Should Kevin Durant Be Able To Diss OU?
Can't a guy rep his school while in the backyard of its biggest rival? Some folks don't want Kevin Durant to.
For the first three seasons, it was all fun and games.
Well, to be accurate, to some folks it was.
But now, Kevin Durant is growing into a bigger superstar by the day. His every move is being watched and scrutinized more than it’s ever been. People near and far have begun hanging on to his every word like never before. And locally, nothing seems to rattle folks’ cages like when Durant talks smack about their beloved OU Sooners.
The Thunder star started slinging jabs the moment he stepped foot in town in 2008. At that year’s Thunder media day, Durant said he “loves being in Oklahoma thus far and I’m going to love playing for (the people here).”
Then Durant was asked if he’d ever root for the Sooners.
“Never,” Durant vowed.
Durant then added that Longhorns and Sooners never will get along.
“I like the rivalry the way it is now,” Durant said. “OU hates Texas and Texas hates OU. That’s how it’s always going to be.”
From that day on, Durant has enjoyed jabbing the Sooners and their die-hard nation every chance he gets. He’s added the phrase “Hook ‘em Horns” to each autograph he’s signed at OU football games. He’s sat courtside at OU basketball games and flashed the two-finger Hook ‘em Horns sign. He’s even taken his needling to Twitter. On Saturday, Durant posted a simple but around these parts scathing message: “LSU > OU…”
Today, one of the Sooners, sophomore defensive back Tony Jefferson, fired back.
Kevin durant. Please stop talking trash about the sooners. You play in Oklahoma. Regardless if you went to Texas. We support u #jerk : (
It brings up an interesting question.
Should Kevin Durant be able to diss OU?
Jefferson is right. This state supports Durant. And not all, but a good majority of sports fans around here cheer for the crimson and cream. But is that enough to prohibit Durant from being able to rag on OU?
Absolutely not.
Thunder Escapes Against Golden State
News, notes and observations from Tuesday’s 115-114 overtime win over Golden State.
- I thought tonight’s game would be decent. I didn’t expect this.
- The Warriors always seem to play the Thunder tough, and tonight was no different. Even when the Thunder got up 14, Golden State wasted little time storming back.
- But the end to regulation was just ridiculous. It came out of nowhere. The Thunder looked to be in cruise control after Russell Westbrook made two foul shots to put the home team up six with 13.5 seconds left. Then, things just fell apart.
- Reggie Williams hit a huge 3 that pulled the Warriors within three. Then Daequan Cook and Kevin Durant had a miscommunication on the inbounds pass.Monta Ellis stole it away and sank a game-tying three. All that came in 4.2 seconds.
- As I wrote for Wednesday’s paper, three people took the blame for the botched play. Cook, Durant and Thunder coach Scott Brooks. Cook said he made the pass that led to the turnover so it was his fault. Durant said he just stood there and watched without securing the ball as it was being passed to him so it was his fault. And Brooks said he should have called a timeout after Williams’ 3 so it was his fault. Nice show of team unity.
- Here’s exactly what Durant said. “I felt so bad. I caused (Cook) to throw that ball away. He threw it to my hand and I just stood there and watched…I apologized to Daequan. I won’t put him in that position again.”
- For as long as I cover the Thunder, I hope I never see another fadeaway jumper by Durant when he has a chance to win the game. It’s worked, what, once. Try something else!
- No matter what happened at the end of regulation, the Thunder deserves a lot of credit for bouncing back and closing out the Warriors in overtime. This thing could have gone south quick. And it didn’t help that David Lee was wrestling away the Thunder’s lead by getting three-point play opportunities and Ellis buried a huge 3 that put Golden State up two with 1:10 left. Coupled with how regulation ended, those could have been back-breaking plays. But the Thunder never let them be. They bounced back from each of them.
- OKC is now 8-1 in overtime games. The team handed out a neat stat after the game. The Thunder became just the fifth team in NBA history to win eight overtime games. Detroit (8-0) did it in 2002. Sacramento (9-4) did it in 2000. Philadelphia (8-6) did it in 1990. And Milwaukee (8-1) did it in 1977. I’ve got a feeling the Thunder will play at least one more overtime game in these final nine.
