Tuesday Bolts – 9.13.16
Mitch McGary has been suspended 10 more games per the Vertical: “If Oklahoma City has its
way, McGary has played his last game for the franchise. Getting an asset in return for him has become more difficult with another suspension, but teams that trade for him can play him in the preseason to get a better sense of his preparation and function within a team before the suspension begins in the regular season. McGary could be released and claimed on waivers – or become an unrestricted free agent and sign elsewhere. For now, McGary’s career is in peril because of his inability to maintain a lifestyle that’ll allow him to play in the NBA. McGary left the Thunder for the final few weeks of the season for what the franchise termed “personal reasons.” McGary essentially left the team on his own, league sources said.”
Kevin Pelton’s OKC player profiles: “Alas, Westbrook’s defensive effort figures to slip with the increased offensive load. He already has a nasty habit of taking plays off while also compromising the team’s defense with his tendency to gamble for steals. On the plus side, Westbrook grabbed a career-high 18.1 percent of available defensive rebounds, not far off the average for power forwards (19.2 percent). That fueled Westbrook’s 18 triple-doubles, tying Magic Johnson for the most in a single season since 1966-67. Because of the Thunder’s offseason moves, Westbrook should have even less competition for rebounds this year. Look out.”
Erik Horne: “Even if McGary wasn’t suspended, he would face an uphill battle to break into the Thunder’s frontcourt rotation this season. This offseason, the Thunder has acquired two veteran power forwards via trade (Joffrey Lauvergne, Ersan Ilyasova) and drafted 20-year-old Domantas Sabonis, who has a similar left-handed skill set offensively to McGary. With the Thunder currently sitting at 16 guaranteed contracts entering training came, it has until opening night Oct. 26 to get down to 15. McGary is slated to make $1.52 million this season, the final guaranteed year of his rookie scale contract.”
Erik Horne on Kyle Singler: “The main focus out west, however, was playing pickup games to learn each other’s tendencies and preferences. The roster transition offers Singler a chance to compete for more minutes at small forward, maybe even a starting spot. Singler said he’s unsure whether or not he needs to start or come off the bench in order to play better. What’s he looking for this season? Rather than his old Detroit Pistons self, the career 37-percent 3-point shooter is simply seeking to regain his rhythm.”
Fred Katz: “Think in this perspective: Judging by the voters, Jordan was the NBA’s best center a year ago. Now realize how much further along Adams is at 23 than the Clippers center was when he was the same age and still struggling to reach his peak potential under then Los Angeles coach Vinny Del Negro. Adams has a defensive polish most centers his age don’t possess. And conveniently for him, he’s playing the game’s most important defensive position. At 23, why couldn’t he get smarter, refine some habits and even up his play from this past postseason? He’s already more skilled with the ball than Jordan, who is as physical and active a screen-setter as anyone and throws down alley-oops at a rate no one’s ever seen before but won’t help the offense once he holds the ball with his feet touching the ground. Adams is bound for more touches with Kevin Durant out of town. And that doesn’t just mean more opportunities in the post.”
