Friday Bolts – 2.11.11
Rick Reilly wrote a column on KD. It was a little weird, but I appreciate the effort: “NBA PR flacks keep telling me that Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant is “just like any 22-year-old kid.” They say he does not have a torrid affair going with his wallet or his mirror or his league-stomping 29 points per game. “Perfectly normal,” they insist. So I called their bluff. I met Durant in Chicago, and I brought along a perfectly normal 23-year-old kid — my son, Jake. We all three met in a hotel lobby and plopped down on a couch. “Let’s compare lives! Want to?” I said.”
John Hollinger with a thought on the Jeff Green situation: “I suspect he’ll get an offer from another team that Oklahoma City won’t want to match, and that they’ll insert Ibaka as a starter in his place. But much of this depends on the new CBA — if they can keep Green at a reasonable figure they will.”
Who’s going to have the next dynasty? Ric Bucher takes OKC: “The Thunder aren’t playing defense the way they did last season because they’ve come to realize they can outscore teams, and that’s always more fun. It’s also part of the growing pains of a young team. I find it somewhat funny that they’re a disappointment, even though they’re on track to win more games than last season, are leading their division and therefore assuring themselves of home-court advantage in the playoffs — which they didn’t have last postseason. Even more important, though, is that KD and Russ aren’t going anywhere. Nor are Thabo Sefolosha and Nick Collison, who are locked up for three years at incredibly economical salaries. They have all their picks as well as a Los Angeles Clippers pick that is either a lottery choice or unprotected at some point.”
Coach’s notebook from HoopsWorld looks at point guards.
I liked this story from Darnell Mayberry on life on the inactive list: “The Thunder hasn’t had any issues, which speaks to how strong the team’s chemistry and camaraderie currently is. Brooks even marveled following Thursday’s practice at how more than half the team lingered on the court to help and support Serge Ibaka practice dunks for next weekend’s slam dunk contest at All-Star Weekend. “This is not common,” Brooks repeated while shaking his head and looking on from a distance.”
RealGM on the Thunder’s deadline needs: “Clearly, Scott Brooks doesn’t have a reliable low post scorer. Green is his most frequent option and his capacity is very average to be generous. Green is a talented player who does a lot of things well, but doesn’t have a special skill (at least not with the Thunder). While he is indispensable and under-appreciated, there is little doubt the Thunder can turn him into a different player that can elevate the sum of Oklahoma City’s parts.”
Via NewsOK, Thunder players worked on their All-Star stuff after practice: “Durant had 16 points in his first go-round after a slow start. Daequan Cook, the league’s 2009 3-point contest winner, was off the mark and got booed by teammates. All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook, who went 4 for 4 on 3-pointers at Utah last Saturday night, had 23 points before running out of time with two balls still left in the final rack and received a standing ovation. Westbrook is an All-Star reserve and potentially could participate in the Skills Challenge. Teammates then helped forward Serge Ibaka prepare for the dunk contest, the details of which Thunder players have asked to remain privileged. “Thunder U is in full force today,” Brooks said, shaking his head as a dozen players continued with their post-practice recess.”