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Kevin Durant News & Rumors

Warriors ready to face Durant, NBA's quietest star
February 7
San Francisco Chronicle
 Rusty Simmons
"Kevin Durant scrunches his lanky frame into a 1990s GMC van and heads for the Oklahoma City highways. He stops and joins the action when he spots some business men who just clocked out and started a pickup game. He crashes a stranger's barbecue and shoots hoops on the side of a barn."
Kevin Durant's 36 points lead Thunder over Memphis Grizzlies, 101-94
February 4
Memphis Commercial Appeal
 
"All you need to know about the Grizzlies' latest defeat is that they combined to score 17 points in the fourth quarter –- just one more than Kevin Durant. The Oklahoma City Thunder forward showed just why he is one of the NBA's most dynamic and clutch scorers Friday night in Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Griz could only tip their collective hats following a 101-94 loss that ended their two-game winning streak. Durant scored 16 of his game-high 36 points and the Thunder enjoyed 61-percent shooting in a final frame that began with the Griz leading by eight points. "He's a great player," Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said of Durant. "He took over the game. He's going to be one of the all-time"
Kevin Durant scores 36 points as Thunder beats Grizzlies
February 4
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant insists he has yet to see his latest commercial. You know, the 30-second NBA ad that calls him "Kid Clutch." The slow-motion spot begins with Durant stepping into a jumper and rising high above a defender. Upon Durant's release, a phrase appears on the screen, one word at a time, branding Durant as "the shooter with the golden touch." As the ball travels through the air, the flashing white words remind that "we all know where this is going" and that we will be "arriving at our destination shortly." When the ball splashes through the net, the message reads "home sweet home." Then, as Durant turns and begins his trot back on defense, we're told three things. He is automatic. He"
Kevin Durant named All-Star starter
February 3
The Oklahoman
 
"The NBA Western Conference All-Stars will start an all-Oklahoma tandem at forward. Fans made the Thunder's Kevin Durant and former OU standout Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers the leading vote-getters at the position. "Thank u guys for voting me into the all star game, I really appreciate it!!'' Durant (@KDTrey5) tweeted. Results were released Thursday night during the TNT pregame show. "It's an honor to be on that list," Griffin told TNT's David Aldridge. "A lot of guys deserve it, so I definitely am happy about it." It marks the second straight season Durant has been voted on as a starter and the third straight time he was selected for the game. Coaches voted him on as a reserve"
Kevin Durant disses Blake Griffin dunk
February 2
ESPN.com
 
"Not everyone is so fired up about Blake Griffin's dunk over Oklahoma City big man Kendrick Perkins on Monday. The Clippers star went down the lane, elevated, made contact with Perkins and then threw the ball down into the basket, the fingers on his outstretched hand grazing the rim. The play has been the talk of the league. "I have no appreciation for it at all," said Perkins' Thunder teammate Kevin Durant. "It was a layup, I think. He threw the ball in and got fouled and made his free throw, so it was three points at the end of the day, no matter how it happened, how it went in the basket. I really wasn't impressed. He finished it. So what? We've moved on.""
Chesapeake Arena, local extras get a taste of Hollywood
January 25
The Oklahoman
 
"Brian Morgan stood in silence along the rail near the home team's tunnel. Those were his orders as he waited for the director to again scream "action." Morgan, and a few hundred others like him, was explicitly instructed to not engage the cast in conversation. Not even during long periods of down time. But when the 6-foot-10 man of the hour sauntered over, sat down on the arena's hockey wall and struck up a chat, well, all bets were off. "Inside, I was kind of freaking out," Morgan said. "Kevin Durant was standing right next to me." Morgan, 28, of Edmond, was one of roughly 300 extras who attended a daylong session of filming for Durant's upcoming movie "Thunderstruck." Wearing a white"
Kevin Durant, Scott Brooks happy to have Russell Westbrook locked up
January 22
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant on Saturday said Russell Westbrook deserves the maximum five-year contract that will pay him approximately $80 million. It's a contract that will keep Westbrook in a Thunder uniform through the 2016-17 season and teammates with Durant through at least 2015-16. "I'm excited for Russell. He's worked so hard," Durant said. "A lot of people wrote him off. When we drafted him, people kind of didn't know what was going on. We took him fourth. But he's matured into a top five point guard in this league; top 10 player in this league, I think. The stuff he's doing is kind of unreal. If you've looked at the games he's played, some of his best games are like video game numbers." Durant"
Wizards' Rashard Lewis on former franchise: 'They built around the right player'
January 19
Washington Post
 
