Thursday Bolts: 5.18.17
All-NBA teams will be announced tonight. NewsOK examines three franchise players paying close attention. “Russell Westbrook isn’t the only player who’ll benefit from the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Designated Veteran Player Exception. Whether or not Westbrook is announced as an All-NBA First Team selection Thursday night, he’s already qualified to receive the DPE (a five-year extension from the Thunder valued at an estimated $219 million) once free agency opens in early July. He was a First-Teamer last season.”
Fred Katz on the future of Enes Kanter: “The possibility of trading Kanter has been one of the most often discussed local topics since he signed a four-year, $70 million contract during the summer of 2015. But the market for centers has been stagnant, and this postseason probably didn’t help that. Check out adjustments from most any playoff series this spring, and almost all have the same theme: Go small. That’s the opposite of Kanter’s game. And he’s also far from the only attainable center.”
Erik Horne did a Q&A session with Josh Huestis: “The way I try to look at it is each of the last three seasons I’ve improved. Statistics-wise, this was my biggest jump. I’m starting to come into my own as a player and figure out my strengths and weaknesses as a player, how to apply what I’m best at in a game. And my confidence has gotten so much better in the work I’ve done and having a couple of years under my belt.”
HoopsHype takes a look at Andre Roberson’s pros and cons.
The Bromance Continues:
Odds & Ends
Spurs fan is suing Zaza Pachulia: “A ‘devoted, lifelong’ San Antonio Spurs fan has filed a lawsuit naming Zaza Pachulia and the Golden State Warriors as defendants, alleging the center’s actions against Kawhi Leonard in Game 1 ‘devastated the quality of the Spurs’ chances of being competitive’ and diminished ‘the value of the tickets purchased by plaintiff subsequent to their purchase.'”
LeBron James: Still a cheat code. “It didn’t take long for LeBron James to demonstrate just how little of a chance the Boston Celtics have at advancing to the NBA Finals.”
The latest mock draft from Basketball Insiders: Joel Brigham has OKC taking a chance on Harry Giles at 21. The 6’10” big man out of Duke may be the best PF/C in the draft, but has a list of injury issues. Interested to see what Presti does here.
