Wednesday Bolts – 1.23.13
J.A. Adande of ESPN.com names KD his first half MVP: “At the same time, Durant is doing more than ever before to get his teammates involved. He’s averaging a career-high 4.2 assists per game. More than that, he has taken on a greater responsibility for infusing this team with his will. LeBron hasn’t had to deal with the major personnel change the Thunder made by trading James Harden. The vibe feels different in the Thunder locker room, as if there’s a missing Musketeer. But Durant hasn’t let that derail this team. Finally, never forget that the MVP is a media-voted award, and it’s subject to storyline as much as stats. Another MVP award for LeBron would be his fourth in five seasons. The media crave fresh stories. Lucky for them, Durant has given them every reason to write a new one.”
ESPN Insider ranks the 25 best players under 25, with three Thunderers in the top 10. David Thorpe on KD: “He’s the clear choice for the world’s second best player, having already proven he’s the league’s top pure scorer. Durant was remarkable in getting OKC to the NBA Finals last season, and he is a better all-around player now, adding crisper ball movement and defensive playmaking. He also has learned how to score best in crunch time, by using his ball handling and size to create great shots. He’s a reluctant superstar and a consummate team player, perhaps behind only Tim Duncan as the best teammate in the NBA.”
A 5-on-5 debating some of the 25 under 25, including Westbrook or Harden Michael Wallace, ESPN.com: “Russell Westbrook. But this is as close as they come, and I’ve gone back and forth a couple of times between them. If it comes down to having to make one play to win a game, I fear Harden more because of his smoother offensive game. But overall, Westbrook gets the nod because when he’s engaged defensively, he dominates his position at both ends.”
Behind the Music by Tyler Parker of BallerBall: “It was thought they would each go to their respective corners and cool out. No one was silly enough to think they’d play together again, but there was a feeling that, if each of them stay away from one another and just created, the world would still get its music and not all would be lost. This was not in the cards.When they thought they couldn’t hate each other anymore, Carlisle got a job with the Mavericks and Westbrook was drafted by the Thunder. They began to play each other multiple times a year, the rivalry only growing in intensity with each meeting. Both parties informing their teams of how selfish and narcissistic and awful the other was, the teams grew to hate each other.Prior to their first ever playoff meeting in the Western Conference Finals in 2011, Westbrook had this to say when asked about how Carlisle was as a bandmate.”
Arash Markazi of ESPN LA: “Sure, the Clippers were playing without Paul, but after losing twice to the Thunder so far this season, it might not be a stretch to wonder if the Clippers are simply playing for second place in the West. Of course, no one on the Clippers would ever admit that. They’ll point to the fact that they beat the Thunder three of four times last season, won four straight against Oklahoma City at home before Tuesday and will be looking to win the final meeting this season. Still, it has to be a thought creeping into the minds of some as they watch the Thunder play with the purpose of a team looking for redemption this season after falling short in the NBA Finals in June.”
From Elias: “Kevin Durant scored 32 points to lead the Thunder to a 109-97 win over the Clippers in Los Angeles on Tuesday night. It is the 10th time that Durant has scored 30-or-more points in a game at the STAPLES Center during the regular season in his career, the most such games for any visiting player in that arena. Durant entered the night tied with Kobe Bryant, who has scored 30+ points nine times when the Lakers are the visiting team against the Clippers.”
Darnell Mayberry: “Without Paul, it’s hard to not take everything the Thunder did defensively with a grain of salt. In fact, if I’m a Clippers fan I’m encouraged by what I saw tonight. With no Paul, and playing on the second night of a back-to-back, the Clippers still managed to make it a fourth quarter game. L.A. lost only when a few bad bounces broke their back. Additionally, Eric Bledsoe, Paul’s replacement, was marginally better than bad, Jamal Crawford barely could buy a bucket and the Clippers 3-point defense was atrocious. Combine all that with the memory of the Clippers’ overtime loss inside Chesapeake Energy Arena, a game in which Paul was uncharacteristically off, and I still have overflowing optimism about matching up with the Thunder if I’m a Clippers fan.”
Jeremy Piven tweets: “KD is becoming unstoppable with OKC! Great player that just keeps getting better, what is the ceiling with this guy?”
Kevin Arnovitz of TrueHoop: “Durant can hit from anywhere, but he loves nothing more than to work from the top of the floor, which makes the game a living hell for the defense. It would be hard enough to defend Durant in a utility closet, but when he has the ball way up top with the floor spread, help defense becomes treacherous because the opposition is stretched from sideline to sideline — which is how something like this happens.”
Jordan Heimer of ClipperBlog: “But tonight – unlike the endless Spur barrage last May – the Clippers tightened up defensively. Hill and Barnes replaced Butler and Green. The rotations were quicker and tighter. Shooters had less time and less space… and it barely mattered because Kevin Durant went into full God mode – banking three pointers, hitting impossible leaners in the lane. flicking up effortless 30-foot shots as if they were free throws. They Clippers loaded up on him, ran three guy at him – it didn’t matter. Kevin Durant was going to score. The Spurs have a great system; the Thunder have an unstoppable force. A system can be slowed… all you can do with Durant is hope.”
Matt Moore of CBSSports.com gives OKC an A+ midseason grade: “They’re great. They’re the best team in the league this season, hands down. Beard, no beard, Harden, no Harden, they’re terrific. On the road, at home, on a boat, with a goat, in a box, with a fox, it doesn’t matter. This team is a lightning storm (complete with thunder, get it!) wrapped in a gigantic lazer gun.”
And finally, most importantly, happy birthday to my best buddy, Mrs. Daily Thunder. For a present, I made her a GIF from her favorite movie.