"Rashard Lewis's former franchise is no longer in the place that he left it — figuratively and literally. A year after Lewis departed Seattle to sign in Orlando in 2007, the SuperSonics bolted for Oklahoma City and became the Thunder. Only a few faces remain from his days with the organization, including former teammate Nick Collison. Lewis realized the franchise was starting over when it drafted Kevin Durant and traded Ray Allen to Boston for the draft rights to Jeff Green, but he can appreciate what the team has accomplished on the court since he's been gone."
Durant, Thunder turned around a losing culture, a lesson the Wizards could learn from
January 18
Washington Post
 
"Kevin Durant might return to his home town as a most valuable player candidate on a team with the NBA's best record, but he didn't exactly begin his career in the best environment to succeed. Drafted second overall by a mediocre Seattle franchise that was rumored to be on the move, surrounded by players who weren't focused on winning, Durant won just 20 games as a rookie."
Thunder tops Rockets behind Kevin Durant's strong finish
January 8
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant had to stop caring so much. Strange as it might sound, that's been the secret to his early-season success in late-game situations. Durant shook off a subpar shooting night to drain the game-winning jumper with 22.5 seconds remaining and lift the Thunder to a 98-95 victory over Houston on Saturday at the Toyota Center. It was Durant's second game-winning shot in nine nights, this one coming in a building that helped build his confidence to be clutch. "It might sound odd, but late in the game I just don't care anymore," said Durant, who in late November of last season misfired on a jumper at the buzzer five feet to the right of the spot from which he sank his cold-blooded dagger"
Kevin Durant is only 23, but it was 'vintage' K.D. against Rockets
January 7
The Oklahoman
 
"Following his team's methodical 109-94 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday night, Thunder coach Scott Brooks said he believed All-Star forward Kevin Durant had perhaps his most complete game of the season. Brooks wasn't the only team member who thought that. "I told Kevin that same thing myself," OKC center Kendrick Perkins said. Durant finished with 26 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal. What's particularly interesting, those numbers are almost precisely Durant's season averages so far in each category. Durant's best game actually equated to an average game for him. Such is life when you're a two-time All-Star and two-time NBA scoring champ at age 23. The biggest"
Kevin Durant's 3-pointer at the buzzer gives Thunder win over Mavericks
December 30
The Oklahoman
 
"There were two things Kevin Durant couldn't get out of his mind just before burying the latest clutch bucket of his young career. One was the costly defensive mistake that had just put his team in a tight spot. The other was the assurance that one of the Oklahoma City Thunder's rookies screamed in his ear. After sinking far enough off Dallas guard Vince Carter to allow him to catch a pass and can a 3-pointer from the top of the arc to put the Mavs up one with 1.4 seconds left, Durant walked back to the bench dialed in on doing something good."
Russell Westbrook struggles after altercation with Kevin Durant
December 29
The Oklahoman
 
"Russell Westbrook let his emotions get the best of him Wednesday night, and it led to an altercation with Kevin Durant on the bench during a second-quarter timeout. Westbrook never recovered and finished with arguably the worst performance of his career, scoring just four points on 0-for-13 shooting with six assists, three rebounds and four turnovers. Westbrook's frustration appeared to have started with just 3 1/2 minutes remaining in the second quarter when he drove into the paint and kicked the ball out to Thabo Sefolosha in the corner. Sefolosha passed up a wide open 3-pointer, which prompted Westbrook to yell at Sefolosha "shoot the (expletive) ball." Sefolosha and other teammates,"
Durant's 32 points lift Thunder past Memphis Grizzlies, 98-95
December 29
Memphis Commercial Appeal
 
