Thursday Bolts – 4.16.15

Shoals for GQ on Westbrook: “All of which begs the question: Exactly what was Russell Westbrook playing for? Technically, the Thunder could’ve made the playoffs on the last day, but without Durant or Ibaka, they were almost certain to bow out early. Was it reputation? If so, he certainly succeeded in silencing his critics and proving that he’s anything but a mere sidekick to Kevin Durant. Was it pride, honor, his teammates, or any of the other standard devices that keep a player going through a tough, at times futile, season? None of this really seems to account for what Russell Westbrook just did. His play regularly defied everything we thought we knew about basketball; what motivated him is just as unfathomable a topic.”

Darnell Mayberry: “Enes Kanter had his head bowed, buried under a blue bath towel as he sat in full uniform at the first cubicle on the left upon entrance into the visiting locker room inside the Target Center. As the majority of his teammates moseyed around, aimlessly for the most part, Kanter just sat there, thinking, wondering about all the “what ifs” that might have actually salvaged something in a season that seemed cursed from the start. What if he did more? What if he blocked one more shot, pulled down one more rebound, scored one more basket?”

My obit on the season from last night for ESPN.com.

This from Rodger Sherman and Seth Rosenthal of SB Nation is brilliant: “Starting lineups are introduced. We’re both pooping.”

A nice little airport greeting last night.

Berry Tramel: “We know the reason, of course, that the Thunder faltered. The Thunder failed to guard much of anybody once Ibaka went out. Shows Serge’s value, shows the limits of the guys that won 138-113 Wednesday night in Minnesota and shows what the emphasis has to be going forward. Yeah, it stinks that Durant missed 55 games, and Ibaka missed 18, and Westbrook missed 15. But the Thunder had plenty of time to stabilize and never really did. Blame the injuries that a title hunt was lost. But don’t blame the injuries that the Thunder couldn’t outperform the Pelicans over the last three months. And don’t blame the Spurs.”

Russell Westbrook won the scoring title hooray.

Woj is reporting Scott Brooks’ job isn’t safe: “The Oklahoma City Thunder are expected to spend time evaluating the partnership with coach Scott Brooks before committing to bring him back for the final year on his contract, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Brooks is guaranteed for the 2015-16 season on his deal, with the Thunder holding a team option for 2016-17, sources told Yahoo Sports.”