Monday Bolts – 1.3.11
Darnell Mayberry on KD’s emerging post game: “His latest weapon originates from the left block. Against the Nuggets, it started with a post-up against guard J.R. Smith. Durant gave Smith a bump, dribbled once, turned over his right shoulder, rose and swished a smooth jump shot. Durant then duplicated the quick move against Arron Afflalo. It marked the makings of Durant’s post-up game.”
Marc Stein in his Weekend Dime: “As if the 30.1 points per game he averaged to lead Oklahoma City to 50 wins and finish second in MVP voting weren’t strong enough clues, Kevin Durant announced his leap to superstardom in even louder fashion during the summer. First he signed a max contract extension with the Thunder, with the minimum amount of fuss, to unwittingly earn himself a reputation for being the huggable franchise player most unlike James. The 21-year-old, who has since turned 22, then led an American team missing everyone from the squad that won gold at the 2008 Olympics in China to its first gold medal in the world championships in 16 years, ending a drought dating to 1994.”
OKC is one of the top clutch teams.
Matt Moore on the Westbrook triple-double: “If you’re the type that thinks that running up the score should be allowed, that it’s the objective of the defense to stop the offense, and we shouldn’t punish players for going to the whistle, even when the game is very clearly over and there’s absolutely nothing to be gained from such endeavors, then you’re probably going to side with Westbrook and Ibaka. If you’re the type that thinks there should be limits and rules regarding how you behave in a professional sporting contest where the objective at all times is to create baskets while preventing the same from your opponent, then you’re probably not going to like this. We’re not going to settle it, because we all have our opinions and they’re unlikely to change in this matter.”
KD is seventh in NBA.com’s MVP race: “The NBA’s leading scorer got himself 99 points in three games last week, making 58.3 percent of his shots overall and 43 percent (9 of 21) from 3-point range. His 44 points against Denver earned the Sonics/Thunder franchise its first Christmas victory (1-11 now).”
Fran Blinebury has a resolution for the Thunder: “Entering the season as everyone’s popular pick to make a deep run through the Western Conference playoff bracket, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green resolve not to get discouraged if the big breakthrough doesn’t come this season. Remember how long even Michael Jordan knocked at the door.”
NBA.com’s power rankings: “At what point does Scott Brooks change his starting lineup? Consistency and cohesion are nice, but the Thunder starters outscored their opponents by just 1.6 points per 48 minutes last season, and this year they’re outscoring them by 0.5 per 48, with perimeter defense being the biggest problem.”
Ziller maps out the NBA’s scorers.
David Aldridge with his top 10 of 2010: “OKC’s Kevin Durant increases the pain in Portland by becoming a full-fledged superstar in his third NBA season. He becomes the youngest player in history to lead the league in scoring (30.1), is named first-team All-NBA and finishes second to LeBron James in MVP voting. He then endears himself to just about every writer covering the L by announcing, quietly, on his Twitter account that he’s re-upping with the Thunder with a long-term extension, then caps his Magnificent Summer by leading the United States team to an unexpectedly easy victory in the World Championships in Turkey, including a dismantling of the host Turks in the gold medal game.”