Wednesday Bolts: 5.17.17

Russell Westbrook became a father yesterday. “Noah Russell Westbrook, who reportedly gathered a triple-double shortly after his birth, weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces, and was measured at 20 inches long.”

Brett Dawson on the possibility of Russell Westbrook getting even better: “But in an NBA, where MVP candidates LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard take on significant defensive responsibility in addition to their offensive duties, it would benefit the Thunder for Westbrook to be more of a stopper at the point. That could be even more urgent a need if the Thunder wants to surround Westbrook with more weapons offensively. If Westbrook is to play more minutes with shooters Alex Abrines and Doug McDermott on the floor, as general manager Sam Presti suggested last month, he’d need to be more of a defensive factor to offset Abrines and McDermott’s shortcomings there.”

Tramel’s report card for Westbrook: “Westbrook clearly took aim at Oscar Robertson’s remarkable feat of averaging a triple double. And Westbrook hit the mark, averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game. The quest came with minimal damage. Westbrook’s teammates did more than accept the mission, they played an active role in helping Westbrook, primarily through sharing rebounds. So chemistry seemed unaffected.”

More Thunder meetings ahead of the NBA Draft:

The Draft Lottery was last night. It’s a good time to be a Celtics fan.

Bleacher Report has OKC taking Terrance Ferguson at 21 in their post-lottery mock: “His stroke will look a lot more convincing up close in an empty gym. He entered the season viewed as one of the top shooters in the 2016 recruiting class, particularly after he sunk seven three-pointers at last year’s Nike Hoop Summit. He struggles to create shots and isn’t a playmaker, but the 6’7″ Ferguson is quick and athletic. He’ll look to carve out a three-and-D career, starting with the wing-needy Oklahoma City Thunder.”

Odds & Ends

The Warriors destroyed the Kawhi-less Spurs. I remember when Kevin Durant going 6/10 for 16 points in a playoff game was a death sentence.

Joel Embiid says the 76ers are coming for the Cavs: “We’re gearing up at the right time. When we start getting good, that’s when Cleveland and LeBron will start going down.”

Bruce Bowen thinks the Zaza play was dirty. Can’t make this stuff up. “That play? I’ve watched it and, yeah, I thought he took an extra step. Plenty of time to stop where he did, but he continued moving in that direction of Kawhi. That seems like it’s intentional and it’s definitely dangerous.”