<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>DENVER – A nationally televised game. A capacity crowd, with many of the fans wanting to see him play.</p> Was Kevin Durant nervous?</p> “A little bit,” he said. “But that’s how I am before every game. But once I step on the floor and see the lights go on, hopefully all the butterflies will leave.”</p> Durant managed to control the adrenaline rush through his body early in his first professional basketball game for the Seattle SuperSonics.</p> The 19-year-old rookie was bombarded with media requests before the nationally televised game on ESPN. And he was hounded by autograph seekers before the game, with kids asking him to autograph Sonics jerseys and whatever scraps of paper they could find.</p> The laid-back Durant seemed to get through all of the attention and focusing on the task in front of him, facing the Denver Nuggets.</p> The spindly Durant matched up with All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony at times in the first half and held his own.</p> “He’s a quick defender,” Durant said beforehand about Anthony. “Very long, and very athletic. It’s going to be tough. But that’s how every game in this league is going to be.”</p> Durant pushed the ball upcourt after grabbing a second-quarter rebound and went coast-to-coast, with the help of a timely screen by fellow rookie Jeff Green.</p> On the other end, Durant deflected a pass and again ran the break, flipping to trailing teammate Chris Wilcox, who finished with a one-handed slam.</p> Durant totaled nine points and five rebounds in the first half, but shot a dismal 3-of-14 from the field.</p> As he has done all season, Durant continues to shun the moniker of franchise player.</p> “I try not to think about that,” Durant said. “I just tell myself it’s about the team, and we just want to come out here and get a win. That’s what it’s all about. If I score two points or 20 points it’s just about if we win or lose. Hopefully we come out, we execute and we get the ‘W.’ ”</div></p> Source: Seattle News Tribune</p> Durant showed flashes last night of his ability to score from anywhere on the floor. He had plenty of open looks, but was aiming the ball instead of trusting his shooting touch. He also got tired in the second half after the Sonics played an inspired first half.</p> Unfortunately, it doesn't get any easier tonight with Phoenix and matching up against Marion & Raja.</p> Delonte West was amazing off the bench last night if he continues that type of production he should be able to earn the job from Watson.</p>
I think west is a lot better than watson, and hes still improving. I really like the sonics this year. Maybe if they can get a big center like Hibbert in the draft they can be serious contenders.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Answer_AI03)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> I think west is a lot better than watson, and hes still improving. I really like the sonics this year. Maybe if they can get a big center like Hibbert in the draft they can be serious contenders.</p> </div></p> </p> Definitely....West outplayed Watson by a high margin last night. If he doesn't get the starting nod by the 5th-10th game, I'll be scratching my head.</p>
