Monday Bolts – 7.27.09
NBA.com looked at 10 players that helped their Team USA stock and No. 1 was our friend: “Kevin Durant, SF, 
Oklahoma City … Showcase stats: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 5-12 fg, 1-4 3pt, 9-9 ft … In order to ensure a spot on next year’s roster, Durant needed to show that he’s more than just a scorer, and he did that. He was a factor defensively and also made plays for his teammates. It took some time for him to get going offensively on Saturday, but he got to the line often and got out in transition for some easy buckets. Barring injury, he’s a lock to be making the trip to Turkey next summer.” Notice that – a factor defensively. I am drooling everywhere right now.
Also from that same story, Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green also made the list: ”Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City … Showcase stats: 7 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3-5 fg, 1-2 3pt … Over the course of the three days, nobody made more plays for himself or his teammates than Westbrook. He’s got great hands defensively and picked up a couple of steals in the backcourt on Saturday. He’s also lightning fast and can jump out of the gym. But his decision-making was hit or miss, as he would often over-penetrate and lose the ball when he got into a crowd … Jeff Green, PF, Oklahoma City … Showcase stats: 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2-8 fg, 1-4 3pt, 3-4 ft … Green doesn’t stand out with anything he does, but after watching him for a while, you realize that he does everything pretty well and doesn’t hurt you. After sitting out some time with an arm injury, he hit a big shot in one of the scrimmages on Friday, and he came out strong on Saturday, before slowing down in the second half.”
Bill Simmons, handing out offseason awards: “To Kevin Durant. Why? He flew to Vegas for summer league even though he wasn’t playing, sat on his team’s bench every day, cheered his boys on, dispensed advice during timeouts and everything else you’d want from your top gun. All signs point to Durant becoming one of those galvanizing, personable, Duncan-like leaders for the Zombie Sonics. Love it. Couldn’t be happier about this. Our one-sided bromance continues to be in full bloom. And you know what else? …
More: … “To Sam Presti, GM, Zombies. Love the restraint. He’s letting this baby breathe (see above) by building around good chemistry guys, preserving his cap space, avoiding potentially dangerous contracts and building a young foundation around Durant. (In other words, he’s doing everything Cleveland didn’t do for LeBron these past six seasons.) The Zombies will be $9 million under the cap this season and have $10 million worth of expiring contracts. For teams getting hammered by the economy that need to shed high-salaried contracts, Presti is their first, second and third calls and he’s probably in F-You mode every time he answers. If only he were on Twitter. EFFYOUNBAGM: “Philly just offered Elton Brand, Sam Dalembert and its next four first-round picks for Damien Wilkins. Laughed. Hung up.” EFFYOUNBAGM: “Note to Jersey: Stop offering me Bobby Simmons. Why don’t you offer me VD while you’re at it?” EFFYOUNBAGM: “Dear Atlanta: I’d rather peel the skin off my body than take on the Crawford and Pachulia contracts. Thanks, though.”
The New York Times on the Team USA mini-camp: ”The biggest revelation on the floor was Durant, who averaged 25.3 points in the N.B.A. hinterland of Oklahoma City. Colangelo said Durant “set himself apart” and has practically assured himself a spot on the 2010 world championship tournament team and the 2012 Olympic team. USA Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski joked that there was no such thing as a safe bet in Las Vegas, but it appeared that Durant’s play, combined with his years of participating as a practice player with USA Basketball, has destined him to become the program’s next star. His attitude toward the program is what USA Basketball is looking for.”
KD evidently lost to Jeff Green in some shooting contest: “I lost to Jeff green in the shooting games lastnight Now I have to buy him a Louis vuitton bag..wats da cheapest one?? Lol … I’m gon get him a real one but which one should I get cuz I never shop in there…don’t kno the product lol…I’m cheap…I hate losing bets.”
Darnell Mayberry looks deep into Kevin Durant’s future contract negotiations: ”In what will be a mere formality, the Thunder will announce sometime before Oct. 31 that it has exercised its team option for Durant’s fourth season. It allows the franchise to keep No. 35 through 2010-11. Durant will then become eligible for his first contract extension July 1, 2010. And next summer should prove to be a cut-and-dry negotiation period for Durant and the Thunder. Certain incentives likely will have to be hashed out, but the terms of the deal will be open and shut — the maximum number of Benjamins the Thunder can throw Durant’s way. It’ll also be more Benjamins than any other team can offer, with league rules allowing the Thunder to tender more years and higher annual raises to retain its player. The only major question this time next year seems to be whether Durant will sign a long-term contract or be satisfied with a short-term deal.”
