Durant gets 18; Sonics lose
Seattle Supersonics rookie Kevin Durant gets his first whiff of the NBA.
Start the Michael Jordan comparisons, because if by classic MJ you mean a guy who's going to put up 20 shots to score 20 points, that's what you saw in Las Vegas tonight. Kevin Durant looked fantastic at times in a 77-66 loss to Dallas in the Las Vegas Summer League.
He put together a beautiful up-and-under move, nailed a fallaway jumper from the baseline, and took it hard to the hoop without any payoff. Overall, he finished 5-of-17 for 18 points, including 7-of-9 from the line. Julius Hodge, alternating between point guard and off guard, was the only other Sonics in double figures, grabbing 14 points and 10 boards in a solid showing.
Sadly, much-beloved Zabian Dowdell was horribly outclassed by Jose Juan Barea, whose name was voted "Most Likely To Be Confused With a Chilean Poet" by his graduating class. Barea went around, between, and seemingly under the Sonics all game, totalling 14 points and 9 assists in about 25 minutes of action. Jeff Green, while he racked up 8 fouls with only 7 points, looked strong on defense at times, but nowhere near as talented as Durant on offense. But then again, how many rookies look as talented as the Promised One?
All in all, it was your typical summer league Turnover-O-Rama, filled with mistakes, fouls, turnovers, and the like. Thankfully, the #2 overall pick seemed to be worthy of the admiration he's been receiving in his nascent NBA career.
Zach said...
Man, I can't believe that teams can actually make decisions about players based on the Summer League...that basketball was horrid...
Don't feel bad about Dowdell. J.J. is underrated league-wide and is coveted by the Mavs. If Terry or Harris were to be shipped (as has been rumored) J.J. slides into the backup slot with ease. Dowdell will be fine.
Ben Q. Rock said...
I wanted to watch the game, but the NBA TV feed said "This game is not available in your area. Check your local listings."
Um, I thought that was the point of broadcasting the games online. :/
What boggles my mind about Durant is that he managed only one rebound and NO assists in 30 minutes. That seems, well, bad. But, in fairness to him, how could he possibly live up to the hype?
That said, it'll be nice to see him play against actual, you know, players. November can't come soon enough.
Warren said...
Hodge wasn't that good. Watching the game he benefitted from a lot of burn to get his numbers. I just wasn't that impressed.
hodge had ten boards, not so bad
"Durant gets 18; Sonics lose.."
I have a feeling this headline will become a reoccuring theme throughout the upcoming season.
I'm not quite as cynical as you, JK -- I'm betting for at least a couple "Durant scores 40, Sonics lose" games next season, and perhaps even a (dare we hope) "Durant scores 60, Sonics swept in 1st round".
Dream the Impossible Dream, my friend!
I thought Hodge had a pretty good game all around and has a great feel fro the game. He looked like a keeper and the 2nd most NBA ready player on the Sonics in Vegas.
"Durant scores 60 in the final game in Seattle"
This is the headline I am afraid of paul...*SIGH*
He is going to be so good...but...will he be here for us to enjoy beyond this season...
Didn't see the game...
If "Durant scores 60, Sonics swept in 1st round"
is best case scenario...
well, I'd prefer, "Durant scores 25, dishes 9, Sonics lose game 7," but I guess that's expecting too much?
I miss Ray-Ray and Ra for their scoring, yeah, but even more fore their actual credibility for being top-level NBA players.
They could've shown KD how to play the game the right way. Right now, he has no choice but to be a ball-hog. Not his fault, but I can't help but think it will hurt his development...
This article is a joke. Durant was 5-17 from the field! He had no impact on D. I'm guessing you're Durant's PR man? His performance was terrible.
Oh, and the MJ bashing? Man, WATCH basketball why don't you?
Durant is NOT The Promised One. I'd give that moniker to D-Wade.
Let's see what Durant can do against the likes of Artest (who will destroy Durant in their first match up, I guarantee it), Bowen, Kobe, and T-Mac.
You're an idiot.
This kid can play ball.
The kid is 18 years old, and just played his first exhibition NBA game.
Give him some credit for scoring 18.
Please note that the idiotic Durant-bashing Paul is not me, Supersonicsoul Editor Paul.
People love to hate don't they?
Paul's of the past:
"Thomas Edison? Who the fuck is Thomas Edison? Yeah, electricity, big deal. I'll tell you what, this motherfucker ain't no Galileo!"
"Martin Luther King? Fuck a Martin Luther King! I got your dream right here, MLK."
"Michael Jordan? Michael Jordan ain't shit, I'm takin Sam Bowie, bitch!"
I can see how someone who only saw the boxscore would think that Durant is overhyped - after all he only hit 5 of 17 shots.
But if you watched the game, you know exactly why he gets the hype. He's a 6'10" guy who's got more moves than U-Haul, a guy who can run the court with the point guard on one possession, post up down low the next, hit a fadeaway in the corner the next, then linger out beyond the arc for a 3 the next. It's just unbelievable to watch. Friday night was the first time I had really concentrated on watching Durant in one of his games, and I'm totally on board with all the insanity surrounding him.
Don't take my word for it; the Sonics are on again tonight at 7 pm pacific time. Go to nba.com and watch the game via the internet and you won't be disappointed.
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