Wednesday Bolts – 12.23.15

Anthony Slater on the Westbrook to Adams lob game: “The scheme seems simple. But for it to

work, you need floor-spacers like Ibaka and Durant, plus a point guard like Westbrook, able to orchestrate it all with his scoring threat and improved passing ability. Not many teams have all those components. Fewer also employ a big man that can sky for the lob like Adams. There are plenty more skilled offensive bigs around the league, Oklahoma City’s Enes Kanter included. But there aren’t many centers in Adams’ realm athletically. The Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan is one. He has a league-leading 44 alley-oops in 29 games this season. Miami’s Hassan Whiteside is another. He has 24 in 26 games. Adams has only 14 in 28. But he has eight in the past seven.”

GQ on Westbrook’s post-Clippers outfit: “Last night Westbrook let his style freak flag fly (like really fly) by wearing an outfit that we can only describe as what’s left after you take take off 90% of your ski clothes. Namely, white thermal long johns, baggy shorts, a vintage T-shirt, and heavy combat-style boots. He decided to complete the look with a pair of fingerless leather gloves because, why the eff not.”

Berry Tramel: “Over the years, the Thunder’s late-game offense has been mediocre, for such a talented team. Of course, most teams struggle in late-game offense. When the game slows, and becomes a virtual football game, with a timeout or a stoppage following most possessions, defenses can set up and key on particular strengths and tendencies of the opposition. But give credit where credit is due. The Thunder’s late-game offense was superb Monday night in a 100-99 victory over the Clippers. The Thunder’s entire fourth quarter offense was efficient. The Thunder committed four turnovers, which is troubling, but OKC made 12 of 21 shots and all three of its foul shots.”

Westbrook talking about his glasses.

Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com on Kobe turning his season around: “I just feel good. My legs feel fine. I feel like me,” Bryant said. “I feel good. I feel like I can control the game. I feel like I can read everything. I can get to the spots I want to get to — not as quickly as I want to get to them. [But] I can get to them.”

The NBA is doing a campaign to stop gun violence.

NBA players reviewed dumb holiday gifts. Here’s Mitch McGary on a weird beanie: “That’s pretty badass. I would definitely wear this. I’d ride my unicycle down the street with this on and people probably would get scared of me.”

Sport Science on Russ’s dunks.

The NBA says KD’s game-winner shouldn’t have counted: “Ibaka (OKC) extends his arms as he sets the screen on Mbah a Moute (LAC) without giving him room to avoid the contact.”