Tuesday Bolts – 7.7.15
Berry Tramel: “So what’s really going on with Durant? Why, with a couple of days off from Thunder rehab, is he in the Disney capital, bonding with Dakari Johnson, who almost surely will be across the street from Chesapeake Arena this season, playing for the D-League Oklahoma City Blue? My money’s on stir crazy; 2014-15 was a disastrous year for Durant. Last season was more like lost season. Durant underwent three foot surgeries from October through March, played in just 27 games and watched his squad slump its way to missing the playoffs. Cabin fever already has caused Durant to not be himself. He was a little irritable much of the year, not without good reason. When Baryshnikov can’t dance, when Alice Walker can’t write, I assume they’re not easy to live with, either.”
Darnell Mayberry on Semaj Christon: “Thanks to Christon’s steady improvement, the Thunder now faces some decisions. The Thunder is high on Christon and believes he’s NBA ready. But the team’s selection of Cameron Payne with the 14th overall pick in this year’s draft likely will delay Christon’s NBA arrival.”
Talked with Cameron Payne a little about his transition and what he’s learning.
Sam Gardener of FoxSports.com profiling former Thunder great Steven Hill: “Hill didn’t end up having to face Howard, who scored 30 points to go with 19 rebounds and 10 blocks in the only triple-double of his career, to date, but Hill did get to check in with 2:26 remaining in the fourth quarter — 55 seconds after Howard checked out — with the Thunder trailing Orlando 107-85. It wasn’t the most glorious time for a professional debut, but Hill says he was set to make the most of it. ‘That was my moment in the sun,’ Hill said. ‘I’m out there, two and a half minutes to go and we’re getting smoked, but I am working hard. It’s my first — and would end up being my only — opportunity in an NBA game, so I was out there busting it.'”
Russell Westbrook showing off his new Jordans.
Kevin Pelton of ESPN Insider: “Jackson’s situation looked problematic over the weekend, with the few teams interested in a point guard, having spent most of their available cap space. The possibility of an extended stalemate between Jackson and the Pistons, who held matching rights, looked realistic. Detroit paid handsomely to head that off, giving Jackson a deal not far from his maximum possible (about $91.5 million). If Jackson continues to develop as the cap rises, keeping him happy and signing him for five years could prove prudent. Still, it appears the Pistons were bidding against themselves here.”
Brian Windhort in a 5-on-5 talking free agency: “The Warriors, Spurs and Thunder. I’ve seen two West playoff teams take major hits in Portland and the Clippers. Score one for stability in my book. As for San Antonio, Aldridge is an awesome addition, but the Spurs have to work on depth, and I’m sure they will.”
