Wednesday Bolts – 9.7.16

Fred Katz of the Norman Transcript: “It would be a surprise if the Thunder didn’t lead the NBA —

or at least come close — in any offensive-board-related stats once again this season, especially considering their personnel calls for an even more aggressive strategy chasing for them than they’ve employed in the past. It will certainly be fascinating to watch how coach Billy Donovan weighs getting back after missed shots (with a team that could struggle defending in transition) against scampering for loose balls. But if there’s one roster that stands to make the more disruptive choice, it’s this Thunder one.”

Troy Weaver on Sam Presti: “He’s been phenomenal at putting the puzzle together for the Thunder organization, making the right pieces fit and doing it with so much diversity,” Weaver said. “He’s been able to bring us all together and chart this course for the Thunder. He’s been nothing short of exceptional at doing that.”

Michael Bohlin of CBSSports.com: “Even without Durant, the Thunder still have more than enough talent on this roster where it shouldn’t come as a major surprise to see Oklahoma City be a contender in the Western Conference playoff race for years to come. Should that trend continue, like many think it will, then Presti should receive plenty of credit for the team’s success on the hardwood.”

Erik Horne: “When Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett asked the crowd how many community appearances Thunder players have made in the state, the number of 1,600 was met with a murmur of astonishment. No two individuals exemplified Presti’s outreach better Tuesday than Tyler Zander of Enid and Marco Grier of Oklahoma City. Zander, a medical student at the University of Oklahoma, lost his right leg in 2011 in a grain auger accident. Presti went to visit Zander five years ago and the two have kept in contact ever since.”

Doc Rivers thought the Clippers or Celtics were getting KD.

Zach Harper of CBSSports.com: “That Durant entertained that complicated process and met with a Clippers franchise that has almost always been one of the biggest jokes in the league for mostly Donald Sterling reasons is impressive. It shows the clout Doc Rivers holds around the NBA with a lot of players. Now the Clippers just have to figure out how to defeat Durant on the Warriors at least four times a season. Good luck with that.”