Today in New York City, KD was part of the launch for Nike’s new NIKE+ FuelBand product. FuelBand is an innovative wristband that tracks movement throughout the day, designed to motivate and inspire users to be more active.

The ergonomic NIKE+ FuelBand captures and displays four different metrics: time, calories, steps and NikeFuel – a new metric that will be the ultimate measure of your athletic activity. NikeFuel is a proprietary technology that measures your activity through the movement of your wrist. NikeFuel motivates athletes to do more with a NikeFuel score that makes movement fun, meaningful and comparable, letting you compete with athletes of all levels in most activities. The more you move, the more NikeFuel you earn, whether you’re playing basketball, throwing a Frisbee or going for a run.

Nike worked with some of the world’s top experts in science and sports to engineer NikeFuel algorithms based on oxygen kinetics. Unlike calorie counts — which vary based on someone’s gender and body type — NikeFuel is a normalized score that awards all participants equal scoring for the same activity regardless of their physical makeup. A user can also choose to also receive a calorie count to understand how many calories are burned versus how much NikeFuel is earned.

As part of the launch for the product, KD was featured in the NIKE+ FuelBand “Counts” spot and on hand in New York for the launch event with Nike athletes Carmelita Jeter and Lance Armstrong. KD said he’ll wear the FuelBand while practicing — and possibly during NBA games.

“I love it. I’m a competitive person. So being able to match my scores up with all my friends and fellow athletes from around the world, that’s going to be fun.”

Here’s a look at the “Counts” Spot KD is featured in as part of the launch

The Washington Wizards snapped the Thunder’s seven game winning streak, winning 105-102. KD finished the game with 33 points (on 10 of 24 shooting), 8 rebounds and 2 assists, but also had 7 turnovers.

After the game KD tweeted: “Tough loss, move on and learn from it!! Keeping it positive!”

The Thunder now head to New Jersey to take on the Nets on Saturday.

While in Boston earlier this week, The Oklahoman asked KD about Jeff Green, who is missing the season after undergoing heart surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm. Here’s what KD had to say about his friend and former teammate:

“I dedicate the season to him. Jeff is a positive person. I learned so much from him. No matter what, he stays positive through the toughest times. He’s still smiling and laughing and enjoying himself. It’s tough to go through what he went through, and I pray for him every single day. But he knows that he’s going to get back better and stronger. I can’t wait for that day. I know he can’t wait.”

Jeff and KD have been friends since they were teenagers growing up in the D.C. area. They entered the league together in 2007, playing for the Seattle Supersonics before the team moved to OKC, where they played two and a half seasons together. Jeff was traded to the Celtics last year as part of the Kendrick Perkins deal.

Keep Jeff in your thoughts and Prayers.

The annual NBA.com Survey of NBA General Managers was just released and KD was shown a ton of love. Here are some of the results:

Who will win the 2011-12 MVP?
1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 55.6%
2. LeBron James, Miami — 44.4%

If you were starting a franchise and could sign any player, who would it be?
T1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 37.0%
T1. LeBron James, Miami — 37.0%
3. Derrick Rose, Chicago — 14.8%
4. Dwight Howard, Orlando — 7.4%
5. Dwyane Wade, Miami — 3.7%

Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?
1. Dwight Howard, Orlando — 29.6%
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 22.2%
3. LeBron James, Miami — 18.5%
4. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas — 14.8%
5. Derrick Rose, Chicago — 7.4%

Who is the best small forward in the NBA?
1. LeBron James, Miami — 77.8%
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 18.5%
3. Carmelo Anthony, New York — 3.7%

Which player is the best at getting his own shot?
1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers — 35.7%
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 21.4%
T3. LeBron James, Miami — 14.3%
T3. Dwyane Wade, Miami — 14.3%

Which player is the best leader?
1. Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers — 25.0%
2. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers — 14.3%
T3. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 10.7%
T3. Steve Nash, Phoenix — 10.7%
T5. Chauncey Billups, L.A. Clippers — 7.1%
T5. Tim Duncan, San Antonio — 7.1%
T5. Kevin Garnett, Boston — 7.1%
T5. Jason Kidd, Dallas — 7.1%

Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?
1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers — 48.1%
2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City — 30.8%

Check out this highlight from last night’s Thunder victory over the Boston Celtics

The Thunder won their 7th straight game, defeating the Celtics in Boston 97-88 on Monday night. Both Russell Westbrook and KD had outstanding games.

