Durant explodes for 51 as Thunder crack the Nuggets
Roar Rookie Kevin Durant sunk a whopping 51 points in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s thrilling 124-118 overtime win against the Denver Nuggets. It was the Thunder’s 24th win of the shortened season.
Thunder point guard Russel Westbrook chipped in with 40 points of his own, and power forward Serge Ibaka put up a triple-double including 10 monster blocks, but it was Durant who stole the show with the clutch drive and dunk to send the game into overtime, and then was ice cold from the free-throw line to seal it.
With Durant as their franchise player, the Thunder have gone from laughing stock to clear Western Conference favourites in just three years. Last season they were just edged out of the conference finals by Dirk Nowitzki and a Mavericks team that seemingly couldn’t miss.
At just 23 years old, the lanky small forward has already matured into one of the most explosive, dangerous, reliable and mature players in the NBA.
The two-time defending NBA scoring champion is almost an unsung superstar in such a small market team, signing a huge $86 million contract extension in July 2010. The modest announcement came via Twitter with barely even a press conference to follow – this just days after the 30 minute prime time ESPN special that finally ended the LeBron James free agency circus.
With a career average of nearly three assists per game, he’s also unselfish off the court. Durant once even refused a magazine cover-shoot unless some of his lesser-known team mates could appear with him. He felt that backup centre Nenad Krstic and defensive swingman Thabo Sefolosha were a crucial part of the Thunder and deserved more credit.
The Thunder are fast becoming playoff mainstays- they’re fast, big, entertaining, balanced, young yet experienced and have the premier point scorer in the league in Durant. They are a one-team-town and have the loudest home fans behind them.
Coach Scott Brookes, with Kevin Durant, could be on the brink of dynasty-basketball. They have all the pieces of the puzzle and will learn from last year’s tough conference finals loss – this will be the year for the Thunder.
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February 21st 2012 @ 5:34am
Cameron Larkin said | February 21st 2012 @ 5:34am | Report comment
Good read. I watched the game yesterday … He was dropping everything. The game has not much defense however. Did you see the Heat play yesty as well?
Check my site out cameronlarkin.com. I have my Jeremy Lin article up on the roar today.
February 21st 2012 @ 7:13am
Samuel Candido said | February 21st 2012 @ 7:13am | Report comment
hi Cameron, as much as I hate to say it, el heat are humming. My only question mark would be their lack of a big, angry, grubby player like a Perkins, Bynum. I think that’s where they got done last year.
February 21st 2012 @ 7:18am
Samuel Candido said | February 21st 2012 @ 7:18am | Report comment
Nice site too!
February 21st 2012 @ 7:28am
Cameron Larkin said | February 21st 2012 @ 7:28am | Report comment
Bosh has def stepped up this year and looks fierce. James seems determined as ever. Can’t see him not performing second year in a row. Chicago are still up there for me as three teams can win the c’ship.
February 21st 2012 @ 7:29am
Cameron Larkin said | February 21st 2012 @ 7:29am | Report comment
Westbrook was awesome in that game too. The way he got to the rim was far too easy. Did you see Lin play yesterday?
February 21st 2012 @ 12:00pm
Nick Jungfer said | February 21st 2012 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
Durant was flat out spectacular in that game, as was Westbrook with his 40 and Ibaka with his 14 points, 15 rebounds and 11 blocks. Denver still nearly pulling off the upset with Gallo & Nene was crazy too. Couldnt have asked for a better game to watch.
February 22nd 2012 @ 10:50am
Blazza said | February 22nd 2012 @ 10:50am | Report comment
Durant would of scored 70+ if Westbrook would do what a normal PG would do and give his teams best player the ball.
Westbrook took more shots than Durant which is absurd.
February 22nd 2012 @ 11:13am
Samuel Candido said | February 22nd 2012 @ 11:13am | Report comment
25 and 7, it seems to be working ok but I feel ya!!
February 22nd 2012 @ 4:15pm
mushi said | February 22nd 2012 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
Problem is, and this gets glossed over in the stats and the highlight reel, Durant’s slight build means he often isn’t in the position that his PG needs him to be in during a play. Could Westbrook be more focused on getting Durant the rock – sure – but if he was more of a pure point guard that was focused on getting his top scorer the ball then the Thunder would be treated like a pretty boy in prison by teams with a wing that can bump Durant off the ball.
Interesting article on ESPN today basically say that yep the game was great for the thunder but just winning when your top two pour on 90 points also highlighted their warts