Sean Deveney looks at the best bets to make the 2010 Team USA squad: “Jeff Green. Dwight Howard didn’t play very well in the 2008 Olympics, but it’s hard to imagine he won’t be invited back. Chris Bosh, however, is a near shoo-in to stay. Carlos Boozer and Tayshaun Prince might not be asked back, leaving some frontcourt spots open. Problem is, no young big man has really stood out as being an international type. Brook Lopez looked good in the scrimmage. Greg Oden didn’t. A few possibilities–LaMarcus Aldridge, David Lee and Blake Griffin–didn’t play this week because of injury or contract concerns. Perhaps the best fit might be Green, an admittedly unconventional choice. But Green can shoot, handle the ball and pass, and he is versatile enough to guard those deep-shooting bigs who give the Americans trouble. “I think the style they play in the Olympics is how I play,” Green said. “But I know I have a lot to prove to them.”
Sam Amico on KD: “I could watch Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant play all day. He’s just that exciting. I could have said the same thing about George Gervin, a high-scoring star in the 1970s and early ’80s with San Antonio — even though Gervin was a little before my time. Still, Durant reminds me very much of what I saw of Gervin, with his slender frame, smooth style and ability to score on anywhere, anywhere, anytime.”
The Thunder Caravan made a visit to Guymon, Oklahoma yesterday.
The free agent people seem to have forgot about: ”Let’s get right to it: restricted free agent David Lee has been shat on this summer. Billed as one of the premier restricted free agents, Lee seemed like a lock for a semi-lucrative raise after an impressive showing in his fourth season with the Knicks: 16 points (55% FG), 11.7 boards, 2.2 assists, and 1 steal in roughly 35 minutes per as the team’s starting power forward.”
Nick Collison: “Ordered the mickey mouse pankcake for my daughter and she started crying when I cut off his ear. Whatever emma U ate his eyes.”
Loved the imaginary Sam Presti tweets.
Remember David Lee’s agent saying he was going to have an offer from Oklahoma City as soon as free agency began?I’m guessing he got something pretty similar to one of those tweets.
@MartzMimic
Yeah those were great. He should’ve done the flipside:
EFFYOUNBAGM: “I just traded Kurt Thomas to Phoenix for an unprotected first round pick LMAO!!!!”
Interesting collection today. How cool would it be to have Durant and Green on team USA? It’s a bit depressing to see that RW’s reputation followed him to the USA mini-camp – drives the lane and gets in trouble etc. I really hope he turns that around this year.
And yeah, the fake presti tweets were classic…
If Sam isn’t carefull, he might say something stupid like:
EFFYOUNBAGM: “What’s that? You want to do a sign and trade for Nick Collison and DJ White for Carlos Boozer? Nah, I’d rather have my cap space, thanks.
On the positive side of the coin concerning Russell, the only knock they have on him is his decision making. In all the articles above, they love his athleticism, his ability to make plays for himself and teammates (the one thing I wanted to hear the most), and his defense.
I agree that decision making is the most important part of any player’s game. But I’m thinking that Russell’s decision will get better this year. I expect the game to slow down for him, and I expect him to know the plays and his teammates better. I think his decision making will improve.
If his decision making improves to the point where no one can fault him for it, then we’re looking at an all star.
nick collison is hillarious.
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
I’m thinking you’re right. In fact, I think team decision making will get noticely better this year.
*noticeably
Interesting story about re-drafting the lottery after the Summer League, with Thabeet falling all the way to 13.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/9833162/Summer-league-exposure-hurt-some-lottery-picks
I think the NBA Draft is a lot like the NFL Draft because with all the hype people start think that players picked in the top half of the first round are all going to become stars. I think Wallace was smart to draft Thabeet because he is a sure thing in terms of shot blocking in defense. He just needs to get a little bit bigger so that he can guard big post players. If i was MEM i still would of drafted Thabeet at 2 because thats what they needed.
Anybody seen Marbury absolutely throwing his career away by doing coke and broadcasting it on the net?
http://www.justin.tv/starburytv
@Brian
Hype is always a problem around draft time, for any team, but some expectation is legitimate. No team picking 2nd overall should be thinking, “We can get a solid role-player here who will be ready to contribute in 2-3 years time.” You can say that every team needs role players, but you don’t draft them 2nd overall, you just don’t. If you have a top pick, you are looking for the absolute best player available.
I fault Wallace because he didn’t go for the best player, he went with the hype. Name one thing about Thabeet’s game that wasn’t suspect. Name one advantage of his that wasn’t overhyped. Thabeet looked horrible against NBA talent in college and picked up where he left off in the summer league. He was a shotblocker in college because of the system. Take him out, and he’s another 7 foot stiff with low BBIQ and limited athleticism.
@hendawg
I didn’t realize Marbury still had a career to throw away. Has someone signed him since he bombed with the Celtics?
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
See, I went the COMPLETE other way with it.
Everyone has always loved Westbrook’s athleticism, speed, tenacity, etc. But the one thing that has always been the Achilles heel has been his decision making, which is a pretty big component of a point guard’s arsenal.
So to read, yet again, another person criticize and notice that his decision making is really sub-par and holding him back, made me want to slam my head into my desk. And as everyone knows, I’m a big RW supporter and did not expect him to become a savvy veteran point guard overnight, but man, it hurt me to read that again.
