Thursday Bolts – 3.24.16

Ethan Strauss of ESPN.com: “The issue is that when it’s not a Spurs or Thunder game,

the Warriors are seen as playing against themselves. Against the vast majority of the league, Golden State doesn’t have to prove its superiority anymore or, at least, doesn’t feel a burning need to. “Lob City” was once a measuring stick and, sometimes, a squad that Golden State could aspire to one day best. Now, the Warriors have 73 reasons to win and the Clippers aren’t one.”

Erik Horne: “Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving left a Feb. 21 game against the Thunder with “flu-like symptoms,” but what raised eyebrows were Irving’s comments the next day about the Skirvin Hilton. When Irving blamed his bad night’s sleep on bedbugs, it fostered concern about one of Oklahoma City’s premier stops for NBA teams. What once was a hotel known primarily for its legend of Effie the housekeeper haunting its halls, the Skirvin has had to recently tangle with more than ghost stories. It’s been a month since Irving’s run-in with bedbugs and the Skirvin’s swift response. In that span, some NBA teams have elected to stay elsewhere despite the Skirvin going to lengths to alleviate fears.”

Here’s why Taye Diggs follows you on Twitter.

Bill Reiter of CBSSports.com on LeBron’s wackiness: “There’s even more important context here: This is LeBron James we’re talking about, a transcendent basketball figure who knows what his words, his tweets, his deeds and his actions mean to basketball, to American culture, to the media, to his teammates. Few stars have a larger grasp on their power and impact than the Chosen One. He chose to say and do these things knowing full well that drama would surely follow. LeBron is as much like a president as any player on earth, and he surely knows any off-hand remark matters, any action reflects not just on him but on what and who he represents. Does that make him a bad teammate, a bad dude? Does that mean he bears the brunt of criticism here? It’s hard to say. And winning, as time and LeBron have taught us, heals all things. But whether it’s the Spurs or the Warriors, that’s going to be easier said than done if LeBron and his team make the NBA Finals.”

Enes Kanter on Russilo and Kanell.

Chad Ford and Kevin Pelton’s latest mock: “Sorry, Chad, you’re not getting a second chance at Buddy. Hield’s shooting ability is almost tailor-made for a Timberwolves team sorely in need of floor spacing. Since Zach LaVine has claimed the starting spot at shooting guard, Minnesota needs a backup at the position and Hield could eventually start alongside him if the Timberwolves decide LaVine is better suited at point guard and move on from Ricky Rubio.”