Friday Bolts – 9.27.13
James Harden agrees with KD: “For sure … For sure. Last year I got a chance to prove it, I kind of broke out of the shell a little bit. Even though it was my first year [as a starter], I’ve got a lot more to prove. I’ve kind of always been the underdog, always been looked over, so it’s nothing new.
Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel: “And that’s the thing. That’s the part that you can’t see, what Durant, from such a distant view, couldn’t possibly notice. This is not a shooting guard dominating the ball like Bryant and Harden. This is deferring for the greater good, while still playing at near-peak efficiency. Who’s better? Who cares? What the Heat need from Wade is a beta-dog, whether he ranks eighth or 11th in the view of others. At this stage, the greatest compliment is how he complements. And, of course, the quality of his written work.”
Matt Moore of CBSSports.com has OKC No. 2: “Had a poor offseason, Russell Westbrook is coming back from injury, lost Kevin Martin. But the truth is that Westbrook should be ready to go and Kevin Durant is still the best scoring force on the planet.”
Twitter accounts to follow for every team.
Jenni Carlson: “Still, it was a bit unnerving for Thunder fans to watch as many Western Conference foes made franchise-altering moves this summer. The Thunder was in the hunt for the aging but sharpshooting Mike Miller, who signed with the Grizzlies, and Dorrell Wright, a versatile swingman went to the Blazers. Neither is a worldbeater, but either would’ve been a nice addition. Instead, after Miller and Wright landed elsewhere, the Thunder was left with Fisher and Gomes, who played in Germany last season. The reaction in Thunderland? Crickets. The Thunder wasn’t going to make a big move in free agency anyway. Can’t go over the salary cap and risk landing in the luxury tax.”
