Wednesday Bolts – 9.22.10

Nenad Krstic had surgery on a finger he injured in Turkey yesterday and will likely miss training camp. What could this mean for players like Cole Aldrich, Byron Mullens and Serge Ibaka? Darnell Mayberry says it gives them an opportunity: “While Krstic is on the sideline, could we see the promotion of promising second-year big men Serge Ibaka or Byron Mullens, or perhaps rookie Cole Aldrich? It’s a fair question, one that likely will require a fair amount of deliberation from Coach Scott Brooks as camp labors on. Each player has his strengths and weaknesses.”

Who’s winning this year’s MVP? Some idiot says Kevin Durant.

This fantasy mock draft has KD going No. 1 overall: “The 2010-11 season marks the beginning of the Kevin Durant era in earnest. Durant’s FIBA World Championship experience as the alpha dog of Team USA’s “B-Team” is indicative, with KD and the rest of the Americans leaving Turkey with both the gold hardware and an undefeated record. Durant led the league in scoring last season at the age of 21 and is the odds-on favorite to claim the title again this season. He’s got room for improvement based upon his age, experience, skill level, work ethic and general baditude, and has no serious injury history (missed on average only four games per season). Durant is everything you would ever want out of the first pick in a fantasy draft, with his well-rounded contributions allowing for virtually any team strategy later in the draft. Select Durant first with confidence in any and all formats this season.”

Oklahoma City has been named one of the top communities in the country and a big reason is because of the Thunder.

A couple more trailers for NBA 2K11 featuring Russell Westbrook:

Mike Prada of SBN: “Due to the success of the Oklahoma City Thunder last season, it’s en vogue for everyone to look around to try to find the next young team to make the jump to playoff contention a year before everyone expects. Who is the team most suited for a similar turnaround next season? It’s probably the Sacramento Kings.”

David Aldridge of NBA.com: “Now, there are caveats. Durant won’t turn 22 until the day after camp begins. And Westbrook is only 21. And before the U.S. camps began in Las Vegas in July, both had had three months off since Oklahoma City’s first-round playoff loss to the Lakers. And because the U.S. team won the gold at the worlds, it won’t have to take part in Olympic qualifying tournaments next summer. So Durant and Westbrook’s dance cards won’t be filled for a second offseason. But that is then. Coach Scott Brooks and the Thunder have to worry about the now. OKC is the new It Team, but that means the Thunder will also get everyone’s best shot.”