"Zach Randolph sat in his locker and refused to lament over the Grizzlies' second straight loss to start the regular season. Sure, the Grizzlies missed their first 12 shots. Yes, they only led for a total of 32 seconds. And, no, Memphis couldn't defend the 3-point line. But it took Randolph's desperation heave to fall short at the buzzer for the Oklahoma City Thunder to finally escape with a 98-95 victory Wednesday night in FedExForum."
Kevin Durant does it again as Thunder edges Grizzlies
December 29
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant did it again. The difference this time was just the magnitude of his magic. Durant drilled a step-back jumper from the left wing over the outstretched arms of Rudy Gay with 35.4 seconds remaining Wednesday night to lift the Thunder to a 98-95 win over Memphis inside the FedExForum. "I had to let it fly," Durant said. "That was a prayer, buddy." He could have fooled us. It'd be much easier to believe Durant didn't plan that high-arching, game-clincher if he hadn't put the Grizzlies away in the same fashion last spring. The reigning two-time scoring champion finished off Memphis in Game 4 from nearly the exact same spot. Instead of Gay, his defender was Shane Battier. Rather"
Kevin Durant scores 30 points as OKC beats Magic
December 26
The Oklahoman
 
"At the outset of a shorter season that figures to favor teams with a longer bench, the Thunder opened with a 97-89 victory over the Orlando Magic thanks in large part to an "A" effort from its "B" team. It was the OKC reserves who took a 21-18 deficit and flipped it to a 27-22 lead in the closing minutes of the first quarter. It was the Thunder's B Team that took an 11-point lead in the third quarter and doubled it for an 85-63 lead with 8:21 left in the game. From that point on, not even a sloppy finish could ruin the opening game of a season many project could bring the Western Conference crown to the fourth-year franchise from OKC. "They came in both halves and gave us a spark," Thunder"
Kevin Durant benefits from 'Derrick Rose rule'
December 19
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant's new contract has kicked in. And it contains the 5 percent bump permissible under the so-called Derrick Rose rule. That means Durant is earning 30 percent of the salary cap rather than the previous maximum allowable allotment of 25 percent. To put that raise in perspective, Durant will now collect more than $2.5 million more per season than he would have had his extension taken effect under the previous collective bargaining agreement. It's a difference of at least $12.5 million over the life of the five-year deal. The exact amount of Durant's new contract is unclear. It is largely dependent on both Durant's first-year maximum salary — which the league determines by a"
Why Kevin Durant will remain the Minuteman
December 18
The Oklahoman
 
"Not that any further evidence was needed to prove his love for the game, but no NBA player logged more miles this offseason looking for a pickup game than Thunder All-Star Kevin Durant. The two-time scoring champ loves him some hoops. It shows during the season and certainly didn't disappear during the league's 149-day lockout, when Durant ventured from China, to the Philippines, New York City, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, Long Beach and Oklahoma City to strut his stuff. Just for giggles, he threw in flag football games in Stillwater and Akron, Ohio. At Thunder media day last Tuesday, no player's smile was wider than Durant's. Durant's legs might soon be"
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook continue strong relationship
December 14
The Oklahoman
 
"Was there tension? Sure, at times. Is there a feud? Far from it. That's how Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, as well as those closest to the Oklahoma City Thunder's All-Star duo, described their relationship, past and present, at the team's media day Tuesday. "People got to understand that guys are not going to agree on every single thing that goes on in a long season," said Durant. "Guys are going to have heated arguments. But at the same time, we understand each other. We just want the best for each other. I got his back 100 percent. He's got my back 100 percent on that floor." And off it? "Me and Kevin are very close," said Westbrook."
Kendrick Perkins slims down, Kevin Durant bulks up
December 10
The Oklahoman
 
"The Thunder roster still has all these familiar faces, yet two players looked noticeably different Friday afternoon during the long-awaited first practice of the 2011-12 season. Kevin Durant looks bigger, and Kendrick Perkins is definitely smaller. Durant officially was listed at 6-foot-9, 215 pounds as a rookie out of Texas when he was drafted No. 2 overall in 2007. Now he's every bit of 6-foot-10 and said he weighs 235 pounds. "Still skinny, but I feel a little bigger," the two-time defending scoring champion said with a wide grin. "That's a big thing to me (gaining 20 pounds as a pro). It's a big step up." Thunder coach Scott Brooks said of Durant: "He's stronger. He's added some"
New rules will put a damper on Kevin Durant's 'rip' move
December 9
The Oklahoman
 
