Friday Bolts – 11.6.15

Anthony Slater: “The late-game offensive woes lifted in Chicago. But the late-game woes didn’t.

Unlike Wednesday against Toronto, the Thunder scored plenty down the stretch against the Bulls on Thursday night. But in an eventual 104-98 defeat, OKC was scored on even more. With 4:35 left, the game was tied at 90. Then Pau Gasol hit a jumper, sparking a run that saw seven straight Bulls possessions end in a score, an avalanche of points that put the Thunder under, even as Kevin Durant and a few others tried to keep it afloat with some key jumpers. OKC fixed a leak at one end and a gusher sprung up at the other.”

Jon Greenberg of ESPN.com: “Rose didn’t have a sharp start to the season but given the context he missed most of the preseason after getting whacked in the eye during the first practice, it makes sense he had a slow start. If Rose sat out to rest his eye and build up his wind, he’d be getting killed. But he played through his double vision, struggled, and people started getting jumpy.”

This.

Matt Moore of CBSSports.com: “Here’s a question you have to ask that’s both explosive and necessary: Does Kevin Durant need Westbrook? The way we think of stars, they’re supposed to be able to exist on their own. Supporting players are thought of as crutches, despite every evidence otherwise. Jordan needed Pippen. Shaq needed Kobe, and then Wade. Kobe needed Shaq, and then Pau. Steph Curry needed the awesome unfathomable combined strength of the Warriors. Does Durant need Westbrook? Durant could win on his own, there’s no doubt about that. He’s great enough. However, Chris Paul has been one of the best players of his generation, a top-five point guard of all time. Yet he’s mocked for having never gotten past the second round.”

Mark Strotman of CSN Chicago: “But the growing pains of a new coach and system were evident. After beginning the game 8-for-10 the Thunder went quiet for long stretches, with the Bulls leading by as many as eight in the first half and 10 in the fourth quarter, meant playing from behind much of the night. And while a hot stretch from Durant in the fourth quarter helped the Thunder tie the game at 90, 92 and 94 with a little more than 3 minutes to play, their late-game execution left plenty to be desired. Whereas Derrick Rose exploded for 10 straight points in that stretch, Oklahoma City went 2-for-7 down the stretch as the Bulls closed the game on a 10-4 run.”

Paul Lukas of Uni Watch: “If that seemed like a safe bet before, it’s a near-certainty after LeBron’s sleeve-ripping display on Wednesday night. So whether you like NBA sleeves or loathe them, get a good look at them while you can — they won’t be around much longer.”