Monday Bolts – 10.14.13
Tom Ziller of SB Nation on pure scoring: “Similarly, the concept of a “pure scorer” is a little mystifying. What is purity? An absence of contaminants. In human terms, a contaminant would be something something immoral or, less harshly, lacking in the department of moral norms. Basically, to be pure is to successfully live up to the ideal, whatever it may be. In measuring purity in basketball, the ideal point guard would be one who sets up teammates and doesn’t take too many shots himself. So measuring it is pretty straightforward: assists are pure, shots are impure. Translate that to the concept of the pure scorer, and it’s trickier. What makes a scorer pure? Well, by our standard definition of purity, it’d be the absence of all that is not scoring. So that would mean assists, and if you wanted to stretch it out, also perhaps rebounding and defense. In the end, by defining the “pure scorer” in this way, you’re also defining the “one-dimensional ballhog.” That doesn’t sound as nice, does it?”
Darnell Mayberry on Durant’s minutes: “It’s worth noting that before the 2004-05 season, 11 of 13 NBA champions had players log at least 3,000 minutes. So reaching that mark isn’t some sort of death sentence. But the current nine-year trend does suggest, among other things, that players need rest (and in many cases strong supporting casts to get it). Limiting minutes is one way to ensure players get ample rest throughout a grueling 82-game season. Taking games off and missing contests because of injury plays a part as well. But that speaks to the larger point. Regardless of the reason, players are receiving rest. Yet even in a season in which the Thunder won 60 games and posted an eye-popping 9.2 average point differential, the Thunder still played Durant 38.5 minutes per game last season.”
Anthony Slater on the fanbase’s mindset: “For some, cynicism has crept in and clouded the current mindset. Every move is now questioned, every decision now scrutinized. The benefit of the doubt is on the verge of extinction. It started with the Harden trade, gained steam with Westbrook’s injury and only snowballed throughout the summer. Kevin Martin moved on to Minnesota. The Thunder couldn’t close the deal with a replacement. Western Conference rivals closed the gap. And Westbrook needed a second surgery.”
KD on Monica Wright winning a title: “Unbelievable,” Durant said of Wright’s achievement. “I’m excited for her, proud of her for helping her team win a championship. It’s kind of tears of joy, I almost shed one for her. She’s my future wife and she’s got more championships than I do.”
Chris Webber says the Thunder aren’t contenders.
Serge Ibaka for NBA.com: “Everyone knows the NBA is a global brand that is known worldwide but still, there are places where basketball is more or less popular. Of course, in the UK soccer is the number one sport. This is why it was important to be there to help promote not only the NBA but also basketball as a sport. The atmosphere in the city and at the arena during the game was amazing and I can tell basketball is a growing passion in the UK. It was a big event for many fans that don’t usually have the chance to see the NBA live and from interacting with them you could tell they were genuinely excited.”
