Wednesday Bolts – 2.29.12
Marc Stein of ESPN.com’s power rankings: “Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised that Durant rumbled for 36 points on the All-Star stage after the MVP-elect averaged 35.8 ppg in the last four games before the break. Yet even with KD rollin’ and a share of the league’s best record, OKC seems to generate even more when-it-matters skepticism than LeBron.”
Matt Moore of CBSSports.com: “So the Thunder need to establish they are the best team, no question, and they will be a force come June. This team has taken a step forward each year over the past four, but this is the big test. No more “see what they can do in the playoffs.” They are no longer surprising. It’s time to play like the title contenders they’ve become.”
ESPN 5-on-5 on Western challengers to OKC.
John Hollinger of ESPN.com the West: “The one advantage that will be there, however, is their crowd. OKC is arguably the league’s best game environment and the Thunder will have home-court advantage for at least the first two rounds of the playoffs. That may be particularly important if the Thunder play Memphis again — the Griz match up great against them (Portland lines up pretty well too) and could be a very tough out.”
Rob Mahoney for the New York Times on OKC’s interior defense: “Oklahoma City’s athleticism on the perimeter allows Thunder defenders to close out quickly and effectively, but Perkins, Collison and Ibaka do have an impact. Many N.B.A. teams have one effective defensive big and several others who make do despite their lack of athleticism, troublesome instincts or lack of a proper defensive foundation. The Thunder are fortunate to have three bigs capable of playing stellar defense -– a pragmatic bonus that goes far beyond luxury.”
Food Republic’s power rankings have OKC as a T-Bone: “When you’ve got two of the top five NBA scoring leaders on your team, life is good. Kevin Durant (27.9 ppg) and Russell Westbrook (23.5 ppg) are truly a dynamic duo. Like the mighty T-Bone, they’re two distinct parts (filet and strip) that both contribute equal value. Throw in James Harden having a career year and block machine Serge Ibaka and it’s no surprise that the Thunder are the favorites to win the West.”
Nick Collison practiced Tuesday and will return for OKC tonight.
Clark Matthews of The Lost Ogle on Barkley’s criticism of the Thunder: “Barkley’s argument is that the Thunder team is not made for playoff success while Miami is because of their shot selection. To his credit, playing style does change during the playoffs. Namely, defenders are not as inclined to get out of the way when a player goes to the basket during a prolonged series. While Kendrick Perkins is singled out for actually trying to block a dunk that gets him “posterized” during the regular season, that mentality is shared by all big men during the second season. When an offensive player dares to come into the lane, they will end up on their back before they ever get a clean look at the rim. The only way a guy can dunk in the playoffs is to be ready to take the punishment.”
Derrick Rose endorsed KD for MVP: “I haven’t (done) anything this year yet to be MVP,” Rose said. “One guy that’s ballin’ right now is Kevin Durant. He’s ballin’ right now. Putting up numbers. Playing great, shooting high percentage. He’s ballin’.”
