What’s good everyone? Check out some flip cam clips my friends and family shot at my basketball camp in OKC a couple of weeks back. I had a ton of fun out there and am already looking forward to next year’s camp.
Read my blog post about the camp experience HERE.
THUNDER UP!
OKLAHOMA CITY, July 8, 2010 – The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed forward Kevin Durant to a multi-year extension, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Today is an exciting and important day in the growth of the Thunder organization,” said Presti. “The mutual and substantial commitment by both Kevin and our ownership group comes by way of aligned values and vision. Kevin’s consistent work ethic, humility, team-first mentality and strong community investment are just some of the reasons that today’s commitments stretch beyond our franchise and throughout our community and the entire state of Oklahoma.”
Durant averaged 30.1 points and 7.6 rebounds, while leading the Thunder to a 27-game improvement during the 2009-10 season. Durant became the youngest player to ever lead the NBA in scoring while shooting 47% from the field and 90.0% from the free throw line. Durant capped-off the season by being named to the All-NBA First Team while finishing second in the league’s MVP voting.
“I am excited to remain a part of the Thunder organization and the Oklahoma City community,” said Durant. “This is a big day for my family and myself. I would like to thank God for putting me in this position, the Thunder for believing in me since I was drafted and my teammates for supporting and encouraging me everyday.”
Durant holds career averages of 25.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 37.7 minutes per game during his three seasons with the Thunder. This last season, Durant started all 82 games for Oklahoma City and set a franchise record by scoring 30+ points on 47 occasions. In addition, his 756 made free throws are a franchise-best and the most recorded in a single season since Michael Jordan connected on 833 free throws during the 1986-87 season.
The Seat Pleasant, Maryland native was named 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 20.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists while appearing in 80 games (all starts) during his first NBA season. Durant was selected with the second overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft after a stellar season at the University of Texas where he was the consensus National Player of the Year.
The University of Texas product was voted to his first All-Star game during the 2009-10 season and scored 15 points and grabbed five rebounds in 20 minutes of action. Durant also won the NBA’s second annual H-O-R-S-E competition in Dallas during All-Star Weekend.
“Kevin Durant personifies what we are building with the Oklahoma City Thunder,” said Thunder Chairman Clay Bennett. “His dedication to his teammates, to continually working at his game, and to this community is at the core of what we want this organization to represent. We are excited to have the opportunity to continue to watch Kevin evolve as a player and just as thrilled to have someone of his personal character on our team.”
This last season Durant helped lead the Oklahoma City franchise to the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 season. During the Thunder’s six-game first round playoff series versus the Los Angeles Lakers, Durant averaged 25.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in his first career postseason appearance.
What’s up everyone? I hope you all had a safe and fun Fourth of July Weekend. Right now, I’m just out in Orlando supporting the Thunder Summer League squad. I think the games are going to be on NBA TV, so make sure you watch all of our games this week.
Y’all know how much I like my music, and right now I’ve been listening to the new Drake and Dream albums.
On Drake’s album I’m really feeling tracks like “Karaoke,” “Miss Me” with him and Lil Wayne, “Light Up” and “Fancy” with T.I. It’s got some tight tracks and it’s a real diverse album; he went from Jay Z to down south with T.I. to Swizz Beats, who’s from New York. I know a lot of people had some negative things to say about it but I think the positive reviews definitely outweigh the haters.
Other than that, I want to let you know that I’m back to making my own music, and I actually made a nice little beat the other night.
I just laid down a track from an original beat that I think you’re all going to like. I’ve got stuff sampled that I want to finish but this was an original. All of my beats are a lot of melodies, loud kicks and a good snare. But this one is a mix between a party beat with a little D.C. flavor to it as well. It’s very up-tempo and it’s something that’s going to get your head bopping. So hopefully when I post it on my site you guys will enjoy it and give me some feedback. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, what are you all listening to? Anything I’m missing right now? Let me know in the comments section.
THUNDER UP!
What’s good everyone? I’m in the middle of running my basketball camp back here in Oklahoma City and these little kids are keeping me busy!
I got to do a little crowd pleasing the other day when I hit a half court shot over my shoulder. Yesterday, I hit another one, but it was just a regular half court shot. Honestly, I haven’t had much luck with half court shots in the past, so these were pretty sweet. Hey, I’m trying to give these kids a show and they wanted to see something spectacular. The shot was on point and it brought a smile to my face when they all went nuts.
This is the second year I’m holding a camp and to be honest I’m getting more comfortable with kids as the years go on. Of course I accomplished a little bit more in the last year so more kids want to come out. I’m just excited to have this opportunity to interact with kids. I love it. It’s always fun to come in here and teach them about the game and also just have a good time with them. Sometimes I’ll take a seat at half court, grab a microphone and be the MC, giving commentary on some of the scrimmages going on. And every now and then a kid will just pull up a chair and chill with me.
But some of these kids say some crazy things, man! Today some kid asked me why we didn’t trade Eric Maynor for the 10th pick in the draft. I was like, man these little kids watch a lot of TV! That was pretty funny to me.
I’ve got to give thanks to Pro Camps, who helped put my camp together, and to Heritage Hall High School for letting me have it here. That high school is nice!
I’ve been going from one camp to another this week. I came to Oklahoma City straight from the Nike Skills Camp in Chicago, which featured some of the best high school and college players in the country. I got a chance to share some of my knowledge with them and I really got after it on the court, too. I just wanted to get better and I know those guys make me better. But overall it was cool to meet some of the top high school kids who are going to be the next tier of guys who come into the league. There was a lot of talent there.
