Etan Thomas Taking The High Road
The 2009-10 season was supposed to be a homecoming of sorts for Etan Thomas.
It turned into something of a living hell.
Thomas, who the Thunder acquired from Minnesota along with two second-round picks last summer in exchange for Damien Wilkins and Chucky Atkins, quickly became buried on the bench in Oklahoma City. The 32-year-old center rarely spoke to media members during his time with the Thunder. But it was clear Thomas wasn’t experiencing the type of season he thought he’d enjoy when he joined a young Thunder franchise located some 90 miles West of where he starred at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa.
Thomas, who recently signed with Atlanta, played in 23 games for OKC last season, averaging 3.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 14 minutes per game. He played in just six regular season games after Dec. 4 as Serge Ibaka blossomed into an impact rookie. Still, Thomas hasn’t harbored any ill will toward the Thunder. In fact, his feelings are the complete opposite. He shared them through his blog on hoopshype.com, writing about his time in Oklahoma City, the Thunder’s future, its star, Kevin Durant, the team’s core, GM Sam Presti and, of course, the fans. Here are a few snippets.
I wanted to write an article thanking the Oklahoma City Thunder and the entire state of Oklahoma. I had a great time there, and that organization really has something special. From top to bottom they are really a first-class organization. I have read a lot of articles since the end of the summer that questioned if what the Thunder organization accomplished last year was somewhat of a fluke or if they are the real deal.
Allow me to speak from first-hand experience, from someone who has actually seen what goes on behind closed doors and has been in the trenches with the team for an entire season… This was definitely no fluke…” (more…)
Etan Thomas Headed To The Hawks
Former Thunder center Etan Thomas has signed with Atlanta, the Hawks announced today.
Thomas played in 23 games for Oklahoma City last season, averaging 3.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 14 minutes per game. His best performance came on Nov. 3 in a 101-98 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in which he scored nine points with 11 rebounds and three blocked shots in 35 minutes, all season-highs.
But it’s the string of spot minutes and DNP-CDs (Did Not Play-Coach’s Decision) that he racked up shortly thereafter that will be remembered most by Thunder fans. Thomas played in just six regular season games after Dec. 4 as Serge Ibaka became an impact rookie with better tools than the aging Thomas, who turned 32 on April 1.
Thomas is now expected to add the same things to Atlanta that many thought he would bring to OKC. The tone of the Hawks’ press release reads the exact same as the Thunder’s read a year ago.
“We’re excited to add a player of Etan’s caliber to our roster,” said Hawks head coach Larry Drew. “He provides additional veteran leadership, physicality and toughness to our club, especially on the glass and the defensive side of the ball. We also add another versatile and multi-positional player to our frontcourt.”
With the Hawks already possessing a solid big man rotation of Josh Smith, Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia and recently added young gun Josh Powell, who has potential, Thomas might soon hear the same question in Atlanta that he heard in OKC. ‘Why aren’t you playing?’
We’ll soon find out how it turns out for Thomas. Either he puts together a decent season and we’ll again begin to hear questions about why Thunder Coach Scott Brooks didn’t play him. Or Thomas will ride the pine in Atlanta, and then maybe we’ll begin to understand more why Brooks made his decision.
-DM-
Did President Obama Diss Durant?
A story has circulated the Internet about how Kevin Durant was not one of the many NBA stars to receive an invitation to the White House on Sunday to help celebrate President Barack Obama’s 49th birthday.
Current stars such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose and Chris Paul received invitations. Former greats Magic Johnson and Bill Russell were on hand as well. Even role players like David West, Shane Battier and Etan Thomas were allowed past security.
Those who were able joined President Obama for an All-Star Game styled pickup game to honor military troops wounded in action. Durant told NBA Fanhouse he “didn’t even know” about the event until informed via Twitter, meaning the reigning scoring champ and First-Team All-NBA selection who grew up 30 minutes from the White House, was left out in the cold.
I was born and raised (in the Washington area). It would have been cool to go up there and play on the court and just to meet the president since I’ve been living there my whole life and never got a chance to do it … Especially him being the first African-American president (and) being a big basketball fan, it’d have been cool for me to see and a great experience.”
Durant went on to provide his customary comment about working to get better, saying: “I’ve got to continue to keep showing people that I can play a little bit. It’s all about me just working hard.”
