The funny thing I find with Durant is that while amazing as a scorer, he doesn't seem to wow you the way Kobe/Jordan or LBJ does. James is incredibly strong and is just in a physical/ athletic league of his own. Kobe and Jordan have such solid foot work and often pull off these moves that are a mixture of athleticism, skills and solid fundamentals that just leave you going WOW, I have to learn how to do those moves (excluding the whole elbow to nose thing). Durant on the other hand just has an uncanny knack for putting the ball in the basket, and I have a strong feeling that it's his length combined with his very good shooting touch that gives him the ability to score so effortlessly against defenses. But you watch Durant and it's kinda like ... ok wow he just scored 50 points on pullup jumpshots. I should go and umm ... practise my jumpshot?
My little random comment aside, I'm happy for the Thunder. Although I was rooting for the Spurs, I was pretty ok with either team winning. Just thought Pop did a magnificent job with the Spurs and deserved to win it all. The way the Spurs play is also something that we should emulate. Get Tyreke driving and kicking out to open shooters. We also have a much better version of the current Tim Duncan in DMC. I felt that the Spurs lost the series because they started getting very hesitant in games 3-5, specifically Jackson, Green (who was useless) and Leonard. It was like everytime they just caught the ball and took the open shot they would make it, and every time they pump faked and drove in they ended up facing the Thunder interior defense and having to throw up a tough shot against Ibaka or throw it back out with less time on the clock.
Anyway, all I can say now is I hope Boston puts Miami away and then goes on to get swept by the Thunder. Unfortunately, this very Thunder team that a lot of us are now rooting for is likely to be one of our biggest rivals if we ever start making some championship runs in the next 5 years. On the bright side, if they win one now maybe they won't be so hungry to win another when we're facing them in the WCF.
Btw, James Harden is a very solid player. I'd honestly take him over Russell Westbrook if given a choice.
Also: I love watching the guys congratulate each other at the end of the game. I know some of you have the "I just lost to this guy I wanna rip his brains out" approach, and maybe you can do that when you're not a pro. But as a professional sportsmen, I think congratulating your fellow sportsmen and athletes on what they've accomplished in a well fought series is the right thing to do. That's how the game should be. You fight and play hard, and when you lose you take it like a man, congratulate the other guy on a well-deserved win, and come back stronger the next time round so that you'll be on the winning end. Not the "I'm not going to shake the hand of someone I just lost to" B.S. You don't have to like your opponent, but give him credit where credit is due.
While I agree that Kevin Durant may not be the most "exciting" player in the NBA, I think that "lack of excitement" (if I may use that phrase) is what makes him an effective scorer. He does not have to rely on driving to the basket to score his points, because his shot is very consistent. And I think he (and the Thunder team) can get away with it, and I think Scott Brooks is OK with him taking all of the jumpers, simply because they have Westbrook and Harden who can drive and score.
I, too, think Harden is a better all around player than Westbrook...
I am OK with them being our rivals in the future if we go on a run, because I respect them for who they are and what they have become. The team has been built the right way (primarily through the draft, with a few complimentary pieces through FA). I wish the Kings would go down that road, which I think they are trying to do as we speak with DMC and Reke...
When it comes to the San Antonio Spurs, I think I speak for a lot when I say that they are one of the most respected, and respectable, franchises this league has ever seen. Pops is one helluva amazing coach, and Duncan is one of the greatest to ever step on the floor. Are they boring? Heck yeah. But they get the job done. And, at the end of the day, as long as you get the job done, you will live with boring. Which brings me to my next point regarding the Spurs....maybe they should have stuck with their defensive mentality of previous seasons and not gone for a more offensive game plan this season. With the defense that they have had over the years, whatever offense they were able to produce was actually good enough to get the job done. Why change all of a sudden?????
My wish, if it can be possible, is to have the Defense of the San Antonio Spurs, and the Offense of the OKC Thunder. If the Kings can find the right mix of both, and make it work, I will be attending some championship parades in the near future...
Regarding the last part of your post, I think in sports you gotta give credit where credit is due. While some express a degree of bitterness towards certain individuals and/or teams, at the end of the day, I feel that most of them (maybe the only exception being MWP) respect the heck out of the opposition. I hate retaliation. I am glad the NBA sees very little of this, and I hope the NHL, MLB, and even the NFL players can all take a look and realize that you don't have to be physical to retaliate. Retaliate utilizing your game. If you are angry about something, don't become confrontational and threaten physicality, but rather go out the next time and play your game.
Regarding Scott Brooks. The guy is one helluva coach. Yes he might make some bad decisions/calls throughout the course of a game, but I think it is part of his learning experience. If the Thunder (and I actually think they will) go on to win the NBA Championship, I think Scott Brooks will be able to relax a little and coach more loosely than he is right now. I think that will give him trust in the team and players that they can maybe go out there and control the flow of the game with very little coaching required.
On a side note regarding Brooks, he should have been given a chance with the Kings. But then, they is the Maloofs, right?????
I know Tyreke got slowed down by injuries and some roles undefined. Anyway, hooping Tyreke works harderer in the off-season, develop and come back next year better!
