Friday Bolts – 7.30.10
We’re two days from August and boy, Thunder stuff is really starting to hit a wall. But good news! The NBA schedule is released in a couple days (August 3 from what I’ve heard) so I’ll be sure to drain that sucker for all it’s worth. OKC is sure to be the darling of national TV broadcasts, and Darnell Mayberry surmises OKC might be a front-runner for a Christmas day game. That would be cool.
Chris Mannix predicts the final Team USA roster. Jeff Green misses the cut, but Russ makes it: “Westbrook is a prototypical USA guard: fast and powerful with an ability to defend the length of the floor. Expect to see a lot of Westbrook at both backcourt spots.”
Jeremy Lin is the current cult figure in the league. Frank Hughes of SI has a really nice story on him. OKC was pretty close to going for him and worked him out back in June. Lin’s a total Presti type guy, but it just wasn’t a match in the end.
Fox Sports says the Wolves will be the worst team next year. Remember when OKC was in that discussion not too long ago?: “If the Nets had won both games against the T-Wolves last season, rather than vice versa, Minnesota would have owned the league’s worst record. There’s an excellent chance that will happen this season, especially after Minny gave up on supposed franchise player Al Jefferson, giving him to the Jazz for draft picks. That may be a smart long-term move as the ‘Wolves try to become a running team. But even after adding Michael Beasley and drafting Wesley Johnson, they may give the 1972-73 Sixers a run for their money as the worst team in NBA history.”
Dime looks at players who they feel deserve an extension: “Jeff Green, Thunder: Green gives Oklahoma City so much versatility with his ability to play at the four. And while he will never be more than a third banana on a title-contending team, the Thunder must keep him around. Not only do his teammates love him, but also Green does all of the little things to complement Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. GM Sam Presti is too smart to not figure this out.”
Chris Silva profiles Royal Ivey: “Royal Ivey continues to find work in the NBA because he brings the intangibles. He’s a serious worker, he builds and keeps relationships, he can play both guard positions and he plays defense. Better yet, he loves to play defense. In fact, get him on the subject of defense and his tone of voice changes. He might even start talking in metaphors.”
Remember, we’re trying a mailbag. Email me any question (or comment I suppose) that you want to dailythunder@gmail.com.
@Sammy
We need a more efficient offense. Gasol/Lopez + better shooting from one or two guys who already get the minutes would go a long way, but Thunder really need a plan, a scheme that will do more than what we have seen so far. That's what we're hoping for this summer, I know I am. Put work into offense to complement the defense! (But yes, we still need better shooting--part of which could come from taking better shots!)
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