Daily Thunder.com

John Rohde: “Upon entering Madison Square Garden for Thursday’s morning shoot-around, the first security I saw immediately asked about the James Harden. Security: “How could you guys not sign him?” Me: “Couldn’t afford to. No cap space and tax penalties would have been too severe.” Security: “Man, everybody has to pay taxes.” Me: “Sign Harden and it would have been about $15 million in salary and potentially $10 million in taxes. You think Harden indirectly is worth $25 million when Kevin Durant is making less than $17 million?” Security: “No, but you still should have signed him, man.” Me: “That’s the problem when you have several players turn out to be great with contracts only a year apart.” Security: “The Knicks would have paid it.” Me: “I don’t doubt it.”

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com: “Incredibly, Anthony’s knee issue robbed those in attendance and a national TV audience of what would have been the first matchup between Anthony and Durant at Madison Square Garden. It was the Thunder’s first game here since December 2010, two months before Anthony was traded from Denver to New York. “Melo’s like my big brother, and I enjoy competing against him,” said Kevin Durant, who had 34 points, eight rebounds and six assists. “But it’s better for our team that he’s not playing. I love to play against him. I hope he gets back healthy. We’ll see him in a couple of weeks anyway back in Oklahoma City. It’ll be a fun matchup, so I’m looking forward to that.” Durant paused. “Would’ve been in the Garden, playing against him,” he said. “It would’ve been a good battle, but I’m glad we got the win.” It was a good battle anyway, but one with an ending that didn’t have to be so anticlimactic.” Keep Reading…