Tuesday Bolts – 3.24.15

Neil Paine of 538: “While the Thunder have continued to struggle with injuries, their chances of grabbing the No. 8 seed in the West are still 86 percent, as the Suns lost 49 percentage points of playoff probability since mid-January and the Pelicans have been treading water. Phoenix and New Orleans currently have better RPM talent ratings than Oklahoma City (despite the Suns jettisoning a lot of talent at the trade deadline), and both teams are within striking distance of the Thunder’s record. But the Suns’ remaining schedule is significantly more difficult1 than that of either Oklahoma City or New Orleans, and the Pelicans’ slim schedule and talent edges over OKC probably aren’t enough to offset a three-game deficit in the standings.”

Derek James of Hardwood Paroxysm: “Things seemed to be on the upswing in Oklahoma City no less than four months ago. With the Durant news following the Ibaka news almost immediately, everything has changed entirely. Teams lose seasons because of injury and championship dreams are dashed all the time. For the Thunder, they’re still young enough to afford to miss out on one season, and talented enough not to have their dreams of a title crushed. Losing Ibaka was one thing, but Durant going down put a ceiling on an otherwise hyper-talented team. The good news is that it’s only temporary, and the Thunder exercising caution with Durant all but ensures that. In the mean time, tell Dion to stop waving for the ball in the corner and cut to the basket or something useful.”

The NBA took away Russell Westbrook’s 10th triple-double.

Stein has the Thunder eighth: “It’s a funny old game sometimes. OKC just endured its worst week of the season injury-wise, with setbacks for Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, Nick Collison and Enes Kanter. Yet in the standings, with Ridiculous Russ up to 10 triple-doubles, it was the Thunder’s best week of the season.”

If you missed it, Serge Ibaka suggested he may be back sooner than later.

Anthony Slater on OKC’s bigs: “Kanter, clearly, is playing with a freedom and joy he lacked during a tumultuous end in Utah. He’s pointed to a firmer role and winning culture as the reasons. “We’re playing for a ring,” he says. But the Thunder’s expressed commitment to him long-term also seems to be a factor. Utah was a bit iffy on his impending restricted free agency, seeming lukewarm to the idea of a commitment. The Thunder – though it will temporarily take them deep into the tax – have expressed to him their plans to sign him to a long-term deal or match whatever offer sheet he gets, made easier with the knowledge of the hefty salary cap bump coming two offseasons from now “