Wednesday Bolts – 8.12.15
Ben Golliver of SI.com: “This decree was more evidence that his time off, however regrettable, has been put to good use. Not only does his energy appear to back, Durant sounds prepared for what could be the wildest 12 months of a career that’s already produced a Finals trip, multiple gold medals, and too many individual accolades to count. Even on the coaching subject, a touchy one for so long, Durant had his ducks in a row, stressing the importance of “building the chemistry” with Donovan and welcoming the leadership responsibility during the transition process after seven seasons under Brooks.”
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com: “It’s the calm before all hell breaks loose for Durant, and by all indications, he’s enjoying it. All he’ll do here in Vegas is put up a few shots, go to a couple of meetings and try to leave the impression with USA Basketball executive director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski that he’s committed for the 2016 Olympics in Rio after bowing out last year. He compared being back on the floor with the game’s biggest stars to “Christmas as a kid.”
Russell Westbrook says Derrick Rose is back.
Anthony Slater: “The practice was relatively light, with little contact. But Durant seemed to move around unhindered on his surgically repaired right foot, navigating through skill drills and shooting stations, calling the feeling of being back on the floor like “Christmas morning.” He was paired with Westbrook for much of the televised practice and the superstar duo was working with one of their new assistant coaches.”
If you haven’t seen it yet, rookies imitating other players.
Russell Westbrook tweeted “2008” and I have no idea why.
Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com: “To say the workout at this minicamp was “light” on Tuesday is an understatement. The players in attendance mostly did layup lines, shooting drills and 5-on-0 offensive sets. The purpose of this camp in the non-Olympic year is more about team bonding than training. But for a guy who has spent the past year rehabilitating a foot injury, mostly in solitude, Durant said it was like “Christmas” to be back out on a basketball court again with the best players in the game.”
