Thursday Bolts – 10.2.14

John Schuhmann of NBA.com on Westbrook’s position: “He’s certainly the most talented point guard in the league and one of the league’s most dangerous offensive players, period. Westbrook without the ball in his hands is not the same Westbrook. There are possessions — sometimes when the game is on the line — when he needs to be more of a true point guard, but if you live by the Russ, you have to sometimes die by the Russ. It’s not like you can flip a switch in his head.”

Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.com on free throws: “Would eliminating second and third free-throw attempts drop the league’s overall free-throw percentage? If you believe the data would translate to a single-attempt system, then yes, slightly. But a reform would have absolutely no bearing on the competitive dynamics of the game. The foul line isn’t being moved out or in, and scrapping a second and third free-throw attempt would affect both teams equally. Free-throw percentages have been variable throughout time (they were added after the advent of basketball, and even then, their current point value and the location of the shot weren’t settled until 1895), floating from the low to high 70s for the last 50 years or so. Meanwhile, the D-League instituted international goaltending rules in 2010, which has resulted in additional field-goal and blocked-shot opportunities at the rim, particularly for big men. Individual stats have undoubtedly been affected.”

Serge Ibaka ranked 30th overall by CBSSports.com: “Still only 25, Ibaka has evolved every season and cemented his place among the league’s very best defenders. His offensive game is still growing, and he made 38 percent of his 3-point attempts last season. It’s incredibly rare to find a player who can dominate the paint defensively and stretch the floor like him.”

CP3 responding to Westbrook: “If he said otherwise, he would be nuts, you know what I mean? Like, what do ya’ll expect him to say? You want him to say no?”

On the crossroads the Thunder and Reggie Jackson are at.

Darnell Mayberry: “Reggie Jackson could be playing for a contract and to prove he’s capable of being a starter. Serge Ibaka could be playing for his first All-Star selection and the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant could be playing for stats to enhance their respective present day reputations and, ultimately, their legacies. Subscribing to and sticking with agenda-free basketball could be the biggest challenge the Thunder faces this season. Sacrificing one’s self for the greater good of the team, however, might be the most critical component to Oklahoma City’s anticipated championship run. Since late last season, players have publicly voiced the need for all 15 guys to be committed to playing for more than themselves. That theme was again heard at exit interviews in June before making its way into the start of this season, beginning with Monday’s media day.”

Vegas pegs the Thunder at 57.5 games. The Cavs are tops at 58.5.