Wednesday Bolts – 9.12.12
Ken Berger of CBSSports.com: “But with home-grown stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook already locked up with long-term deals, the Thunder’s decision to reward Ibaka as they attempt to get back to the NBA Finals and ultimately win a championship has ushered the elephant into the room. Alas, system changes that were so vital to the future of the NBA that they were almost worth losing an entire season have ramifications for the Oklahoma Cities of the world too.”
Zach Lowe of SI.com on players on notice: “Kendrick Perkins: The luxury tax concerns are real with James Harden now extension-eligible. Also real: Perkins’ value as a post defender, brutal screener and all-around setter of a nasty tone. But Perkins’ reputation as a Dwight Howard stopper is nearly two years out of date, and he’s not nearly good enough at his strengths to justify his pricey contract once you factor in his glaring limitations — poor hands, endless traveling violations, shaky speed and sky-high turnover rates. There aren’t many worse offensive players in the league, at least among regular rotation guys. Perkins needs to get healthy and show a bit more, on both ends, to quiet the amnesty chatter.”
And congrats to Zach on his move.
Mark Cuban on the Lakers: “It’s going to be interesting,” Cuban continued. “Look, they’re going to have a great team, but I remember when we made our run, we weren’t supposed to win any series. Remember the Lakers were the defending champs, and we swept them and they had everybody back. A lot of teams do a great job of winning the summer, but I never get so antsy about what happens over the summer. I just want to know what happens during the season. As long as we keep on getting better and we’re healthy going into the playoffs, then anything can happen.”
No big surprise but the Rockets and Mavs like Harden.
Clark Matthews of The Lost Ogle: “Maybe that’s what he wants, and even if it is…the sky still ISN’T falling. Here’s why: For Harden to leave, the Thunder have to let him. Supposing that Harden and his beard don’t sign a contract extension by Halloween (hopefully while wearing a pirate costume), he’s still under contract for the 2012/13 season. And in 2013 he is a RESTRICTED FREE AGENT. He can sign with another team, but if the contract is amenable to the Thunder, they can just give him identical parameters, and he has to stay in OKC. Mark my words…if he signs a contract with a different team, the Thunder. Will. Match. It.”
Trey Kerby of TBJ has James Harden as the league’s coolest player: “This is kind of an easy pick for me, as he’s at the peak of his power in every way, shape and form. He’s a great player who is fun to watch and didn’t even take that big of a beating for not showing up in the Finals, he looks awesome and he is a 23-year-old enjoying being 23 years old as much as possible. Does James Harden care if you see him wearing a leopard print cowboy hat and dookie chain while partying shirtless with a dozen women? No, because he’s wearing a leopard print cowboy hat and dookie chain while partying shirtless with a dozen women. And unlike a lot of the other swaggy bros in the league, he’s actually pretty well-dressed.”
