reopen this case--
http://www.newsok.com/thunders-kevi...3450300?custom_click=pod_headline_nba-thunder
Thunder's Kevin Durant is an All-Star attraction
Thunder 111, Sixers 93
By Mike Baldwin, Staff Writer, mbaldwin@opubco.com <!---->
1 Comment Published: March 31, 2010
PHILADELPHIA — Knowledgeable NBA fans last season knew about Kevin Durant, coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign. Now in his third season, Durant is one of the league’s star attractions.
Durant’s rise in popularity was validated again Tuesday night at the Wachovia Center during the Thunder’s only visit to Philly.
It started with some cheers for Durant during pregame introductions. Several fans wore his jersey. Durant didn’t disappoint, scoring 26 points in the Thunder’s 111-93 win over the Sixers.
"It’s a function of our team success, but he’s also near the top of the league in scoring and is playing as well as anybody,” said teammate Nick Collison. "There’s definitely a lot more buzz around our team.”
There will be even more buzz when the Thunder likely reaches the playoffs and Durant likely finishes among the top three or four in this year’s MVP chase.
Durant and the Thunder took the lead a couple of minutes into the game and never trailed for the final three quarters, but never took complete control until they applied a knockout punch with 12-2 run to start the fourth quarter.
The Thunder is sixth in the Western Conference, a half-game in front of Portland, one game ahead of San Antonio.
"It was a nice win,” said coach Scott Brooks. "We played solid basketball. Our rebounding was terrific... We also set a nice tone defensively.”
As for Durant, Brooks played with Charles Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon. He saw how All-Stars attracted attention on the road.
"You can see city to city people are excited about what he does,” Brooks said. "It’s well-deserved. He works extremely hard to get better, and he’s a team guy who’s coachable. He’s everything you would want from a teammate.”
For Philly fans, it was their only chance to see Durant and the Thunder. Kids waited outside the locker room after the game to get his autograph.
It’s not like Durant packs them in like Kobe Bryant or LeBron James, two players he will be in the running with for MVP honors this season. An announced crowd of 14,809 probably was closer to 11,000 actual fans.
But Durant, who posted his team-best 23rd double-double, was the star they came to see, which is why half the crowd began leaving when Durant exited midway through the fourth quarter after OKC’s lead rose to 23 points.
Fans oohed and aahed after a Durant dunk late in the third quarter. They had similar reactions after two Durant 3-pointers early in the game and a blocked shot that was negated when he was whistled for a foul.
A few fans even chanted: "MVP, MVP” when he went to the line.
"It’s cool that they have Oklahoma City on their chest,” Durant said. "That’s one thing I’m really big on is letting everybody know who we are as a team. It’s cool to go to other cities and see Oklahoma City gear. I don’t care if kids have my jersey as long as they have Oklahoma City on it.”
There were exceptions. A few fans wore Sonics No. 35 Durant jerseys.
Andrew Miller, 19, is from New Jersey, a sophomore at Villanova. He purchased a Durant No. 35 Sonics jersey in high school that he wore to Tuesday’s game.
"It’s too small, but it’ll have to do until I get one of the Thunder,” Miller said. "I loved him when he was at Texas. He has amazing talent. I love the way he plays. We have the Nets, so it’s perfect for me to root for him and the Thunder as my second team.”
As Durant and the Thunder continue to have success, there will be even more buzz on the road.
"You definitely see it a lot more this year,” Collison said. "The lines are longer at our hotel. Usually at every city there’s some people out there wanting autographs, but now we’re starting to have a lot more crowds. Without question more people know about Kevin and this team.” </SPAN>
http://www.newsok.com/thunders-kevi...3450300?custom_click=pod_headline_nba-thunder
Thunder's Kevin Durant is an All-Star attraction
Thunder 111, Sixers 93
By Mike Baldwin, Staff Writer, mbaldwin@opubco.com <!---->
PHILADELPHIA — Knowledgeable NBA fans last season knew about Kevin Durant, coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign. Now in his third season, Durant is one of the league’s star attractions.
Durant’s rise in popularity was validated again Tuesday night at the Wachovia Center during the Thunder’s only visit to Philly.
