Monday Bolts – 9.26.16
Brett Dawson on Domantas Sabonis: “It’s not that the 20-year-old son of Hall of Famer Arvydas
Sabonis can’t enjoy the game. He loves it. He chose it, he will tell you, with minimal prodding from his famous father. It’s just that Sabonis’ idea of a good time might not look much fun. At Gonzaga, where he played two collegiate seasons, he’d routinely spend his late nights in the gym, shooting jumpers while a student manager chased rebounds. His priority in choosing an Oklahoma City apartment, he told Zags assistant Tommy Lloyd, was proximity to the Thunder’s practice facility, so he could stop by late for extra court time.”
Frank Isola of the NY Daily News: “Be careful doubting Russell Westbrook. Once Durant announced he was leaving for Golden State, reports surfaced that the Thunder would have no other choice but to trade their free agent-to-be point guard. Nope. Westbrook signed an extension and suddenly became the anti-Durant to the fans of OKC. In 61 career games without Durant on the floor, Westbrook’s numbers — points, rebounds and assists — are all up, but getting the Thunder to 45 wins will not be easy. Westbrook will need plenty of help. It’s time for center Steven Adams to start resembling an All-Star.”
I wrote something about the Thunder moving on with media day.
Russ says it’s important he takes a stand on social issues. Westbrook says he won’t kneel, as of right now, though.
Erik Horne: “For two seasons, Andre Roberson started 135 regular season games for the Thunder as the heir to Thabo Sefolosha at shooting guard. While Roberson provides length and athleticism on defense at 6-foot-7, he’s a below-average perimeter shooter and shot creator, scoring just 22.8 percent of his baskets unassisted last season. In contrast, Oladipo scored 51.5 percent of his baskets unassisted last season, which would have ranked fourth on the Thunder behind Westbrook, Cameron Payne and Dion Waiters. Defensively, Oladipo could improve simply by playing with better teammates. Roberson and Adams proved to be elite defenders in the postseason. Westbrook, when focused, can be a terror. Westbrook thinks he and Oladipo can be the best defensive backcourt in the league. Oladipo agrees.”
Matt Moore of CBSSports.com: “Oklahoma City had their media day Friday, and it mostly came and went without mention of Kevin Durant, save a few spare questions. And the players maintain that Westbrook is their leader. But Durant was there first, he was the franchise’s first icon. His being gone will resonate through camp. As the players get ready to go on, there will be more questions about Durant’s decision. The big lesson from the offseason is that nothing is forever. Everyone moves on eventually, and there are serious questions to be asked about how these teams will try and compensate for those departures.”
