Wednesday Bolts – 1.21.15
Bradford Doolittle of ESPN Insider: “Given the Waiters deal and the buzz around Lopez, Presti’s behavior might answer these questions, and if those reports are accurate, then OKC appears to be all-in, right now, despite the injury-marred first half of the season. The Thunder can eliminate all anxiety with their play, as they did against Golden State and then a staggering 79-point first half Sunday in Orlando. Nevertheless, Oklahoma City might be the most interesting team to watch in the rumor mill between now and the Feb. 19 trade deadline. Urgency is always interesting.”
Andrew Gilman of Fox Sports Southwest: “Can the Thunder win when its two stars struggle? Not regularly. But Jackson, despite being rumored to be on the way out, showed how valuable he is. Steven Adams and Anthony Morrow, complementary parts, combined for 22 points and just one turnover. The Thunder improved to 2-0 on their longest road trip of the season. It gets more difficult with games against Washington Wednesday then Atlanta and Cleveland â three playoff-bound teams. Chances are the Thunder will have to play a lot better to win. Chances are Durant and Westbrook both won’t struggle too often at the same time. But Tuesday when all of those things were working against Oklahoma City, it was impressive the the Thunder figured out how to win anyway.”
Anthony Slater: “With Dion Waiters in tow and initially playing well, many opined that it would be wise for the Thunder to deal Reggie Jackson for whatever it could get. He’s likely to walk in the offseason, his and Waiters’ skills are a bit redundant and his struggles and occasional pouting seemed to be throwing off the Thunder’s mojo. But nights like Tuesday make it quite clear that a throwaway deal to shed Jackson for an asset would be a silly move for Sam Presti. Even if Jackson is gone this offseason — which seems increasingly more likely — his value the rest of this year is far more than you’re likely to net in a lukewarm trade market, where potential suitors are equipped with the knowledge that they can just hold off and possibly sign him in a few months. In the meantime, Jackson can win the Thunder some games — like he did with 32 points in a crucial Game 4 last postseason in Memphis — or provide key contributions off the bench, like he did on Tuesday in Miami.”
Kurt Helin of PBT: “The Thunder need to get hot now, not later, if they want to make the playoffs because the Suns are not coming back to the pack. (Yes, Phoenix has a tough schedule the next few weeks, but the team’s schedule also is home heavy the rest of the season and Phoenix is already on a 47-win pace.) Oklahoma City is doing just that — the Thunder have won 4-of-5 and while the Miami Heat did not make it easy Tuesday night the Thunder got 19 each out of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and that was enough. However, the real key was the bench — on a night Dion Waiters couldn’t throw a pea in the ocean (1-of-9), Reggie Jackson (remember him?) stepped up with 16 points including 7 in the fourth quarter to help seal the win, while Anthony Morrow pitched in a dozen. The Thunder still have three games to make up on the Suns but they are starting to hit their stride and that should scare the rest of the West.”
Adam Bradley of WizardsXtra: “DONT – Don’t boo our team if things start going south. Show our team and our opponents that we love our team and even IF things go bad, we don’t overreact. DO – Wizards fans need to create an environment similar to the environment in OKC. Be loud. Stand up and create a college type environment. If you’re trying to make an impression, earn it! DONT – BRING ANY SIGNS OF SOLICITATION.. Once again, a little tacky. You’re hitting on a married chick when you’re doing that. Please don’t. DO – Show up early. Give the arena that “buzz” and feeling of a big game. One thing all big games have in common, the crowd is in there early and already making noise. Lets represent.”
Wizards fans are getting ready.
KD’s mom talking about the future.
Colin McGowan for Vice Sports: “This is not to god up these ballplayers, but to treat them as ballplayers. Sure, it is nice when an athlete is funny or candid or strange in an interview, but he is not required to be. Charm and eloquence are ancillary skills for someone who runs and jumps for a living, and anyway, the games and our interest in them are rich enough to employ hundreds of writers who find something to talk about even when players aren’t talking to them. Russell Westbrook doesn’t owe your story anything. He gives you loads of material before he so much as opens his mouth to sneer at your question.”
Wizards announcers have even taken to talking about Durant midgame.
