Friday Bolts – 2.18.11
Bill Simmons dropped his annual trade value column yesterday. Three Thunder players were in the top 50, but I liked what he said about Serge Ibaka: “Think how much better he’s gotten just in the past 12 months … then think about the fact that he’s only 21 … then remember that, by the time he turned 20, he had already survived a violent civil war in the Congo, been separated from his 18 siblings, survived on his own in Spain and Oklahoma City, learned his third and fourth languages and morphed into a playoff contender’s key shot-blocker/rebounder despite the fact that he started playing organized basketball only five years ago. I’m not betting against Sergeballu LaMu Sayonga Loom Walahas Jonas Hugo Ibaka.”
Bethlehem Shoals’ terrific GQ feature on the Thunder finally came out yesterday too: “For much of my time around the team, I wonder if the irreverent Westbrook isn’t the diametric opposite of Durant. The Los Angeles native tells me that the slower pace of Oklahoma City suits him because he’s “calm and low-key.” But I already suspect he’s bullshitting me. A day earlier, I watch Thunder assistant coach Maurice Cheeks work with Westbrook and Maynor on threes. Cheeks spots up in the corner and heaves a shot; Westbrook pegs it with a nearby ball, sending it across the gym. Westbrook cackles and does it again. An amused Cheeks tries one more. Westbrook jumps straight up and peels this last attempt out of midair.”
Russell Westbrook was voted in to the Skill Competition if you didn’t already see. What’s cool is that now OKC has a player in every event.
A USA Today story on Westbrook: “Some scouts think Westbrook is the fastest player with the dribble in the league going north-south. But it’s his physical strength that makes Westbrook exceptional. It helps him when attacking the offensive glass. Playing in the world championships helped him emphasize that part of his game better with the Thunder.”
Russ also has a little diary going for USA Today.
Kelly Crull of Thunder.NBA.com recaps the first day in LA.
Shoals and Eric Freeman of Fanhouse predicting things for All-Star Weekend: “James Harden will take way too many shots in the Rookie Game. Looking for some fame while out of the shadow of his more famous teammates, Harden will shoot 25 times. He will be the only player to score on a two-point jumper.”
Another TrueHoop TV installment, where I take KD for MVP.
Trey Kerby of TBJ with KD: “TK: Alright, last question. The Oscars are here next week. Who you got for best picture? KD: Oscars? What is that, the movies? TK: Yep, movies. KD: Scarlett Johansson. (laughs)”