Monday Bolts – 6.16.14
: “If he wants to join the ranks of James, Jordan and Bryant, he must attack as they did. When it was go time, they went — to the basket. The price of Durant’s game in the 2014 playoffs — fewer fouls, less pressure on defense, lower-percentage possessions — makes him easier to guard, easier to beat. Maybe all he needs is the right point guard to provide him the ball in more advantageous positions, a coach who knows how to run an offense and an offseason conditioning program to get stronger, add more muscle and improve his low-post play, penetration and mismatch recognition. Whatever the solution, the current plan isn’t working. Durant might be the MVP, but when it comes to championship basketball, the wheel cannot be reinvented. Many have tried. All have failed.”
Anthony Slater grades Reggie Jackson: “Dating back to the 2013 Rockets series, Jackson did an admirable job filling in for one of the most irreplaceable talents in the NBA. Without Russell Westbrook, the Thunder played understandably worse. But not that much worse, going 25-11 without their All-Star point guard this season. And some of that was due to Jackson, who didn’t overcompensate or press when thrust into a tough situation. He ran the show, remained steadily productive, took over in brief stretches and allowed Kevin Durant to do his thing. OKC doesn’t get near 59 wins without him being able to switch roles.”
KD says Kawhi Leonard is a product of the system.
Darnell Mayberry on Perry Jones: “Oddly enough, while we’re all looking for the Thunder to go out and get a “3-and-D” guy, Jones has the potential to develop nicely into just that. He’s got the size, length and quickness, and he flaunted a much improved shooting stroke this season, especially from the corners. If he can supply those things with regularity, I don’t think it’s a stretch to think Jones can be a fixture in the nine-man rotation, perhaps even someone who starts stealing minutes from Nick Collison next season. But it’ll take a lot of hard work.”
I wrote a thing about the Spurs breaking loose and not acting like robots anymore.
Adi Joseph of USA Today on Thunder draft needs: “If Sefolosha leaves, this position might take the form of a starting shooting guard. But Jeremy Lamb could be equipped for the starting role by next season, and this is a need either way. Durant does not need much of a backup, but he also slides down to play power forward. Butler could be kept on but likely won’t be able to give a full season’s effort with his injury history and age. A good shooter who can spread the floor and still defend would be a nice fit, and Wichita State’s Cleanthony Early fits that role well.”
Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com on LeBron’s future: “Don’t think for a moment, though, that James hasn’t given it a lot of thought already. He learned a great deal when he went through this four years ago, though there will be no television special to announce his plans this time around. But he also no longer needs Wade, Bosh and Heat to help him prove himself. Now, it is them who need James and he is extremely aware of that reality.”
Berry Tramel on starting center: “I’d say Adams and Perkins could play 20/20. Each 20 minutes, with eight minutes in a smaller lineup. It all depends on the opponent. Even if Adams progresses, Perk’s defense is valuable. We saw that in the postseason, when his defense against the likes of Zach Randolph/Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan and Tim Duncan was very good, except for a couple of games.”