Rumblings Podcast: Talkin’ Draft & Free Agency
We’re back in the booth with more banter.
In this installment, Jason Kersey and I look back on the Thunder’s draft and look ahead to what the team might do in free agency. We also throw out our predictions on where LeBron will land. Enjoy.
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Power Lunch: Darnell Mayberry
Power Lunch: Darnell Mayberry on the NBA Draft
Kevin Durant Q&A Part II
As promised, here is part two of the Q & A with Kevin Durant. In this installment, Durant shares his thoughts on tonight’s NBA Draft, upcoming contract extensions for himself and Jeff Green and why it was tough for him to watch the NBA Finals. Enjoy.
Q: How do you view this draft? Anybody you see that you’d love to have as a new teammate?
A: Since I’ve been in the league, this is the first time that we haven’t had a top five pick. So I really don’t know who to expect is going to be down there at 21. I’m not a front office guy, but I guess whoever is the best available is who we should take. I don’t know. You never know what’s going to happen with the first 20 picks. But I like some players. There’s a couple of guys. Gordon Hayward, I hear he’s a guy that could be a good small forward for us. Bigs, Daniel Orton, Larry Sanders, guys like that could help us out as well. We have a good core of guys and whoever we pick is going to come in an jell with us right away.
Q: I’ve got two names for you. At 21, Damion James. At 26, Dexter Pittman.
A: That would be perfect. That would be perfect for me. Those two guys have had great careers at Texas. They really deserve to be picked in this draft. We’ll see what happens. Those two would be perfect fits for us.
Q: Now that you’ve had some time to reflect on last season and what you guys accomplished, is there anything that you’ve taken away from last year that you can use going into next season.
A: I took a look back. It was disappointing for me to watch the Finals, knowing that we had a chance to beat the Lakers and advance. But that doesn’t take away from the year that we had. We had such a fun year. A lot of people didn’t think we’d get to the playoffs and wing 50 games. But we proved people wrong and that felt good. But at the same time, we wanted to win when we got there. That was a little disappointing. It kind of feels like we expected to win the championship. For example, if the Lakers would have lost their season would have been a failure even though they won 57 games. That’s how I kind of felt. I don’t know if that’s the right feelings or what but that’s how I felt. I guess that’s just my competitive nature. But looking back on it, it was a fun year, a lot of guys got better and I’m looking forward to coming back.
Join our NBA Draft Live Chat at 6 p.m.
Kevin Durant Q&A Part I
Kevin Durant was on the circuit Tuesday in New York City to unveil and promote NBA ELITE 11, on which he is the cover athlete. I caught up with Durant in the middle of his day, and in part one of our conversation talked about the new cover, his trip to China and his and his off-season workouts. In part two of the Q&A, which I’ll post soon, I also got his thoughts on the draft, this summer’s contract extension, his thoughts on last year’s accomplishments and his outlook on next season. Enjoy.
Q: How does it feel to be a cover boy again?
A: It feels good, man. It never gets old, I’d say. It’s a real blessing. As a kid that’s something you really dreamed of. To have an opportunity to be on the cover is something that you can’t take for granted so I’m very happy about it.
Q: Which cover do you like more, the NCAA March Madness 08 or this new NBA ELITE 11?
A: I like this one better because it’s new. It has a new name and it’s a new game so I’m excited about that.
Q: What are your thoughts about going head-to-head with Michael Jordan who is on the cover of NBA 2K11?
A: I really haven’t thought about it. Of course M.J. is who he is and you really can’t compare me to him in any aspect of anything. It is what it is. I’m just very happy to be on the cover of a videogame. I’m not worried about 2K and what cover M.J. is on. I just got to worry about what I did over here.
Q: You always talk about trying to represent Oklahoma City and put the city on the map and more specifically the Thunder franchise. Do you view this as another step in that direction?
A: Oh yeah, because I’m going to have ‘Thunder’ on my chest when the game hits stores. It’s a lot of people who still don’t know who the Thunder are. And hopefully this makes them aware of who we are. I just try to do my best to represent my family, the name on the back of the jersey which is where I came from, and also the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Q: What was your favorite game as a kid?
A: NBA Live was. That’s the only one I played. That and NBA Jam.
Q: Have you played the new NBA Jam?