KD finished with a game-high 28 points (on 9-20 shooting), 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while Westbrook followed closely with 26 points (on 9-18 shooting), 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. The Thunder now travel to Washington D.C. to take on KD’s hometown Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

Check out KD in this new Nike #MakeitCount spot. Nike+ has something big planned on 1.19.12. Make sure to stay tuned for the announcement.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (January 16, 2012) – Eight 2008 Olympic gold medalists, 10 members of the 2010 USA World Championship gold medal winning team, one national team player and one newcomer to the USA Basketball National Team were among the 20 finalists named today for the 2012 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team by USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo. The official 12-man U.S. Olympic team roster will be announced later this year.

Named as a finalist for the 2012 USA team were: LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers); Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks); Chauncey Billups (Los Angeles Clippers); Chris Bosh (Miami Heat); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (New Orleans Hornets); Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); LeBron James (Miami Heat); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); Lamar Odom (Dallas Mavericks); Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder); and Deron Williams (New Jersey Nets). Griffin was also officially added to the USA Basketball National Team roster.

The 2012 USA coaching staff is led by Duke University’s Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, and serving as USA assistant coaches are Syracuse University’s Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, New York Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni, and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan.

“The USA Basketball Men’s National Team program has come a long way as the elite list of players who are now part of our program shows. The selected finalists are a very, very talented group; the depth of the talent is extraordinary. This selection decision was as difficult of a challenge as I’ve faced since I took on the USA National Team program in 2005,” said Colangelo, who has served as the managing director of the USA Men’s National Team since 2005.

“I feel like we have an outstanding blend of talents from the 2008 Olympic and 2010 World Championship teams that won gold. Reducing to the official roster limit of 12 players will be an even tougher decision, but we’ll evaluate how guys play during the 2011-12 NBA season and as we’ve done with our teams in the past, we’ll attempt to select the very best team we can.”

“Jerry has built an extremely deep and talented USA National Team roster of 35 players and I want to thank each player for their incredible commitment to being part of USA Basketball. Reducing to 20 players was unbelievably difficult,” stated Krzyzewski, who has coached USA National Teams to a sterling 48-1 record since 2006.

“Aside from the obvious special basketball talents that all of these players possess, what struck me most about the finalists was their commitment to USA Basketball and the international basketball experience they have compiled. Among our 20 finalists, we have two players who possess 55 or more games of international experience, two with 40 or more international games under their belts and eight others who have played between 23 and 38 international games – that’s a lot of experience, which is going to be extremely valuable.

“These players have helped restore the winning tradition of USA Basketball while also gaining the respect of people around the world for the manner in which they have done it,” added Krzyzewski.

Three of the finalists are two-time Olympic medalists, including Anthony (2004 bronze and 2008 gold), James (2004 bronze and 2008 gold) and Wade (2004 bronze and 2008 gold).

Eight of the selected finalists were members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team that compiled an unblemished record of 8-0 and captured gold in Beijing, including Anthony, Bosh, Bryant, Howard, James, Paul, Wade and Williams. Four finalists – Anthony, James, Odom and Wade – were part of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team that earned the bronze medal.

Ten finalists were members of the 2010 USA World Championship squad that went 9-0 and captured gold in Istanbul, Turkey. Billups, Chandler, World Championship MVP Durant, Gay, Gordon, Iguodala, Love, Odom, Rose and Westbrook were all members of the USA World Championship Team.

The finalists represent 14 different NBA teams, with the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers leading the way with three players each; while the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder each have two players among the 20; and the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers each are represented by one player.

Eighteen of the finalists possess impressive international experience with Anthony leading the way with 59 games of international experience. He is followed by James (55), Williams (47), Wade (40), Howard (38), Paul (37), Bosh (32), Billups (30), Odom (28), Chandler (25), Bryant (24), Gay (23), Durant (17), Iguodala (16), Rose (16), Gordon (15), Love (15) and Westbrook (15). Aldridge, who was a member of the 2008 USA Select Team that trained against the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, and Griffin, who is the youngest finalist at 22-years-old, have not played in an international game.

The USA’s complete training schedule will be released at a later date.

KD is returning home to the DC/Maryland/Virginia are tomorrow and hosting an event at the PG Plaza Footlocker House of Hoops at 6pm. Check out the info on the event below.

Here’s a look at the packaging for the KD IV Year of the Dragon release.

Check out detailed photos and info on the Year of the Dragon colorway here.

(Via malambert)