Well, today is the last day of my camp, so check my blog this weekend for a another post.
THUNDER UP!
What’s going on everyone? If you’ve been following my blog lately then you know I’ve been all over the country this summer. Last week I was in New York for my NBA Elite Cover announcement and the NBA Draft. Earlier this week I was in Chicago for my Nike Skill Academy. Now I’m back in Thunder country hosting my second annual Kevin Durant Basketball camp.
Whenever I get back home to D.C. for a bit I really want to see Stephen Strasburg pitch for my hometown Nationals. I haven’t even had a chance to watch him on TV yet, but I’ve heard so many good things about him that I’ve got to check him out. I do know he’s been pitching as well as anybody and has been real sharp in his first couple of games. You know me, I’m all for anything or anyone that sheds a positive light on D.C.
I’ve been to a few Nationals games before but there weren’t many people in the stands, so I’m hoping to experience a good atmosphere whenever I do get out there this time. But I’m sure Strasburg helps fill the seats. And while I don’t know any Nationals players I’d definitely like to meet some guys and get their autographs. Hey, I’m still a big sports fan at heart. I never played baseball as a kid but I sure enjoyed watching it.
Anyone see Strasburg pitch in person? Do you think he’ll make the All-Star team? Let me know what’s up in the comments section.
WHAT: The Kevin Durant Basketball Camp in partnership with The Oklahoman, presented by Chesapeake Energy
WHO: Thunder Forward Kevin Durant and over 450 boys and girls ages 7-18
WHERE:
Heritage Hall
1800 NW 122nd Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
WHEN: Wednesday June 30th – Friday July 2nd 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
**MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE CAMP’S OFFICIAL MEDIA EVENT AT JUNE 30th 10:15 A.M.**
Media Event Schedule:
10:15-10:30 a.m.: Opportunity to video/photograph Kevin interacting with campers.
10:30 a.m.: Kevin will be available for a group interview.
** Please note that this is the only time media will be invited into the camp. Discussion and questioning during group interview will focus solely on the camp and Kevin’s work with kids in the Oklahoma City Community**
Details:
Campers will experience various stations, specializing in the fundamental skills of basketball. Groups by age will be small to assure that each camper gets maximum instruction from the area’s top coaches.
The Kevin Durant Camp is proud to be working with the Oklahoma City Urban League to provide camp scholarships to disadvantaged youth.
To commemorate Kevin Durant’s historic accomplishment as the youngest scoring champion in the history of the NBA, Nike is releasing the Nike Zoom KD Scoring Title Edition.
On Monday, June 28, a very limited number of pairs of the Zoom KD II Scoring Title Edition will be released at Niketown Chicago, as well as House of Hoops locations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Dallas. On the 28th KD will also be making an appearance in-store at the Chicago Niketown at 2:30 PM.
This shoe features Kevin’s point totals from the season on the collar lining, as well as a badge on the tongue that references his friends and teammates, The Broingtons, as well as Kevin’s “Pure Committment.” The sockliner includes another call-out to The Broingtons, a pennant that alludes to Kevin’s appearance in the NBA All-Star Game in February 2010, and two horses that represent his two H.O.R.S.E competition wins.
What’s up everyone? Hope you’re all having a good week.
Well, the NBA Draft has finally arrived! Or it’s at least about to in a couple of hours. If you’re a basketball junkie then you’ve got to be pumped for tonight.
But before we get into that, I just want to give a few thoughts on last week’s NBA Finals. Being the competitor that I am, it was disappointing because, of course, I wanted to be a part of that. Obviously, it didn’t turn out that way. But on the same note, it was an inspiration to watch. If I want to get to the Finals we just have to go out there and work harder than we already are.
I know a lot of critics were saying how sloppy of a series it was, but at the end of the day I think it was played the right way. It was hard-nosed basketball and no shots were easy. Guys fought hard, fought through adversity and it was fun to watch. That seven-game series was really a grind and I don’t remember the last time that happened in the Finals. It was really a joy to watch. Again, it was disappointing not to play in it knowing you had a chance to, but it is what it is. We’ve just got to keep working.
Now, about the NBA Draft.
To be honest, I really haven’t given it much thought. I know a lot of people have been asking me who I think the Thunder will take and really, I have no clue!
I’m just looking forward to whoever we get to be a good teammate and to be able to fit in with us. We’re looking for guys that have that Thunder mentality, which is team first! I’ll be watching it because obviously you never know what could happen. A trade could come, you never know. I’m just going to be all eyes and ears and whoever we choose I’ll be ready to go out there and have him as my teammate, so it should be a fun time for whoever gets drafted.
Last year I was at Texas for summer school watching the draft from the locker room after a workout. When we got James Harden I was very excited. I’m excited to find out who we pick up today.
Every year that’s a dream come true for somebody. It brings back memories for me every time I watch the draft. I know that might sound silly because I was drafted only a few years ago, but it’s true. I was with my friends and family when I heard my name called and I’ll always remember that moment.
I want to wish good luck to my Texas bros Avery Bradley, Dexter Pittman and Damion James. I also want to wish good luck to my high school teammate and good friend Greivis Vasquez.
So have you guys filled out any mock drafts? Are you looking forward to the draft? Let me know in the comments section.
THUNDER UP!
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