Tuesday Bolts – 10.20.15

Ben Collins of SLAM on Russell Westbrook: “Do not piss off Russell Westbrook. Do not anger the

Gods. Do not get in the way. Russell Westbrook might not just be the best player on his team this year. He might be the best player in the League. Nobody is saying it. He should already be pissed off. You should savor it. You should duck when he comes towards you. You should watch the hell out. But he is doing something important. You should savor it.”

Kirk Goldsberry of Grantland in a Q&A: “When I think of the Thunder, when they’re right they have the potential to be the best offense in basketball. Going forward into this year, if they stay healthy, I don’t see why this team can’t be the most efficient team in basketball or definitely one of them with the Clippers, Warriors, Spurs, teams like that, with the movement (Billy) Donovan’s going to put in. The number to watch is assists per game.”

Russell Westbrook talks indulgences.

Erik Horne on big man passing: “It didn’t take long for Billy Donovan to call on Steven Adams as offensive creator. Yes, Steven Adams the center. After Donovan gave the command to Russell Westbrook to run “3 cross,” Westbrook fed Adams between the right elbow and the 3-point line and broke toward the left wing, away from the 7-footer. Adams palmed the ball like an orange, with the Nuggets’ center reaching out at Adams’ waist. He wasn’t close enough. Adams whizzed a pass right over his head for an easy assist.”

Yaron Weitzman of SB Nation: “Not allowing opponents to slowly load up one side of the floor should only make life easier for Kevin Durant, something that a player averaging 27.3 points and shooting 48 percent for his career needs. The Donovan experiment could fail, and Durant’s weak right foot could prove to be something that derails his career. However, if Donovan is able to move the offense into the 21st century, and if Durant is able to stay healthy, this all-important season in Oklahoma City could end with Durant being handed yet another MVP award, and maybe him handing the Thunder a signed long-term contract in return.”

Keith Smith of RealGM: “If the Thunder do re-sign Durant, it is highly likely the team will look basically the same as it does now for the next couple of seasons. Even with a large jump cap jump, the Thunder are unlikely to have the space to make many additions. The Thunder also owe first rounders in 2016 to the 76ers and in 2018 to the Jazz. This is a driving factor in why they matched Kanter and are considering an extension for Waiters. Any improvement will have to come internally or through retaining their players.”

Chris Manning of Hardwood Paroxysm on Dion Waiters: “With Waiters, it seems the Thunder have put themselves in this situation. None of the pieces they acquired in the James Harden deal are on the roster anymore, which in and by itself speaks volumes as to how Thunder got here. With few trade chips left, the Thunder had to make moves for the likes of Kanter and Waiters, enigmatic players who have yet to prove with certainty that they are actually good in a meaningful way. And in a year, the Thunder have rebuilt their entire bench around players at or near free agency this past summer and next.”