Wednesday Bolts: 02.26.20

Ferguson finished with 11 points (3-5 from 3) and three assists.

Erik Horne’s 9 observations from the Windy City. “The Thunder were outscored 38-19 in the third. An offense that dished out 19 assists before halftime had only two in the third quarter. An underlying problem was the Thunder’s defensive glass. The Bulls outrebounded the Thunder 13-7 in the third quarter, including four offensive rebounds that led to 12 second-chance points, all in the paint.”

ICYMI: Check out Cray’s article on Lu Dort’s contract situation here

Erik Horne (The Athletic) with an awesome piece on Nerlens Noel and what his production has meant for Steven Adams. “The traditional center has been increasingly marginalized in the NBA. It’s no longer a feed-the-low-post game on offense. On defense, teams often have to downsize to keep up with countless pick-and-rolls and spread attacks that put lumbering 7-foot defenders in danger on the perimeter. Nerlens Noel is surviving amid the shift.”

Addam M. Francisco on the potential competition at SG. “Tuesday night’s game was just a one-game sample size for Ferguson but could it rejuvenate his drive? If so, the timing is perfect.”

Eric Woodyard on the Mentor-Mentee relationship between Chris Paul and Coby White. “White considers his relationship with Paul to be bigger than basketball. Paul was there to comfort him after his father, Donald, died of liver cancer in August 2017, and Paul has helped White in many ways throughout his young career.”