Kevin Durant Saying (And Doing) All The Right Things
Kevin Durant’s evolving maturity and leadership was on full display Tuesday, 10 minutes after the conclusion of an Oklahoma City Thunder practice and roughly two hours before the team boarded a flight to Memphis for its preseason opener against the Grizzlies.
It started with a scene that we’ve quickly grown accustomed to seeing inside the team’s training center on N. Lincoln Blvd. No. 35, in his sweat-drenched blue mesh jersey, lingered on the far end of the practice court with assistant coach Brian Keefe. The two worked their way around the arc, starting in the far right corner before slowly working their way to the opposite side. Durant took passes and drilled on jab steps and step ins, set shots and pull-ups, fadeaways and free throws.
Twenty minutes later, he walked over to a group of media members before he could catch his breath. That’s when he followed up on his actions by saying all the right things. He sounded like a veteran, confident, poised, focused and prepared to embark on his third NBA season. At one point he even stopped and chuckled when he caught himself referring to rookie big men Serge Ibaka and Byron Mullens, both one year younger than he, as “The young guys.”
If Oklahoma City is to climb the Western Conference standings this season, Durant will be the catalyst. In his 6 1/2 minute interview with reporters, Durant gave the impression that he’s ready to accept the challenge and lead the charge. He talked about how the team is playing harder now than it did at this point last season. How this preseason schedule is important to build confidence and not take steps back. How, above all, all he wants to do is get better.
(Note: I also asked Durant a few lighthearted, reader-submitted questions. Thanks to @Bbingham526 and @BryanNix for submitting good questions via Twitter.)
Q: What have you learned about your going into tonight’s preseason opener?
A: We play hard. We play harder than we did last year around this time. Guys are playing together and buying into what we want to do on both ends of the floor. So I’m excited to be a part of this team and I can’t wait to start playing.
Q: What’s the vibe like with some of the rookies who are going into their first preseason game?
A: We’re all excited. I can speak for everybody when I say we’re tired of playing against each other every day. We want to go out and show it in the game. So we’re excited. We’ve just got to do the things we’ve been working on.
Q: What is the team trying to get out of the preseason?
A: We just want to get better each and every game. Work on what we’ve been doing in training camp and try to get our wind, try to get in some game shape. It’s tougher to get in game shape here in practice. So we want to get some reps up and have fun.
Q: Can you gain momentum if you play well in preseason or does it not matter?
A: It’s important for us to not take steps back. That’s the only thing is to always get better, whoever’s on the floor. I don’t think you can gain momentum because in preseason teams aren’t playing their regular five throughout the whole game. The bigger name players don’t play that much. But it does give us a little confidence going into the season. But I think we have to do our best by coming in here and practicing and working hard and also translating it to the games.
Q: What’s your favorite preseason game memory?
A: I think our first game here last year at the Ford Center was my favorite. That’s when I first saw fans come to the game and cheer the whole game. It was a good game for us but we lost. But the fans showed how much they appreciate us so that was probably my favorite one.
Q: How will the early injuries to Nick Collison and Thabo Sefolosha impact what the team is able to accomplish this preseason?
A: I think we have enough guys to step in for them while they’re hurt. I think they’re going to be great teammates while they’re not playing and are going to cheer us on. But I think we have guys that fill those roles pretty well. And once they get back they’re going to help us out. It’s bad that they’re hurt but at the same time we have guys that can come in there and fill that role.
Q: How much do you expect to play against Memphis?
A: Hopefully I play a lot. I like to play. I like to stay on the court. But it’s preseason, the first game in preseason, so you never know.
Q: Who’s impressed you the most in training camp and voluntary workouts?
A: Serge has been doing really well. For a guy that’s coming from a different country and doesn’t know too much of our language he’s comprehending well and listening and getting things quick. Him and Byron Mullens. They’re doing a great job of learning our sets quickly and learning our defensive schemes quickly. I’m really impressed with those guys. I think they’re going to help us out a lot.
Q: How much do you think Serge can help immediately?
A: I think he can help a lot. He’s an athletic guy. He fits our team very well. A guy that can stretch the defense by shooting, can get to the basket, rebound and offensive rebound very well. He runs the floor like a deer. So he’s going to fit in with us very well. He’s a young guy that can get up. So we’re excited for him and we’re happy that he’s on our team.
Q: You put yourself through a pretty intense post-practice workout Tuesday. How much extra work do you like to get in after practice?
A: I’ve noticed in these two years that I’ve been in the league every time I work out after practice I have a good game the next day so I kept going with that. I want to get better. That’s the thing I’ve been taught ever since I was young. Always get better so that’s why I do it.
Q: Is there a certain number of shots you like to get up?
A: Not really. I think I just go for about 15, 20 minutes of hard shots and drills and things like that. (Tuesday) we got up like 120 shots. So that’s pretty cool for 10, 20 minutes.
Q: Do you have a game day morning routine?
A: Not really. I just chill out. After shoot-around I shoot some shots and just chill out basically. Just get ready for the game.
Q: Who’s your favorite player to play against in the league?
A: I don’t have a certain player. I just like playing. I just like playing against anybody. Some of my close friends like Rudy Gay and D.J. Augustin and Royal Ivey, I have a couple of guys like that that I like playing against because I like seeing them in an NBA uniform with me. It’s pretty fun playing against those guys.
Q: What do you think about being rated an 82 on NBA2K10?
A: (Laughs) It is what it is, man. It’s just a game. I don’t think I’m an 82 in real life. But it’s whatever.
Q: Are you hoping this year helps change that rating?
A: Honestly, I really don’t care. Hopefully on the game I look in a couple of months and our team is higher than whatever we are right now.
-DM-
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Comments
Gee, William, thanks for your insight. Obviously you know more than the people who cover the NBA for a living. I’m with the group that says they’ll improve by 10-11 games – not close to the playoffs, but nowhere near the bottom. And you obviously know contractual issues so well to assume KD is going to give millions to go elsewhere.
There is no doubt the Thunder will resign Kevin Durant. He is too loyal, and he loves the Ford Center fans. And by the maturity and experience of the players alone, the Thunder will improve. Every major NBA media predicts the Thunder will improve on the average of 10-15 games. And I don’t know about P.J. Carlesimo, but I like the coaching strategies implemented by Scott Brooks.
[...] Darnell Mayberry had a Q&A with KD: ”Q: Can you gain momentum if you play well in preseason or does it not matter? A: It’s important for us to not take steps back. That’s the only thing is to always get better, whoever’s on the floor. I don’t think you can gain momentum because in preseason teams aren’t playing their regular five throughout the whole game. The bigger name players don’t play that much. But it does give us a little confidence going into the season. But I think we have to do our best by coming in here and practicing and working hard and also translating it to the games.” [...]
I do not believe Oklahoma will stand much of a chance in resigning Kevin Durant. This team will finish in last place. The GM Presti isn’t as good as people think I mean afterall he did PJ as a coach and we saw how well that worked.