Thunder 96, Suns 91
News, notes and observations from Friday’s 96-91 win over Phoenix…..
- After Deron Williams and Chauncey Billups torched the Thunder, Scott Brooks started Thabo Sefolosha on Suns point guard Steve Nash from the start. But it wasn’t because Brooks wanted to keep Nash from getting hot early. If that was the case the wrinkle didn’t work. Nash had five points and seven assists in the first quarter. But Brooks said his goal was to have a bigger defender switching onto Amar’e Stoudemire when the Suns ran their pick-and-roll. And that strategic move worked well.
- While it’d be nice to see Westbrook consistently defend his position the entire game, moving him off the ball does have its benefits. Westbrook won’t get run ragged on pick-and-rolls and can maintain some energy to execute what’s required of him offensively.
- The Thunder turned the tide in the third quarter, when OKC held Phoenix to a season-low 12 points.
- The Suns made just 5-for-16 shots in the third period and had nine turnovers.
- Phoenix briefly threatened in the fourth with a 9-0 run, turning an 85-73 deficit into an 85-82 game.
- And when Nash responded to a Kevin Durant jumper with a finger roll with 1:23 left to keep it a three-point game, I thought the Thunder would be toast. Give credit to how the Thunder didn’t allow the Suns to storm back and steal the win after doing just that against the Nuggets.
- Nenad Krstic did not play Friday because of a right knee contusion. No one knew anything about the injury until about 35 minutes before tip-off. Nick Collison started in his place.
- The Thunder recalled D.J. White from Tulsa. He was active but did not play.
- I’ve been wanting to see what Serge Ibaka could offer in extended minutes. And with Krstic out, he got a real good chance to show what he can do with a few more minutes. Ibaka was all over the place, scoring from in low on his way to a career-high tying 15 points and rebounding like a mad man before finishing with nine.
- The most impressive thing Serge did in my eyes tonight was take Stoudemire out of the game. It happened on every trip to the free throw line. Ibaka would box out Stoudemire with a strong and physical jolt into the lane. After about the third trip, Stoudemire decided it best to not fight this battle.
- Brooks praised the play of Westbrook. The coach was talking about how well Westbrook and Sefolosha did defensively on the perimeter. Westbrook wasn’t bad offensively either. Until the fourth quarter. Westbrook had eight points, eight rebounds, 10 assists and only one turnover. But he was scoreless on 0-for-4 shooting in 12 minutes in the final period.
- Collison couldn’t stay out of foul trouble tonight. He had three fouls in five minutes. Frustrating night.
- The foul trouble forced Brooks to go with Etan Thomas checked in with 7:12 left in the second quarter. Thomas got an extremely loud ovation from the fans, many of them likely asking over the past few months why he hasn’t been playing. Compare Ibaka’s stat line to Thomas’ one blocked shot, two fouls and one turnover in seven minutes and there’s your answer.
- James Harden is in a big-time slump. He missed all four of his field goals tonight and even went 2-for-4 from the free throw line. Thunder heads better hope he figures it out before the playoffs.
- Surprise! With San Antonio and Portland losing tonight, the Thunder is back in the sixth seed. Goodbye, Lakers.
- After scoring 35 points tonight, Durant bumped his scoring averaging 30 points this season.
-DM-
Thunder 111, Sixers 93
News, notes and observations from Tuesday’s 111-93 win over Philadelphia…
- You could tell the Thunder’s defense came to play from the opening possession. Thunder players packed the paint, swarmed as the ball swung from side to side and collapsed on the ball when it was dumped down low. Russell Westbrook blocked Elton Brand on the opening possession and the Thunder forced Brand into a miss after the Sixers recovered the loose ball. The sequence set the tone for the entire night.
- On the Sixers’ second possession, Westbrook played the passing lane and stole a pass intended for Jrue Holiday.
- The early defense led to an early 21-12 lead, and from there the Sixers never came close to threatening. OKC was ahead between seven and 11 for much of the game and led by as many as 25 points.
- Westbrook, and Nenad Krstic didn’t even play in the fourth quarter, which could be a big boost going into Boston on Wednesday night.
