I watched the Lakers-Thunder game last night. Don't ask how I did, just know I did. Being one of like 17 actual Oklahoma City Thunder fans that don't reside in Oklahoma, its slow news for us Thundercats (I just made that name up). However, after watching Kobe go for his usual 34 on a hapless Thunder defense, I kept noticing someone coming back with an answer every time on the offensive end.Kevin Durant.
KD35 is toiling in relative obscurity in OKC, but I'm here to tell you that if Thunder GM Sam Presti and the Thunder organization pull this off right, there could be an emerging powerhouse in the Sooner State. Something that the Bulls failed to pull off, and something that the TrailBlazers are currently embarking upon now.
Think about Durant and what he's done...I'll let ESPN's Bill Simmons break this out for us.
Durant won ROY playing for a disintegrating franchise and currently toils in obscurity in a new town for a team that is the dregs of the league. Yes, GM Sam Presti imploded the team like the Kingdome so he could start over with lottery picks and cap space, building a foundation for 2011. And yes, it's a smart move. But something weird happened in the process: We all stopped thinking about Durant. He's a nonentity. Ask the average fan to tell you who will be the best player in the NBA in three years, and the first five answers will be LeBron, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, D-Wade and either Rose or Carmelo. (Except in LA, where Lakers fans would go with the first three, then Bynum and Trevor Ariza.) I don't see Durant getting many votes. Um...does anyone realize he just turned 20 on Sept. 29, making him younger than Mayo? That he's breaking every scoring benchmark by age? That he's been averaging 26 points, eight rebounds, 48% shooting, 85% from the line and 43% on threes since Thanksgiving? Go online and check out his ESPN.com game log. Do it now. I'll wait.
(Twiddling my thumbs.)Got it? Now look at those point totals: 28, 25, 26, 26, 28, 26, 25 … You know in Jaws when Richard Dreyfuss calls the shark an "eating machine"? Durant is a scoring machine. He was put on this earth to collect points. We have never seen anyone quite like him before: a 6'9" forward with Plastic Man arms, 30-foot range and the ability to thrive in big moments. He has more career buzzer-beaters than LeBron. Trust me, it's true.
Now realize this, the Thunder have TONS of cap space moving forward for 2009 and 2010. Having the opportunity to offer a max-deal to a big name player like a Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and others who will be available in the next 2 years. With the core of KD35, Jeff Green (averaging 18 and 7 in the last month), and Russell Westbrook, they are set at 3 of the 5 positions. They are looking to move one of their big men, Joe Smith, for emerging 2-guard John Salmons from Sacramento. So you're telling me that a Carlos Boozer at the 5 couldn't be a force? Bosh could do the same move in 2010, and be hours from his hometown (Dallas stand up).
Am I wrong about this? I dunno, but the Kevin Durant bandwagon is mighty empty right now, and I'm driving this sucker...get on board now before you become lame and get to the party too late.
Is he the breakout player for the 2010's? What about Rose? Mayo? Oden? Is LeBron going to utterly dominate this decade too like he's doing the 2nd-half of the 00's? Let me know your thoughts...
-Ed.
www.edthesportsfan.com
Comments
10 Responses to "The Takeover - Kevin Durant in 2010"Been on the bandwagon since Texas. Love Durant and once he starts locking down on defense he will be a monster in his prime. At worst I think he'll be right up there with Kobe and Lebron. Hopefully OKC will get some talent around him soon.
I hate being the bearer of bad news, but no way are free agents like the guys you mentioned flocking to OKC. Period. I think I read somewhere that OKC replaced Milwaukee as the city NBA players least liked visiting.
Durant is amazing though. His progression from chucker to all around scoring threat has been amazing over the last 2 seasons. I watch a lot of Thunder games on League Pass, and he and Westbrook are two solid pieces. I'm not as enthused about Green, but he's a good 3rd wheel.
They need a quality SG and a starting quality center. They have plenty of depth. Give this team 2 years and they'll be a playoff regular.
The question is: will Durant wanna spend his whole career out there or go somewhere more appealing (ie: his hometown Wizards)?
We'll see.
Dear Ed,
Your are not driving the Kevin Durant bandwagon. I am. Now be a good Rosa Parks and take your place in the back.
