Friday Bolts – 8.24.12
Dan Devine on Ibaka and Spain: “And so Ibaka’s role was clear, and clearly defined, to anyone paying attention — if the Gasols were healthy, he was going to play reserve minutes behind two firmly entrenched national team members who also happen to be better scorers, passers and all-around basketball players than he is at this stage in their respective careers. That’s not 20/20 hindsight; that’s the application of logic to a lineup. And before he goes off and does any more unfriendly gesticulating or post-practice-buffet-avoiding, Ibaka should apply some to upcoming iterations of the Spanish side.”
Chris Broussard of ESPN.com on KD’s MVP chances: “While it was nice to see Durant grab eight boards a game — he should always be around that number — he actually had a drop off on the offensive glass. Early in his career, he would get you an offensive rebound per game, but last season, he averaged a career-low 0.6 offensive boards. The decline was indicative of Durant’s decision to play outside more. I like him outside since he is such a great shooter, but he needs to be more aggressive in attacking the rim. Last season, he averaged just 7.6 free throws per game, his lowest average in three seasons. For Durant, who could very well lead the league in scoring for the fourth straight season, the MVP formula is to get more aggressive in the paint, both by driving and by rebounding, and to improve defensively. Leading OKC to the best record in the league will be a huge boost for his MVP chances as well.”
ESPN.com’s survey of writers has KD second for MVP.
Bradford Doolittle of ESPN.com on Andre Iguodala: “The biggest boost will come from Iguodala’s ability to defend the game’s best perimeter players one-on-one, leaving the rest of the defense to pressure and play the passing lanes. This will be especially important if the Nuggets come up against Oklahoma City in the postseason. No one can stop Kevin Durant, but last season, the Thunder’s scoring superstar lit up the Nuggets for 35.7 points per game on 59.1 percent shooting. He put up 51 on Denver in one February game. In six career games against Iguodala and his former team in Philadelphia, Durant averaged 23.8 points on 45 percent shooting. If you factor in Iggy’s edge in assists (6.5 to 1.7) and the fact he has averaged 19 points on 53.7 percent shooting against Durant, he actually has been responsible for creating more points than Durant when the two go head-to-head.”
Via Seattle Weekly: “Always wanted to get your hands on an ivory leather half-moon sofa once owned by former Sonic and current member of the Oklahoma City Thunder Nick Collison? Now is your chance. According to an email sent out this morning by Seattle company Estate Teams – which handles estate sales, business liquidations and moving sales according to its website – this Saturday those interested will have an opportunity to peruse high-end furniture being offered for purchase as part of a estate/moving sale at 16 Comstock Street, a parcel of land on Queen Anne registered to Collison. Several posts on the Estate Teams Facebook page also announces the sale.”