Thursday Bolts – 6.9.16

Berry Tramel grading Russell Westbrook’s season: “The Thunder reached the 2012 NBA

Finals with a point guard who averaged 5.5 assists a game. That same point guard almost doubled that total this season. Westbrook averaged a career high 10.4 assists per game, second in the NBA. His decision-making and passing were excellent. In the playoffs, even better — 11.0 assists per game. In the series against the Warriors, Westbrook had more assists than Golden State facilitators Draymond Green and Steph Curry combined.”

Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report: “All we and Durant know about OKC’s roster is that it did beat one of the best teams ever in the playoffs and probably should have beaten a second. Golden State’s ongoing dominance against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals only magnifies Oklahoma City’s incomprehensibly high level of play in the conference finals. Considering the full scope of what this season taught us about the Thunder, and factoring in the massive risks and financial realities of chasing outside talent, OKC should bank on Durant believing in the group he’s already playing with.”

Erik Horne: “His star shone just a brightly off the court. Westbrook was yet again must-see TV for his pregame attire (numerous blogs were devoted solely to what he wore before and after every playoff game), but his pregame dance with rookie Cameron Payne also elevated his star status. The dance had a twofold effect: It was the ritualistic start to each Thunder game — from preseason to postseason, Westbrook and Payne dabbed, vogued and discoed before more than 100 games. But it was also symbolic of the relationship Westbrook developed with Payne, and as a team leader.”

OKC’s adding Adrian Griffin to its coaching staff.

KD visited the White House for My Brother’s Keeper.

This is a bad take from a Chicago columnist: “[Durant’s] upcoming negotiation with suitors around the NBA coincidentally lines up with the windfall of the league’s new television deal. And that creates all kinds of new options, with so many franchises convincing themselves that they’re in play. The timing will be tight with the free-agent period beginning in July and the Olympics opening Aug. 5, an unnecessary complication as he contemplates offers for the next stage of his professional life.”

KD gets free crab legs for life if he signs with the Celtics.