook….get off them Frankie limons u smoking.”
Brian Kamenetzky of ESPNLA.com on OKC’s draft needs: “They don’t need much, but if the WCF proved anything, the Thunder need another guy to facilitate the offense. As brilliant a young player as Westbrook is, Harden proved himself easily their best facilitator of the halfcourt offense. In those moments he couldn’t play (after fouling out in Game 4 against the Mavs, for example), OKC suffered greatly. Westbrook should/must improve as a wheel-greaser, but adding another guy fitting the profile won’t hurt.”
Justin Harper to HoopsHype: “You said you model your game after Kevin Durant. Are you still watching him to learn more about his game? JH: Yeah he’s one of the players I watch a lot. He’s just so versatile, he can shoot from so many spots on the court… I try to work hard and that’s what I plan to do with my game.”
Emma Carmichael of Deadspin on KD’s Drew League dunk: “There’s a lockout ahead, and no Vegas summer league to pretend to care about, and we are getting through the final bouts of PTSD now that the season’s actually over. But this is the kind of play we’d never get to see Durant pull off in the NBA, anyway. This is a dunk for the Drew League, and that’s what makes it so great.”
Kareem talked about the young stars of the NBA.
John Rohde of the Oklahoman likes Justin Harper for OKC, who admittedly, I probably should’ve had in my list of 10: “Plays the stretch 4 position, which always comes in handy in the NBA and allows oversized frontcourt teammates to stay closer to the basket. Shot 44.8 percent from 3-point range last season and 53.4 percent from the field. Quick and athletic and loves to get out and run. A little early to select him at No. 24, but Thunder can mold him.”
Today might be D-Day for the NBA.
You should buy this Serge Ibaka shirt that Tree and Leaf printed. It’s cool.
Darnell Mayberry on Byron Mullens: “I don’t think they’ve given up on him. He’s worked hard and has a good attitude. But there just isn’t any room for him unless he takes a big jump in development this summer. Right now, Perk, Nazr and Aldrich are ahead of him at the center position. Not to mention Nick Collison’s minutes at center. So with Mullens entering his third season and no longer being eligible for D-League duty, it’s possible his time in a Thunder uniform has come to an end.”
The Thunder have trade options.
Serge Ibaka is on Spain’s Euro roster, for now: “Defending champion Spain included Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka in its preliminary team on Tuesday for the European championship. Ibaka, who was born in the Republic of the Congo, is still waiting to become nationalized by Spain before the championship begins on Aug. 31 in Lithuania.”
Chad Ford’s newest mock now has OKC taking Kyle Singler: “I don’t have Singler rated as a Top 30 prospect. But I might be mistaken. A source said the Thunder are very high on Singler and believe he could be an Andres Nocioni-type player in the NBA. He is tough, has a good motor and will be able to knock down open shots. If he plays that role in the NBA, he’s well worth the 24th pick. Nikola Mirotic is another possibility here.”
