Wednesday Bolts – 9.30.15
Anthony Slater: “Los Angeles has become a basketball haven in the summer, luring players of
all ages to the getaway hub. There are outdoor courts peppered throughout the vast city. But gym time is hard to find. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka spend a large portion of their offseasons there, as do many NBA players. They were all in the area this past July. So, with so much change swirling around the Thunder, the trio decided to organize a group workout. They even had an inside track on some gym time. Westbrook played at UCLA. He was able to reserve one of the school’s practice courts. But it came with a catch. They could only use it until 9:15 a.m. After that, a loud group of pre-teens — kids there for summer camp — would invade the hardwood and kick Durant, Westbrook and the Thunder out.”
Kevin Pelton of ESPN Insider on a possible Waiters extension: “Dion Waiters Island has become a lonely place after Waiters followed up his poor start to 2014-15 season in Cleveland by struggling after a trade to the Thunder. Ultimately, however, only one resident really matters: Oklahoma City GM Sam Presti. Only once since the team’s move has Presti gone to restricted free agency with a core player, and that was with Enes Kanter, acquired long after the extension window had passed. So if the Thunder still value Waiters as worth the first-round pick surrendered to the Cavaliers to acquire him, an extension in the $10 million range annually might be a possibility.”
This oral history on the greatest dunk ever is great.
KD talked about how he was feeling after the first practice yesterday.
Andrew Sharp of Grantland on media day: “Durant went on to say he kind of hated himself for enjoying that show as much as he did, but he doesn’t care. Sometimes it’s refreshing to watch a show that doesn’t ask you to think very much. It kept him busy throughout most of Labor Day weekend. When pressed for more, he admitted that, yes, he does sometimes find himself looking at Russell Westbrook as his very own Gustavo. But he added that he actually sees a lot more Westbrook in Gacha, and really, their roles can change, and the only thing 100 percent certain in this world is that the Spurs are the dumbass FBI agents. He finished the press conference telling reporters that he’s all out of plata, and the whole league is getting nothing but plomo this year. This was all live on SportsCenter, too. Wow. KD is back.”
Russ wished KD an awww birthday.
Reggie Jackson on if he’s feeling pressure now: “Always,” the 25-year-old said Monday during Pistons media day at The Palace of Auburn Hills. “I’ve got to live up to trying to win a championship. Money is money. I worked just as hard when people said I didn’t have as much, and I’m going to work just as hard after.
KD on Royal Ivey: “Royal has been putting in work,” Durant said. “He’s been in this league for more than a decade, worked for the Blue last season. He knows us. He’s been here for awhile. So I don’t like when guys say I’m the reason he’s on the staff. He deserves it. If I wasn’t here he’d still be on the staff.”
Change on the Oklahoman’s Thunder beat as Darnell Mayberry will be stepping aside to move into a more editing role.
