Thursday Bolts – 6.2.11

Forbes on Durant’s endorsement-ness: “So what’s the fascination with this kid? First, he’s damn good.  Mr. Durant was the leading scorer in the NBA in 2010-11, averaging 27.7 points per game.  This was his 2nd consecutive year as the league’s top scorer. Second, his game has great appeal because its smooth and seamless.  Graceful and classy yet forceful and dominating when needed (see video above).  He’s not a trash talker for the most part.  He just plays his game.”

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports some serious progress was made on the CBA:  “So why the reason for hope? Two subtle, but potentially important  things. First, the bargaining session added to the schedule Wednesday  during the Finals was in addition to two meetings previously scheduled  for next Tuesday and Wednesday in Dallas. After a smaller session in New  York last week in which the players proposed some new “concepts” for  bridging the enormous gap between the two sides, the dialogue was deemed  positive enough to accelerate the talks. Hunter even hinted Wednesday  that another session could be added next week if the progress  continues.”

OKC worked out five players Wednesday: Tulsa’s Justin Hurtt, Alex Tyus, Illinois’s Mike Davis, Michigan State’s Durrell Summers and Stanford’s Jeremy Green. Kansas guard Josh Selby, Duke guard Nolan Smith, Butler forward Matt Howard, Texas guard Cory Joseph, Charleston guard Andrew Goudelock and Temple forward LaVoy Allen worked out for the Thunder last Friday.

Ricky Rubio is coming to America! Get excited.

Henry Abbott on how a new CBA could hurt younger players: “Meanwhile, it’s an open secret in the NBA that one key to good cap management is to accumulate as many players as possible on rookie contracts. The Thunder’s Sam Presti has written the book on this in recent years — Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and James Harden are just half of Oklahoma City’s eight rookie scale deals last season.”

Waka Flocka made a Durant inspired mixtape.

One Thunder fan has come up with a new logo and new uniforms for the Thunder. Plus explanation of all the inspiration behind it.

Kevin Durant’s reaction to Shaq’s retirement: “Congrats to Shaq on great career, he did so much for the game on and off the court! Much love big fella!! Greatest center ever???”

Chad Ford on this draft: “For sure. I think people misunderstand the criticism of the draft. The top two picks are really good … but they aren’t superstar caliber. The next 10 players in the draft are typically the sorts of players you get in the late lottery to mid first round. But after that, the draft is really loaded into the mid to late 30s. If I’m drafting anywhere between 15-35, I’m happy with the draft.”

Franklin and Bash premiere last night? I missed it. I can’t believe even  after the three months of endless promos that I actually forgot to  watch it. There’s a message in there about something I think.