Thursday Bolts – 11.21.13
Anthony Slater: “One hails from the Republic of Congo. The other from right here in Oklahoma City. One played his formative ball in Europe. The other starred 20 minutes down the road at the University of Oklahoma. One has shed the label of foreigner, endearing himself to the Thunder faithful. The other has become a local NBA villain, transforming into the face of a cross-country rival. It’s Serge Ibaka verse Blake Griffin. The adopted son against the forgotten one. And it’s one of the league’s most intriguing head-to-head matchups, with the latest chapter in this wacky tale of sports loyalty set for Thursday night in OKC, when the Clippers visit the Thunder.”
George Karl on MVP: “The three guys on my plate are Chris Paul, Kevin Love and Kevin Durant. But Love is in a place where he could put up incredible numbers this season. His focus is tremendous now — in the past, he seemed more driven by the individual result rather than team result. But he’s averaging five assists now, and in Rick Adelman’s system, you need that high-post presence. Love gives his team that presence. He’s going to get his touches and he rebounds in his sleep, but his efficiency with the pass will be key.”
Charles Barkley: “I like the Thunder. I have been critical of the Thunder the last couple of years because they don’t have a low-post presence. I like the (Steven) Adams kid a lot and I think he is going to be the key whether they can go to the next level.”
Kevin Durant was impressed by Marcus Smart.
Bradford Doolittle of ESPN Insider thinks OKC would be a fit for Iman Shumpert: “The emergence of rookie Steven Adams could render Hasheem Thabeet superfluous, and the salaries work. Thabeet would kill the Knicks on offense, but at least he can protect the rim. He’s blocked 2.9 shots per 36 minutes during his career. Hard to see the Thunder doing this though, as OKC already has had trouble finding minutes for all five of its guards.”