- Really not sure why Scott Brooks insists on playing starters’ late in blowouts. Kevin Durant didn’t come out until the halfway point in the fourth quarter despite the Thunder being up 20. And when he exited, Thabo Sefolosha and Jeff Green checked in. James Harden played until the final buzzer. One of the rotation guys obviously is going to have to play. But if I’m Brooks, I make it a point to make my garbage time lineup Eric Maynor, Kevin Ollie, Kyle Weaver, Serge Ibaka and Etan Thomas. You could reason that Harden’s a rookie and could benefit from the experience. But Harden is fifth on the team in average minutes. Doesn’t seem like that logic will wash. Harden nearly sustained a serious shoulder injury while flying in for a dunk against the Lakers the other night. I wouldn’t risk an injury to Durant, Green, Sefolosha or Harden. No way. No how.
- With Westbrook leading the way, the Thunder had just 10 turnovers on the night.
- Westbrook didn’t have his shot going, shooting just 3-for-12 from the field. But he had 14 assists and only one turnover. He had five assists in the first quarter and six in the third, carrying the offense effectively as he’s done so many times this season.
- Durant got it going offensively early on and had one of his easiest scoring nights this season. The thing that stood out most was his growing ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim. He did it on the Thunder’s opening possession, blowing by his man from the left baseline and drawing a foul at the rim. He then went coast-to-coast a few trips later. And his drive to the cup at the end of the first quarter, although the officials overturned the foul call and whistled him for a charge, was impressive because it illustrated how he no longer settles nearly as much as he once did.
- In fact, the entire team didn’t settle tonight. After shooting just 3-for-15 from long distance against Portland, and 2-for-18 against the Lakers, the Thunder utilized much better shot selection tonight and worked inside, out. The Thunder made 6-of-12 shots from 3-point range and was 3-for-4 in the first quarter, but those looks were wide open attempts off drive-and-kicks or the result of players coming off screens.
- The best example of the improved shot selection came when Durant had Marreese Speights isolated at the top of the key but took two dribbles in and pulled up from the free-throw line extended rather than the 3-point line. That never would have happened last season and might not have happened earlier this year.
- While the Thunder deserves credit for much better shot selection, you couldn’t have faulted the players if they decided to jack up 3s all night tonight. You could clearly see why the Sixers are last in the league in opponent 3-point percentage. They don’t rotate well, close out on shooters effectively or fight hard through screens. Philly’s perimeter defense is what makes jump shooters lick their chops.
- Sefolosha had nine points tonight and had some nice offensive plays early.
- Weaver got in the game early in the second quarter. And I don’t know why.
- Andre Iguodala had the prettiest play of the night when he faked a behind-the-back pass with 4:25 left in the third quarter and finished with a one-handed dunk. And in what quite possibly explains why the Sixers stink, Philadelphia allowed Green to knock down a momentum-killing 3-pointer at the other end. to go back ahead 77-65.
- Ibaka’s offensive game is coming along nicely. He had a very impressive up-and-under move in the lane late in the game. And when he missed one of his early jumpers, leaving it short, he made it a point to shoot with more arc on the next attempt. He swished it. He is really a fast learner.
- The Thunder out-rebounded the Sixers 47-36.
- The Thunder now has 45 wins with nine left to play. Tonight’s win moved OKC back into sixth place. If the playoffs started today, the Thunder would play, surprise, surprise, Utah. Not the seeding many might have expected, but it’s the matchup Thunder heads sound like they prefer.
- Can somebody explain to me why Jason Kapono wears No. 72?
- Holiday is going to be a good point guard in this league for many years. He’s crafty, smart, slippery and has a nice change of pace to his game. Think Baron Davis in terms of pace. Holiday is the youngest player in the league and still doesn’t appear to be rattled or rushed. He’s got a nice handle and what looks to be solid shooting mechanics. He got where he wanted on the court fairly easily tonight, and when he matures as a player and gets more experienced he could be dangerous. It’s worth keeping an eye on his development.
- Ollie got a nice ovation from the Philly fans (those who stayed throughout) when he checked into the game for the first time with 4:37 left to play and the Thunder ahead 103-81. Ollie had three stints in Philly and was on the 2000-01 team that lost to the Lakers in the NBA Finals.
- According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, the Thunder will sign Mustafa Shakur for the rest of the season.
