Wednesday Bolts – 12.2.09
UPDATE: Kevin Durant is on the cover of the next ESPN the Mag. And NBA.com has an extended Q&A with
KD: “NBA.com: How do your teammates treat you now that you have a semi-celebrity status? KD: I put myself on the same level as everyone else. From the first man to the end of the bench. Nobody has a “celebrity status” attitude here. Especially me. I always put the team first and without them I surely wouldn’t be the NEXT athlete or talking to NBA.com for articles. Once I step into this building for practice and games, it’s all about the team.”
The Thunder is taking over the world. On ESPN’s award watch, four players are mentioned: “Can Durant win MVP? Not this season. But he deserves props for having the Thunder in position to challenge for a playoff spot, while taking the next step toward stardom.”
The 66ers lost last night in Austin 89-72. Byron Mullens had 11 points and five rebounds and DeVon Hardin had six points, seven rebounds.
This made me laugh: “this might sound dumb but wen people say “no pun intended” what do they mean?? … My bad i didnt go to school that long… Im gettin alot of different answers…so maybe sum of yall aint pay attention in school.” And check out some of the harassment KD gets on Twitter. Pretty ridiculous.
Willie Warren’s draft stock is slipping a little: “A lot of NBA scouts are beginning to ask whether Oklahoma’s Willie Warren made a mistake by returning to the Sooners for his sophomore season. With Blake Griffin in the frontcourt last season, Warren got lots of open looks and appeared to be a top-10 pick. However, the Sooners are struggling this season, and Warren is having a tough time carrying the load. Warren’s scoring average (20.4 ppg) is terrific, but his shooting percentages (.418 FG percentage, .222 3-point percentage) and turnovers (4.2 per game) are ugly. Even worse, the Sooners are losing to mediocre teams — not what NBA GMs want to see from their potential top-five point guard. To top things off, Warren sat out OU’s most recent game against Nicholls State with the dreaded “DNP — Coach’s Decision.” There’s no word yet on why he didn’t play, but there are rumblings that Warren’s selfish play has chafed head coach Jeff Capel.”
Britt Robson of SI says the Suns will fade a little: “With Pau Gasol returning to a Lakers roster that already whupped the Suns by 19 in their only meeting thus far, L.A. seems to have its title legs under it again. In addition, Phoenix’s incredible production from three-point territory is also due for a dip. Steve Nash and Co. are on pace to obliterate both the NBA record for accuracy beyond the arc (42.8 percent, held by Dell Curry’s 1996-97 Charlotte Hornets) and threes per game (9.71, held by the 2003-04 Suns). The law of averages, though, says the Suns aren’t likely to keep converting 10.47 per game on 44.5 percent shooting.”
Robson also mentioned this: “So who among the pleasant surprises has the appearance of staying power? Head southwest and take your pick between the not-so-callow kids from Oklahoma City and the indefatigable M*A*S*H unit in Houston, a pair of franchises not coincidentally operated by two of the NBA’s more creative general managers in Sam Presti and Daryl Morey.”
Darnell Mayberry grades the Thunder’s starting five: “Durant has carried the load offensively while playing 39.1 minutes per game. His shooting percentages have regressed from last season, but he’s become a better playmaker and has increased his points, rebounds and assists.”
I forgot to mention this Monday. The Tulsa WNBA team has narrowed their name to three finalists and they want you to chose. So what’ll be? Shock, Fire or Tempo? Read the reasons for each name. Comical.
I started a Daily Thunder Facebook group for really no good reason. I guess you can use it for things like taking a sweet picture of yourself wearing your hip new DT-Shirt to a game or something. Also, thanks to all who bought shirts. We’ll have more soon.