A: Yeah. I just played it. It’s the same. It’s exactly the same as the old one but a little bit better.
Durant New Cover Boy of NBA ELITE 11
Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant will grace the cover of NBA ELITE 11, the EA SPORTS videogame formerly known as NBA LIVE.
An action shot of Durant dribbling while donning a white Thunder jersey appears on the cover of the game. It is the second time in Durant’s career that he’s been featured as a cover athlete for a mainstream videogame. He appeared on the cover of NCAA March Madness 08 as well, sporting his Texas Longhorns’ No. 35 jersey. Durant becomes only the third player in EA SPORTS history to be featured on an NCAA and an NBA licensed product.
“I’ve always been a fan of EA Sports,” Durant said in a release. “This has been an exciting year for me and the team, and capping it off with being on the cover of NBA ELITE 11 is cool.”
In 2009-10, Durant led the Thunder on an NBA-best 27-game improvement. Oklahoma City went 50-32 and earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2005 when the franchise was located in Seattle. Durant also became the league’s youngest player to ever win the scoring title after averaging 30.1 points while playing all 82 games. Durant was named to the All-Star team for the first time in his three-year career in 2009-10 as well.
“Durant is a game-changer,” said EA SPORTS Vice President of Marketing Jordan Edelstein in a release. “There has never been a player with his size, with his skill set, and there has never before been a basketball videogame.”
NBA ELITE 11 is still in development but will be available worldwide in October.
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2010 Green Room Attendees
The NBA has released the names of the 15 players who have been invited to attend Thursday’s NBA Draft. None of the names come as much of a shock. But what the list does do is provide a clearer idea of who is not likely to be available to the Thunder at 21 if OKC doesn’t attempt to move up. The league does extensive research on players’ projected draft range before inviting them to the event as to ensure no one is embarrassingly sitting around forever waiting for their name to be called. On the other hand, if the Thunder trades up Thursday, it’s a safe bet that one of these 15 names will be in Oklahoma City in 2010-11.
2010 Green Room Attendees
Cole Aldrich: Kansas
Al-Farouq Aminu: Wake Forest
Luke Babbitt: Nevada
DeMarcus Cousins: Kentucky
Ed Davis: North Carolina
Derrick Favors: Georgia Tech
Paul George: Fresno State
Gordon Hayward: Butler
Xavier Henry: Kansas
Wesley Johnson: Syracuse
Greg Monroe: Georgetown
Patrick Patterson: Kentucky
Evan Turner: Ohio State
Ekpe Udoh: Baylor
John Wall: Kentucky
In related news, the betting site Bodog.com has set the over/under on what pick former Kentucky center and Bishop McGuinness standout Daniel Orton will be selected with at 20 1/2. Quite interesting for all those who covet Orton at 21.
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A Media Mock Draft
With the NBA Finals in the bank, it’s time to turn our full attention to the NBA Draft, which is now just six days away. I recently participated in a media mock draft with a Baltimore radio station that set up interviews with media members throughout the country who cover the respective teams selecting in this year’s first round.
I have absolutely no idea what other media members participated in this station’s mock draft. But it’s always interesting to read other writers’ opinions on who their teams might select — especially when it’s the beat writers, seeing as how he or she should have a pulse on the team’s needs if not its plans. Now, this format has its warts. Players can be overlooked and forgotten about, allowing them to slip far past their projected range. Which is the reason Avery Bradley came within one selection of coming to OKC, and Portland got another potential steal in Luke Babbitt at No. 22.
