Monday Bolts – 2.1.10
Kevin Durant’s January numbers: 32.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.2 apg, 52 percent from the field, 53 percent from 3 (!), 90 percent from the line. So if the Bird Line is 50-40-90, Durant was 50-50-90 for January. Forget a 180 shooter, KD was a 195. Reader Dylan also tossed out, KD scored 481 points on 295 shots. That’s 1.63 points a shot. If LeBron’s thing is “Witness,” we need a Nike thing for KD. Watcher? Beholder? Testifier? Attestant? Someone rule on this.
KD sits down with Dean Blevins. KD says he’s not surprised one bit by the Thunder’s solid record. Also, Durant says while a scoring title would be nice and awards would be cool, he ultimately wants to be known as a champion. Atta boy. (And he reiterates AGAIN that he wants to be in Oklahoma City.)
Durant is now second behind Carmelo Anthony for the scoring lead at 29.6 ppg, one tenth of a point off the top.
Mark Travis of But The Game Is On has a set of power rankins with OKC 14: “The Thunder hit a rough patch of late, dropping three straight to the Grizzlies, the Cavaliers and the Bulls. Still, they have an excellent young group, have been pretty healthy all year and Kevin Durant is just amazing. Durant averaged 31 points on 50% shooting from the field and 52% shooting from three, eight rebounds, a block and a steal in the month of January. Russell Wesbtrook also had a pretty good month, putting up 15 points, eight assists and five boards a game and got his field goal % on the year back up above 40%. The Thunder have an 11-4 record when Russ gets eight or more assists. I’m expecting more of the same from Durant and this club as a whole.”
Simmons talks Thunder at the 24-minute mark. I love hearing him gush about KD. It makes me warm inside.
Behind the box score: “The Thunder? They did what they were supposed to do. Kevin Durant managed 45 points on 21 shots, which has to be some sort of record, but it didn’t seem out of place. He just filled it up. Russell Westbrook (28 points) was continually afforded looks in the paint, and even Thabo Sefolosha had his way at times.”
Darnell Mayberry looks at OKC’s trade situation: “If Presti does anything, a smaller deal could be consummated. It’s not out of the question that Presti looks to pry away an additional future first-round draft pick to continue stockpiling assets.”
Durant, after last night’s game: “Yes, this was one of my better games, but I’m greedy,” said Durant, who was 16-for-21. “I like to make every shot, but I know it can’t go that way.”
Shaun Powell of NBA.com: “Oklahoma City will have a few dollars to throw around this summer. How about the Thunder making a run at Amar’e Stoudemire? Or perhaps Chris Bosh, bringing him closer to home in Dallas? That would satisfy their scoring problems in the post. Then if they package Jeff Green with Nick Collison (expiring contract next season), they might reel in another big name. Scary thought.”
Durant third in NBA.com’s Race to the MVP.
Desmond Mason attended last night’s game and said he may be retiring: “Maybe. I haven’t made a final decision, yet, but I’m kind of leaning,” Mason said. “I’m enjoying my family. I keep myself busy. I’m working on some (projects).”
Scott Brooks on Durant’s All-Star nod: “It’s great…it’s great,” Brooks says emphatically. “I’m proud of who Kevin is…he’s a tremendous, tremendous kid, very coachable, very talented. And he works hard. He’s into our team. Those are characteristics that…it’s hard, not that young guys don’t have it, but when you’re trying to find your way in the league, you kind of put those on the back burner. Kevin is upfront with them. He likes our guys. He wants our team to continue to feel it and get better.”
