Wednesday Bolts – 11.3.10

Andrew Sharp of SBN rates basketball commercials and KD’s stalker thing gets a low score: “Do we really need stalker footage of Kevin Durant doing everyday activities like taking out the trash, helping movers and talking to his neighbors? “He’s just like us!” the videos say. Except he makes millions of dollars, he’s 6’10 and he lives out the wildest dreams from my childhood on a nightly basis. KD’s awesome, but if Nike is seriously going to try and market him as some basketball Everyman, it’ll be hard to hold back the resentment. Especially if the campaigns are as crappy and transparent as this one.”

Kevin Durant talking about improving defense: “The last game we went against a team that does a lot of cutting and we’ve got to be attached to our man,” he said. “If they get a back cut, the lower man has to help out and try to contest a shot. It’s all about helping out and making the second effort. I’m glad this is the third game. It’s only the third game of the season. We’ve got a lot more left and hopefully we’ll pick it up. A matter of fact, I know we’ll pick it up.”

I’m chatting on CBS Sports’ Facebook today at 11 a.m. if you’d like to join.

CBS Sports’ power rankings: “First impressions: First game against Western power a disaster: Jazz big men crush Thunder inside. … MVP candidate? Kevin Durant shooting more (career-high 22.3 shots per game), making less (career-low 38.8 percent).”

Russell Westbrook has faced stiff competition early.

Fran Blinebury of NBA.com with some thoughts: “How does Portland’s decision to make Greg Oden the first top draft pick since Kwame Brown not signed to a contract extension following his third season become more painful? Kevin Durant and the Thunder arrive at the Rose Garden to rub some noses in it Thursday night.”

HoopsWorld says Russell Westbrook has been an early season fantasy stud: “In my draft preview content, I wrote that in order for Westbrook to step up into elite company atop the fantasy hierarchy, he would need to cut down on the turnovers and improve his shot selection/field goal percentage.  Not only has he done that over OKC’s first few contests, he has also ratcheted up nearly all other aspects of his game.  He is pumping in 22.3 points, dishing out 7.3 dimes, grabbing 6.7 rebounds, and also procuring 2.7 steals per contest.  Granted, Westbrook still hasn’t made a three-ball, but he has only attempted three; which is one of the reason why his FG% stands at a respectable 46.3%.  (He is also shooting 93.6% from the stripe, while attempting over 10 FT’s a night).”