Wednesday Bolts: 10.18.17
Brett Dawson on the Thunder signing PJ Dozier to a two-way deal: “The Thunder opted not to keep a third point guard this preseason. In a way, it’ll have two third-stringers. In signing P.J. Dozier to a two-way contract on Tuesday, Oklahoma City has created a sort of emergency point guard tandem with Daniel Hamilton, who’s also on a two-way deal.”
Royce Young on the Thunder giving Dozier a familiar number: “It was an unusual sight walking into the Oklahoma City Thunder’s practice facility Tuesday and seeing No. 35 on the wing, attempting 3-pointers with assistant coach Vin Bhavnani. No, Kevin Durant was not visiting his old stomping grounds. It was the Thunder’s newest signing, undrafted rookie P.J. Dozier, who signed to a two-way contract Tuesday.”
Ian Begley (ESPN) on Kristaps Porzingis looking forward to facing Melo in the season opener: “For myself, I wanted him to stay in New York, and to play with him and learn from him and so on,” Porzingis said Tuesday. “But from the other side, I understand that he needed a new challenge in his career and he wants to win a championship one day, so I’m happy for him. He’s in an environment where he might be able to do that soon.”
Berry Tramel on Melo’s escape from New York: “Carmelo walked off the Thunder practice court Tuesday not just with a smile on his face and a pleasantness in his voice, but with his dignity intact. New York didn’t beat him down. Carmelo now resides in Oklahoma City, perhaps you’ve heard, and will be wearing Thunder threads Thursday night when the Thunder’s 10th NBA season tips off, against the Knickerbockers, of all teams.”
Nick Gallo with yesterday’s training camp roundup: “Carmelo Anthony backed down Raymond Felton into the paint with two hard dribbles, spun, and splashed a short fadeaway jumper. Paul George gave Daniel Hamilton no breathing room on a drive baseline, and deflected a floater attempt. Jerami Grant knocked down a jumper right in Anthony’s grill. Soon, the crowd around the Thunder players started to swell. As the Thunder’s competitors got after it in a little post-practice one-on-one, point guard Russell Westbrook soaked it all in.”
Fred Katz on how the new Thunder stars are acclimating: “George’s fit next to Westbrook and Anthony reads seamless on paper. He’s a top-15 player who thrives without the ball. He’s an elite spot-up shooter. He’s not high-maintenance on the court. He defends at a tier-1 status, especially during games that matter, a type of competition he hasn’t experienced in a few years. Anthony’s fit is more paradoxical.”
Erik Horne on Paul George taking the Thunder defense to elite: “The Thunder already had one of the top perimeter defenders in the NBA in Roberson, a first-time All-NBA Defensive selection last season. But with the acquisition of George via trade from Indiana, the Thunder has arguably the best tandem of wing defenders in the league.”
Several new Jordan XXXII PE’s Russell Westbrook will wear this season: “Russell Westbrook will eventually be getting his own on-court signature sneaker. In the meantime, in between time, it’s safe to say Brodie will have the three Air Jordan 32 Russell Westbrook Player Exclusives in his rotation all season long.”
Paul George + others react to Gordon Hayward’s grotesque injury on opening night: “The NBA held its collective breath and bowed its collective head after witnessing the devastating fall and injury suffered by Celtics forward Gordon Hayward on opening night… One of the first to respond was Oklahoma City swingman Paul George, who suffered a horrific leg injury of his own during a USA Basketball scrimmage in 2014.”
Around the League: The Hayward injury impacted both the Cavs & Celtics…. LeBron James is still incredible…. The Rockets stunned the Warriors at Oracle…. Draymond Green has a knee strain… Nikola Mirotic was hospitalized after a fight at practice with Bobby Portis.
