Thursday Bolts – 9.6.12

Nick Gallo of the team’s site on Nick Collison’s trip: “The consummate team player and positive locker room force wasn’t done giving back after that trip, and in fact, he had the chance to join three of his Thunder teammates in Africa. Collison hopped back on a plane to meet up with Thabo Sefolosha, Serge Ibaka and Cole Aldrich in Johannesburg, South Africa to work with the NBA and FIBA’s Basketball Without Borders program. While in South Africa, the Thunder quartet, led by Sefolosha, whose father is South African and the Congolese Ibaka, helped lead a youth basketball camp, build houses with Habitat for Humanity and open four new basketball courts for the Alexandra Township community. It was a wonderful display of selflessness by the four Thunder players who just got finished with a condensed NBA season and a long NBA Playoff run. The fact that the four of them, all from different backgrounds, were able to join together to make an impact as teammates was very special.”

Perk checked in 94th in CBSSports.com’s top 100 players: “Perkins needs to live up to his reputation as a Dwight-Stopper this season to reclaim some of the clout he had when traded to OKC. Perkins struggled through the playoffs but it was discovered later that he had a groin injury which severely limited him. He still was a huge part of the Thunder’s win over San Antonio, but in a league that continues to shift more and more towards small ball and versatility, Perkins’ old-school center approach loses its value.”

Perk standing with a shorter person.

Another good Kevin McHale quote: “We’ve got to get these guys willing to fight for each other and go out there and fight for the win. Whatever it takes to make that happen, they’ll do it. Again, that is not the sexy, ‘Oh you’re in the NBA, you get paid.’ That’s why half these clowns in this league don’t win anything. They don’t realize that it comes down to how hard you’re willing to fight for each other. It’s your team. How hard are you willing to fight for it? … Because the answer is: Whatever it takes. When you have a team that says, ‘I’ll do whatever it takes to win,’ you’re moving in the right direction.”

James Harden hanging with Wiz Khalifa.

Brian Kamenetzky of ESPN LA: “I don’t think they’ll be reactionary. Miami, adding Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis haven’t been standing still, and OKC doesn’t need to add players, they just need to continue improving naturally. Neither of those teams is reactionary, both will stay their respective courses. And why not? The Heat are the NBA title holders, and the Thunder just went to the Finals. Don’t be cute.”