I’m a sucker for any story that illustrates how Kevin Durant’s profile has raised, but not just among basketball fans, but around the world. We all know how likable, humble and down to earth he is. And now other people, high profile people, are taking notice.
When I was younger (my role models) were Michael Johnson and Don Quarrie. Johnson was pretty much the best runner in the world, particularly at the 200m – my favourite event – and Quarrie was one of the best Jamaican sprinters in history, so I just wanted to be like them. I still have people I look up to even now. At the moment it’s Kevin Durant, the basketball player (he plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder). Kevin is a good leader; he’s very strong and very determined. Whatever he does, whether he’s tired or injured, he works through it, pushes on and challenges his team-mates to do their best.
Your know you’re making a pretty huge impact when other athletes that are known for being the best at their craft take notice and look up to you, even though you don’t compete in that same sport.
This is just extremely high praise for KD from someone that you wouldn’t think would give it. Someone in the NBA, yeah, sure. But Usain Bolt, the guy that blasted sprinting records in Beijing and is a world-class athlete? That’s something worth mentioning.
Did you know the NBA schedule maker is only one person? Kevin Arnovitz of TrueHoop talked to him: “This year, for instance, we had an outer limit of 23 back-to-backs and four “four out of fives.” At some points during the process, there were teams with more than that. You look at those things and you correct them before the schedule is final. “Oh, this team has 25 back-to-backs? We can’t go with this. We have to find a way to get them down.”
Kelly Dwyer of Ball Don’t Lie ranks the top 30 point guards and Russell Westbrook is No. 7: “I hesitated putting him this high for a good reason – Russell is still figuring this game out, and he shot the Thunder out of some games last season. But his defense keeps him in the mix, consistently. Westbrook can defend and contribute in other areas (rebounding, even screen setting) that a litany of other point man just cannot. 16 points, eight assists, and five rebounds last season, and the guy doesn’t even turn 22 until mid-November.” Read more…
I did this last season around this time because reckless speculation and postulation is always good fun mid-August. I felt like last year I was being far too optimistic with it and wouldn’t you know, the team blew right past every expectation.
So let’s try again with an eye towards extreme optimism, because you know, that’s the way I roll.
Oct. 27 – Nov. 15 (Chicago, at Detroit, Utah, at LA Clippers, at Portland, Boston, Philadelphia, Portland, San Antonio, at Utah)
The Thunder’s opening month isn’t easy, but their first 10 games are fairly brutal. It starts out meager with games against Detroit, the Clippers and Philly mixed in, but other than that, nothing is a gimme. I actually like OKC to start out 4-0 before traveling to Portland for what will certainly be an early season treat. Six of the first 10 are at home which is definitely a plus and a big reason I lean towards an optimistic 7-3 rather than 6-4. I’d say best case in the first 10 is 8-2 with OKC surprising either Boston, Utah or Portland on the road and a worst case would be 5-5.
Nathan Begley of Portland Roundball Society with a smart look at Russell Westbrook’s jumpshooting: “Actually one does not need to “look beyond” statistics to check Mayberry’s claim that Russell Westbrook is an improved mid-range jump shooter. They just need to select the right statistic. For instance, HoopData has Westbrook’s FG% and eFG% by shot location and more specifically, NBA Hot Spots will tell you that there was only one spot on the floor where Russell Westbrook shot even a remotely acceptable percentage from midrange and that poor spot is drowned by Westbrook’s attempts from elsewhere. Russell Westbrook has not become a “much better” shooter in the midrange and even the one spot Westbrook hit a good percentage from was on a paltry 84 attempts. Now, I’m no Westbrook hater—he is a good passer and an exceptional rebounder for his position. Westbrook brings a ton of athleticism and physical tools to the table, however, what he does not bring, is a decent midrange jumpshot.” Now I think it was pretty clear that in the last month or two, Westbrook hit that midrange jumper with a lot more consistency. But is he a better shooter overall? I think that’s yet to be determined. Read more…
I’m sure you already saw it, but a panel of 93 ESPN voters say KD will win the MVP: “KD’s 2009-10 numbers (30.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and a 26.23 Player Efficiency Rating while playing all 82 games) were good enough for him to pick up 609 points in last season’s voting, in which he finished second to LeBron (and just ahead of Kobe Bryant). But with Oklahoma City predicted to finish second in the West, almost half of our crew of 93 believes it’s the young gun’s award to lose, especially with James taking his talents to South Beach, where he’ll share the ball and spotlight with Wade and Bosh.”