But here’s the plus side. Unlike a version of my own mock draft, where I can subconsciously slot players to teams based on personal biases and what I think makes sense, I had no control over which two players were there for the Thunder’s taking at No. 21 and No. 26. And yet, I managed to pull my Sam Presti-like magic and come away with a highly successful first round that I’m sure you Thunder heads would be proud of. If I had to grade myself, I’d give me an A+. The Thunder would be hard pressed to end up with a better scenario. Here’s how it unfolded. (Note: Picks 27-30 have yet to be selected)
1. Washington: John Wall;PG;6-4;196;Fr.;Kentucky
2. Philadelphia: Evan Turner;SG/SF;6-7;205;Jr.Ohio State
3. New Jersey: Derrick Favors;PF;6-10;245;Fr.;Georgia Tech
4. Minnesota: Wesley Johnson;SF;6-8;196;Jr.;Syracuse
5. Sacramento: DeMarcus Cousins;C;6-10;270;Fr.;Kentucky
6.Golden State: Greg Monroe;PF/C;6-11;247;Soph.;Georgetown
7. Detroit: Ed Davis;PF;6-9;215;Soph.;North Carolina
8. L.A. Clippers: Cole Aldrich;C;6-11;245;Jr.;Kansas
9. Utah: Ekpe Udoh;PF/C;6-10;240;Jr.;Baylor
10. Indiana: Xavier Henry;SG;6-6;210;Fr.;Kansas
11. New Orleans: Patrick Patterson;PF;6-8;240;Sr.;Kentucky
12. Memphis: Al-Farouq Aminu;SF/PF;6-8;210;Soph.;Wake Forest
13. Toronto: Daniel Orton;C; 6-10;265;Fr.;Kentucky
14. Houston: Hassan Whiteside;C;7-0;230;Fr.;Marshall
15. Milwaukee: Gordon Haywood;SF;6-8;210;Soph.;Butler
16. Minnesota: Paul George;SF;6-9;215;Soph.;Fresno State
17. Chicago: James Anderson;SG;6-6;200;Jr.;Oklahoma State
18. Miami: Solomon Alabi;C;7-1;240;Soph.;Florida State
19.Boston: Damion James;SF;6-8;225;Sr.;Texas
20. San Antonio: Ryan Thompson;SG;6-6;220;Sr.;Rider
21. Oklahoma City: Larry Sanders;PF;6-11;215;Jr.;Virginia Commonwealth
22. Portland: Luke Babbitt;SF;6-9;215;Soph.;Nevada
23. Minnesota: Dexter Pittman;C;6-10;290;Sr.;Texas
24. Atlanta: Quincy Pondexter;SF;6-7;220;Sr.;Washington
25. Memphis: Avery Bradley;SG;6-3;180;Fr.;Texas
26. Oklahoma City: Kevin Seraphin;PF;6-10;260;France
What Title Number Five Means For Kobe
How is it possible for Ron Ron's first ring to do way more for his image than Kobe's fifth?
- Kobe Bryant is not the greatest Laker of all-time. No way. No how. Being tied with Magic Johnson in titles looks great on a resume, but the reality is Magic still wears that crown. That’s not a slight to Kobe, who I think is the best player on the planet today. It’s a testament to Magic, who earned his five titles by doing it all on the court and being the unquestioned leader against more talented teams in a more physical league. Magic was tested more against mightier men and never abandoned his teammates in times of adversity. And for the very same reasons, Bryant will not succeed Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time if, and likely when, he ties Jordan with title number six.
- People always will have something negative to say about Bryant. He is forever tarnished to many. And when discussing his legacy, naysayers always will point to the fact that three of his titles came as Shaquille O’Neal’s sidekick. And his most recent two have come alongside Pau Gasol, arguably the best offensive big man in the game today. To an extent, the argument is valid. But mostly, it’s baloney. Every multiple champion has had another big-time sidekick. Discrediting Bryant’s greatness because of the greatness of his teams is silly.
- In a Finals series billed as one that would mold legacies, Bryant built on his even after laboring through a bad shooting night. Worse than Bryant’s shooting was his poor decision-making. From the opening tip, Bryant dribbled the air out of the rock and stopped only when he saw an opening for yet another doubly-contested, low-percentage shot. He admitted after the game that he lost himself in the moment, wanting this year’s ‘ship so bad that he pressed. It’s called competitiveness. And that’s about as close as Bryant belongs in any conversation with Jordan. That drive, that kill-at-will mentality, was on display even in his postgame interviews, when he told ESPN’s Hannah Storm and the postgame media mob on separate occasions that this ring is sweet because it gives him one more than O’Neal. Calling out an old nemesis in such a classless way will only fuel detractors’ animosity for Bryant. But it was reminiscent of Jordan’s highly-criticized Hall of Fame speech, when he singled out everyone who ever slighted him. But it’s that attitude that made Jordan the greatest. And it’s what now has Bryant in the same conversation.
