Wednesday Bolts – 1.5.11

Kevin Love told SI he talked to Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose about playing together someday: “We all talk about playing together,” Love said. “It’s fun to talk about. When the time comes, we’ll assess the situation and figure it out.” Naturally, I ponder if that would even work at CBS Sports.

Shoals on Serge Ibaka’s dunk contesting: “So what’s the answer? More to the point, why would the league even recruit Ibaka for the event? Presumably, it has something to do with his being on Thunder. He would willingly and enthusiastically go along with it, unlike some past selections, because that’s how things work around those parts. It also never hurts to draw attention to a team that’s darn hard to dislike. Ibaka, like the rest of his Thunder brethren, is also all about having when appropriate. It would be strange for him to take this opportunity to show the growth he has made as a player. Rather, he should try and show off his lighter side, since his comedic gifts far outstrip those of cyborg Griffin or unusual Mr. McGee.”

Darnell Mayberry: “This was as poor of a game as I’ve seen Green play. Typically, he’s solid in something. Tonight, he stunk at everything. He couldn’t defend Zach Randolph. He couldn’t make a shot. And he didn’t set up anything offensively for his teammates. Green’s first (and only) field goal came with 10:54 left to play. The best thing Green did tonight was go 6-for-6 from the charity stripe.”

Jeff Green was Tuesday’s worst in the Daily Dime: “Maybe Kevin Durant’s time-traveling buddy should have flashed back and warned Green to sit this one out. Green was held to eight points on 1-for-5 shooting and was brutalized by Zach Randolph (31 points, 16 rebounds) in the post in OKC’s 110-105 loss to the Grizz.”

Worst of the Night from Basketbawful: “Eh. This game bored me. I’ll just say that Tony Allen burned ’em with a season-high 19 points as the Care Bears scored 110 points on 51 percent shooting. They also won the rebounding battle 42-31 (including 12-3 on the offensive glass) and outscored the Thunder 54-46 in the paint.”

Kelly Dwyer, Behind the Box Score: “A good showing by the Thunder, save for Jeff Green who should be given his unconditional release after playing nearly 42 minutes at “power forward” while failing to bring in a single rebound.”

Cole Aldrich, ranked very low in Thorpe’s rookie rankings.

Interesting take from Mike Prada on JaVale McGee’s inclusion in the dunk contest: “So really, it comes down to a mindset thing, and here’s where I depart from the organization’s thinking if they make too big a deal out of him being picked.  Instead of worrying about whether McGee’s bad habits will be enabled, work even harder to fix those bad habits.  Instead of equating style with bad play, explain and show to him what good style plays are and what bad style plays are.  Explain to him that you’re happy that he’s in the Dunk Contest, but that you want to make sure it doesn’t detract from getting better.  Don’t create a false dichotomy between substance and style; explain what good style is and work on the substance part.”

Really great stuff from Basketball Reference about teams that allocate their possessions well.