Wednesday Bolts: 10.30.19

Joe Mussatto (The Oklahoman) on Darius Bazley’s impression of Kawhi Leonard, and Leonard’s response.  Frankly, Bazley did well to get some name recognition.

Connor Ayubi (The Franchise) breaks down how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has become such an effective scorer.  “If you don’t know, now you know: Shai is a walking bucket. After averaging 10 points per game as a rookie for the LA Clippers, he opened up this season scoring a career high 26 points, then broke that personal record two days later with 28.”

Although Chris Paul has done all the right things to embrace his latest stint in Oklahoma City, The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo reported that Paul wanted the Thunder to ship him to Milwaukee.

Before the game and after the game, Russell Westbrook made nice with the Thunder, but during the game, Westbrook said his former teammates knew not to make conversation.  “On the court, they know not to talk to me. Steven is a real close friend of mine, but inside those lines, there’s no friends. Spalding, that’s my friend, and my teammates, but that’s it.”

ESPN ranks the Thunder no. 20 in their latest power rankings, down from no. 19 last week, and NBA.com ranks the Thunder no. 19, up from no. 20 the week prior.  Seems about right to me, but OKC is just 11 points from being 3-1.

Something to think about:  Steven Adams has been all kinds of disappointing this year–it makes you wonder how much of his effectiveness on the offensive end was due to his chemistry with Westbrook.

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