Thunder 103, Hornets 99
NEW ORLEANS — In his best English yet, Serge Ibaka explained how he’s gone from wide-eyed rookie to poised impact player. How, in his first year in a new country and inaugural season in the world’s best basketball league, he’s transitioned from a player who registered one “DNP” after another to one who is capable of 11 minutes, 46 seconds of crunch-time action at New Orleans on Wednesday night and manages to be effective despite all the difficulties.
“I don’t feel pressure because I am 40 games into the NBA,” Ibaka said.
Something about the simplicity of his explanation summed up his maturity over four short months and potentially foreshadowed what’s in store for the 2008 24th overall pick.
Ibaka is developing faster than anyone with the Thunder could have projected. And anyone in the organization is more than willing to admit as much. The 6-foot-10 post player from Congo has blossomed into a bonafide post threat, one that rebounds, blocks shots and patrols the paint like no one this franchise has seen since Shawn Kemp more than a decade ago.
Coach Scott Brooks trusted Ibaka in the tightest of spots Wednesday night against an ailing but hungry Hornets team the Thunder needed to beat to maintain ground in the Western Conference race. But the big man has made it easy on his coach, showing Brooks since mid-December that if he supplies meaningful minutes he won’t let his coach or his teammates down.
Ibaka’s latest testament was a two-point, four-rebound, one-assist effort in the fourth quarter against the Hornets , a performance that proved one day Ibaka could become much more than a bit player whose name the PA announcer had to be reminded how to pronounce for the second time this season.
“He’s just calmer on the court,” said Thabo Sefolosha. “At first he just wanted to do a little bit of everything. Now he’s starting to figure out his game and understand the NBA game, the way it’s supposed to be played. He’s doing good things and I think he can improve so much.”
You’d be equally impressed if you heard Ibaka communicate his role through his improving but still choppy English. He speaks with an intelligence that bellies his youth and will bolster your belief in his basketball IQ.
“The last minute is very important for the team,” Ibaka said. “So it’s better for me to give more focus to my job, protect the paint, rebound, screens. That’s important.”
Ibaka was asked about his four big rebounds in the fourth quarter, when the Hornets made their run and any second-chance opportunity for them could have been the difference.
“I know my team needs the rebound,” Ibaka started. “It’s very important for my team because before we lost some games because of rebounds. So I know that is my job. That is my specialty, to help my teammates. I need to be very strong and go in and get rebounds.”
For now.
Ibaka finished with six points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots in just 23 minutes Wednesday night. The belief is the blocked shots will increase over this season’s second half and progress even more into next season as he learns opponent’s tendencies. So too will his scoring, when he masters footwork and positioning in the post.
“That kid is improving,” Brooks said. “He’s really helping us win games. He’s just solid. Every game he brings solid effort and he’s picking things up. He still has communication issues with me in the heat of the moment when I’m talking a mile a minute and talking basketball talk. But he’s picking it up. He’s working and improving and it’s great to see.”
Thunder 106, Hawks 99
The moment came Tuesday night like it always does in close games.
But this time Kevin Durant was ready for it.
When the referees swallowed their whistles and Joe Johnson tightened up his defense, Durant did something he hasn’t done much this season. He pushed back. The Thunder’s frail forward didn’t get frustrated. He got even. And with 2:48 remaining, after Durant and Johnson spent too many seconds bumping and battling for position, the refs finally rewarded Durant with a personal foul call on Johnson.
The sequence summed up what Durant seemingly must do from here out to not get knocked off his spot.
“That’s a part of being a superstar in this league,” said Russell Westbrook. “You’re going to have to work for it every time you get the ball. But we’re patient. We don’t mind letting him work to get open, let him fight a little bit. He’s tough so he’ll be all right.”
Problem was, to this point Durant wasn’t being tough enough. Too many times in the past he’d throw up his hands, literally and figuratively, and give up on the play. The defense would win. Opponents pestered him enough to take him out of the possession. Durant doesn’t deny it.
“I wasn’t being as aggressive as I should have been,” Durant said. “I didn’t want to get offensive fouls. I didn’t know if I was being too aggressive.”
