Thursday Bolts – 4.26.12
Matt Moore of CBSSports.com has KD second for MVP: “Durant is the biggest part of the Thunder having one of the best offensive rating in basketball for the entire season, but he’s not such a dominant force that it outweighs LeBron. Kevin Durant will likely win the scoring title this season. That should tell you something about what James has done, not about what Durant has not. But if you choose to go with Durant, there is no fault to give. His defense has hit the level it needs to for him to be an elite player. He’s become an adept passer who can see the entire floor and deliver it. He’s become better in most areas and at the purest level, Durant is able to hit the tough shot at a better rate than any other player in the league. He’s a worthy candidate, just not quite good enough to bring it home.”
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com on James Harden as Sixth Man: “After that lengthy explanation and arduous analysis, the last two awards were pretty straightforward. The Thunder’s James Harden is by far the most important non-starter in the league, both in terms of statistical production and the completeness of his game. Similar to Lamar Odom with the Lakers the past few years, you take Harden away from the Thunder, and they go from being a championship-caliber team to being beatable.”
John Hollinger of ESPN.com wisely has Harden as third-team All-NBA: “So I landed on Harden and Pierce. Harden was the easier call, thriving in a sixth-man role in Oklahoma City while arguably being the team’s second-best player. The Thunder play dramatically better with him on the court — he’s second in the NBA in adjusted plus-minus — and his EWA, despite limited minutes, was the best of any wing player remaining. Throw in the Thunder’s success and this was an easy call.”
The Lakers will likely rest starters tonight. Except for Kobe.
Via ESPN Stats and Info: “Thunder finish their season 47-19, for a .712 win pct. It’s the franchise’s best win pct since the 1997-98 season, when the Seattle SuperSonics finished 61-21.”
Darnell Mayberry on last night’s game: “That’s what has got to make this loss sting a tad bit. The Thunder had a chance to sort of control its destiny with its first-round matchup but couldn’t seal the deal. A win over Denver would have increased the chances that the Thunder avoided the defending champions. Instead, it now appears that the Thunder will draw its least favorable matchup. And that marks the latest time the this team has displayed a disturbing trend. Every time the Thunder has a chance to control its destiny by winning, it seems the team doesn’t do it.”
Video of the tightrope guy falling, along with this line from Dan Devine of BDL: “Let’s look on the bright side here: He got up, he began to walk it off, and he didn’t appear to tear his attire. It’s like my grandfather always told me: Pain is temporary, but teal-and-blue, fringe-and-shimmering-star-laden outfits are forever. “Pride” also played a role in there somewhere, I think; it’s hard to remember. So definitely continue tippin’ on that tightrope, Fletcher.”
I asked KD if he thought Ibaka was DPOY material: “I think he is,” Durant said. “If you look at the guys that block shots, Dwight Howard, he got Defensive Player of the Year for blocking shots three years in a row. But some of that stuff is sometimes reputation and name. It’s sad to say those awards and stuff is like that but hopefully, I think he deserves it. How many shots he’s blocked and double-digit shot blocks he had in the season and how he changes every shot for us. If people really watch our games they’ll really know how much of a defensive force he is. But like I said that stuff goes down to popular names or stuff like that. But I hope he’s in the top two voted.”
Zach Lowe of SI says James Harden is Most Improved: “In other words, Harden has become a wonderfully efficient, well-rounded offensive player, and he figures to get even better as he develops more chemistry with Kevin Durant. He improved as a defender, particularly on the ball, but like most young players, there is still lots of work to do on the nuances. Still, Harden made the leap to stardom, and that’s the toughest leap to make in the league. For that, he gets our Most Improved Player award.”