Ziller on Team USA’s current situation: “Some have criticized Coach K for cutting Green and McGee instead of one of the team’s five point guards. The McGee cut, in particular, means that Odom will be playing plenty of center, as will Kevin Love potentially. Krzyzewski had mentioned Durant there. Competitively, it’s a dice roll. But stylistically? It’s brilliant! If Scott Brooks had announced to the world his OKC team had so much depth at guard and so little depth in the frontcourt he was starting Durant at center, the coach would win a Nobel.” Read more…
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The NBA schedule is out and Durant is about to start dominating on a WORLD sized stage, so even in the offseason we’ve got some stuff to talk about at Thunderground Radio. This week we interview Thunder television color analyst Grant Long to discuss what the Thunder needs to improve on, the lock out from someone who lived through it, the 1992 Dream Team’s impact on international basketball, and much more. We also have time for a quick ‘What Up With That?’ Listen, subscribe and comment!
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He was always on the bubble, but even with all the big man injury issues, it looks like Jeff Green won’t be making the final 12-man roster for Team USA.
Green didn’t play at all in today’s scrimmage against China and as Chris Sheridan of ESPN reported, didn’t make himself available to the media and also didn’t appear to feature his normally outgoing personality.
When Green was asked by Chris Tomasson of Fanhouse where he stood, he said, “Ask coach. I’m not the guy to answer that question.” Green also said that he’d be willing to travel to Turkey even if he’s not one of the final 12.
One underrated thing behind this is that this could be a nice kick in the pants for Green and extra motivation going into a pretty significant year for him. On a squad that is desperate for a big man and inside help, Green couldn’t make the cut. Now that’s saying something. Read more…
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Nike’s World Basketball Festival has been pretty cool. The Thursday night game at Radio City Music Hall was then followed by a concert by Jay-Z. And of course, the reason I care so much is because Kevin Durant is at the center of this all.
After the schedule comes out, most of the discussion around it centers around back-to-backs. They can take a seemingly easy month and turn it into an incredibly difficult one. Having to play Wednesday night at home and then turn around and fly to Orlando for a game less than 24 hours is not easy.
But simply looking at back-to-backs is just the beginning. It’s only scratching the surface. The real meat and potatoes to the difficulty of a schedule comes down to not only the back-to-back, but what the team you’re playing on that second night comes in looking like. What if you’re playing your fourth game in five days but your opponent has had three days off? Those are the type of minor quirks in a schedule that can really make a difference come April.
In the Thunder’s case, they had one of the lowest totals of back-to-backs of just 17. Only the Lakers and Suns have fewer. The Thunder also are tied for the fewest number of four in five days games with only one. That’s huge. And the Thunder have 11 three in four days with the final being a back-to-back, which puts them a in the middle of the league.
SITUATION
THUNDER
OPPONENTS
4 in 5
1
3
3 in 4 (B2B finish)
11
11
3 in 4
11
11
1 day rest
37
30
2 days rest
12
11
3+ days rest
5
6
Games against unrestested opponent
N/A
10
Total B2B
17
N/A
As for the flip side. Oklahoma City has three circumstances where its playing a team playing in its fourth in five days, which is in the top half of the league. And the biggie: The Thunder has 10 games against a team that is coming in having played the night before. Only one team has more and that’s Phoenix (15). The Thunder only had six games against a team playing on three days rest, 11 against a team on two days and 30 against teams on one day. All three of those are in the upper half of the NBA. Read more…
For the first time in Oklahoma City’s NBA history, it appears the season could start without a player with obvious Oklahoma connections in the home locker room at the Ford Center. With Etan Thomas’ departure, the Desmond Mason Memorial Token Okie Roster Spot is unfilled.
I think we can handle it. People seem to be excited about the team for some reason despite the dearth of Oklahomans.
Still, the Thunder values its local connections and I could see the team making a move to bring a local player downtown. We’re talking about someone at the end of the bench anyway. Thomas, for example, played as much as you and I did for three solid months last season. Let’s explore unsigned options.
