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Nov

2

The KD Effect

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The KD Effect

What is all the KD hype about? This is the question I’ve had on my mind since the June draft. Since I’m based in Seattle, I headed to the Sonics’ home opener to see Kevin Durant in person. As I approached the arena, I could sense an excitement that hasn’t been there the last couple of years. I could feel the anticipation as the starting line-ups were introduced. Kevin was the last starter announced, and the Key Arena erupted. The last time I heard the Key that loud was during the Payton/Kemp era. Finally, it was time to see what this kid could do.

Early in the game, I could see the Sonics offense is going to center around this 19-year-old rookie. He got touch after touch and started draining shots. He really was the most impressive player on the court in the first half. Let me remind you that Seattle was playing the Phoenix Suns. KD looked better than Nash, Marion, or Amare. At half-time, Kevin was 7-14 with 18 points. Perhaps most impressive was the poise this kid played with. At one point in the first half, Durant got the ball on the fast break. Most young players would have gone all the way to the rim and been called for a charge. Durant, on the other hand, had the presence of mind to pull up and hit a 5-foot jumper rather than go for the big dunk and the charge. He showed great poise for a young player.

The second half was a little tougher for KD. The Suns, because they are a great team, made some adjustments. Shawn Marion covered Kevin a lot more than in the first, and Phoenix used double teams to deny KD the ball. Even with all the attention, Kevin was 4-9 shooting in the second half and ended with 27 points. Durant had 5 rebounds and a block. He also had 6 turnovers, which is expected from a young player. He looked good in the second half, just not quite as good as the first.

Anyone that knows me will tell you I am slow to anoint a young player as the next great thing. I am not ready to declare KD is the next MJ by any means. What I will tell you is that this kid is special. He played with poise and patience. He made shots from all over the court. He hit wide open jumpers, three-pointers with men in his face, and had a couple dunks as well. When this kid gets some experience, he is going to be good. Someday, he may even convince me he is the next MJ. Or maybe he is just the first KD.

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