Sincerely,
Joe D.
Lol nah, I'm trippin but Kevin Durant is special and no one seems to notice. He's like Nnamdi Asomugha of the in that no one will appreciate how good he is until he skips town or the team gets good.
I agree 100%, Mr. Ed.
They have tons of cap and extra picks coming up and a very likable chance to snag your boy Blake Griffin in next year's draft.
You should have mentioned a nice stat that Chris Wilcox is their highest paid-player, on the trading block.
and hopefully Bosh lands in Dallas, not OKC.
-a
Nice post, Ed. Durant is still only 20 years and has plenty of improvement left in his game, a scary thought. After the first year in the NBA, that's when you really see if a kid gets it or not, and Durant's ascendance to a 25-point scorer show what kind of work he's put in to overcome his 43% shooting as a rookie.
I agree with the others that most free agents won't be too keen on coming to OKC, but with Durant, an improving Jeff Green, and Russ Westbrook, the Thunder do at least have a nucleus. A nucleus that will get bolstered by another high lottery pick.
He called you Mr. Ed, like the horse, ha!!!
Anyway, I see what you're saying about Durant but LeBron is a problem. I see LeBron running the show when Kobe goes ghost. It could be a LeBron vs. Durant thing but I thing LeBron is better.
Nice post Ed , I was thinking the same thing , the only problem for the OKC is the lack of centers ... If they get a valuable center ... they`re in for playoffs and even the title . I`m hoping Amare will step in this summer and maybe a nick pick at the draft ... and they in for "the big race" !
Nice post Ed , I was thinking the same thing , the only problem for the OKC is the lack of centers ... If they get a valuable center ... they`re in for playoffs and even the title . I`m hoping Amare will step in this summer and maybe a nick pick at the draft ... and they in for "the big race" !
Look. Kevin is amazing. Have you ever seen a player like him? Can you even peice to gether guys to get his game?(eg: Kobe, Karl Malone and Magic are LeBron's game) He can drive, shoot, is unselfish, dribbles like hes 6'6 when (although listed as 6'9, he is probably 6'10, maybe 6'11), and will be a defensive stopper when he gets a hang of it, he has the want to be one.
I have been patently waiting for a player like this. Do you want to know why Kevin Durant makes things look so freackishly easy? He can litteraly shoot OVER any opponent. ANY. He is quick as a cat and smooth as posible. Oh, and when you put a big guy on him, he is so quick and fast that your big man's ankles will be twisted in some ungodly order. One more thing. Kevin is having what will end up as, i think, one of the worst seasons of his carrer. ( 25 ppg on 47 fg%)
Gives me goosebumps when i think of how hard it will be for any other team when they have the ability to get a 2009 free agent, a 2010 free agent, the first couple picks in the draft, and not to mention a young fella by the name of RUSSELL WESTBROOK! Sir Charles will be yelling his name when ever he sees his picture when Ginobli is retired.
Give this a run through your thick skull, if Durant is getting 25 a game,is just 20, is already shooting a 40+, 40+ on fg% and 3pt%, and is sill getting to put on more strenght and quickness every year. Now, think about this, he hasn't met his potential talent yet.
We gonna need a bigger wagon.
Love,
-Anonymous
PS: Kinda reminds you of another wing that Portland skipped and took a injury riddled, under achiving center over. Sorry for the thesus on KD35, but hey he is that good.
Like MJ, now everybody is gonna want to be 35.
Again:
Love,
-Anonymous
I'm with you guys (most of you). I'm sold on #35. He doesn't turn 21 until SEPTEMBER 2009! All he has to do from this point in his career is add muscle, and figure out the finer points of the game. He doesn't have to learn to shoot from distance the way LeBron and Wade did.
And I don't even think he needs to add THAT much weight. Mostly just some bulk to help him stand up to the impact of the game. He's skinny because he's 20, 6'9" with a 7'5" wingspan!
Who knows if he'll be able to keep pace with LeBron career-wise, but statistically, I think Durant will be unlike any player ever. With quickness and length like his he could lead the league in steals at some point. And he seems destined to collect a handful of scoring titles.
I'm a lifelong Spurs fan, but my spot on the bandwagon for this kid is claimed.
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