Trey Kerby of Ball Don’t Lie interviewed KD: “TK: How do you like playing on this team with a ton of athletic guys? I know Oklahoma City has a bunch of athletic guys too, but with Team USA, every single guy on the roster can run and jump and just get out on the floor and play fast. Is that fun? KD: Man, it’s so fun. I remember yesterday in practice I got a rebound and pushed it up the court. I’m used to having Nenad Krstic and Thabo Sefolosha running on the sides — nothing against those guys, of course — but Nenad is not as athletic as Derrick Rose. (laughs) And I had D-Rose on one side and [Andre] Iguodala on the other. So I’m like, “Who do I throw it to?” So I just threw it up. (mimes a lob pass) And it was a bad pass. I’m like, “Awwww, turnover.” (hangs head) But Iguodala came out of nowhere, grabbed it with one hand and dunked it. (smiling excitedly)”
KD is giving back to his home community: “Youngsters in Seat Pleasant now have one of the coolest hangouts in Prince George’s County, courtesy of NBA star Kevin Durant. When he was growing up in Seat Pleasant, Durant spent countless hours at the Seat Pleasant Activity Center, honing the skills that have made him one of pro basketball’s best players. Last year, the Oklahoma City Thunder forward donated $25,000 to the center, which used the funds to renovate a gaming room/lounge. The room, dubbed Durant’s Den, has a whole new feel with a vinyl floor made to replicate a basketball court, two 55-inch LCD flat-screen televisions, a projection screen, an Xbox 360, a PlayStation 3, bar stools, couches and lounge chairs.” Read more…
UPDATE: It’s Kyle Weaver all over again. Darnell Mayberry tweets: “Contrary to reports, 2nd round pick Ryan Reid has not signed to play in Poland next season, his agent Andrew Vye says.”
No one expected Reid to make an impact this year anywhere other than maybe the D-League, so putting him away in Europe and letting him get paid is the for the best for everyone. I thought he might get a training camp invite but it looks like the next time we’ll see Reid is summer ball next season.
While at Florida State the 6-foot-8 forward had his best season as a senior as he averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.0 rpg in 22.7 minutes per contest. Still, most were stunned when he was picked late in the second round since nobody had him anywhere near their big boards. But Presti determined he was his kind of guy. Hard worker, smart player, high character guy and someone that could blossom into an impact guy.
Ken Berger of CBS Sports has a great column on KD: “He’s our best player,” Krzyzewski said. “As a result of that, we’re going to use him as a coach should try to use a guy of his talents. I’m just going to try to keep learning about him and keep putting him in situations where I don’t inhibit him and he’s able to instinctively react to the game.” Durant’s instincts have always taken him away from the spotlight, in the opposite direction of the marketing dollars and glitzy promos. As the Summer of LeBron gives way to the Summer of Durant, there will be nowhere on the world stage for him to hide. “Durant’s one of a kind,” Krzyzewski said. “You can’t say this guy’s like him or he’s like someone else. It doesn’t fit. He’s creating his own mold.” And if Durant can bring his talents home from Istanbul with a gold medal, he’ll be expanding that mold beyond anything he ever wanted or imagined.”
This is kind of hilarious. Some writer from The Atlantic criticizes KD for being irked about the White House snub: “It’s clear Durant feels he was entitled to play in the game over the weekend, but is this really a snub? The list of talented superstars who also weren’t there is long—Steve Nash, Dwight Howard, Shaq, Tim Duncan, Amare Stoudemire, to name a few—but you don’t hear them complaining.” Read more…
The schedule is out! And while some summer vacations have yet to be taken, it’s never too early to start looking at the Thunder’s schedule in search of fun trips to watch Oklahoma City take its show on the road.
For the purposes of this post, road games that could make fun trips are defined as those that someone with a job or a class schedule would only have to take one or two days off, not including the weekend. And airfare or hotel prices can change by the minute, so anything listed here is just a general idea of what’s available to an ordinary travel shopper right now.
I’ve been fortunate enough to travel extensively, and I’ve yet to find a reason to doubt my belief that there’s plenty in any city large enough to have an airport to entertain you for a couple of days and nights. Some places may be more fun than others, and some places may have more options than others, but I haven’t found a city yet that wasn’t worth exploring. That being said, no offense to the residents of places like Milwaukee or Sacramento, but the focus here is on more traditional locales for weekend getaways.
And one last bit of motherly advice: the earlier you start planing the better, especially if it involves air travel. Single-game tickets will go on sale at different times throughout the year, but that would be no reason to wait before you jump on a decent airfare. Just be aware of when upcoming ticket sales deadlines are and don’t miss them. As for hotels and rental cars, reserve early because most places will let you cancel without penalty until very late. If you find a better deal elsewhere, you can nab it. Read more…
Serge Ibaka has an Air Congo shirt… do you? If you don’t, Tree and Leaf will be re-stocking the entire catalog of DT-Shirts for the upcoming season. And also, we’ve got a handful of new designs that are pretty stinking outstanding. We’re working on a few other things as well (*cough* girls and kids stuff and maybe even onesies *cough*).
I’m a sucker for any story that illustrates how Kevin Durant’s profile has raised, but not just among basketball fans, but around the world. We all know how likable, humble and down to earth he is. And now other people, high profile people, are taking notice.
