The NBA tipped off yesterday, with three games I couldn't watch because I was making up for lack of sleep; which is too bad, since I missed a great game between the Lakers and the Rockets, another classic Kobe performance, one where he almost single-handedly won the game for the seriously outmatched Lakers.
Anyway, enough blogging over spilled milk. Thanks to the wonders of cable TV, I am now watching the Denver Nuggets and Seattle Supersonics try to outscore each other. (No defense in this game, really.) More importantly, this is the beginning of something BIG: the career of Kevin Durant.
Some observations:
The Denver Nuggets, according to coach George Karl, expect to win at least 55 games. Their star player, Carmelo Anthony, thinks they can win 60. I think Karl's prognosis is more accuratet. Offensively, they're loaded. The Nuggets' defense, on the other hand, is another thing entirely. They have a tendency to depend on Marcus Camby, who is an excellent help defender, rather than focusing on stopping their man. Iverson and Anthony are good "risk" defenders––meaning they're good for the occassional steal––but they can't stop their men. Had Durant played more under control, he would've outscored Anthony. If the Nuggets hope to get deep in the playoffs, they'll have to find the "D" in Denver.
The Sonics, on the other hand, look like they have a future. They have a formidable backcourt, with Watson, West, and Durant (and PG Luke Ridnour, who didn't play). Durant can only get better, and if they play like they did against the Nuggets, they should win more games than people think. They'll probably just miss the playoffs by a hair; if they were in the Eastern Conference, they'd have a good chance of making it.
As for Kevin Durant, this guy will be a superstar. He's long, he's fast, he's skilled. His shooting stroke is a thing of beauty. He handles the ball and shoots like a guard, is as tall as a forward, and is as long as a center. Once he gets settled in, he's going to score 25 or more point, easy. I don't have to watch the other rookies play; KD is the Rookie of the Year. Book it.
Photo courtesy of MSNBC
Anyway, enough blogging over spilled milk. Thanks to the wonders of cable TV, I am now watching the Denver Nuggets and Seattle Supersonics try to outscore each other. (No defense in this game, really.) More importantly, this is the beginning of something BIG: the career of Kevin Durant.
Some observations:
- Allen Iverson is not as good a defender as I thought. His man, Seattle PG Delonte West, has been getting past him with some good upfakes; a couple of minutes before, Earl Watson––who is not exactly the Flash––blew past Iverson and almost made a layup. Is AI really slowing down, or is he depending on Marcus Camby to cover his ass on D?
- Or course, just as I finish writing this paragraph, AI comes from behind West to steal a pass from Earl Watson. Ha ha.
- AI is not all that bad. He has 12 assists at the end of three quarters. TWELVE!
- Seattle rookie Kevin Durant looks comfortable on the court. He has missed a lot of easy shots––had he made all of them he'd have more than 30 points at the half––but he's dribbling the ball with confidence and has made some nifty passes, one of which was a drop pass to a trailing Chris Wilcox on a four-on-three break that ended with a highlight-reel dunk for Wilcox. Most of KD's shots were too strong, an indicator of excitement, or adrenaline really flooding his system. I mean, this is it. He's worked all his life to get to the NBA, and he's THERE; who wouldn't be excited?
- The Sonics are sharing the ball. I haven't seen a selfish play from them yet.
- Durant hasn't been stifled by good defense; he has just been terribly unlucky. In one sequence, he gets free for a layup, which with his length, should be a gimme shot; he missed. In the next sequence, he curls off a pick to make a short jumper.
- Denver up by ten with eight minutes to go. They've gone to their bench. Seattle is a good, young team which is well-coached; but they clearly need more veterans. Earl Watson is ok, especially in the point guard spot, but it would be great if they could get someone who could take KD under his wing and help settle the kid down.
- You know you're old when you see the kid of a player you used to watch when you were younger now playing. Damien Wilkins is the splitting image of his dad, Gerald Wilkins; if the former played with a flat-top instead of bald, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
- Durant hits a three. Smooth, pure stroke. Some things you just can't teach.
- Everyone needs an Eduardo Najera; someone who plays all-out, all the time. Unlike other "all heart" guys, however, Najera has skills. He has a high basketball IQ, hits threes (!), and has solid defense.
- Kleiza can really shoot. When he lets fly, you expect it to go in. How many threes does this guy have? Four? Five?
- Iverson statline with three minutes to go: 20 points, 14 assists, six steals. Memo to the LA Lakers: that's what happens when you surround a GREAT player with DECENT. So stop scrimping and PAY for talent to surround Kobe Bryant.
- It's officially a blowout now.
- Anthony and Iverson trump Durant; Nuggets win, 120-103.
The Denver Nuggets, according to coach George Karl, expect to win at least 55 games. Their star player, Carmelo Anthony, thinks they can win 60. I think Karl's prognosis is more accuratet. Offensively, they're loaded. The Nuggets' defense, on the other hand, is another thing entirely. They have a tendency to depend on Marcus Camby, who is an excellent help defender, rather than focusing on stopping their man. Iverson and Anthony are good "risk" defenders––meaning they're good for the occassional steal––but they can't stop their men. Had Durant played more under control, he would've outscored Anthony. If the Nuggets hope to get deep in the playoffs, they'll have to find the "D" in Denver.
The Sonics, on the other hand, look like they have a future. They have a formidable backcourt, with Watson, West, and Durant (and PG Luke Ridnour, who didn't play). Durant can only get better, and if they play like they did against the Nuggets, they should win more games than people think. They'll probably just miss the playoffs by a hair; if they were in the Eastern Conference, they'd have a good chance of making it.
As for Kevin Durant, this guy will be a superstar. He's long, he's fast, he's skilled. His shooting stroke is a thing of beauty. He handles the ball and shoots like a guard, is as tall as a forward, and is as long as a center. Once he gets settled in, he's going to score 25 or more point, easy. I don't have to watch the other rookies play; KD is the Rookie of the Year. Book it.
Photo courtesy of MSNBC
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