Thursday Bolts – 9.13.12
Berry Tramel doesn’t think OKC will re-sign Harden: “I don’t see how it’s going to happen. Even if the Thunder signs him at $12.5 million, it’s going to cost OKC quite a bit in luxury tax. But signing him at $15M per year? No way. I think he plays this year without an extension.”
Kurt Helin of PBT: “The Thunder knew this was coming, they have known since before the new CBA was signed the price Harden would command on the open market. They made their deal with Serge Ibaka knowing full well what the future costs of Harden would be. This is not on Harden, this is fully on the Thunder and their ownership. They can make the max offer before the Oct. 31 deadline for a contract extension and avoid the season of drama (they have no plans to trade him), or they can wait until next summer. Their call. The price isn’t changing.”
You know Russell Westbrook isn’t missing out on fashion week.
Kelly Dwyer of BDL on Perk/Harden: “And it’s what they’ll have to deal with between now and Halloween, as they determine Harden’s future on the squad. Everyone wants the guy to stick around, and Thunder players (mindful of that sold out stadium that is full from October to June) think the team’s finances can support a payroll like this. The Thunder’s core might not be as brilliant as the ones we see in Miami or Los Angeles, but it’s not far off; and the trade off on that disparity is depth that far exceeds what the Lakers and Heat boast. The team has a month and a half to figure the extension out. We wouldn’t be surprised, Perkins’ assurances aside and no matter the result, if it takes until July of 2013 for the saga to end. Good thing. Because right now the NBA is just about all out of sagas.”
Serge Ibaka could work for my dad if the whole NBA thing doesn’t work out. (My dad owns a masonry company, you see.)
He Who Must Not Be Named had a response to KD’s response. NSFSP (Not Safe For Sane People).
With Leather on You-Know-Who: “The other problem is that even the big fish can’t ignore Bayless’ shiny lure, as we’ve already seen Chad Johnson “debate” Bayless and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban “own” him. It’s just too bad that even when Bayless is being “owned”, he wins because people tuned in. Ultimately, we can only stop Bayless by completely ignoring him, and that’s not going to happen anytime soon, thanks to Kevin Durant being his latest mark.”
Former Thunder great and mustache superstar Kevin Ollie is now the head coach of UConn.
Dan Grunfeld for SB Nation on why athlete’s read: “Obviously, I’m an athlete who likes to read, and I genuinely believe that there is something symbiotic about these two parts of my life. Reading in some small way makes me a more productive athlete, and being a pro athlete makes me enjoy the serentiy that reading provides just a little bit more. That’s all great, but truthfully, I’ll still love to read long after my days of playing ball are over. It’s one of my most enjoyable personal hobbies, and maybe that’s why it helps me as a ballplayer: because I like doing it so much. Either way, it’s not for everyone, and it’s far from a secret weapon that guarantees sports success. But, if you’re an athlete who enjoys it, like I do, it can help your performance in certain subtle ways. That’s all we can ask for, and no matter what, if you nurture a love of reading, it will be with you forever. And that’s a great gift, in and of itself.”
