The national narrative on this one will be is this Kevin Durant’s last game in D.C. wearing a Thunder uniform as his free agency creeps closer. Durant’s free agency in July of 2016 is there, as Thunder fans we all know it, we dread it, but in the end know either way it goes Kevin Durant will forever be a part of Oklahoma not only for what he’s done on the court, but off the court as well. So much of what Oklahomans love about Durant is his quiet humility, his desire to get better, and to ultimately be part of a championship in Oklahoma City. If he does decide to leave we know it will be with a quiet sense of dignity which was absent in the branding of LeBron James in Miami.
I’ve always thought of Durant as a Tim Duncan or a Dirk in a sense in that he appears to be very comfortable in his own skin and doesn’t need to play in New York or LA or Miami to define his own legacy. You never know though. But either way, even if he leaves, he has me as a fan for life because the guy exudes class which is so often missing in our contemporary sports stars.
Now the preview. OKC at 4-3 visits the 3-3 Wizards tonight. Should be a good game. Wizards have a solid starting five in John Wall, Nene, Gortat, Bradley Beal and the emerging Otto Porter. Both teams looking to play better and get something going with their respective seasons.
The Anthony Morrow talk continues to dominate the local Thunder talk both on the internet and radio sports talk. I’ve written all I’m going to write on it though. Billy Donovan is the coach. It’s his call.
I would expect Nick Collison to reassume the minutes Mitch McGary possessed on Sunday night in that it’s a road game against a pretty good team in the Wizards. Maybe home at Philly later in the week is a better spot for getting McGary into some sort of flow.
Russell Westbrook – John Wall matchup should be fun.
Otherwise—should be a good game with the Thunder hoping to get some answers to their early season identity as a team. OKC 1-2 on the road so far–with the only win coming in the miracle finish at Orlando.