It surprises me that we are even commenting on LeBron when it comes to playing Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder, a rare team name without the letter “S”, has never really been a threat to beat anyone, but lo and behold they have a winning record.

The NBA is really good at marketing individuals instead of teams, a concept they started back in the Bird vs. Magic era, an era that saved the NBA. So a game with the Thunder becomes a LeBron vs. Kevin Durant game and to many fans it is nothing more than that at this stage of the season. It is hard for most fans, NBAObsessed included to get all caught up in wins and losses at this point of the season. Thunder fans are just happy at this point to be winning.

LeBron was able to put up 44 on the Thunder and you have to wonder how he does it? Not that he is not capable of exploding for 44 points at any given moment, but how does LeBron perform at such a high level for night after night? That is the reason that so many teams covet the future contract of LeBron.

LeBron James brings it every night

An example of how good LeBron James came be came in with the Cavaliers behind late in the third quarter.

The Thunder were up 75-68 with a minute and half left in the third quarter before James scored seven straight points to tie it. He answered Durant’s free throw with a 26-foot 3-pointer that gave the Cavs the lead heading into the fourth.

“It’s tough to guard a guy who’s that quick, that strong, that’s making shots that deep,” Green said. “He’s one of the top players in the NBA. He turned it on when his team needed it the most.”

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You have to wonder and NBAObsessed does, where will LeBron end up when he goes free agent? It will surely change the future prospects of the team that gets him.

Photo source Newscom

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The Oklahoma City Thunder are looking for an identity and maybe some national recognition. One does not get much NBA national recognition playing basketball in a city not known for basketball. If you ply your trade in one of the traditional cities like Boston or L.A. then the lights are already on you, but if you dribble orange balls for Oklahoma City, you can remain unknown.

Kevin Durant is making sure that the Thunder find their places in the annals of the NBA and its great games, although it still is not like Boston vs. Orlando or L.A. vs. San Antonio, it was a great start.

Oklahoma City 108 Milwaukee Bucks 90

The Bucks came in with a winning record and an awesome rookie in Brandon Jennings, but it was Durant that stole the show.

It’s precisely what happened Friday, as the Thunder led by as many as 24 points and never trailed by more than six. The Thunder outplayed a Milwaukee team that came in with a surprising 8-5 record but was just 2-4 on the road.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with a game-high 33 points to go with 12 rebounds, five assists and three steals. Thabo Sefolosha recorded his second double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Russell Westbrook finished with 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

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The big key for the Thunder is on the defensive end and they showed that in beating the Bucks.

Bucks guard Brandon Jennings, who entered the night as the league’s 10th-leading scorer at 23.4 points per game, was held to 12 points and three assists. The 10th overall pick and frontrunner for Rookie of the Year had just two points and three assists in 19 first-half minutes.

Kevin Durant an MVP contender

Kevin Durant is having a MVP type season, although he most likely will not win the award, which is usually reserved for more veteran players playing on teams headed for the Conference finals at least. Still, Kevin is in the Race as they call it at NBA.com.

10. Kevin Durant, Thunder (9-7)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
15 38.6 27.1 6.8 3.1 1.5 0.8 .450 .250 .855
Last Week: N/A | Drafted:
The newcomer to The Race, though it is our suspicion that he will have a regular appearance among these candidates in the coming years. The thing that stands out about him is he has incredible length but gets his shot off so quickly coming off screens that defenders have a hard time getting a hand up. Once he adds strength and experience, he’ll be very difficult to stop. Plus, he has his team a third of the way to last season’s victory total of 23, which should not be overlooked.

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Image: Zuma Press

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LeBron James is partying at the thought of all the NBA players available in 2009

Even with all the big name free agents in 2010, with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in the group, the year 2009 could still be the year of the free agent.

Try this out for 2009.

Some of the Restricted Free Agents: Andrew Bynum, Marvin Williams, Jason Maxiell

Some of the players that can opt out of contracts: Kobe Bryant, Carlos Boozer, Rip Hamilton, Hedo Turkoglu

True Free Agents: Shawn Marion, Andre Miller, Rasheed Wallace

So what about money?
Some teams are loaded depending on what happens.

Thunder 25 – 30 million
Trail Blazers 15 – 32 million
Grizzlies 18 – 24 million
Pacers 11 million
Heat 10 million
Bobcats 10 million

Plain and Simple, there will be lots of player movement in 2009 in the NBA.

story source espn

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Kevin Durant gives a thumbs up to the Thunder

Now can they bring the Thunder?

They even have team colors.

Team chairman Clay Bennett said the team colors will be blue, red and orange — blue to coincide with the main color of Oklahoma’s state flag and red and orange to reflect the colors of the sunset.

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Guess what? They have TV in Oklahoma City. Not much though.

Last season, the team had eight nationally televised games with Durant playing in his rookie campaign. However, after finishing a franchise-low 20-62 last season, it’s no surprise Oklahoma City isn’t playing many games in prime time this season.

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This team will rely heavily on youth including Kevin Durant. Here is a look at their draft picks.

DRAFT PICKS:

Russell Westbrook, G, 6-3, UCLA — Defensive-minded combo guard who the Sonics hope will develop into a defensive stopper.

Serge Ibaka, F, 6-10, Republic of Congo — Talented but unpolished front-court player who the team will keep in Europe and continue to develop. Pick acquired from Phoenix.

D.J. White, F, 6-9, Indiana — A good rebounder who can shoot and play with his back to the basket. Gives the Sonics another scoring option inside. Acquired from Detroit by the Sonics trading their 32nd and 46th picks.

Devon Hardin, C, 6-11, California — A long, athletic player who can block shots and potentially develop into a defensive presence inside for the Sonics.

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