Wednesday Bolts – 2.2.11

The Hornets arrived safely in OKC last night and tonight’s game is set to go on as scheduled.

Mike Prada of SB Nation: “The Thunder are ultimately in a tough spot, with both Green and the state of their team. Green is a free agent, and the Thunder have to weigh several factors when making up their mind. Do they keep him and risk dooming themselves to below-average performance at a key spot on the floor, or do they lose him and risk pissing off Durant and their entire culture of youth? It’s a tough question, and one they can’t really solve into the offseason.”

Top free agents for the summer from Chad Ford: “Green gets lost in the shadow of Kevin Durant, but he’s been solid in his own right in his first three and a half years in the league. He will never be the alpha dog, especially not in Oklahoma City, but he has proved to be a valuable role player. Green is one of the few guys on this list who could end up wearing a new uniform next season. The Thunder like him, but they gave Durant the max last summer and likely will do the same with Russell Westbrook this summer. As a small-market team, the Thunder may not be able or willing to give Green a big contract, too.”

ESPN award watch, where it’s still just Russell Westbrook in the MVP conversation.

Power rankings from CBS Sports where Dave Del Grande has another unpopular opinion: “All-Star update: At crunch time in the coaches’ voting, Russell Westbrook goes 7 for 22 with everyone watching against the Heat. It’s the tie-breaker. He’s out.”

I fully expected to get a good quote from Chris Bosh about the “fake tough guy” thing and we haven’t heard it yet. I wonder why.

Shaun Powell of NBA.com ranks the NBA’s most valuable (as in actual value) players: “Deep in the heart of football country, folks have fallen in love with basketball, mainly because of Durant, who almost single-handedly breathed life into the former Seattle Sonics.”

To me, Russell Westbrook is a no doubt All-Star. But he’ll find out Thursday if he’s in or not.

Trevor Ariza held KD scoreless in the fourth last game. Darnell Mayberry: “Ariza has helped to hound Durant into becoming a passer, a fact that also is reflected in the numbers. Durant has averaged four assists against the Hornets, one of only three teams the Thunder has played at least twice that Durant has averaged four or more assists against. It’s a credit to Durant’s willingness to make the right play but also speaks to Ariza’s effectiveness.”