Seattle Supersonics Player Recap: Kevin Durant

(This is the last of our Seatte Supersonics player recaps. Please scroll to the bottom of the post to find links for the other Sonics player recaps we have profiled.)

2008 Season Averages: 20.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.4 bpg.
Best Game: April 16 @ GSW; 42 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists.

May I present to you the 2008 rookie of the year? Kevin Durant lived up to everyone's expectations—if not exceeded them. As the season went on, Durant became a more experienced player, one who by the end of the season looked like a five-year NBA veteran. The ease of his adaption to the professional game is a little short of amazing, considering he dominated the college game as a freshman.

Weaknesses

It's really easy to find soft spots in a superstar's skill set, just due to the fact that he's the player everyone is watching all the time. So it's important to remember that Durant's weak spots are small when compared to his enormous talent.

First word: Inconsistency. This word plagued Durant when he had horrendous shooting nights, like against Houston when he went 2-17. Whenever Kevin would have a night like this, the game was all but over for the Sonics.

I think his inconsistent shooting can be attributed to poor shot selection. However, his shot selection improved significantly over the season.

Second word: Rebounding. Durant should average at least seven rebounds a game with his tall frame and long arms. Was he trying for rebounds throughout the season? That isn't a judgment I can make. If he could add some bulk to his body and bang in the paint for a rebound more often, that would help the Sonics completely.

But maybe I'm asking too much of him. He's primarily a scorer. I'd much rather have him average 20 points a game and four rebounds than...let's say, 15 points and seven rebounds.

Strengths

Probably the most important skill Kevin Durant picked up this year was his leadership. On a team full of instability, with several trades, rumors, and losses, Kevin Durant carried the Sonics on his shoulders. Sure, several times this season I was amazed by his ability to score at will, but I was more impressed by his ability to fire up the team with a posterizing dunk or a crucial three-point play—or even more importantly, taking and making the game-winning shot. 

Durant's game is the stuff of superstars. He plays basketball on such another level, it's ridiculous.

Links to Previous Recaps
Robert Swift
Mickael Gelabele
Jeff Green
Luke Ridnour
Chris Wilcox
Damien Wilkins
Earl Watson
Nick Collison
Johan Petro