Monday Bolts – 10.24.11
Players talked lockout after the OKC charity game: “No, no. Fifty-three. That’s where we’re staying at. We’ve had plenty of talks and we’re not dropping,” Harden said. “We already dropped and set our number at 53 so that’s what we’re sticking to. I’m definitely confident we’re going to have a season. I just don’t know when.”
Darnell Mayberry talked to fans about missing games: “In many cities, fans with opinions like Wallace’s would and perhaps already have boycotted NBA ball. That’s not the case in OKC, where after three seasons fans were just getting attached to NBA action before the labor dispute set in. Wallace is a prime example. He bought six tickets the day they went on sale last week. Five remained in his pocket as he snapped pre-game photos of the All-Stars from the first row of the lower bowl. His family couldn’t attend because his boys had football practice.”
At TrueHoop, 10 thoughts from last night’s game.
Mayberry with some notes: “I hesitate to offer any sort of analysis on how players looked based on this game. But KD did go to the post one time according to my count. (I could be way off there.) After a little shimmy, he shot a fadeaway and missed. It’s worth noting because he told me recently that his post game was the area of his game he’s improved the most this off-season.”
Good look at KD’s shoes from last night.
Jessica Lantz for SB Nation: “The third quarter was much of the same. Dunking acrobatics from Russ and LBJ, dishes and swishes by Paul, Beasley and Anthony, stepback three attempts by Harden and a genuine atmosphere of an almost-real NBA game when the defensive intensity picked up a bit. The fourth quarter belonged to the Durantulas, who went on a 20-2 run to put the White team ahead 152-143. The Blue team wasn’t done scoring yet, however and thanks to some spot-on long-range bombs by the “Melo Fellow” and Harden, free basketball was to be had. Lest you think this was all for fun and charity, these men were playing for a win.”
James Harden last night: “You don’t understand how much I miss this place. To see the fans and how much support we have out here, it’s unbelievable. I have flashbacks and memories, but hopefully we can get this lockout over and this deal done so we can get back on the court.”
David Aldridge on labor: “Thursday was the last straw, the end for those who believed this was a negotiation — a hard-nosed one, to be sure, but a negotiation — between two worthy adversaries, each looking for the best possible deal for themselves, but ultimately willing to make a deal. Thursday came and went, and at the end of 30 hours of negotiations that were finally, painstakingly bringing the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association toward a deal that would finally end this damnable lockout, there was, for some unfathomable reason, no deal. No further talks were scheduled and there was no more George Cohen, the mediator who just a day before had publicly expressed optimism at how well things were going. Thursday came and went, and it was clear that the NBA’s owners were determined to get everything.”
Nate Robinson with a pressing question: “If ur homeboy come to ur house & takes a crap n ur bathroom n ur room, & u have 6 other bathrooms in the house is he wrong or me 4 b n mad?”
