The Kevin Durant Thread (14/15 Pt. 1)

[SideshowBob]

Old thread left off here

Media Day was yesterday.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQf_Y6DUH2A[/youtube]

[ronnymac2]

If I were a reporter at the media session tasked with writing an article on KD, I'd be incredibly frustrated. Of course, I'd ask better questions, i.e. Do you hope to utilize the post more often?

Hopefully Lamb gets 30-34 minutes consistently. They're going to need his offense. Excited to see Westbrook/Durant with Morrow spreading the floor, too. I've always liked Morrow.

[bondom34]

Perkins is out for a few weeks w/ a groin injury as well, I'm wondering if it opens a possible window for Adams.

[SideshowBob]

Yeah with Westbrook healthy for the season and with a shooter like Morrow spacing the floor I think their offense spikes up to 2013 levels again.

[PaulieWal]

I am thinking this might be the year that KD becomes the consensual best player in the league although James may up his two way play again if he's not carrying the offensive load he had to last year. Also, this team needs some good injury luck this year. The West will be brutal again this year. An injury to any key player let alone Russ or KD could mean goodbye to title hopes.

[PCProductions]

I am thinking this might be the year that KD becomes the consensual best player in the league although James may up his two way play again if he's not carrying the offensive load he had to last year. Also, this team needs some good injury luck this year. The West will be brutal again this year. An injury to any key player let alone Russ or KD could mean goodbye to title hopes.

Maybe to the media and fans, but I doubt he reaches Lebron's on court impact this year. It would take a tremendous change in his game to do that, which I don't see happening.

[PaulieWal]

but I doubt he reaches Lebron's on court impact this year. It would take a tremendous change in his game to do that, which I don't see happening.

Well yeah, that's what I am looking for. Statistically he's not going to get better and may even post lower stats with more balanced minutes if RW is fully healthy. It will be interesting. For me KD had a slight edge in the RS last year but overall LeBron was the better player when accounting for the playoffs. Point is I wouldn't be surprised if KD did overtake him.

[Wall34]

29/8/5/1.5/1.5 on 50/40/90 numbers with 66 TS% all this with better defense is my prediction but more importantly he enters the playoffs with less fatigue and adjust his game to the postseason better this season.

[SideshowBob]

Anyone catching the game? How's he looking so far?

[bondom34]

Anyone catching the game? How's he looking so far?

Not on TV. Only played 12 minutes, Russ with a little over 13, he shot 4-8 for 11 points, no TOs. Real stories for OKC were the young guys. The good (McGary), the pretty good (Adams was excellent, but got into foul trouble), the eh (Roberson was passable on offense which may be enough to get the starters job), and the bad (Lamb shot 1-14 for 11 points). Adams and McGary have me excited though.

[Wall34]

I am losing hope in Lamb i think he just gonna be decent player off the bench...Morrow should start over Roberson in my opinion with him as a floor spacer maybe Westbrook can tone down on the scoring and concentrate that crazy motor on defense...I would love him to average something like 20 ppg, 8.5-9 assists, 6 rebounds a game while averaging a career high in steals.

[bondom34]

Yeah, I"m there w/ Lamb too, though I'd start PJ or Roberson. I think PJ has a ton of potential and can play 3 positions, and if its Roberson, he really only plays 5 minutes then goes to the bench most of the rest of the game. It matters more who finishes than who starts, but man, Lamb is instilling no faith right now.

[MisterHibachi]

Out 6 to 8 weeks.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/DarnellMayberry/status/521311270499528704[/tweet]

Thunder organization really overestimated the recovery time for Westbrook last season from that knee surgery and he only missed two (or three) games to start the season. Maybe KD comes back quicker too. No idea what a Jones fracture is tho.

[PCProductions]

Though this news is a without a doubt rough for both OKC and NBA fans in general, it will be very interesting from the perspective of Westbrook's impact without KD around. Hope he gets well soon.

[Clyde Frazier]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/521322788930740224[/tweet]

[SideshowBob]

**** He's been an ironman for 7 seasons

[PaulieWal]

Just saw this and it blows. How do you even get a fracture like this? I have no idea, does anyone know?

[ceiling raiser]

Brutal as hell. Hoping this heals quickly and completely without incident.

[ronnymac2]

Nike executives handing down punishment for almost leaving, SMH...

This sucks, but maybe not as much as we think. Durant getting a few weeks of rest and not having to deal with the rigors of NBA games isn't the worst thing in the world. I think we're at a point where OKC should know the REG SEA doesn't matter and to just focus on being healthy and strong come playoff time. Durant missing a few weeks isn't terrible from the perspective of the other OKC players thinking more independently out there, too.

My only hope is that this Jones fracture heals correctly. Apparently it's sometimes hard to heal because blood doesn't usually get to that area of the foot. If doctors think KD should stay off for an extra month, it's worth it to make sure his long-term longevity isn't jeopardized.

[bondom34]

Wow, season just got interesting.