Monday Bolts – 4.25.16
Anthony Slater: “Back in the summer of 2008, an NBA franchise arrived in Oklahoma City
without a nickname but with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The Thunder moniker came months later. As the duo rose to superstardom — because the duo rose to superstardom — the Thunder brand became recognized worldwide. They are the identity of this franchise, a marketable two-headed monster gobbling up the headlines and occupying the top two spots on opposing scouting reports. Pick your order. But in NBA circles, a secondary Thunder characteristic has formed this season — that of an athletic, bruising, physical interior relentlessly attacking the glass. Nearly every opposing coach brings it up, unprovoked, pregame when asked a key to containing OKC.”
Kevin Durant is not suspended for Game 5. He did pick up a $15,000 fine. And Russell Westbrook got a $25,000 one, for yelling at a fan.
Berry Tramel: “Nowitzki also is a road map for Kevin Durant. As Durant makes his big decision this summer, and maybe another next summer, he can look to Dirk for one of the routes available. A career in one city. A long quest to bring a title to town. Lots of barriers along the way. Iconic status that never will fade. It’s not for everybody. Wasn’t for Dwight Howard or Shaquille O’Neal. Wasn’t for Carmelo Anthony or Chris Paul. Wasn’t even for LeBron, though he’s trying to reroute. But it was for Kobe and Tim Duncan, Reggie Miller and David Robinson, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.”
David Lee is done for the series.
So… Steph Curry. As the Thunder know all too well, the playoffs can turn just like that.
Randy Foye: “We want to get better. We feel as though as a team that we’re not playing our best basketball. We’re not satisfied with being where we’re at right now. We’re just trying to continue to take it to another level, every single practice. Even when we’re not practicing as hard, there’s guys in here trying to get work in, trying to better themselves.”