- Game 7 was an absolute classic. Sure, it wasn’t pretty basketball. And there’s no doubt the 83-79 final felt more like the 5A state championship than the world championship. But give me an intense, grind-it-out, rough-and-tough slugfest between two heavyweights refusing to relinquish an inch any day of the week over a defenseless, high-scoring, layup drill and dunk fest. Both teams wanted this title bad. And they proved it by laying everything they had on the line and leaving it all on the court. The Celtics have nothing to be ashamed of.
- My only qualm is I wish Kendrick Perkins was available. In a series in which each game was won by the team that won the rebounding battle, the Lakers stole Game 7 in part by bullying Boston on the boards. L.A. won the rebound game 53-40 and watched its 23 offensive rebounds help it overcome a horrid 32.5 percent shooting. But even that storyline contributed to a sensational Game 7, because despite those jaw-dropping digits the Cs still managed to build a 13-point lead, adding suspense to this season’s final chapter.
- Boston was a scrappy bunch playing inspired ball in the absence of Perkins. Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace did an excellent job defensively on Pau Gasol early, making his shots tough all night and eventually blocking at least three of Gasol’s shots. Ray Allen played some of the best defense of his life against Bryant, and Boston had a terrific game plan to throw second and third defenders Bryant’s way so he couldn’t get a clean look at the basket. Between Boston’s defense and Bryant’s impatience the Celtics got more than even they perhaps thought possible — a 6-for-24 shooting performance. At the start of the fourth quarter, analyst Mark Jackson said he was betting on greatness and it was only a matter of time before Bryant got it going. I never saw it that way. Boston’s D was smothering.
- Suddenly, Ron Artest is a fun-loving, family man. And the player Phil Jackson called the MVP of the clinching game. After a roller-coaster regular season in his first year in L.A., Artest earned his first title by digging in on defense, securing several steals and breaking out of his offensive funk with big buckets. When Bryant bricked shot after shot, it was Artest who picked up the slack. When the Lakers needed a stop, Artest provided it. Artest finished with 20 points, five rebounds and five steals, and somehow that whole malice in The Palace is slipping into distant memory territory.
- Score one for Gasol’s legacy, too. When the Lakers lost the title in 2008, many blamed it on the 7-footer and labeled him soft only before writing him off. Even an inspired showing in last year’s Finals against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic didn’t exonerate Gasol. He would have to rise to the occasion against the big, bad Celtics. And that he did, shaking off his own poor shooting night to net 19 points while pulling down 15 rebounds Thursday’s title clincher.
- Now somebody on that Lakers staff spend some time with Gasol about forcing his man middle instead of providing a direct lane to the basket on baseline drives. How many times did KG blow by him baseline? Three? Four? I understand using the end line as another defender, but Gasol never forced Garnett that direction.
- For all the talk from Boston about how one title doesn’t get you mentioned among the great Celtics teams, this loss is devastating for Boston. It appears this was this group’s last shot at a title. Allen is a free agent this summer and Wallace could retire. Garnett and Pierce naturally will lose another step next season and become more ineffective as they accumulate more miles. This three-year Celtics run puts into perspective how elusive a championship can be. Just think, we could be talking about three straight titles for Boston and the latest Celtics dynasty. And all that prevented it was an ailing Garnett in 2009 and a fluke injury to Perkins in Game 6 in this year’s Finals. As Celtics coach Doc Rivers said, “We’ve still never really gotten a chance to defend our title.”
- There were three huge plays down the stretch that helped the Lakers seal the win, and Gasol’s offensive rebound of Bryant’s missed 3-pointer was one of them. It was strangely similar to the offensive board he corralled to close out the Thunder in Game 6 inside the Ford Center, only a putback wasn’t needed Thursday. The other two moments were Artest’s 3-pointer with a minute remaining and Sasha Vujacic’s two free throws inside the final 15 seconds.
- Rivers said that Game 7 would come down to trust and execution and the team that questioned those two keys at some point in the game would lose. Give Derek Fisher the award for delivering the blow that first put doubt into the Cs’ minds. Fisher’s left-wing, high-arching, game-tying 3-pointer midway through the fourth gave L.A. new life. That shot capped a 19-10 run, and the Lakers never lost the lead after going ahead 66-64 on a pair of free throws by Bryant.
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