Monday Bolts – 8.27.12
KD to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports on the Lakers: “People outside, fans, media, of course they are going to say [the Lakers are the favorites] because on paper they have the best lineup in the league. But you still got to play the games. We respect everybody. We are going to go through the league respecting everybody as well. We already view ourselves as an elite team, but we have to prove it again. Last year is over with.”
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel with some reckless speculation: “Are the Magic looking to hook perhaps the NBA’s biggest fish four years from now? Yes, it’s difficult for fans to even digest how long a wait that might be. But wouldn’t the wait for Kevin Durant be worth it? Now the knee-jerk reaction might be this: Durant? Durant isn’t the kind of kid who would ever abandon Oklahoma City as a free agent (after the 2015-16 season.) He’s the leader of a great, young team now. And surely, the Thunder aren’t about to let him get away.”
KD talking about his faith: “It comes from my family. I went to a Christian school. I was always intrigued simply about how we got here. Why do we do the things we do? Who made us like this? My mom always sat me down and talked to me and I have spiritual teachers that help me out. I’m not perfect at all by any means. I’ve got a long way to go to become closer to the Lord but hopefully I can continue to stay on the path. I might take a few steps forward and take a couple steps back and take some steps forward, but I want to get better.”
Oh boy, James Harden at a strip club (careful, pictures NSFW). On you mark, Jenni.
Mark Cuban was pumped to see “Thunderstruck.”
“Thunderstruck” has moved up to 29% on Rotten Tomatoes.
George Lang of NewsOK reviews KD’s movie: “This is a love letter to the Thunder and especially Durant, and young viewers will enjoy seeing the NBA superstar interacting with relatable teen characters. Nothing about “Thunderstruck” is especially original, but Durant’s appeal as a good-natured role model at the top of his game comes through even when the comedy elements are strictly junior varsity.”
John Rohde: “If the Thunder can offer the max, presumably it will do so before the deadline to avoid any unnecessary distractions during the season. This leads to the following conclusion: If Harden goes to market, he won’t return in 2013-14. The pressure for Harden stems from whether he will remain in OKC or be drawn back to the desert.”
Matt Moore of PBT: “Durant will be great no matter what, barring injury, knock on wood. He’s going to get better in every phase of the game. But the kind of youthful “golly, we’re just excited to be here” enthusiasm in the Thunder locker room is already shifting to a more focused, determined desperation to win the title, to get over the hump. Most stars don’t win a title before 27. Experience wins, traditionally, in this league. The Thunder are trying to buck that, and they have a great chance. But they have to get past that final hurdle. They needed to make the playoffs, then they needed to advance in the playoffs, then they needed to make the Finals. They’ve done that, but the last step is hardest to climb, especially with how the Heat have built themselves and the Lakers’ standing in the West ready to cause mayhem.”