Clearly, his mentality has changed, evolving to the point where he no longer will allow players to disrupt the Thunder’s entire offense or prevent him from getting his touches. Johnson used every bit of his 6-feet-7 inches and 240 pounds to harass Durant. But finally, against one of the league’s strongest wing players, Durant employed a much more effective counter than simply running out to halfcourt to free himself.
“Be physical with them,” Durant said with a sense of pride. “I know I’m not as strong as those guys but just continue to be physical with them. If the ref sees it then I’ll get a foul. If not, I’ll get the ball.”
Coach Scott Brooks talked about how Durant needs to be smart in those situations. It’s a fine line between battling and being baited. On Tuesday night, Durant was savvy. He used his body instead of shoving with his arms. He tried to dupe the defense with change-of-pace tactics when curling off pin-downs rather than supplying the same steady dose of speed.
“You just have to be a smart offensive player and Kevin is becoming that,” Brooks said.
Grizzlies 86, Thunder 84
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Kevin Durant’s blank stare shot toward the feet of media members waiting in front of his locker in the visitor’s dressing room at FedEx Forum. It was the lasting image of Friday night’s 86-84 last-second loss at Memphis.
Who knows what the Thunder’s star was chewing on in his final private moment before fulfilling his obligation and addressing the horde huddled in front of him? The loss? The rebound Marc Gasol stripped from his hands? His missed 3-pointer that could have won the game? The answer likely is “D,” all the above.
This much is certain, though. The sight of Durant, sitting at his cubicle, robotically running through the finishing touches of his post-game routine, told the story of where this Thunder team is after 43 games.
Losses have become irritating. Close defeats are now intolerable.
The Thunder now expects to win, and more and more players are visibly PO’d when it doesn’t happen.
Might not sound like much. All teams should expect to win, right? After all these are professionals. But understand this is the same group of young guns who veteran Nick Collison had to publicly call out for monkeying around following a 25-point embarrassment at Philadelphia last year — a loss that was the Thunder’s seventh straight and dropped the team to 1-9. This, by and large, is the same cast that, after that seven-game skid stretched to a franchise-high tying 14 consecutive defeats following a similar last-second letdown against Minnesota, drew praise from its coach for how he liked that his squad still was “competing.”
Here’s how things have changed.
The Grizzlies gave Oklahoma City the blues in a bad way before the Thunder bid bye, bye to Beale Street. Thunder Coach Scott Brooks took even longer than normal to emerge for his post-game press conference. James Harden, presumably showered and undoubtedly fully dressed in the clothes he arrived to the arena wearing, slipped by the media while Brooks was still answering questions. Russell Westbrook wasn’t seen inside or leaving the locker room.
Which left us with Durant’s gaze, a look that spread throughout the remainder of the room on smaller scales. Similar frustration was evident in the eyes of Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic and Collison. Their thoughts might have been unclear. But the meaning of the overall mood was unmistakable.
“We’re just growing,” explained Green.
Collison put it another way.
“What’d we lose last year, 57 games?” Collison asked, short-changing the Thunder two losses. “So you just can’t take them as hard.
“But our season’s going a lot better. We expect to win games now, and when we don’t guys are upset. We’re disappointed. That’s the way it should be…We’re used to winning. And when we don’t it hurts.” (more…)
Bosh To OKC Before The Deadline?
While some Thunder heads have free-agent-to-be Chris Bosh on their wish lists this summer, Art Garcia, writing on NBA.com, says why wait? Bosh, Garcia reasons, could be dealt to the Thunder before the Feb. 18 trading deadline.
If the Raptors felt compelled to move Bosh, and there are plenty of rumors out there to support such a notion, Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti could make a serious play for the lefty power forward. Not only is OKC comfortably under the salary cap, but the franchise has another two first-round draft choices this June and nice pieces to export across the border.
Would a deal of, say, ever-improving third-year forward Jeff Green, a pair of No. 1s and another youngster with potential, Serge Ibaka or D.J. White, interest Toronto? If Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo was certain Bosh was walking this summer, does such a package from OKC make sense?”
First off, let me assure you that the piece, while scintillating, is purely speculative. Last week, I laid out why the Thunder isn’t likely to make a blockbuster deal before the deadline. The organization’s long-term motives have not changed, although Bosh certainly would fit the bill of a player that makes sense both now and in the future.
