Wednesday Bolts – 3.19.14
NBA.com’s MVP ladder has KD back up top: “Scoring isn’t the only measurement of greatness in this game. However, when you have mastered the art of scoring the way Durant has — he’s scored 20 or more points in every game since Jan. 1 and 25 or more in 30 straight games — that’s what separates him. The fact that Durant’s production (scoring and otherwise) doesn’t dip, win or lose, is what has helped him regain his No. 1 perch here. Durant’s consistency — he does the same type of work with or without Russell Westbrook in the lineup — and durability has helped him morph into the type of transcendent talent that would dominate in any era.”
Darnell Mayberry on KD’s point streak: “Durant is now taking a similar attitude with his 25-point streak. A relatively favorable schedule in the Thunder’s final 15 games suggests Durant could shatter Jordan’s mark and finish the season on a 47-game run of 25-point performances. But the three-time scoring champion seems much more focused on seeing his injured teammates, starters Thabo Sefolosha and Kendrick Perkins, get healthy, the Thunder solving its second-half issues with inconsistency and OKC building a head of steam going into the postseason.”
Tom Haberstroh of ESPN Insider says the Raptors could be a Finals darkhorse: “But we need to take the Raptors very seriously. And here’s why: Since trading Rudy Gay, they’ve played as well as Miami and Indiana. Believe it. The Raptors have gone 31-16 (.660) since Gay left the team on Dec. 8 and have outscored opponents by 5.7 points per 100 possessions over that time. That’s right in between the Heat and the Pacers in terms of point differential. Yes, they were a ghastly 6-12 before the trade, but they’re clearly a different team now. And the next best East team since the Gay trade? Brooklyn, at plus-2.8. Not in the same stratosphere.”
Steven Adams meeting Lorde. An Lorde tweeting him back.
Berry Tramel on when to sit Westbrook: “Chicago is not the kind of team that can take advantage of the Thunder’s defensive lapses. Without Perk and Thabo, the Thunder defense has been terrible in transition. But the Bulls don’t run. The Bulls play methodical. So it was a difficult decision. And it turned out OK. The way the Thunder is playing, 1-1 is a good two-game stretch. It’s just not the 1-1 Brooks expected. The Thunder has several more back-to-backs. Brooks has difficult decisions to make. At Cleveland and at Toronto. If you want a sweep, sit Westbrook at Cleveland. If you want at least one sure victory, play Westbrook at Cleveland. Hard to know with this Thunder team which is the best move.”
Nick Collison makes the All-Four-Year Team.
Rob Mahoney of SI.com on the Spurs: “That’s a stark change from even a few months ago, when worry over San Antonio’s record against top teams had reached its apex. Even now, the Spurs are only a combined 3-9 against the Heat, Thunder, Pacers, Rockets and Clippers, but most every loss can be fit with some kind of asterisk. A few were products of San Antonio’s uncharacteristic bumbling early in the season. Many were complicated by scheduling or injury. The Spurs would have surely preferred to have won the lot, but those losses don’t pose too much concern. They’re glimpses into the play of a different team, one either out of rhythm or without full use of its resources.”
