Wednesday Bolts: 9.13.17
Russell Westbrook signed a 10-year contract extension with Jordan Brand: “Reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook will look to continue to establish himself as one of the league’s top global superstars, inking a 10-year extension with Nike’s Jordan Brand that will be the most lucrative total endorsement deal for a Jordan athlete to date, according to industry sources… The long-term extension will link the 28-year-old Westbrook with Jordan Brand through as long as the 2025-26 NBA season. The deal will include both on- and off-court signature sneakers, new territory for Westbrook.”
Brett Dawson on if Westbrook’s shoe deal will affect his contract extension with the Thunder: “The Jordan Brand money gives Westbrook some stability. In theory, it could make money less of a factor in the decision about where he’ll play moving forward. But Westbrook is one of the league’s most-guarded players, and it’s unclear how much of his motivation going forward is financial anyway. It could be that he loves Oklahoma City, wants to remain and is willing to sign long-term. It could be that, as he reaches the prime – and, ultimately, the post-prime – stage of his career, the ability to compete for championships will become more important. That could mean signing shorter deals with the flexibility to jump to a more desirable situation.”
Paul George is #12 on Sports Illustrated’s Top 100 player rankings: “His mid-range shooting (46.3%) spiked. The post become an even more reliable weapon for George to shoot or pass over the top of undersize wings. George took almost seven three-pointers a game and drained 39.3% of them – most as smart, high-value spot-up attempts. Things about the way Indiana played clearly bugged him. Annoyed as he was, George responded by balling out with game-saving performance after game-saving performance.”
Steven Adams is in at #46 in ESPN’s Top 100: “Adams battled alongside Russell Westbrook more than any player, as 94 percent of his minutes came alongside his MVP teammate. An underrated part of Adams’ game is filling the lane, as he has finished in the 90th percentile in points per play in transition each of the past two seasons, making him an ideal fit next to the tempo-pushing Westbrook.”
Nick Gallo on Patrick Patterson: “I’m a country boy, I’m from the south, so this is basically home to me out here,” Patterson said. “The only thing that really matters to me is being in an environment that I see people as my family. I see people as my friends and I just have fun, and that’s basically what I see out here in Oklahoma.”
Magic Johnson discussed the Paul George tampering charges on SportsCenter: “This happened on my watch. It doesn’t affect Jeanie Buss; she’s been an excellent boss. I love her to death. I love working for her. But, at the same time, you have to take ownership and accountability, and so I will do that.”
Photos from Westbrook’s time at New York Fashion Week: “The NBA’s Fashion King is back at New York Fashion Week again. At this point, it wouldn’t be complete with out him. Russell Westbrook showed off more fashion-forward looks while attending different shows. The Thunder guard also ran into other NBA stars, such as LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, and he snapped photos with actor Ansel Elgort, who was in the summer movie Baby Driver.”
The latest Nike KD10 is a shot at his critics: “The insoles feature a series of critiques and names directed at him since he left the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Warriors in July 2016. ‘Lame. Doesn’t Care About Fans. He’s Changed. Quitter. Weak. Snake. Soft. Arrogant. Choked. Pathetic. Loser. Bandwagon. Traitor. Cheater.’ Overlaid on the list on one insole, in big, bright yellow font, it says: ‘16-1 & 2017 champs‘”
Seattle is looking to have Key Arena remodeled by 2020: “A proposal to remodel KeyArena now has an ambitious timeline that could have it ready to house a professional franchise within three years. The timeline was laid out in a proposed memorandum of understanding between Seattle and Oak View Group. The MOU will be presented to the Seattle City Council on Tuesday but the final version of the agreement won’t be voted on until the first week of December at the earliest.”
