Monday Bolts – 10.17.16
Russell Westbrook is on the cover of GQ. Here’s a feature story by Daniel Riley: “After that series
loss, it seemed like things in Oklahoma City couldn’t ever again exist as they had. This is grossly overstating it, but Westbrook and Durant were like the palest version of a married couple who’d lost a child and wound up divorced. In the days that followed Durant’s departure, Westbrook was said to be angry and hurt, but he stayed largely quiet. Even now, months later, he’s careful with his words. He knows how things can sound, knows the value of striking a conciliatory tone.”
Marc Stein of ESPN.com: ”Harder to forecast is how the Oklahoma City Thunder will handle the cases of big man Steven Adams and newly acquired Victor Oladipo. OKC is naturally thrilled to have both players as it begins post-Kevin Durant life, especially the fast-developing Adams, but attempting to preserve salary-cap space for the summer to pursue free agents who’ll appeal to Russell Westbrook is likewise enticing.”
Erik Horne: “Short-handed or not — the Timberwolves rested all of their starters on the second night of a back-to-back — Westbrook and Adams showed chemistry that made an under-the-weather Billy Donovan feel much better. Playing his first game since Oct. 3, Adams had 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in just 23 minutes, while Westbrook had 26 points and 10 assists in his most extended playing time of the preseason.”
Here’s Steven Adams completely big boying Cole Aldrich.
Kevin Durant responds to a fan.
Fred Katz: “Donovan gave us his the taste of lineup strategy at the 4:35 mark in the first quarter when he subbed Abrines and Kanter for Adams and Oladipo. It was a clear set-up to stagger the minutes of Westbrook and Oladipo, insuring that at least one of the two would be on the court at all times. A couple of minutes later, Westbrook subbed out, and Oladipo re-entered. He ran the bench unit into the start of the second quarter before Westbrook returned with a little more than eight minutes left in the first half. “We’re getting into the flow of things, trying to figure out different things we can use,” Westbrook said. “It was good.” Staggering Westbrook’s and Oladipo’s minutes is a necessary move for Donovan given Payne’s status. With the team’s tertiary creator gone, there isn’t anyone else to step into that role. So, when Christon was in, the Thunder let Oladipo split the offense with him.”