Monday Bolts – 2.27.12
John Hollinger of ESPN.com writes we might’ve gotten a small Finals preview: “Westbrook seemed pretty amped in general, screaming after nearly every made basket and playfully shooting and holstering guns toward Durant after a 3-pointer. And he and Wade will have a huge impact on whatever happens both between now and June, and in any NBA Finals meeting between the two. Nonetheless, it’s LeBron vs. KD that tantalizes as both a contrast in styles and a match-up of supreme talents. The (arguably) two best players, on (arguably) the two best teams, lined up across from each other in a battle of South Beach vs. Main Street. Sunday’s battle left us hungry for more, but only time will tell if we get it.”
Via Elias, KD became the first player ever to score 30 or more points in back-to-back All-Star Games. Wow.
A GIF of Russell Westbrook’s awkward post-dunk dance.
Kurt Helin of PBT: “The game MVP did it all — he had maybe the best dunk of the night (off the backboard from Chris Paul), hit 3 threes, and added to his legacy as one of the game’s elite players. When the game was open he owned it, but he only had two points in the fourth quarter as the East picked up its defensive intensity and focused it on him. But his MVP is well deserved and likely the first of several.”
Video of KD with his MVP trophy.
Michael Wilbon on the second half of the season: “I expect by the end of April that Oklahoma City’s starting lineup, including Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Serge Ibaka, will be the best in the NBA, even better than Miami’s.”
Hollinger awarded Westbrook an A- for last night: “Can we get him in the dunk contest already? Threw down an absolutely nasty one-handed dunk down the lane with two minutes left, and had several other highlight-reel finishes. Oh, the game was good too. He had 21 points in 27 minutes and, believe it or not, tied for a game high with five offensive boards.”
Brent Barry recaps the All-Star Game.
Steve Aschburner of NBA.com: “By the final minutes, that honor was going to be either/or: Either Durant if the West held on to win, or James if his spark off the bench late managed to get the East all the way back. Of course, with the drama squeezed into the final minutes of the fourth quarter — let’s repeat, the fourth quarter — the scrutiny on James’ performance and decisions at the end was extreme.”
Mike and Mike discuss KD’s All-Star performance.
Charles Barkley dogging the Thunder: “I don’t dislike anybody. I’m giving my basketball opinion,” Barkley told The Oklahoman following Saturday night’s Slam Dunk Contest. “I don’t like their halfcourt offense. That’s just strictly a basketball opinion.”
Cole Aldrich had the tweet of the weekend during the 3-point contest: “@KDTrey5 good stuff but it was hard doing my 3 point celebration every time you hit a 3.. #legkick”
My column for CBSSports.com on KD winning MVP.
Video of KD being handed the trophy by David Stern.
Shaun Powell of NBA.com: “This MVP arm-wrestle is to be continued … starting Tuesday. LeBron James and Kevin Durant engaged in an entertaining back-and-forth where the All-Star Game award exchanged hands roughly 50 times, give or take. Whenever Durant’s grip seemed secure on the trophy, LeBron ripped it away. And vice versa. Dunks. Three-pointers. More dunks. More threes. Durant wanted it more. Then LeBron wanted it more. Until LeBron wanted it less.”
