Ouch. It was just one more painful game. At times the Sonics defense actually looked good, but they are entirely incapable of sustaining the effort. Durant's shot selection is getting better every game and they are really learning where and how to get him the ball. They run a set of screens to get him free for that midrange jumper on the right side very effectively...he got three of them before Sacramento was able to adjust. That pull up three from two feet beyond the arc was pretty, too and he balanced it with drives to the basket for scores and/or fouls. Artest payed Green a heck of a compliment in the Times today. He said that Green is better rookie than he was and that he should ignore the critics and keep working his all around game. He believes that Green can be as good or better than KD within five years. His first suggestion was to learn how to use his strength on defense. PJ finally gave Mo Sene some run in Key Arena, but there wasn't much to see. What is up with Earl and Luke always trying to score on the break when they have open wing players? They are turning the ball over or giving the opponents easy rebounds when it should be a dunk by someone else. It was infuriating.
Durant's shot selection has been improving hugely since the All-Star break, and it's no surprise a big part is a huge reduction on perimeter attempts and a jump in free throw attempts. He still takes a lot of jump shots, which can get frustrating given he should be able to get to the basket at every available opportunity, but you can't be unhappy with nearly 48% from the field since the break. It must be tempting to shoot anyway when you can pretty much get a jumper off whenever you like. As for Green, I don't think he has the scope to be as good as Durant can be, but he's certainly going to be a hell of a pro. Either way, I didn't see the game, but did Artest guard KD for the most part? If he did, 25 points at better than 50% is a super effort for a skinny kid.
Artest and Green were matched up most of the game, hence the response from Ron. Kevin Martin was guarding KD.