- A 5-1 home stand ain’t bad.
- Chew on this. The Thunder has also won six games by one point.
Monday Morning Mailbag
How will Kendrick Perkins change the Oklahoma City Thunder's rotation?
It’s that time again.
Our Monday morning mailbag is back.
Kendrick Perkins has yet to play a game for the Thunder after his trade from Boston. But questions about how his presence might impact the rotation are already prevalent. We also get a little history lesson on the dunk contest and some surprise talk of vuvuzelas.
Let’s get to it. And as always, feel free to join the discussion next week if you like.
Hey Darnell- With M. Daniels out indefinitely and P. Pierce getting an MRI for his foot injury today, rookie L. Harangody is the only thing resembling a SF left on the Celtics roster. Don’t the Cs NEED somebody like Jeff Green now? His salary is almost exact match with Perkins’, they have 2 O’Neals and Semih Erden under contract thru 2012, and Big Baby can play the 5 in need be. Am I crazy, or would this be a perfect trade for both squads? – Steve H.
Major props to you Steve. You sent this e-mail on Feb. 14. And you absolutely nailed it! Remind me to get you on speed dial next February.
Has a rookie ever won the dunk contest, and if so what year and who won it if you know? —- Jamie C.
Yes. Blake Griffin became the 11th rookie to win the dunk contest. Spud Webb won it as a rookie with Atlanta in 1986. Dee Brown won it as a rookie with the Celtics in 1991. Harold Miner won it as a rookie with Miami in 1993. Isaiah Rider won it as a rookie with Minnesota in 1994. Brent Barry won it as a rookie with the L.A. Clippers in 1996. Kobe Bryant won it as a rookie with the L.A. Lakers in 1997. Desmond Mason won it as a rookie with Seattle in 2001. Jason Richardson won it as a rookie with Golden State in 2002. Josh Smith won it as a rookie with Atlanta in 2005. Nate Robinson won it as a rookie with New York in 2006.
After the Boston trade went down there were some quotes from Rivers about how he and Ainge agonized over it. It makes me wonder how involved Brooks is with the FO decisions, especially since he had been playing Green so much, nearly to a fault. Insight? — Steven R.
I know that Brooks and Sam Presti talk about possible player acquisitions, whether they’re potential free agent pick-ups or trades, regularly. But at the end of the day, the Bull’s eye is on Presti for all roster moves. He’s the one who’s held accountable for player movement, so the final call is his. Brooks isn’t going to persuade or dissuade Presti from making a move if he feels it’s best for the team and its long term prospects.
Thunder 109, Sixers 103
Nuggets from my notebook from Wednesday’s win over Philadelphia.
- Serge Ibaka played a great first quarter. His defense was on point the entire period aside from a slow close out on Spencer Hawes that allowed an open jumper. But he was a pest in the passing lanes when Hawes was at the high post, tipping one early pass to spark a run-out on one early trip. Ibaka also was active around the rim, gobbling up one offensive rebound early and getting the stick-back.
- What I didn’t understand was why Thunder coach Scott Brooks put Nenad Krstic on Elton Brand to start the game instead of Ibaka. Krstic is a better position defender, yeah, but it seems like Ibaka could have used his length and athleticism to better contest Brand’s shot. But Brand got going early, making his first three shots. The Thunder is fortunate that flame didn’t grow into an uncontrollable fire. Ibaka later started the second half on Brand.
- James Harden got off to a great start, save one charging foul. Then he picked up his third foul and was forced to sit early in the second quarter. It was a pretty crummy way for Harden to have to sit. He doesn’t need anything else cooling him off. This looked like the perfect kind of game to get him going.
- Leb by Russell Westbrook, the ball movement looked much better in the first half. Westbrook had eight assists at halftime and finished with 12 for the game. The Thunder had 17 as a team, which still isn’t great, but it ties a season-high that’s been done three other times. Brooks spent the past two practices working on the offense, and it looked much better tonight for stretches. “This is a start,” Harden said. “It’s back to our old ways as far as everybody touching the ball. Everybody’s getting open shots. We just have to really lock in on the defensive end because that’s going to help our offense in transition.”