If we’re still having this discussion in a year’s time, that’s when I’ll start to be concerned.
@hendawg
What the hell is that guy’s problem?
For ESPN insiders, Chris Sheridan has another breakdown of the Team USA roster. He says that Westbrook is a co-leader with Derrick Rose for that 3rd PG spot.
Darnell Mayberry twitter — Etan Thomas and picks to OKC for Chucky and Damien Wilkins.
Nice deal–Thomas can actually play and gives us more hard-nosed front court depth.
@J.G.
I think part of my opinion is formed from a new philosophy of mine, developed from a rather existential beginning; in that Russell is here, he’s really here, get used to it.
See, there are a few of us who follow the Thunder because we were basketball purists in the first place, but now have a team to call our own. Now granted, I don’t know everything about basketball and I’ve learned TONS reading this blog. I’ve learned more about the business side of things, and the various pros and cons of different approaches to stats and data. But still yet, I loved the game and felt like I had a good grasp on what good basketball is all about. I think a few of us are in that same boat.
As a result, we appreciate the guys who fit the mold. In my mind, you just simply cannot beat CP3 as a true point guard. Court vision, superb ball handling skills, knowing an offense as a 6th sense, anticipation, eyes in the back of your head, only takes a shot if the shot clock is next to zero type of ball player. Double dribbled, traveling, carrying… these things belong to Centers and High Schoolers.
But here I am, conflicted in my approach. Russell exists, therefore I… err… conclusion suspended until further notice. I see his pros, and thus, I can’t dismiss him. I see his cons, and thus, I can’t accept him. He’s the most polarizing figure on the Thunder team. If he were a watchman, he’d be Comedian. If he starred in Apocalypse Now, he’d be Marlon Brando. He’s the guy who doesn’t fit the mold, and some people appreciate it, and other people don’t. Everyone talks about him, but he’s the subject of talk because of this dichotomy. Everyone wants to know what is next for Russell Westbrook.
I still go back to Shoals, and his Z graph. There is success in that picture. The picture doesn’t look like the other PG pictures. Russell’s is different, and no one knows what to make of it.
The picture works.
Yeah, but it’s different.
Well yeah, but it works.
Okay, but the other pictures work, and they’re all the same.
Well maybe it doesn’t have to look the same to work.
True, but maybe it’s really something else instead.
Or maybe it is what it is and it works like that.
Or it’s something else and would work better there.
Or maybe it wouldn’t work at all there, but only here.
and on, and on, and on…
So I gave it up, and I hung my hat on his improved decision making. If he can do it, we can put all this to rest. Maybe that’s because I’m an optimist, or just a simple pragmatic awaiting further review.
Etan Thomas can’t really play… He’s just a space clogger/ bench sitter. I wonder what the picks are…
Well, he could play, back in 06/07, but sure didn’t do much last year.
@DSMok1
I think the trade makes a lot of sense. Chucky and Wilkins were never going to see the floor. Thomas is still an expiring contract (and a bigger one which works better in future cap saving trades), he backs up a position of need, and the two for one trade opens up another roster spot for a young player.
We may very well be talking about how great of a trade this was when it lands us something better later or a young big starts making his mark when he would have otherwise been relegated to the D-league.
Collison is a funny guy. I kinda like him now.
@Keith
This year’s draft sucked. After Griffin all the other players were suspect. MEM could of drafted Rubio but they already had Conley and they definitely did not need a another combo guard in Tyreke Evans because they already had OJ Mayo. Who else could of they taken????
This is the deal about us being down on Westbrook’s decision making is we want him to be a Chris Paul and he is not and will never be. I was not a fan when the Hornet were here so I do not have this bromance with Paul.Don’t get me wrong he is the best point in the league,but he has not won a title or even been to a finals. An I believe if something doesn’t happen dramatic to his team he will not in the foreseeable future. Actually most teams that have won it all in the last 20 years did not have pure 10 assist point guard.So look at what article was actually about the 10 guys who’s stock rose and he did say he made the most plays for him self and others. That is what I think is going to be his calling card is he make plays not normal point guard all the time but plays. So lets keep his game in prospective not in the light of Christ Paul. Yes Paul can do a lot of things can’t but don’t forget Jet00 can do something Paul could never do.
@Big G
Great post. I agree with everything you said. Russel can make plays for himself more than maybe any other point guard in the league. He can do it with offensive boards explosive drives and on rare occasion the jump shot. What we all hope is that he becomes consistent in his ability to decide between plays for himself or a play for someone else. Once the game slows down for him this decision will be easier, and RW0 will be a great point guard, just not a traditional 5 shots, a couple rebounds,and 10 assist point guard.
I refuse to acknowledge the Sports Gals columns until he recognizes that Oklahoma City has a basketball team.
Simmons’ Presti tweets were pretty weak.
There are better ones possible but I think I’ll pass.