Friday Bolts – 12.19.08
Should the NBA widen the court? Marty Burns of SI talked to the logo about it: “Think about it. The NBA has been playing with the same 94-feet-by-50-feet dimensions for a long time. But the players seem to have grown much bigger. Doesn’t it only make sense to expand the court at least a little bit to accommodate that change?”
- HoopsWorld hands out quarter report cards: “Oklahoma City: On pace to win the fewest games (six) in the history of the NBA, the Thunder (2-24) has very little to be excited about just six weeks into their first season in Oklahoma City. Clearly in re-building mode, General Manager Sam Presti’s squad is light years from contention in the Western Conference, despite a talented young trio of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook. Grade: F”
- Darnell Mayberry writes about Thunder improvement: “Look beyond the record, and the Thunder’s transformation can be seen on the practice court and in the locker room, in games and on the final stat sheets. The most glaring difference has been Oklahoma City’s improved offense.”
- The Sports Corner has Blake Griffin going No. 2 and OKC taking someone else: “Blake Griffin is more dominant, more experienced, and better scorer than Ricky Rubio is. I’ll get that out of the way. But the problem is, OKC doesn’t need another scorer. When Scott Brooks took the job nobody wanted, and made his first major move by putting Kevin Durant back tot he three spot where he belongs, Durant took off and is putting up some pretty good numbers. What the Thunder needs is a pure point guard that can get Durant the ball in tough spots. And in Oklahoma, Griffin would most likely be playing that three spot with the emergence of Robert Swift, and three other forwards above 6′10 on the team. With Swift, Durant, Westbrook at the two spot and Rubio (aka Spanish Steve Nash that is a better scorer) at the point, it’s actually looking like a respectable ball club. Although, it’s going to be very hard not to draft Griffin, born and raised in Oklahoma City.”
- Mike Baldwin writes about potential free agents: “Money won’t be the only factor. Bosh said playing for a playoff contender with a bright future will figure into his decision. Since he played at Dallas Lincoln High School, Thunder fans might like to think Bosh might be tempted to play in Oklahoma City, near his hometown. It’s doubtful the Thunder can sign Bosh, James, Dwyane Wade or Amare Stoudemire. But you never know. Presti is clearing about $40 million of cap space for the 2010-11 season. In line for another high draft pick next June, Oklahoma City should add another talented, young player to the foundation of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook. But to land a quality free agent, the Thunder might need to start winning to convince a player this is a team on the rise.”
