SI.com has an excellent article about Kevin Durant's first week in the NBA by Jack McCallum. McCallum is one of the finest NBA writers, and his book :07 seconds or less, is one of the better basketball books of the past few years. He details Durant's adjustment to the NBA and notes that he seems well equipped to handle the demands being place on him by the media, the fans, and the franchise. Durant comes across as a great kid in the story, likeable, fun and talented. But he definetly comes across as a kid (the anecdote about Durant playing video games with neighborhood kids that stop by his house in the suburbs killed me). The story even dives into KD's umm...adult life as shown in this excerpt quoting his Mom:
"But doesn't the arrangement hinder Kevin's, uh, social life? "He respects me enough that he does not bring anyone home," Wanda says. When her questioner raises an eyebrow, she quickly adds, "I'm not saying he doesn't meet women -- he's in the NBA, he's young and he's handsome, right? I'm just saying he doesn't bring them home." Kevin later confirms this."
All in all, it's a must read. However, it does forshadow a potential problem if the Sonics do in fact move to OKC, as McCallum notes that KD's agent, Aaron Goodwin, has a history of looking for megadeals for franchise players in big markets to increase their earning potential. While I'm not saying that Durant's resignability wouldn't be a concern, as long as the Sonics are moving in the right direction, Durant would have to truly hate OKC to not resign there. It just takes too long to hit free agency, and its a lot of years wasted without getting the big payday. Plus, name the last elite superstar who didn't resign with his team? The Sonics can pay him the most money, the Sonics WILL pay him the most money, and Durant will be a Sonic throughout the prime of his career.
One last note on the McCallum story (sorry to be spending so much time on this, but it gives a really interesting look at Durant's life), his parents seem to be excellent people. While his Mom is living with him in Seattle (he's only 19 for goodness sake), his dad remains in Maryland to watch his less heralded brother Tony Durant play at Towson State. His mom comes across really well in the story, loving, yet not overbearing as one might expect a young superstar to have.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Back to the task at hand, winning games. I think the Sonics will break through against one of the teams on the road trip ( I do not think they will fall to 0-12 before coming home), so we might as well put some odds on the games they play.
11/13 @ Orlando (5-2) 7:1
11/14 @ Miami (1-5) 2:1
11/16 @ Atlanta (2-4) 3:1
11/17 @ Charlotte (3-3) 3:2
11/19 @ Memphis (1-4) even
We're going to win a game, I know that. Orlando is far and away the best of the teams, so I'm doubtful the Sonics can break through in the Rashard Lewis revenge game. Miami is still without Dwyane Wade, and as long as it stays that way, the Sonics have a chance, though Miami plays every team tough. Charlotte has a terrible point differential (-8.7 ppg on the season) which makes their 3-3 record surprising. I think they are much worse than their record appears, while the Sonics are actually better than their record appears. Plus KD will be playing relatively close to home. This will be the Sonics first 4 games in 5 nights stretch, but they're young and it's early in the season. It's worth noting that KD did NOT play well in his first back-to-back game of the season vs. Memphis (3-17 shooting but 10-10 at the line).
If they somehow don't win any of the Eastern Conference games, I think they stand a good chance at beating Memphis. It will be the first time Durant knows exactly who is going against, and I think he's going to make Rudy Gay pay this time. Durant's quest for vengance + a day off before the game this time are going to make it a different story. Realistically, I think the Sonics win 2 of the 5 games and head back home with a 2-10 record.
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Picks for tonight:
Miami (+4.5) over Charlotte
Detroit (-4.5) over Portland
Seattle (+10.5) over Orlando
(2-1 yesterday, 4-6 overall)
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