Wednesday Bolts: 5.31.17

Brett Dawson on if OKC should add more three-point shooting: “But that was an outside-shooting outlier for OKC, which shot a league-worst 32.9 percent from 3-point range this season. And as the NBA Finals tip off Thursday between the Cavaliers and Warriors — two of the league’s long-range elites — it’s fair to wonder if the Thunder has a fighting chance in future playoffs if it can’t add to its perimeter punch. Oklahoma City likely will explore shooting additions, whether via the draft, trade or free agency.”

Doug McDermott and Alex Abrines played H.O.R.S.E in an empty Chesapeake Energy Arena. I probably enjoyed this more than I should have, but it’s good to see the guys. Something tells me Abrines is hilarious to hang out with.

Fred Katz spoke with an immigration lawyer about Enes Kanter’s passport problems: “Of course, depending upon where he’s going and who he’s interacting with and whether Turkey may or may not have agreements with some countries who arrest people at their request, as an immigration lawyer, I would obviously caution people who are wanted internationally not necessarily against traveling, but to make sure that all the possible precautionary measures would be taken.”

SB Nation has OKC taking a risk on Harry Giles at 21 in their latest mock draft: “After a disappointing season marred by slow injury recovery, he’s getting a nice workout season bump in the draft press. It’s hard to find a better upside pick than a former No. 1 recruit landing in the mid- to late-first almost entirely due to injuries.” (Draft Express profile)

Doc Rivers wasn’t a fan of KD going to Golden State: “It is tough when you see a guy join a team — in Durant’s case what he did this year. That was tough for anybody, anybody’s that’s competitive, to watch. He lost, and then he joined. Having said that, it was his choice, I have no problem with him, but it’s something from a competitive standpoint, you would think you wouldn’t do.”

Paul Pierce says KD’s decision was like making friends with your bully: “I’m just not built like that. I’m not a guy who goes into the neighborhood, gets beat up by the bully’s gang and now I want to join your gang. That’s just not me. I want to fight. Let’s go. I’m gonna stand up for myself.”

Lee Jenkins on the “Superteam Era”: “The NBA has always been defined, and elevated, by its juggernauts. If it wasn’t the Lakers and the Celtics, it was the Pistons and the Bulls, or the Spurs and the Heat. “We were really talented,” says former Miami assistant David Fizdale, now the Grizzlies’ coach. “But not like this, not all the way through the roster.” When the Heat snagged the 2012 title, Mario Chalmers was their fourth-leading scorer, Norris Cole their fifth. For Golden State, it’s Green and Andre Iguodala, who have three All-Star appearances and a Finals MVP award between them.”

Shea Serrano looks at some ridiculous NBA Finals prop bets: “What if he breaks down and finally lets all of that emotion out like what we saw Jordan do when he finally won his first championship and then laid on the floor with the trophy and cried? (7–1) What if he asks OKC for forgiveness? (170–1) WHAT IF HE SAYS RUSSELL WESTBROOK’S NAME? (235–1)0”

The Clippers are looking to hire Jerry West out of Oakland: “League sources told ESPN that the Clippers would like to bring West into their organization in an advisory capacity, similar to the ‎role he has held with the Warriors since May 2011. Other undisclosed teams, sources said, have made similar runs at West, who is under contract with Golden State through July as a member of its executive board and has been asked by Warriors owner Joe Lacob to stay with the franchise.”

Like everyone has been saying — Detroit is just one win-now vet away from contention: