Wednesday Bolts – 3.11.15
Phil Taylor of SI.com in a roundtable picking MVP: “Curry has been just as instrumental to the Warriors’ success as Harden has been to Houston’s, and the Warriors have the better record. LeBron James has made an impressive late charge, but he seemed strangely lethargic early in the season, and the other candidates have been on their games from day one. Russell Westbrook has been dynamic, but he’s only managed to keep OKC’s head above water. I wouldn’t protest if any of the four of them won, but I have Curry just slightly ahead of the pack.”
Paul Flannery of SB Nation on coaches: “I always laugh during the NCAAs when pundits get on their, ‘OLE JIMMY JOE CAN REALLY COACH ‘EM UP’ tangents because Coach Jimmy pulled out a 1-3-1 trap or something. There is so much coaching in the NBA these days that when someone is even a little bit unprepared, they get exposed badly. But what makes a good NBA coach? Are there specific personal traits or strategies that we look for when making our assessments? It can’t just be results, because Scott Brooks would be a genius.”
Oh, so now we’re calling it a “rumor” huh?
The Washington Post has a predictable take on the Durant trade nonsense: “And with Westbrook going absolutely nuts for the Thunder, why wouldn’t Presti consider the large haul he would get in a trade for Durant? Put that way, he would be somewhat foolish not to consider trading Durant.”
Jack Winter of Uproxx: “Oklahoma City wouldn’t be title contenders without Durant, just as they weren’t two seasons ago when Westbrook was lost for the playoffs with a torn meniscus. It’s been proven time and again the Thunder need them both to ultimately succeed, and should do all they can to ensure that tandem’s longevity going forward. Yes, even if such a strategy allows for the possibility of Durant leaving for D.C. or somewhere else in July 2016. Penn, a former executive with the Portland Trail Blazers, knows as much, and so do his superiors at ESPN. But unsubstantiated hot takes make headlines, headlines make hits, and hits make money – but certainly not as much as Oklahoma City would lose if it preemptively traded its franchise cornerstone.”
Darnell Mayberry on Mitch McGary: “McGary’s problem is the Thunder suddenly has too many viable options for him to get consistent opportunities. Adams or Enes Kanter will serve as the starting center alongside Serge Ibaka at power forward. Collison remains the trusted backup power forward due to his experience, savvy and superior defense. And when Durant returns he will steal minutes at power forward in small-ball lineups. For McGary, it’s all one big mess that might keep him bottled up on the bench in spite of his clear potential.”
