Tuesday, December 9, 2008

ever on the same page?

the best player on the current worst team has to be getting frustrated. he can't seem to catch a break no matter how well he plays, and the losses just keep coming. kevin durant probably doesn't regret his decision to leave college early, but i'm sure he had other thoughts about how his nba career would be starting. continuing the unsettling trend, durant carried the thunder back from 21 points down against golden state only to see another defeat on the scoreboard. okc's most recent home setback was especially painful given how bad the warriors had been playing.

i do not have the patience to go back and look at how many games the thunder have lost when durant hits for 30+... but when the reigning rookie of the year knocks down 41 against a sub-par club and still can't get a victory, that is where i draw the line.

a number of times this season durant takes the blame for his poor shooting when other okc players have stepped up and contributed. most recently russell westbrook comes to mind, and jeff green scores in bunches when he is feeling it. both of durant's side-kicks definitely had their issues last night, and that has ultimately been the thunder's downfall too many times this year.

westbrook and green combined for a pathetic 8-27 from the floor, including 0-7 from 3-point land against the warriors. to make matters worse, the duo combined for more turnovers than field goals. only nick collison's double-double and over 50 percent shooting gave durant any help in the crushing defeat, and interim head coach scott brooks has to find a way to give his star a support system. and fast or even durant will be unable to keep the sinking ship afloat.

the thunder are the joke of the nba right now, and they have now lost games every possible way. memphis is up next, and that is not going to be any easier. the grizzlies are out for blood and payback for the last contest, an okc road win. carbert will preview the game tomorrow, but i hope for his sake that green finds his shot or westbrook regains the ability to drive the lane. because if neither one is ready to be durant's partner, the organization has to be ready to find someone who is.

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