<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> Kevin Durant vs. Kobe Bryant, take one?</p> </p> That's the prevailing opinion of NBA observers as the Seattle SuperSonics prepare to face the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center.</p> </p> But that's certainly not how the 19-year-old Seattle rookie looks at the matchup.</p> </p> "I don't think it's me taking on Kobe," Durant said. "It's a team thing. And he wouldn't say that, either. But hopefully we come out hard, and hopefully we come out and execute when we play them." -- <font color="#000000">Tacoma News Tribune</font></p> </p> </p> </p> [*]Believe it or not, Bryant was a snot-nosed rookie who averaged just 7.6 points per game and then air-balled two critical jumpers in the deciding game of a second-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz in 1997. While Bryant was considered a potential All-Star talent, he was heavily criticized for having the gumption to take those shots just months after receiving his high school diploma. </p> Durant has the same kind of green light and has not been criticized for his shot selection. But he is a work in progress, and there are some glaring weaknesses in his game that those around the NBA say only time and experience will improve. -- <font color="#000000">Seattle Post-Intelligencer</font></p></div> </p> </p>
