Wednesday Bolts – 7.15.09

Randy Hill of Fox Sports looks at teams moving up: “OKC – We can consider this team upgraded by simply tearing

another year off of the calendar. But the maturing Thunder also used the third overall pick in the first round to select a card-carrying shooting guard named James Harden. What Harden provides is a legitimate two guard whose presence will continue to discourage anyone affiliated with personnel groupings to put Kevin Durant back at shooting guard, where he couldn’t defend a bear in a phone booth.”

Chris Mannix of SI with some Summer League notes: “Oklahoma City’s James Harden is going to be a stud. That’s what I keep hearing.”

I was just flipping around the web yesterday and I stumbled across this 2007 Bill Simmons column that had a bold statement about Kevin Durant before he was drafted: “All I know is that MJ was the last guy since Wilt to crack 37 a game in the pros … and Kevin Durant will be joining him in 5-6 years if he stays healthy. That’s not even hyperbole. I don’t see anyone stopping him. But will his rebounding/shotblocking catch up to the rest of his game? And will his teams ultimately win? Those are the looming questions.”

Adrian Wojnarowski with a little Thunder tidbit: “Maurice Cheeks has been offered a job on Scott Brooks’ staff with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He’s still deciding.” (h/t Alex)

Another comeback story for Shaun Livingston: “But he’s been humbled. The Clippers renounced his rights in June 2008 to clear cap space for Baron Davis and then he had a brief stint with the Miami Heat before signing with OKC and heading to the NBDL. “I think that says a lot about him that he was willing to go to the D-League,” OKC general manager Sam Presti said. “We are talking about a guy who was the fourth overall pick. That said a lot about him and his willingness to get back.” Livingston said the knee is healthy but he still needs to get back in basketball shape; that has been the purpose of summer league.”

Darnell Mayberry on how James Harden bounced back: “Even while being more aggressive and methodical, Harden continued to impress with his confidence, poise and perimeter shooting. And he again showed his versatility by initiating the offense, directing traffic and defending multiple positions. It was also encouraging that Harden was effective and efficient for the second time playing without Russell Westbrook, who commanded much of the attention while playing in five of the Thunder’s summer league games.”

David Thorpe on Steph Curry: “The good news for Curry is that he’s been able to get shots — largely because the ball has been in his hand. He’s picking his opportunities. Unfortunately, he’s picking far too many of them. Although he’s averaging 19.5 points per game, he’s doing it on only 31.4 percent shooting. His assist/turnover ratio? 4.5 to 3.75.”

The Carlos Boozer trade rumors are heating up: “But there are other options for Chicago and Utah to turn toward. Like Sacramento, Memphis or Oklahoma City, who all sit on cap space. Portland’s the easiest friend in cap terms, but all three young rosters could be willing to help the Bulls get a post scorer while helping Utah get out of trouble.”