Tuesday Bolts – 1.26.10
DT-Shirts re-stocked yesterday so if you’re looking for a sweet new tee, go get one. Also, the Durantula shirt will be out soonish so started preparing your brain for it.
Ryan Schwan of Hornets 24/7 compiled a bunch of team info off HoopData: “There is one team, however, that has some very strange results: Oklahoma City. The shots opponents get against the Thunder would typically result in a 4th best(for the opponent) effective Field Goal Percentage of 50.3%. Instead, and I think this has to do with the freakishly long limbs of Durant, Westbrook and Sefolosha, the Thunder contest well, and only allow a 2nd-best “opponent eFG%” of 47.11%.”
Power! Chris Mannix has OKC at 12: “The Thunder continue to put the ball in Kevin Durant’s hands late in games. Now he just has to start coming through. Last week, Durant bricked a game-winning three at the buzzer against Memphis and had a game-tying layup swatted away with three seconds left against Cleveland. “I’m learning each time I do that,” Durant said. “Last year, we didn’t have this many close games, or the year before that. But I’m learning, that’s all I can say. I’m going to continue to be aggressive in those times, and hopefully they fall for me.”
Stein has OKC at 14: “Instead of the usual array of gaudy Durant numbers here, here’s what this young team still learning how to win has been through lately: OKC’s past four losses (Spurs, Mavs, Griz, Cavs) came by a total of five points.”
HoopsWorld at 14: “More losses but the trend continues – the Thunder are in every game they play. Their most recent four losses are by a total margin of five points.”
Ian Thompson explaining his mid-season All-NBA picks: “At the same time, I’m not going to ignore the contributions made by the other forwards who star for winning teams. In this case, I’m rating Kevin Durant on the All-NBA third team because his numbers are helping his team max out. Oklahoma City is one of the league’s two youngest franchises and yet the Thunder are 24-20 around Durant.”
David Stern is open to changing the All-Star voting format: “Fan voting for All-Star Game starters can produce results that counter logic. NBA Commissioner David Stern said he would look at the process after this year’s game, although that doesn’t mean there will be changes. “My management style is that I’m unhappy with everything we do and always look for changes,” Stern said.”
What will KD do if (when) he is named an All-Star?: “Now that it’s getting closer and closer, it would be a dream come true,” Durant said. “My brother told me (Sunday) if we’re watching the show, and we see my name as a reserve we’re going to pop the apple cider and run around the room and celebrate. Growing up, watching All-Star Games, seeing all the great players, if I am selected it would be the ultimate blessing.” Is there something in the apple cider? “No,” Durant said. “That’s all it is. It’s apples.”
Kevin Durant on Jeff Green’s slump: “A lot of people think Jeff should average 20 (points) and 10 (rebounds) since he’s playing (power forward) and he’s a mismatch,” Durant said. “But he’s out there playing hard and doing what he has to do. I’m glad he’s on our team because it’d be hell playing against him.”
