Monday Bolts – 4.16.12
Interesting research from Kirk Goldsberry on where KD likes to score from: “When we look at Durant’s heat map, we can identify more specific areas where he is most and least efficient. In terms of points per attempt, Durant is most efficient near the basket and near the top-of-the-key. There is very little blue on his chart, which is impressive for a 23-year-old guy who shoots a lot from all over the place. If he could work on two things, I might suggest the following: 1) His baseline game. He’s getting a lot of shots there, and he’s tall enough to excel there, but his efficiency is relatively low there compared to other elite longish shooters (e.g. Dirk). 2) That right-side wing (graphic left) 3-point shot. He’s obviously a great 3-point shooter, but his achilles from beyond the arc seems to be here, where he also seems to get a lot of shots.”
Bill Simmons wants OKC to play Denver in the first round: “Up and down, run and gun, get the F out of the way. Durant and Westbrook could average 70 combined, and also, we might have the Greatest Block That Ever Happened with Serge Ibaka and JaVale McGee involved. This is another “cross your fingers” matchup.”
Marc Stein of ESPN.com: “Seven for seven. Every team we’re talking about here has a serious structural flaw or two. For the Thunder, specifically, nothing is more glaring than their lack of interior scoring. OKC’s tendency to be outfoxed by older, smarter teams like San Antonio that can game plan them into trouble — as seen in the 2011 conference finals against Dallas — is another lingering issue. Yet those are flaws you can live with if you know you’ve got a highly talented team that can legitimately win the West. And coach Scotty Brooks knows he does.”
David Thorpe of ESPN.com says Alex Burks should study James Harden: “Burks loves to slash and has some talent as a driver, that much is sure. But most of the time NBA players have to read and react, not attack then read. No player has had a better feel for that since his first day as a pro than Harden. Always quick, but never rushing into danger, Harden is a great threat as a scorer and a passer since he takes the time to see the game as it plays out. It helps him to anticipate, too, which is something Burks would benefit from greatly. If Burks can learn to shoot like Harden, well, that would be an even greater gift.”
Jeff Van Gundy with a glorious rant about flopping.
John Hollinger of ESPN.com: “The hidden secret for this team has been the Niagara-like drop-off between their top four players and the rest of the roster. In particular, Kendrick Perkins has struggled mightily; according to basketballvalue.com, he has the worst adjusted plus-minus in the NBA this season at a breathtaking minus-20.15 points per 100 possessions, while his 8.38 PER is the worst of any center with more than 500 minutes played. Of course, there’s an opportunity lurking there, too. The Thunder have run circles around opponents in lineups with Kevin Durant at the 4; use that look more and play Perkins less, and bingo, you have a better team in the playoffs.”
Incredible picture of Russell Westbrook flying.
Darnell Mayberry on Serge Ibaka: “Serge Ibaka was hosting an event Thursday when a young fan sauntered up and shared his dream. It was no surprise that the lad wanted to be a pro ballplayer. What shocked Ibaka was the little boy wanted to be just like him. “He said, ‘Hey, Serge Ibaka, when I grow up I want to be a star. I want to play defense like you.’” Ibaka said. The exchange stood out to Ibaka. To the Thunder’s starting power forward, it was a reminder that his role, albeit not the most appealing, still is one that others look up to.”
