Monday Bolts – 10.19.15

Moke Hamilton for Basketball Insiders: “Why would Durant sign an extension with the Thunder

that would guarantee him $70 million when he could simply wait until he becomes a free agent and potentially sign a contract guaranteeing him roughly $140 million? The better question, though, is whether this system is actually best for the league. It doesn’t seem like it is, and it is one issue that I am hearing will be addressed during the next round of collective bargaining agreement negotiations.”

Erik Horne on the new security measures: “If you attended the first Thunder preseason game at Chesapeake Energy Arena, you may have noticed a difference at the door. No, you weren’t walking into Will Rogers World Airport. It may have just seemed like it as Thunder games are getting a little more locked down. Before entering the arena, be prepared to go through some new NBA-mandated security measures. Starting this season, each person who enters Chesapeake Energy Arena, and any of the 30 NBA arenas, will have to pass through a metal detector. That’s fans, players and media. Everyone.”

Talking Thunder with Nate Duncan.

Anthony Slater: “On the first offensive possession, with rookie Emmanual Mudiay overplaying Westbrook on the wing, Donovan yelled ‘3-cross’ and Westbrook, using a back screen from Durant, sliced backdoor and received a Kanter pass from the top of the key for an easy layup. It was the second time a Thunder big nailed Westbrook on a cut to the rim, an obvious wrinkle in Donovan’s evolving offensive scheme with this team.”

This was a good pass, Steven Adams.

On Billy Donovan’s rotation and how he might stagger minutes more.

NBA.com still has KD as the top fantasy forward: “Don’t allow the former Kia MVP’s injury-riddled 2014-15 season let you forget how dominant he is when healthy. He’s a four-time scoring champ that consistently shoots above 50 percent to go along with 2-plus 3-pointers, 6-plus rebounds and 4-plus assists. He’s a positive in every fantasy category and should be extremely motivated after how last season went down.”