Desmond Mason Coming Back To OKC
Desmond Mason, the former fan favorite with OSU, the Hornets and the Thunder, is returning to Oklahoma City.
But for Act Four in Oklahoma, Mason is bringing his renowned art to the city. As The Oklahoman’s Steve Lackmeyer reports, Mason will soon be opening an art studio at Plaza Court in MidTown. According to Lackmeyer, Mason will paint pieces for clients and host events for local charities at the studio.
“My family and I are very happy to be back in Oklahoma City,” Mason said. “This area has been a big part of our lives for the last 10 years and we wanted to come back and be part of the growth in a city we love. Bringing my style of art, and the other business ventures we are planning, to a city that has embraced change is a special opportunity that I’m excited to be a part of. The leaders of this city have stepped up and taken the challenge and the development and renovation of MidTown is a big part of that.”
-DM-
Kings 104, Thunder 89
Don’t think this game didn’t matter. Not for a second.
If for some reason you’re still under the impression that Thursday night’s 104-89 loss to the starless Kings was simply a throw-away game, the last of this exhibition season, carefully chew on Kevin Durant’s words.
“It always means something when we step on this floor,” he said. “We’re a young team. We want to get better every time we step on the floor. Tonight was a tough one. We took some steps back.”
Steps.
Plural.
This was the third straight loss by at least 15 points. The third straight time a team has drained at least 10 3-pointers. The third straight game the wanna-be-defensive-minded Thunder allowed 104 points or more. The third straight game in which the opponent has shot better than 50 percent from the field.
In no way is it time to panic. It’s certainly way too early for that. But while the outcome doesn’t matter in these tune-ups, the performances and the trends certainly serve as warning signs.
After seven preseason games, the Thunder has demonstrated an inability to put together 48 minutes of quality basketball. It’s the same flaw that plagued this bunch last season. Some of this preseason’s blunders can be attributed to odd lineups and funky rotations, to subs closing out games and philosophy taking precedence over the outcome. But mostly, the Thunder showed the same imperfections during times its main unit was on the floor and times when the team tried to successfully close out a game with a win.
Have we forgotten Phoenix’s 26-9 fourth quarter on Oct. 12 that erased a 20-point lead before the Thunder prevailed by five in overtime? Lose that game and this exhibition season goes from 2-5 to 1-6, from decent to disappointing.
“It’s definitely a concern in our minds because we want to change it,” said Shaun Livingston. “That’s not how we want to come out and start the season. I know that we are going to come out better opening night. We know we are better than that.”
The Scene At Shootaround
I’ve been MIA lately, I know. Had to focus my attention on this little nifty thing we do before every season called a special section. I got a little bogged down with that on top of the regular load. But it gives me great pleasure to say that weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and our Thunder special section will hit newsstands and your front porch or driveway this Sunday. So let’s get back into the swing of things here shall we?
TINKERING WITH THE ROTATION
Thunder coach Scott Brooks at this morning’s shootaround sounded like he is done throwing out funky lineups and wacky rotations. I expect Brooks to play what mostly will be his main rotation in tonight’s preseason finale against Sacramento. But Brooks said he and the coaching staff are still trying to figure out who fits best with each other while giving different players an opportunity to adjust to playing with different teammates.
“It’s good for our team,” Brooks said. “It’s good to build chemistry on the floor. You’re going to be put in a position where you have to play with different guys…You try to figure out what a guy does with different guys. The game is impacted by who you’re playing with.”
DEJA VU
Rarely in the NBA will a team open the regular season against the same team it ended the preseason against. But that’s the position the Thunder and Kings are in this year. Cleveland and Boston have also managed to pull the scheduling quirk.
Brooks, however, said tonight’s game shouldn’t have any bearing on Wednesday’s season opener. Because of exhaustive scouting departments, he said, NBA teams, don’t have anything left to hide.
“We know what they’re going to run and they know what we’re going to run,” Brooks said. “We have to do a great job of executing it and using effort in our execution.”
Brooks did say Wednesday’s packages will be different than tonight’s because he plans to implement more wrinkles in the final few days of practice before the two teams meet again. He called the next five days of practice “pretty important for us.”