It started with some cheers for Durant during pregame introductions. Several fans wore his jersey. Durant didn’t disappoint, scoring 26 points in the Thunder’s 111-93 win over the Sixers.
"It’s a function of our team success, but he’s also near the top of the league in scoring and is playing as well as anybody,” said teammate Nick Collison. "There’s definitely a lot more buzz around our team.”
There will be even more buzz when the Thunder likely reaches the playoffs and Durant likely finishes among the top three or four in this year’s MVP chase.
Durant and the Thunder took the lead a couple of minutes into the game and never trailed for the final three quarters, but never took complete control until they applied a knockout punch with 12-2 run to start the fourth quarter.
The Thunder is sixth in the Western Conference, a half-game in front of Portland, one game ahead of San Antonio.
"It was a nice win,” said coach Scott Brooks. "We played solid basketball. Our rebounding was terrific... We also set a nice tone defensively.”
As for Durant, Brooks played with Charles Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon. He saw how All-Stars attracted attention on the road.
"You can see city to city people are excited about what he does,” Brooks said. "It’s well-deserved. He works extremely hard to get better, and he’s a team guy who’s coachable. He’s everything you would want from a teammate.”
For Philly fans, it was their only chance to see Durant and the Thunder. Kids waited outside the locker room after the game to get his autograph.
It’s not like Durant packs them in like Kobe Bryant or LeBron James, two players he will be in the running with for MVP honors this season. An announced crowd of 14,809 probably was closer to 11,000 actual fans.
But Durant, who posted his team-best 23rd double-double, was the star they came to see, which is why half the crowd began leaving when Durant exited midway through the fourth quarter after OKC’s lead rose to 23 points.
Fans oohed and aahed after a Durant dunk late in the third quarter. They had similar reactions after two Durant 3-pointers early in the game and a blocked shot that was negated when he was whistled for a foul.
A few fans even chanted: "MVP, MVP” when he went to the line.
"It’s cool that they have Oklahoma City on their chest,” Durant said. "That’s one thing I’m really big on is letting everybody know who we are as a team. It’s cool to go to other cities and see Oklahoma City gear. I don’t care if kids have my jersey as long as they have Oklahoma City on it.”
There were exceptions. A few fans wore Sonics No. 35 Durant jerseys.
Andrew Miller, 19, is from New Jersey, a sophomore at Villanova. He purchased a Durant No. 35 Sonics jersey in high school that he wore to Tuesday’s game.
"It’s too small, but it’ll have to do until I get one of the Thunder,” Miller said. "I loved him when he was at Texas. He has amazing talent. I love the way he plays. We have the Nets, so it’s perfect for me to root for him and the Thunder as my second team.”
As Durant and the Thunder continue to have success, there will be even more buzz on the road.
"You definitely see it a lot more this year,” Collison said. "The lines are longer at our hotel. Usually at every city there’s some people out there wanting autographs, but now we’re starting to have a lot more crowds. Without question more people know about Kevin and this team.” </SPAN>
Durant won't be a champion either. Even if he wins it all with a team like GoldenState I'll have no respect for him. It's one thing to leave a bad non contending team for a legit contender, It's another to leave an exciting Thunder team that was clearly a contender for the team that took you out. No respect for the loser. Especially since he is the main reason they lost that game where they could've taken Warriors out. Classless move. Then again,that's all the rage nowadays, to pick up any cheap championship by an means necessary. Pride means nothing to these players today. Jordan would probably retire before he pulled a stunt like KD. To Jordan it wasn't just about the trophy it was about beating the next best guy/team to get there.
I have no respect for Durant or his game. Melo, isn't on Kobe or Lebron's level but I'd still take him over Durant. Durant's had a spectacular team in OKC. He's done nothing special in his career. Put him on these average Knicks teams he wouldn't have done much better.
I have no respect for Durant or his game. Melo, isn't on Kobe or Lebron's level but I'd still take him over Durant. Durant's had a spectacular team in OKC. He's done nothing special in his career. Put him on these average Knicks teams he wouldn't have done much better.
