Tuesday Bolts – 7.7.09
Ah, feels good to be 1-0. I hope this isn’t the only time it happens this year.
James Harden is on Twitter though he’s not exactly the most active Twitterer out there. He’s got three updates, all from draft night/the day after. I think Shaq needs to hold a rookie Twitter seminar where he teaches players how to properly do this. I don’t think Russell Westbrook has it figured out either. The majority of his posts are, “Watssss goooooooood,” or “bout to workout.” Maybe Nick Collison can give them all a hand this season.
The Shaun Livingston story gets more amazing by the day. Tim Potvak of Fanhouse has a nice story on him: “He may never be the player he once was projected to be, but just seeing him on the court moving well again should be an inspiration to anyone trying to return from an injury.”I’m not a success story yet,” he said after his seven-point, six assist performance in a Thunder victory over the Magic Monday. “But I will be.”
Tony Meija reporting for the Oklahoman: “It’s huge for [Westbrook] to come out here and be dominant,” Thunder summer league coach Brian Keefe said. “Without Kevin (Durant) and Jeff (Green) here, it’s important for him to assert himself, continue to be more vocal and really lead a lot of these young guys. We know he’s got a tremendous work ethic and great upside. But it’s the confidence that we’re looking for out of him that this next week will most help with.”
Dime on yesterday’s action: “James Harden scored 17 for the Thunder against the host Magic, while Russell Westbrook put up 22 points (16-18 FT), five boards and nine assists. Starting at small forward for OKC, Shaun Livingston had seven points and six dimes, and most importantly, didn’t move like a guy with a faulty knee.”
Sam Amico’s thoughts on yesterday: “First-round pick James Harden (Arizona State) was especially impressive for the up-and-coming Thunder — making 6 of 9 field goals (including 2-of-3 on 3-pointers) for 17 points. Former NBA coach and PBN contributor Eric Musselman thinks Harden will be better in the pros than he was in college.Another guy to keep an eye on: Thunder forward D.J. White. He’s entering his second year but actually will be more like a rookie, as White missed last season after surgery to remove a growth on his jaw. At any rate, White had a nice outing in his summer debut, making 6 of 10 shots for 13 points and pulling down nine rebounds.”
Some of David Thorpe’s comments: “Harden looks like a top 3 pick. He’s in total command of his game … Harden continues to impress. It looks like he’ll fit in great as the third or fourth wheel for OKC … If the Thunder was a stock, it’d be a hot one. They have a number of good looking young players here. White, Westbrook, James Harden, Livingston … Add Ibaka to the list … The Thunder, as an organization, should be proud of their win. This was a prepared group of young men.”
Third Quarter Collapse on the game: “The Thunder led by as many as 15, with the Magic snagging the lead only twice, and never by more than a single point. Once Westbrook made up his mind to drive the ball, and once third overall selection James Harden heated up, the Thunder really didn’t look back. They coasted, in fact, not that I can blame them. The Magic looked like a group that hadn’t played together before–how about Ryan Anderson spinning right into Darian Townes as Anderson made his move to score in the low post?–while the Thunder have some familiarity with one another.”
And a couple pictures from yesterday’s Summer League game (Photos by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images):
