Thursday Bolts – 1.6.11

Tom Haberstroh makes a case for Steve Nash in OKC: “The league is chock full of build-around point guards, which has cut down the pool of potential suitors to only a few candidates. But Oklahoma City’s situation is unique, because what makes Russell Westbrook an elite point guard is his elite scoring ability. And one league source believes that’s exactly why the Thunder would be the scariest team in the Nash sweepstakes. “They would be unbelievable with Nash,” the source said. “What they really need is a center, but if Nash walks onto the court, he makes them better than any piece that Oklahoma City could add. It would take Westbrook to a whole new place as a player, since he can create at the 2.” The Thunder are flush with assets, including the Clippers’ 2012 first-rounder (top-10-protected), Morris Peterson and Nenad Krstic’s expiring contracts as well as a promising young player in James Harden.”

Let me go ahead and tell you A) why it won’t ever happen and B) why it’s a silly idea to start with. It’s not as simple as just sliding Westbrook over. Russ has worked his butt off for three years to try and become a point guard and right now, he’s getting pretty darn good at it. Presti passed on Ricky Rubio for this exact reason. And give up James Harden for something that doesn’t fit in long-term? How does that make any sense?

Something something fantasy basketball and Kevin Durant.

This guy will make you a painting of Kevin Durant if you win a contest of some kind. I don’t totally understand it but said I’d pass along the info.

The Thunder wants to make a point tonight in Dallas.

Scott Brooks isn’t a great speech giver. When he gets mic’d up, sometimes it’s a little weird. Keep playing, keep playing. Come on guys, believe. Just defend, defend. Get stops. Keep playing. That’s kind of how one of his speeches goes. Well he’s not alone as Steve Aschburner writes.

Dirk’s status is still unknown for tonight.

James Harden is becoming consistent, says Darnell Mayberry: “Harden, the Thunder’s second-year shooting guard, has been doing a pretty good job lately. Entering tonight’s game at Dallas, Harden has scored in double digits in each of the past 12 games. That streak might be modest for many. But for Harden, it’s a career-best.”

What kind of impact did playing with Team USA have for people? Pretty positive it looks like.

One of DT’s commenters has made his own stats site and the first post is one of those cool Google motion charts.