Wednesday Bolts – 1.29.14
Tom Ley of Deadspin: “But Durant is so big and so agile and so precise in his mechanics that nothing he throws up is a garbage shot. While watching that last play, I remember thinking that the Thunder were waiting way too long to get the ball in Durant’s hands. When he eventually did get the ball, about 35 feet away from the rim with five seconds on the clock, I thought Scott Brooks had blown it. There’s not enough time, you idiot! Maybe think about drawing up a play next time. And then Durant started to make his move, and I realized that whatever happened in the next five seconds—a triple team, an earthquake, Bill Russell himself dropping from the rafters to try and block Durant’s jumper—didn’t really matter. The ball was in Kevin Durant’s hands, and the Thunder had already won.”
Rob Mahoney of SI.com makes a case for KD as Most Improved: “Durant is in an even more fascinating position. On the most superficial level, it might seem as if there isn’t much room for Durant to grow — that the most he could do would be to unseat James, moving from the consensus second-best player on the planet into the top slot. But can we consider for a moment just how insanely difficult that is? How challenging it is to jump to a league-leading usage rate while bolstering his shooting efficiency in the process? To contribute more assists and commit fewer turnovers while acting as a predominant creator? And to do so all while operating without Russell Westbrook, the underlying engine of the Thunder offense?”
Andrew Gilman of Fox Southwest: “So Durant tempers that with a chest and back full of tattoos, but they’re covered so you have to look closely to see. A leaked (hacked) picture of Durant smoking, but that was in and out of the news cycle with no repercussions . Two ejections last year. Seven more technical fouls this season, but that hasn’t chipped away at his approval rating, it works for him. He pounded the scorers table against Portland and then rallied his team to win. If there’s anything questionable on the resume, it’s overlooked. Not brooding or a malcontent, he’s instead described as fiery and competitive. Yelling at his teammates might be problematic for some, but with Durant, it’s allowed. He gets a pass. Even the fact Durant hasn’t won a title in his six seasons is seemingly incongruent with being the best in the game, but with Durant it’s glossed over and only used contextually whereas with LeBron, it was the story, the only story until the Heat won.”
LeBron on Durant: “Even in his short career, he’s one of the greatest scorers to ever play the game. It’s very [impressive], but not surprising. He can make his free throws, he can make 3-pointers, he can make pull-ups, he can get to the rim in transition. He gets a little bit of everything.”
Matt Moore of CBSSports.com: “Again, this isn’t a eulogy for James. There’s every reason to think he can win MVP next year, that he’ll walk away with his third title and Finals MVP this summer, that this is still LeBron’s world for a few more years. You could say the same thing about Bryant when he won his MVP in 2009, and won two more titles. We’re blessed that we don’t have to choose. But let’s make no mistake here. The Era of Kevin Durant has arrived. This isn’t the first time he’s been great, but it’s the first time he’s hit the point where he is undeniable. He is unstoppable. He is the complete package. He is entering his prime, in which beating him will take more than that seven nation army you’ve got out back.”
Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com: “James has praised Durant unfailingly along the way, joking about how his friends and family send him messages to update him on Durant’s play every night. Those who know him best do it for a reason: They know it acts as motivation. Strong motivation. And it’s already working. James’ 10 best games of the season? The past 10, coinciding with Durant’s surge. During that stretch James is averaging 28.4 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Of course in Durant’s past 10, he’s averaging 37.5 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. James has been great. Durant has been better.”
Berry Tramel on KD’s hold on the MVP: “Durant’s the leader, but he’s not in the clubhouse. It’s a long season. Twenty games ago, Durant wasn’t the favorite. Now he is. Twenty games from now, who knows. But he’s been fabulous. And all things considered, voters are looking for a new face. So if it’s even, Durant will win.”