"New rules interpretations this season will make it tougher for Thunder All-Star Kevin Durant to get to the free-throw line with the same frequency. Durant has attempted 2,487 free throws his first four seasons — the third highest total in NBA history for a player age 22 or younger, trailing only LeBron James (2,611) and Dwight Howard (2,574). More than a few of Durant's free-throw attempts came off a so-called "rip" move, where the shooter swings the ball into a defender's outstretched arm and attempts to shoot the instant contact is made. Durant excelled at the move, much to the delight of OKC fans and to the disdain of opponents. With the rip move now a "point of emphasis" for NBA"
Could busy summer schedule hurt Kevin Durant?
December 5
The Oklahoman
 columnist Darnell Mayberry
"Once again, there are legitimate concerns about Kevin Durant as the start of another NBA season nears. And, again, he brought them on himself. With training camp scheduled to start Friday, the number one question for the Oklahoma City Thunder star will be what impact will yet another hectic summer schedule have on the two-time scoring champ? It was all fun and games watching Durant dazzle crowds from coast to coast this offseason when he played in nearly every pro-am and charity game he got invited to. But there's no telling how much of a toll that taxing tour took. And for a franchise that will be widely expected to compete for the championship this season, the Thunder absolutely cannot"
Kevin Durant turning into a marketing monster
December 4
The Oklahoman
 
"His enthusiasm is endearing, his humbleness is honorable, his image is immaculate and his skills are sensational. Together, these are the things experts say have turned Kevin Durant into a marketing monster. Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder star entering his fifth NBA season, has quickly become the perfect pitchman, with a total package that is both attractive to elite companies and appealing to every day consumers. "When you look at him, I think what you see is his genuine enthusiasm for the game of basketball, which I think is important when you look at the bad taste that this lockout might have left with some fans," said Dr. Stephen McDaniel, who studies sports and entertainment"
Kevin Durant: We want to build on 2010 success
December 4
The Oklahoman
 
"Through Saturday, five Thunder players had voluntarily shown up at the new practice facility in preparation for the Dec. 9 opening of training camp, pending ratification of the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement. Center Cole Aldrich arrived Thursday, the first day players were allowed to use team facilities. On Friday, Nick Collison worked out in the morning and Kevin Durant arrived around 9:30 p.m. Durant has been in and out of town the past 1½ months and previously worked out at Oklahoma City University. Saturday marked the arrival of rookie point guard Reggie Jackson and center Nazr Mohammed. Collision and Durant said they anticipate their remaining teammates will arrive by"
Kevin Durant, LeBron James criticized by ESPN panel
December 2
The Oklahoman
 
"Thunder forward Kevin Durant could soon visit the debate desk on the controversial show ESPN First Take. Durant wrote on his Twitter account Thursday that he is just waiting for an invitation. The topic came up after the show's panelists, Skip Bayless, Rob Parker, former NFL defensive end Hugh Douglas and host Jay Crawford, debated Wednesday night's flag football game between Durant and Miami Heat star LeBron James. Durant took exception to their criticism, specifically Douglas' and fired back at the former Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowler. "These guys on first n take kill me, lol smh especially hugh Douglas, who is the dude? I thought that was emmit smith on tv just now," Durant wrote."
LeBron James and Kevin Durant play each other in flag football at the University of Akron
December 1
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Playing out a challenge forged earlier this month via some Twitter exchanges, LeBron James and Kevin Durant led opposing teams in a game of flag football on Wednesday night at the University of Akron. The game, called LeBron's Flag Football Classic, streamed live on the internet, on Ustream. James, the Miami Heat forward, former Cleveland Cavalier and Akron native, and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Durant are looking forward to resuming their NBA careers before packed houses in late December. Wednesday night, they played in a closed event before about 100 people at the University of Akron's Stile athletics field, an indoor facility. On the basketball court, James didn't have much luck with"
Thunder's Kevin Durant, Nick Collison trying to recruit Shane Battier
November 30
The Oklahoman
 
"Could Shane Battier be headed to Oklahoma City? If Kevin Durant had anything to say about it, the defensive ace would soon join the Thunder for this season. Durant, using the social media site Twitter, on Sunday reached out to Battier, the former All-American and Naismith College Player of the Year at Duke who is now an unrestricted free agent. "Hey @ShaneBattier, just wanted to see how you were doing and what size jersey you wear and also do u still want no. 31?" Durant wrote. Battier, 33, is entering his 11th NBA season. He ended last season with Memphis, his second stint with the Grizzlies after four-plus seasons as a member of the Houston Rockets. Battier was last seen tag-teaming with"
Kevin Durant reportedly in talks with German team
November 18
The Oklahoman
 
