Tuesday Bolts – 3.8.16

Erik Horne on and-1: “In a league of hundreds of players screaming the phrase, all signs

point back to Waiters. He’s still confused as to how he became the King of the And One. Yet, as he sits on the throne, there’s already an heir on the way. A proud smile stretches across Waiters’ face as he describes two-year-old Dion Waiters Jr. at home. Little Dion drives to the mini hoop, scores … then screams ‘And One, Daddy!’ Wonder where he got that from?”

Stein has OKC fifth: “It’s one of the stats of the season and hasn’t fully sunk in even after making the rounds for days: OKC is tied with lowly Philly for the league lead in games lost (10) when entering the fourth quarter with a lead. The Thunder, despite Sunday’s much-needed victory at Milwaukee, are just 3-6 since the All-Star break, and among many issues at the minute, they have slipped big-time on D in that stretch.”

Darnell Mayberry on that report: “It sounds far-fetched that Durant would bolt because the Thunder missed the Finals, especially in a year in which the Warriors and San Antonio Spurs have far exceeded everyone’s level of play. Not to mention the financial ramifications tied to Durant potentially signing elsewhere this summer rather than maximizing his earning power by signing a one-year deal with the Thunder. Lastly, if making the Finals really is the goal, would leaving Westbrook and the Thunder and going at it alone as Meyers says he’s hearing is an option be prudent? A lot can happen between now and July. But for now, Thunder fans probably should just hope OKC makes the Finals, you know, just in case.”

Erik Horne on D.J. Augustin: “Augustin also had a 22-point fourth quarter in a win over the L.A. Lakers last week. He’s scored in double-digits in seven of his nine games. Augustin’s performance particularly stands out amidst the turnover issues that have plagued the Thunder at the point guard spot. Since Feb. 19, the Thunder is averaging 16.4 turnovers per game, fourth-most in the NBA. In that span, Kevin Durant has struggled with turnovers as his minutes running the offense have increased and Cameron Payne has been pushed out of the rotation.”

NBA.com has OKC sixth: “After blowing a 14-point lead with five minutes left in L.A. on Wednesday, coming up short again against the Warriors on Thursday, and falling to 2-6 since the break (before Sunday’s win in Milwaukee), it was time for some reflection in Oklahoma City. The lack of creativity and ball movement will always draw the most criticism, but the defense (which ranks 26th since the break) has been the more consistent problem.”