Thursday Bolts – 9.18.14
Kevin Durant to Esquire on mentoring: “I try to talk to the younger guys. I don’t want to force myself on anybody, so if somebody asks me for some advice, I just try to give it to them as real as I can. Especially high school kids, who are about to enter into this life. I’ve been through so much, even though I’m twenty-five years old, that I can spread some knowledge. And, you know, it feels great just to know that you’re helping, and know that the experiences you’ve been through, even though they were tough, that you can help someone else try to prevent those. Just another voice in the air, to help.”
Joe Atmonavage of Hoops Habit on Russell Westbrook’s good and bad: “And as a team, they are simply better when they are on the floor together. They score more points per possessions (1.129 compared to 1.107). There is more ball movement (57.5 of field goals are assisted when they are both on the floor compared to 53.1 percent with just Durant.) The Thunder get many more layups because of how good Durant and Westbrook are, but also because defenses are so locked in on them, players have a better chance to get an easy bucket. With both on the floor, 21 percent of the Thunder’s field goals are layups while 16.8 percent are when Durant is on without Westbrook, according to NBAwowy.com. There is still room for Westbrook to grow. Maybe he should defer to Durant at times. But again, it all goes back to Westbrook being a total wildcard at times. It can drive people crazy (I am a victim), but you have to remember he is going to win the Thunder more games than he loses them.”
Four games in five nights is not fun.
KD tweets a message to David Ash: “Thank you David Ash, you gave your all to the University of Texas. I respect your decision and good luck in the future my brother.”
Happy 25th birthday Serge Ibaka.
Jeff Caplan of NBA.com gives OKC a C+ for its offseason: “The grade is for the offseason alone, and Brooks, Durant, Westbrook and GM Sam Presti all were unable to lure Gasol, who chose more money and the weaker East in picking the Bulls. They also failed to land proven veteran Mike Miller and will hope Morrow is the guy to knock down open 3s, which he should find aplenty. Adams carved into Kendrick Perkins’ minutes last year and should continue that trend, perhaps even as a starter. Again, Gasol would have allowed Brooks to limit Perkins to bench minutes while also allowing Adams to continue to develop at a reasonable pace and not as a 30-minute starter. Some criticized the pick of McGary as redundant, but other views see him as a potential steal. If role players continue to develop, Durant and company will again challenge for the West crown.”