The problem is, trading for Bosh now doesn’t guarantee he’ll be around in the future. Acquiring Bosh would be a big-time risk that could blow up in July if he decides to bolt for, say, the beaches of Miami or Broadway in New York. The Thunder will have then traded valuable assets for nothing. It’s that risk that partially explains why Phoenix was unable to move Amar’e Stoudemire last season after all the fuss and trade rumors regarding where he’d land.
But set aside the risk for a second (which a man in Presti’s shoes can’t afford to do), swapping Green and filler (Thomas, Harpring, Ibaka/White and both first-rounders) for Bosh (and Rasho Nesterovic’s expiring contract) could be taken into consideration because the deal wouldn’t kill the Thunder’s salary cap situation. Maintaining a sound financial future is the most important goal for the Thunder, more than holding onto current assets. And as Garcia points out, one of the team’s young stars, in this case Green, future extension essentially would be replaced by Bosh heading into the Thunder’s “use-it-or-lose-it” summer of spending.
Whether it’s all worth it, only Presti can determine. But just look at Presti’s track record, which the article effectively runs down: deals for Thabo Sefolosha, Eric Maynor and the signing of Nenad Krstic were all low-risk, high reward moves. The Ray Allen-Green swap was a bold trade but a necessary maneuver needed to clear cap space and court time.
Bartering for Bosh now has its benefits. It just seems too risky a plan for Presti.
-DM-
Spurs 109, Thunder 108
Kevin Durant doesn’t have a problem playing the role of decoy.
I know because I asked him following Wednesday night’s 109-108 overtime loss to San Antonio. I asked because too many times now I’ve seen the Thunder walk off the court, heads humbly hung, following a defeat that played out like much like this one did inside the Ford Center.
Durant is the franchise, the team’s star player, its go-to guy. But once again the Thunder searched and scrambled for a secondary last-second option when its money man was bottled up. And more and more, it’s becoming evident that much of Oklahoma City’s late-game execution troubles stem from the team’s failure to tinker with a Plan B. It’s a tremendously tight spot for coach Scott Brooks to be in.
On one hand, Brooks’ role, like every coach’s, is to win games. On the other, Brooks is in charge of player development. He’s the caretaker for these young careers, the porter employed to pick up their production. For as dominant as Durant can be at times, he has yet to arrive as a truly elite player. He has one game-winning buzzer-beater under his belt in 2 1/2 seasons, and before he earns his closer label he must continue to be placed in positions to win games.
But Durant’s youthful flaws have foiled countless crunch-time possessions. The third-year forward is too frail to post up, too tall with too high a dribble to cleanly beat his man to the bucket. And his turnover trouble down the stretch at times somewhat tarnishes his terrific talents. But these are all blemishes that someday soon will become a distant memory. For now, Durant is working his way through the growing pains and learning how to come through even when defenses are doubling him down the stretch.
In the meantime, when does Brooks begin molding and developing a consistent counter? And who might that alternate be? Jeff Green hit a game-winning buzzer-beater at Golden State last year. Russell Westbrook is the team’s most athletic playmaker and has shown he won’t shy away from a big shot. James Harden is proving to be as accurate as advertised from beyond the arc.
“Kevin’s our guy,” Green insisted, and rightfully so. “We’re going to try to get him the ball. And if it doesn’t happen we got guys who can step up.”
Brooks drew up the Thunder’s final possession for Durant because his star had the hot hand. Durant had scored 14 points on 7 of 12 shooting in the fourth quarter and overtime. As Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, “He almost beat us single-handedly.” But the Spurs’ smothering defense on Durant with 4.7 seconds remaining nearly removed the potential for every sound out-of-bounds set the Thunder could run. Thabo Sefolosha appeared dead set on delivering Durant the ball, even after Durant retreated to halfcourt to escape the pressure. Fortunately, Westbrook improvised and came calling for the ball, turning a busted play into a brilliant possibility. Only his 19-footer bounced off the back-iron.
But the airtight attention being paid to Durant lately brings up the question of whether Brooks should deploy him as a decoy? It’s a question that has nothing to do with Durant’s ability and the need to develop this roster and everything to do with one wrinkle that possibly could win this team more ballgames.
“I think that’s what happened in the fourth quarter to go to overtime. And Russ made a big shot,” Durant said.
“I’m just trying to make the winning basketball play like we always preach here.”