"Thunder star Kevin Durant is in ongoing talks with a German team to play for them during the NBA lockout, his agent told ESPN.com. Agent Aaron Goodwin said talks with BBC Bayreuth are "ongoing," but he contradicted a media report that said the deal is in the final staGes."
Kevin Durant in Josh Howard's game
November 12
ESPN.com
 
"Kevin Durant's exhibition tour of the country will bring him to Dallas on Saturday night as a surprise late entrant in the Josh Howard Celebrity All-Star Basketball Game. Durant adds significant star power to the charity event previously headlined by Dallas native LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers and Washington Wizards guard John Wall and Howard. The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar has crisscrossed the United States to appear in various players' charity games, perhaps more than any other NBA player during the lockout. According to Howard's publicist, the addition of Durant had been in the works for some time and recent conversations between Howard and Durant finally got the"
Kevin Durant Plays Intramural Flag Football With Oklahoma State Students
November 2
The Oklahoman
 
"There are still non-believers when it comes to Kevin Durant. They roll their eyes when they read yet another story describing how humble and down to earth the Oklahoma City Thunder's scoring champ is. They think writers are blowing smoke. They think the tales about his character are all just manufactured by the media. They think what they read about Durant is too good to be true. But you can't make up what Durant did Monday night. Citing boredom caused by the 4-month-old NBA lockout, Durant made the short trek north to Stillwater, where he joined a group of Oklahoma State University students for a game of intramural flag football. Playing quarterback and corner, Durant stepped in as a"
Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant headline NBA all-star barnstorming tour as LeBron James withdraws
October 27
Washington Post
 
"After enduring some scheduling changes, logistical challenges and a few last-minute withdrawals from big-name superstars, the proposed six-game, four-continent, NBA all-star barnstorming tour will finally get underway on Sunday in Puerto Rico. Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade and Amare Stoudemire are among 14 players who have committed to participate in the exhibition event that has been billed the "World All-Star Classic.""
Seven NBA All-Stars and counting for Oklahoma City's exhibition
October 17
The Oklahoman
 
"Seven players from last year's NBA All-Star Game have committed to play in Kevin Durant's exhibition next Sunday at the Cox Convention Center, and the remaining list of participants figures to include several future All-Stars. Former Oklahoma State standout Desmond Mason is the event's director of operations and is only releasing the names of players who are "100-percent committed" to playing. As of Sunday night that list consisted of 2010-11 All-Stars Durant, Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook, former Oklahoma great Blake Griffin, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. Also committed are John Wall, Rudy Gay and Jeff Green."
Kevin Durant, John Wall play with Goodman League against Team Philly as NBA lockout continues
October 17
Washington Post
 
"As charity exhibitions games go, Saturday's matchup between the Goodman League and Team Philly had everything you would want. You had suspense, as it wasn't clear that John Wall would even show up for the game until he arrived late in the first quarter after dealing with flight delays in Lexington, Ky. You had a thrilling one-on-one duel between Kevin Durant and Philadelphia 76ers guard Louis Williams, who both topped 50 points. You had an inspired comeback, as the Goodman League overcame a 23-point first-half deficit to take a lead. And you had a last second finish, as Durant missed a potential tying three-pointer in the closing seconds. "We're trying to do this for the fans. We want to"
John Wall, Kevin Durant speak out on NBA lockout after Goodman League-Team Philly game
October 16
Washington Post
 
"John Wall hustled from the locker room and received a huge ovation as he finally made his way to the bench late in the first quarter of an exhibition on Saturday between the local Goodman League and Team Philly at Coolidge High School. Wall's tardiness was exacerbated because the game started about an hour later than scheduled, but it wasn't his fault. His flight from Lexington, Ky., where he participated in Midnight Madness festivities at the University of Kentucky, was delayed for four hours and then he had to deal with a 90-minute drive to the gym from the airport. Wall had an annoying afternoon of delays, but nothing compares to the frustration of being held back from playing NBA"
Thunder's Kevin Durant to host charity basketball game in Oklahoma City with LeBron James, Blake Griffin
October 12
The Oklahoman
 
"Basketball is coming back to Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (35) shoots as Shane Battier (31) of Memphis watches during game five of the Western Conference semifinals between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA basketball playoffs at Oklahoma City Arena in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, May 11, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman At least for one October night. Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant is making good on his promise to put on a charity exhibition game featuring his fellow NBA superstars. Details of the event are expected to be announced at a news conference Wednesday afternoon. According to numerous sources with knowledge of"
What's the Kevin Durant movie's plot? Every Thunder fan's worst nightmare
October 10
The Oklahoman
 
