Tuesday Bolts – 7.27.10

Kevin Durant is the favorite to win the MVP, as determined by oddsmakers. Pinnaclesports.com has KD listed as a +241 favorite to win the award after he finished second in voting in last year. Durant would be the youngest ever to win it, by a large margin. Wes Unseld was 23 when he won it in 1969.

Can KD handle supplanting Kobe and LeBron for Team USA? Rob Mahoney looks: ‘Team USA has fallen into the capable hands of Kevin Durant, and while it’s easy to praise his commitment when KD has yet to even suit up for Team USA in a real game, he actually seems to be the most suitable face for the program going forward. Team USA’s renaissance has always been more about Kobe than LeBron, and it’s Durant that shares Bryant’s ridiculous drive, obsessive focus, and incredible will. The Durantula is humble and hungry, and though he never asked to be the leader of this team — and he won’t, ever — it just makes too much sense for him not to be.”

Outside the Lines did a big report on stadium vendors, and according to a report, the Ford Center had one of the highest scores in the country. On the report, the one violation found was inspectors temporarily closed a stand because its hand-washing sink was not operable. So rest easy while eating your $9 Philly cheesesteak.

KD tweets: “This guy in the airport jus said “have fun in Miami” he prolly thought I was jamaal magloire or z.ilgauskas..no way he thought I was bosh.” Magloire, no way. Ilgauskas? I can TOTALLY see that.

Thabo did an interview with a German publication. One section translated: “The confidence of being part of the starting five has pushed [him] further. […] It was the proper time and the proper place.” He’s convinced that this team has a championship potential and he absolutely wants to stay in Oklahoma City. In his mind the first round of the playoffs has to be the minimal goal; for his personal achievements on of his goals would be to make it to the NBA All-Defense First Team. After his basketball career he would like to work as a producer in the hiphop business.”

Michael Rosenberg of SI on the lockout: “The point here is that Stern can cite his numbers, he can talk about the economy and cost certainty, and he can try to tackle very real problems with very reasonable solutions. But he cannot predict the future. He cannot keep Memphis and Toronto from giving out foolish contracts. When the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement expires next year, Stern might just get what he wants. But he’ll need some time to know if that’s what he needs.”