A FRIEND TURNED FOE
Perhaps a more significant advantage than the Kings’ ability to pick up on the Thunder’s strategy early is the presence of former Thunder forward Desmond Mason on Sacramento’s roster. Brooks expects Mason to share secrets with his new teammates. All players do once they change teams. Mike Harris informed Jeff Green of Houston players’ tendencies at the scorer’s table just before tip-off Monday.
“One of the things our coaches do when we have guys that play with other teams is (go over) their personnel’s tendencies,” Brooks admitted. “I think it’s important to listen to the players. They know, they feel it, they see it on the court. They experience it. So you always tap into their knowledge. And I’m sure Sacramento is going to be no different. Desmond knows what Kevin Durant does and how he does it. The bottom line is it takes five guys to make an offense work and it takes the same five guys to make a defense work.”
Durant Answers Reader Questions
The season is officially underway.
I just returned from media day, where optimism was high but cautiously tempered. Few players wanted to talk about the playoffs as an attainable goal this season but all seemed to have that destination in their minds. It was almost shocking how candid the players were in discussing what we all know to be true about the brutal schedule to start the season and how the silly mistakes of yesteryear can’t crop up again if this season is to be a success.
This will be the first of many posts from today’s thorough session of interviews. Bare with me as I sift through what seems like an endless amount of tape. I’ll update into the evening as I go, but I’ll start by giving your a preview of reader-submitted questions I asked Kevin Durant today. (And with Durant having so many obligations today I’d like to thank him again for taking the time to answer these, some of which might not appear in Tuesday’s paper.)
Q: Do you see the Thunder’s record improving, and if so by how much? And is there a specific goal for this year’s team that will define whether this season is a success?
A: I’m not big on that, but I think we’re a better team so yeah. But I don’t know how many wins we’re going to get. I can’t predict that. I think a lot of people outside of our organization want to see me say we’re going to the playoffs or we’re going to the second round of the playoffs. But I think if we just continue to get better the fans will see that if they’re watching the games. They’ll see we’re getting better and better so that’s the good part.
Paul Taylor, Oklahoma City
Q: Where do you see your basketball career with the Thunder in two years?
A: Hopefully we’re a playoff team by then and we’re recognized as one of the top tier teams. So I’m excited for what we have in store.
Gaudy Deleon, Oklahoma City
Q: Who do you see filling the void left by Desmond Mason’s departure?
A: James Harden and Thabo Sefolosha are going to fill that role. It’s on those two.
Dave Parker, Oklahoma City
Q: Does Velvet Hoop plan on making any more music videos this year?
A: I asked that myself, but as of right now I don’t know. I hope. I want to. That’s the goal.
Steve Jackson, Oklahoma City
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in Oklahoma City and the most obnoxious thing an Oklahoma native has said to you about you being a UT alum?
A: Mickey Mantle’s. And they haven’t really said anything too harsh. They just always throw the horns down. That hurts me a lot.
Brian Downs, Edmond
Q: How dominant do you think you can be if you bulk up?
A: I think I’ll be pretty good. But the way my body is I don’t think I could ever be really bulked up. So you’ve just got to like what you see. But I try my best to be one of the best players to play this game.
Evan Eitzen, Fairview
-DM-
Desmond Mason, Thunder Part Ways
Desmond Mason’s days in a Thunder uniform have come to an end.
For now.
Oklahoma City has decided to go in a different direction and will not re-sign the former Oklahoma State standout and fan favorite, The Oklahoman has learned.
Mason, who is an unrestricted free agent this summer, became a casualty of the Thunder’s commitment to developing its young talent and was the odd man out on a roster that is one player below the NBA maximum of 15 allowed.
The Thunder remained open to the possibility of re-signing the 31-year-old Mason throughout the summer and had ongoing discussions with his agent since the start of free agency on July 1. Mason made $5.3 million in the final year of his contract last season and is believed to have been seeking a deal in the same neighborhood this summer.
Contract negotiations were believed to have been more exploratory in nature, comprised of more casual discussion rather than concrete proposals. Mason’s camp is believed to have been seeking a multi-year contract of at least two seasons while the Thunder was willing to agree to nothing longer than a one-year deal.
But it appeared less likely Mason would return with each transaction the Thunder made since February.