"It sounds like a Thunder fan's worst nightmare. Kevin Durant loses all his talent and mysteriously morphs from an NBA scoring champ into having the skills of a teenage scrub who's so bad he can't make his high school squad. Ah, but fear not, Thunder faithful. It's only a movie. Durant is only acting out that transformation in his upcoming release "Switch," a family friendly film in which Durant will play himself and an unsuspecting kid (Disney star Taylor Gray) receives Durant's skills and becomes 'The Man' at his high school."
Kevin Durant talks about the lockout, tattoos and more
September 28
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant has been all over the globe this summer. The Thunder star has kept a schedule that he admits has little predictability. Perhaps the most stability Durant has had since the Thunder's season ended in late May has come over the last week as he's been stationed in Baton Rouge, La., to film his upcoming movie "Switch." During a break in filming, Durant sat down for a one-on-one interview with The Oklahoman, touching on topics such as the NBA lockout, his offseason workouts, potential plans for a charity game in Oklahoma and, of course, his new tattoos."
Austin Daye works out with Kevin Durant
September 28
Detroit Free Press
 
"There has been another Austin Daye sighting. This time the third-year Pistons forward could be seen working out on the court with Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant in Alexandria, Va. The two players were shown running through drills, working on their shots and making passes around 6 a.m. one day at Bryant Alternative High School. The practice footage is part of the second episode of Durant's "35th Hour" YouTube series. The second installment is called "Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Fails to Work Hard.""
OKC Thunder's Kevin Durant undecided on signing overseas deal
September 25
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant still hasn't decided whether he'll sign a deal to play overseas. The unpredictability of the NBA lockout has disrupted the Thunder star's decision-making process. Saturday, though, Durant was firm in what he wants to do. "Stay here," Durant, the reigning two-time scoring champ, told The Oklahoman on Saturday while promoting his upcoming film "Switch." But, again, that's now. "That could change tomorrow," Durant added. "That could change in the next hour.""
Durant gives Westbrook vote of confidence
September 25
Yahoo! Sports
 
"For all the talk about Kevin Durant(notes) and Russell Westbrook(notes) not getting along, at times, during the playoffs last season, Durant denies there's a rift between the Oklahoma City Thunder's two stars. And he wants to make sure Westbrook stays in OKC. "We butt heads just like any other players because we are both competitive, we both want to go at it, we both have ideas," Durant said in a phone interview with Yahoo! Sports on Saturday while on the movie set of his upcoming Warner Bros. film, "Switch." "That's going to happen. But I support him 100 percent. Of course, I hated when people were saying the stuff they were saying, and he hated it as well. I didn't want it to get to his"
Durant keeps ear on talks, eye on options
September 21
Washington Times
 
"NBA labor talks remain at a standstill after meetings last week yielded no movement by either side. Both players and owners say they are committed to their positions, putting the start of the season - if not the entire season - in jeopardy. Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, the NBA's two-time scoring champion, has been lighting up summer-league basketball courts for the Goodman League and said he's locked in to the talks, even if he can't be present during the meetings. "Everybody knows that all the top-tier guys in the league want to be a part of [the labor talks] and are very locked into what's going on," said Durant, a native of the District. "But just because of what we have"
D.C. set for another star-studded exhibition with Kevin Durant, John Wall and Jeff Green
September 13
Washington Post
 
"Summer league and pro-am basketball are over, and with the NBA lockout prohibiting players from team training facilities for the usual pre-training camp workout sessions, they are looking for other options. So when local trainer Hanif Hill called Jeff Green last week to see if he would be interested in playing a charity game in the District featuring only NBA players, the Hyattsville native and former Georgetown star was eager to have a chance to stay sharp – and stay home. "I was all in," Green said in a telephone interview on Sunday. "It gives us something to do as far as coming together, bringing the NBA to D.C. and continue the competition that we have with each other. Playing summer"
Drew-Goodman rematch called off
September 5
ESPN.com
 
