Kevin Durant finds the key to winning
Thunder: Losing at video games motivates Thunder star
BY DARNELL MAYBERRY, Staff Writer, dmayberry@opubco.com
Comments 
20
Published: October 30, 2009
If you had one guess, what would you say is driving Kevin Durant this season?
Thunder star Kevin Durant is becoming more comfortable in a leadership role. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Multimedia
The scoring title? An All-Star appearance? A playoff berth?
How about video games?
"People might not believe me, but when I go home (after practice) I play video games and I lose all the time,” Durant said. "And I get so mad that I come back and I want to win everything. Something that small puts that winning mentality into my head.”
The NBA’s sixth leading scorer last season is off to a good start after Wednesday’s season-opening 102-89 victory over
Sacramento. A stiffer test is in store tonight as the Thunder rolls into
Detroit to take on a more talented Pistons team. But the goal of winning remains the same.
"That’s what this year is all about,” Durant said. "We have the right group of guys here and we all want to win, so that makes it easier as well.”
Durant is committed to doing his part.
He tipped off his third season by exhibiting the all-around game fans, teammates, coaches and critics have craved. He scored 25 points on 24 shots, but it was his 11 rebounds, four assists and one block that defined his night.
And oh yeah, his zero turnovers.
"He’s confident in what he’s doing, and he’s making the right choices out there,” said
Nick Collison. "That’s kind of the next step to him being a great player, not only being able to score and put up numbers.”
Collison, the only player other than
Jeff Green who played alongside Durant the last two seasons, said the 21-year-old forward is more mature. Durant, Collison said, has now learned how to play the pro game and be an efficient and multifaceted player.
"The first few years, I think all young players are trying to find themselves in the league,” Collison said. "And now I think he’s kind of turned the page to where he’s really just trying to win games.
It’s not that he wasn’t before, but he’s figured out how he can play and help the team win.”
With expectations for the Thunder rapidly rising, the team is relying on Durant more than it ever has. He recently was named team captain along with Green, and he figures to average about 40 minutes this season.
Durant has become more vocal and is now complementing his work ethic on the court with time spent studying the game in the film room. After avoiding additional film sessions as a rookie, Durant adopted an appreciation for game footage last season when he couldn’t practice or play for seven games because of an ankle injury. He says he now watches film after every game.
"He feels like it’s his team now,” Collison said. "He’s always been our best player, but he’s feeling more comfortable in a leadership role.”
Two plays Wednesday night demonstrated Durant’s payoff.
With the first-quarter game clock winding down, Durant waived off Thunder coach
Scott Brooks as he instructed Collison to set a ball screen at the top of the key. Durant took two dribbles, bounced a pass to a cutting
Kevin Ollie and watched the play end in a layup. Durant later recognized the Kings in a matchup zone early in the fourth quarter and calmly whipped the ball from the left wing to the right corner, finding rookie
James Harden for an uncontested 3-pointer.
"That’s what film’s for,” Durant said. "It gets you better. That’s the mental part of the game.”
Durant’s psyche hasn’t developed as much at home, where losses to his brothers and close friends in games of
NBA 2K10 on his
Xbox gaming system have led to temper tantrums.
"I threw my controller through my windows and threw it in the pool before,” Durant said. "Even though it might sound kind of foolish, that’s how it is. It’s bragging rights to us. That’s all we do, since Sega.
"But without them knowing, they’re giving me the competitive edge to win.”
Leave a Comment
Sports Photo Galleriesview all
Prev
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).
GO THUNDER!!!
Goes to show you how thin skinned the okies are. It's OK for an okie to complain about the heat, but if an "outsider" does, then the okie hypocrisy kicks into high gear.....
Peace
GO THUNDER!!!
Just so there's no mistake I will give everyone the definition of "idiot" from dictionary.com.
id⋅i⋅ot
–noun
1. an utterly foolish or senseless person.
Synonyms:
1. fool, half-wit; imbecile; dolt, dunce, numskull.
/shrugs
He'll bolt at the first opportunity.