Friday Bolts – 3.30.12
Kurt Helin of PBT: “One game in March does not a potential playoff series determine, but the statements from this game are the statements we have seen these teams for a while now. The Lakers are good but they don’t seem to have all the pieces of a contender — consistent defense, weak transition defense, good bench depth at the two and four, and they still struggle to shoot consistently from the outside The Thunder are deeper, more athletic, more complete. And they have an energy that helps them overcome their flaws. And when all else fails they can just put their head down and run past the Lakers.”
Kelly Dwyer of BDL on Derek Fisher’s return to LA: “Even with the famously 37-year old Fisher playing on the Oklahoma City side, the Lakers looked old in defeat. They didn’t spread the floor well on offense, allowing the Thunder defense to load up as Kobe Bryant took 25 shots, and they had no answer defensively for the Thunder in transition. On court, it appears as if the Lakers are blowing their chance at ascending to the ranks of the NBA’s elite just because they refuse to commit to sound, smart basketball. This disappointment pales in comparison to the lack of commitment from the team’s ownership, though. And Thursday night was an unfortunate reminder.”
Shane Ryan of Grantland: “Russell Westbrook scored 33 points and dished out six assists in a 102-93 Thunder victory over the Lakers. “Your flight is canceled?” he was heard shouting into his cell phone after the game. “Damnit Ed! You just cost me everything.” With a weary sigh, he put on his clothes. Reporters watched in puzzlement as he strapped what looked like a set of explosives around his chest. “There’s only one way to stop them,” he said.”
Beckley Mason of ESPN.com on how the Durant goaltending call could change basketball: “The play in Portland was an eye-opener. Goaltending is almost always a difficult call (despite what some broadcasters and fans seem to think), and this was an especially challenging case — as Kevin Durant drove hard to the basket, LaMarcus Aldridge trailed and then knocked away Durant’s layup, just before it reached the backboard, with all the action fast and furious. From a difficult angle about 30 feet away, referee Scott Foster whistled goaltending, to the delight of the Thunder and the dismay of the Blazers and their fans. This call tied the game 103-103 with 6.0 seconds remaining, and the Thunder went on to win in overtime.”
Berry Tramel with an odd column about Bill Self coaching the Thunder: “But there are Thunder ties, too. Self went to OSU and became lifelong friends with R.C. Buford, now the Spurs’ general manager. And you know what that means; the Thunder operates out of the San Antonio manual. Thunder GM Sam Presti came from the Spurs, an apprentice of Buford and president/coach Gregg Popovich. Of course, you could argue that means Self will be the next coach of the Spurs, and that’s not thin ice, either. But the Thunder/Self ties go beyond geography and the Spurs. Presti’s fiancé once was Self’s administrative assistant at KU. Presti knows all about Self.”
The Lakers tribute video to Fisher.
Brian Kamentzky of ESPN LA: “Nothing about Thursday’s game changed the prevailing opinion the Thunder are the Western Conference’s best team, and perhaps the NBA’s. One big reason — OKC can check Kobe Bryant. Thabo Sefolosha has long been one of the more effective defenders against Kobe, but now the Thunder can throw James Harden at him, as well. Both were able to keep Bryant either on the perimeter or working with tougher finishing opportunities off the drive. Bryant did OK when given catch-and-shoot opportunities with off-ball screens, but even when he was hitting perimeter shots — he buried his first two jumpers, both a couple of feet inside the arc, and in the fourth buried a corner 3 facing up against Harden — they were the types of looks Scott Brooks & Co. would encourage.”
Something by me at CBSSports.com.
Darius Soriano of Forum Blue and Gold: “Said another way, OKC showed that they’re much better than the Lakers and considering it was a home game for the Lakers and that the season only has 15 games left that’s a bad sign. I mentioned before the game that this was a measuring stick game and the Lakers showed that they don’t measure up in falling way short of competing over the final two and a half quarters. Time is running short for this team to get it together and while Mike Brown searches for rotations that work, his big three are playing heavy minutes and wearing down. The formula is a bad one right now and the Lakers must find a way to get it together. And soon.”
Mark Medina of the LA Times: “The Lakers are chippy with the Thunder. The Lakers clearly showed they can’t beat the Thunder in a playoff series. But it surely would be competitive. World Peace pushed Perkins on a drive to the basket. Bryant constantly jawed with James Harden and Thabo Sefolosha. The mere sight of Perkins reminded the Lakers of him wearing a Celtics uniform. It would make for a competitive series that would probably go the Thunder’s way.”
Austin Link for ESPN.com says KD is better than Kobe: “Three years ago that sentence wasn’t true. At the respective peaks of their careers, it’s probably not true. This season, however, Durant would be the best player in a Lakers-Thunder matchup. At first glance, Durant and Bryant’s stats look pretty similar. Both stars average 28 points per game, and while Durant gets a few more rebounds, Bryant gets a couple more assists. However, looking just at per-game numbers ignores what basketball’s statistical revolution has taught us. Efficiency matters. Bryant has an offensive rating of 104 this season, while Durant has a 115. By being 10 percent more efficient on the floor, Durant is a more valuable player.”
Kurt Rambis looks at if KD is the MVP.
John Rohde: “Just in case there was any doubt, Perkins can’t stand Pau Gasol. Perk has said as much, which is why Perk was booed louder than any Thunder player all night, including pre-game introductions. Perk was called for his 12th technical foul of the season after he flared his elbows and was fouled by Gasol. The tech has a good chance of being rescinded. Remember, 13 techs bring a one-game suspension, as does every other tech thereafter.”