Friday Bolts – 1.23.15

Andrew Sharp of Grantland: “But honestly, the more impressive play was the un-Vined, hanging, leaning 3 that he hit over Paul Pierce a few plays later. Durant is from another world. But watch KD on OKC, and you see him go several possessions in a row without touching the ball. You see an offense with two superstars that basically has them take turns trying to will their way through the entire defense. You think back to those two months Durant played without Russ, and you remember how he turned into George Gervin on bath salts. He was so good for those six weeks, it won him the MVP. You wonder.”

Ben Golliver of SI.com on team most likely to make a push: “It took a few weeks longer than expected, but the surge has finally started. The Thunder are in the midst of an impressive four-game winning streak and they are poised to enjoy a softer schedule during the second half of the season. With both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook going at full tilt, the Thunder should make up the three games they need to get back into the West’s playoff picture in fairly short order. Although climbing further than that will be a challenge, the Thunder still have a strong shot at 50+ wins.”

Amin Elhassan of ESPN Insider on underrated role players: “In ‘butter’ situations (less than 5 seconds on shot clock), Morrow’s been a terrific safety valve for the Thunder this season, shooting 38 percent on 21 attempts from downtown. The only way to stop Morrow is to guard him closely without giving up space — he’s shooting only 2-of-14 on 3s and 27-of-73 overall when a defender is within 3 feet of him (according to NBAsavant.com), but if your only recourse is to stay attached to him, he’s already done his job, as any defender pulled in by Morrow’s gravity is one less help defender Russell Westbrook or Kevin Durant have to worry about.”

James Herbert of CBSSports.com on All-Star starter snubs: “The reigning MVP has played like a reigning MVP, but he has only done so for 19 games. How much that means is a matter of opinion. Regardless, if it’s close at the end of the game, you better believe he’ll be on the court.”

You know why we can’t stop talking about the Harden trade? Because people keep saying dumb stuff about it.

Darnell Mayberry: “The Thunder wasn’t perfect, as the 127-115 final score indicates. But progress was apparent. Two nights later, the Thunder smoked Orlando by 28 points, delivering the exact type of whopping we’re accustomed to seeing OKC give a basement dweller, before setting up what has become statement if not signature wins in the last two outings. Against the Heat, the Thunder overcame a rough shooting night, only 10 free throw attempts and a furious late rally by Miami to earn a hard-fought 94-86 victory. Against the Wizards, on the second night of a back-to-back don’t forget, the Thunder again survived a slugfest that tested OKC with another night of poor shooting, a double digit halftime deficit and frustration-inducing rallies by the Wizards.”