Wednesday Bolts – 3.4.15
Shaun Powell of NBA.com on OKC’s injury issues: “But Westbrook, the sturdier of the two, turned the corner as a star with Durant out, especially in February when he simply went nuts. Westbrook had the Mother of all months with 31.2 points, 10.3 assists and 9.1 rebounds, nearly a triple-double (only Oscar Robertson had at least those numbers in a month). This volcanic performance not only elevated him into the MVP conversation, but kept OKC in the playoff hunt while Durant dealt with foot issues. It wasn’t all just Westbrook; OKC saw a surge from Serge Ibaka and is getting a superb first impression from Enes Kanter, averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds since being rescued from Utah. Assuming a full recovery from Durant, OKC is fully capable of going from the fringe of the playoffs to title contender in a snap.”
Berry Tramel on Sam Hinkie: “No one truly believes Hinkie is just trying to prolong his days running the 76ers. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey still swears by his protégé. “Sam is a straight down the fairway guy … he won’t stop until he builds a dynasty up there in Philly. There’s no chance he won’t succeed,” Morey told the Wilmington, Del., News Journal. And efforts to change the lottery process failed last year. Some wanted to lessen the chances for the biggest losers to secure the top draft picks. Presti and the Thunder did not support the initiative. Presti believes that franchises ought to have as many options as possible to rebuild. He doesn’t begrudge Hinkie’s plan.”
Bill Haisten of the Tulsa World on re-signing Kanter long-term: “Westbrook and Kanter already have nice pick-and-roll chemistry. Another recently acquired player, D.J. Augustin, has been very good at point guard for OKC. It will be tremendously interesting to see how the Thunder’s new pieces mesh with Durant-Westbrook. During the 2013-14 season, OKC had championship aspirations while starting a center, Kendrick Perkins, who averaged 3.8 points and 4.9 rebounds. In 50 starts at center this season, Steven Adams has averaged 7.4 points and 7.0. Now, Oklahoma City has a center – Kanter – who in five Thunder games has averaged a double-double (15.8 points, 10.2 rebounds). With Kanter in the starting lineup, OKC is 4-1. Presti’s trade-deadline moves sent Jackson to Detroit and Perkins initially to Utah and ultimately to Cleveland. Enes Kanter’s first name routinely is mispronounced. It rhymes with Dennis. Enes Kanter’s name would look really good on a new, four-year contract.”
Anthony Slater: “Year 7 in Oklahoma City has been more frustrating than any for the Thunder. After being healthy for so long, a tidal wave of injuries has swept through this roster. That lingering damage still threatens to derail title runs this year and in the future. But, potentially, the lone positive from this trying time has been what has come out the back end. Without all these unlucky breaks and crazy lineup combinations — the Thunder has started 16 different players this year, tied for third most in the league behind only the Knicks and Heat — OKC is likely on a 55-60 win pace. Maybe Sam Presti doesn’t feel change is necessary. Maybe he doesn’t want to mess with the continuity.”
One Sixers columnist thinks they have a chance tonight: “So Wednesday’s game offers a peculiar dilemma for the franchise Sam Hinkie is charged with rebuilding. What if the Sixers win, and that victory turns out to be the difference between the Thunder’s retaining that first-round pick this year and the Sixers’ acquiring it? Wouldn’t this loss in particular offer them a tangible benefit in the long run? The questions might seem pedantic, but it’s on those kinds of questions that franchises and master plans, even on just another night of slogging, can turn.”
