Nike released this statement: “Nike will donate footwear and apparel valued at approximately $1 million to assist those communities most in need via Good360, a nonprofit organization that will distribute the product to prequalified charities. In partnership with Kevin Durant, we will also donate all profits from the sale of his signature shoe, the KD V Elite, sold on nike.com (gonike.me/OKC ) between May 23 and June 15 in equal amounts to Kaboom, a national non-profit that rebuilds playgrounds, and the Moore Public School Foundation, an Oklahoma organization that supports the Moore Public School District.”
Darnell Mayberry: “For the first time in his career, Durant didn’t, taking a step back this season. The Thunder was eliminated in the second round, as a knee injury to Russell Westbrook derailed what potentially could have been a championship season. Most would agree that the 24-year-old Durant has plenty of time to cement his place among the all-time greats with a championship. But the fact remains that, regardless of the reasons, this is the third straight season that a championship-caliber Thunder team has fallen short. In no way is that an indictment on the franchise or the strides that have been made. But rather it’s an acknowledgment of just how difficult it is to reach the pinnacle of success, which raises the question of how repeated shortcomings might fuel Durant this summer.” Keep Reading…







The Side Part: A donation and a visit
Sue Ogrocki/AP
Kevin Durant donated $1 million to the Red Cross for tornado relief on Tuesday. He did it quietly. Quieter than when he signed his extension. He didn’t tweet it. He didn’t put out a press release. We only knew about it because the Red Cross told us. He wasn’t on a street corner shouting about it with a megaphone. He gave the way you’re suppose to give: selflessly, with no fanfare, because people needed help.
As Royce said, it wasn’t a surprise. This is what he does. Maybe better than any star in the league, he has his finger on the pulse of his city. He knows what it needs and when it needs it.
Grantland’s Brian Phillips wrote an incredible piece last week on the end of our season. He was at The Peake on the night we finally got tired and faded into summer vacation. In his write up he mentioned something that Scott Brooks said about Durant’s final shot of the season. Keep Reading…