"For hoops-starved NBA fans, last month's matchup in Washington D.C. between the hometown Goodman League and Los Angeles' Drew League, arguably the most prominent pro-am summer basketball leagues in the country, was welcome. It featured high-end NBA talent, including Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and Wizards guard John Wall for Goodman, opposite Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings and Durant's Thunder teammate James Harden for Drew, end-to-end action, and fourth-quarter heroics. Goodman ultimately prevailed 135-134 behind 44 points from Durant, who was named MVP. Unfortunately, those hoping for a rematch are going to be disappointed. A proposed second game, by some reports set for Sept. 10th at an"
Kevin Durant puts on a show with 59 points, but Melo League defeats Goodman League
August 31
Washington Post
 
"Carmelo Anthony, back in his home town, generated considerable cheers when he strolled onto the court at Morgan State's Hill Field House, wearing sunglasses and lifting his hand to acknowledge the crowd. LeBron James was right behind his friend and former Olympic teammate and fans got up on their feet, suddenly turning the most star-studded exhibition game of the summer into a standing room affair. Fans flocked the court to catch a closer glimpse of Anthony as he warmed up, shooting jumpers; James, as he stretched out at center court, and Chris Paul, as he walked around, searching for some scissors to adjust his extra large shorts. But the anticipation of the game was muted for some time,"
Kevin Durant film will be shot in Baton Rouge, not OKC
August 29
The Oklahoman
 
"It appears the NBA lockout has cost Oklahoma City a date with Hollywood. The bulk of filming for the feature-length Warner Bros. film that Thunder forward Kevin Durant has agreed to star in will be filmed in Baton Rouge, La. rather than OKC. It's likely that the final few days of filming will be shot in Oklahoma City. But by losing the majority of the project, both Oklahoma City's economy and its growing status as a bustling city on the rise has been dealt a blow. The entire project couldn't be shot in Oklahoma City because of a snag with state incentives for film production. The state of Louisiana offers a tax credit of 85 cents on the dollar, making the state a premier destination for"
LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul set to take on Kevin Durant in Baltimore
August 28
Washington Post
 
"Kevin Durant has dominated this summer with his street ball exploits all over the country, and he appeared to solidify his status as the lockout champ when he scored 44 points to lead the Goodman League to its thrilling victory over the Drew League on Aug. 20 at Trinity University. But the District native will likely face his greatest challenge of the offseason on Tuesday, when the two-time scoring champion leads another team featuring NBA talent against a squad featuring all-stars LeBron James, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony at 7 p.m. at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. Kurk Lee, the athletic director of Anthony's Melo Center in Baltimore and head of the summer pro-am in his name, is"
KD on the court, Count Durantula on the screen
August 23
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant on the big screen, at a downtown arena near you? Works. Works very well. Kevin Durant on the silver screen? Uh, let me think about that one. The Thunder superstar is finalizing a deal to star in a major Warner Brothers film, according to our man Darnell Mayberry. I've got to say, I didn't see that coming. Popular across the globe – get the Chinese subtitles ready – a Durant movie probably will sell. But my question for Hollywood is, what exactly do you do with Durant in a movie? Russell Westbrook? Easy. A brooding James Dean plot should do the trick. James Harden? Make him Grady in a film version of Sanford & Son, and away we go."
Thunder's Kevin Durant working on deal to star in film
August 22
The Oklahoman
 
"Kevin Durant is ready for his close up. The Oklahoma City Thunder star is on the verge of finalizing a deal to star in a major Warner Bros. film, The Oklahoman has learned. The film, which has a basketball subplot, has not yet been named, but it's scheduled to go into production in mid-September, according to sources. Filming location for the feature-length picture has been narrowed to Oklahoma City and Baton Rouge, La. Neither Durant nor his representatives could be reached for comment. The film, however, will mark the biggest off-the-court venture Durant has undertaken in his four-year pro basketball career. It also will solidify Durant's growing status as a superstar. The film's"
Durant scores 44 as D.C. All-Stars topple L.A.
August 21
Chicago Tribune
 
"Kevin Durant scored 44 points to lead Washington's Goodman League to a thrilling 135-134 victory over the Drew League from Los Angeles on Saturday night. Locked-out NBA stars from both cities played in the game on the campus of Trinity University. The stands were packed beyond the listed 1,500 seat capacity and the crowd watched local hero Durant walk away with the game's Most Valuable Player honors. The overflow crowd ringed the court while scores of local and national media lined the track above the court, basking in the hardwood contest for coastal supremacy, one that was more intense than even the players anticipated. "Yeah, it was," said Durant, who sank a pair of throws with 21"