Travesty!

With the NBA Playoffs going on, you would think that the Rookie of the Year Award would not be the most important thing on everyone's mind. You would be wrong. Hawks Coach Mike Woodson called the decision to give Kevin Durant the award a, "travesty and it's not right."

When asked whether he should be more focused on his playoff series with the Boston Celtics, Woodson deferred the question to special assistant Jim Mora, who said, "Playoffs? Don't talk to me about Playoffs. I'm worried about the Rookie of the Year Award."

Woodson then summed up his argument by pointing out that Horford averaged 10.1 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per game while fighting for minutes with perennial all-stars Zaza Pachulia and Sheldon Williams. He also noted that unlike Durant's Sonics, the Hawks were in the playoffs. "Anytime a team can make the playoffs with a losing record, it means one of two things. Either your entire Conference is awful, or you have the rookie of the year on your team. I think it's obvious in this case, that it's the latter of the two."

Woodson says he looks forward to a quick and painless exit from the Playoffs in Game 6 so he can focus his attention on lobbying the NBA Offices and Commissioner David Stern for a recount.

Durant To Win Rookie of the Year

According to several sources, Kevin Durant will be named the 2008 Rookie of the Year tomorrow. A great award for Durant, it comes as a surprise to just about no one. In a ROY battle that was hyped to be a season long duel between Kevin Durant and Greg Oden, it fizzled quite short, pretty much since Oden missed the entire season due to injury.

Without Oden, the 2008 rookie class looks rather pedestrian, as Al Horford, who had an impressive season for the Atlanta Hawks, finished second in the voting. Outside of Durant and Horford, the second and third selections overall, no one in the Top 10 probably even got a vote. Greg Oden (#1/POR), Mike Conley (#4/MEM), Jeff Green (#5/SEA), Yi Jianlian (#6/MIL), Corey Brewer (#7/MIN), Brandan Wright (#8/LAC), Joakim Noah (#9/CHI), and Spencer Hawes (#10/SAC) all either were limited in playing time or positive impacts with their teams.

Rather, the other rookie contenders came from out in left field. Luis Scola (HOU/28 yrs. old/2002 draft/2nd round, #57 by SAS), Thaddeus Young (#12/PHI), Carl Landry (HOU/2nd round, #31 by SEA), and Jamario Moon (TOR/UDFA). And can you even count Scola? Just because he was killing it in another country and not in this country doesn't mean he's a rookie. With the closest competition having no pre-season pub, it pretty much made it a contest between Durant and Horford. While Al Horford is a great player and has had a great season, he's not the type of player that is a certainty to put up the kind of numbers that will bring hardware and fan fare.

Which pretty much leaves Durant. While Durant still would have won the award by simply taking more shots than everyone else in the competition, Durant actually progressed a lot during the season, to the point that he actually deserved the award. He spent the first half of the season taking too many shots and too many bad shots. His defense was atrocious and he didn't do enough other things on the court.

While his defense still needs improvement, and his other areas of his game are still emerging, Durant played much better in the second half of the season. His shot selection and his shooting percentage both sky rocketed in the second half of the year. However, Durant probably locked up the award with the way he played in his last games as a Seattle SuperSonic. In a city that was having its basketball taken away from them, Durant played like a man that wanted to win games for his city. They may have been meaningless to the NBA, but to Durant and the city of Seattle, they were their Championship games. And Durant poured his heart and soul into winning them that Championship. He showed why many think he will one day be a star in this league.

In his final game for Seattle, on the road at Golden State, Durant had 42 points on 18-25 shooting (1-2 3P; 5-6 FT), 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in a 126-121 victory. Two days before that, in his final game in Seattle, Durant scored twice in the final 45 seconds as the Sonics overcame a 6 point deficit in the final 3 minutes to defeat the Mavericks 99-95. Durant showed the kind of ability and passion that it takes to make a champion.

On the season Durant posted 20.3 ppg on 43% shooting. He had a dismal 28% 3P%, but posted a respectable 4.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, and nearly a steal and block per game. Durant earned the rookie of the year award and showed all the makings of the star that many believed he would be. He also made the best of a situation where he had minimal talent around him, smack dab in the middle of a strange quagmire of a city having its team stolen from them and shipped to Oklahoma City.

A Win, is a Win, is a Win

It will be interesting to see if Texas can recapture that early season play of good defense, with an explosive transition game, and balanced offensive scoring and hot shooting. If they can't, then you should get used to this kind of result and this kind of game. The Longhorns won on the road at hostile Gallagher-Iba Arena Monday night by two over an Oklahoma State team experiencing a down year.

Texas played well in the first half with DJ Augustin, Damion James, and Connor Atchley sharing the scoring load as Justin Mason again played well on the defensive end. Oklahoma State, to their credit, made adjustments and erased the 10 point Longhorn lead early in the second half. From there, it became a hard fought slugfest that was typical conference Big XII basketball. It wasn't so much pretty as it was physical.

In a close game, Texas went into what might very well be their late game offense for much of the Big XII season. They set up plays for DJ Augustin, whether he was at the point, or curling off of screens while Mason ran the point, Texas got the ball to DJ and gave him space. From there it was up to DJ to run the shot clock, create his shot, or get fouled. This is why DJ should be a front runner for Player of the Year, because no player does more for his team. There were a few times where Augustin used poor judgement, but considering the ball was in his hands every possession the final 7 minutes of the game, he was unbelievable.

Texas made it clear that they will be turning things over to DJ Augustin late in games, and we will attempt to sit on leads, eek out close games, and that we don't trust anyone else with the basketball. This may work against a majority of the conference, but it won't work against Kansas, and it won't work in the NCAA Tournament. Texas killed their momentum by slowing down the game and made their offense predictable and stagnant.

Texas needs to continue to search for the offense that was winning games early in the year. An offense with Damion James and Connor Atchley getting involved and AJ Abrams attacking inside the three point arc and outside. There's nothing wrong with having the ball in DJ's hands at the end of games, but he needs to be doing it to get the team involved.

It's nice to know that we have a weapon in DJ Augustin that we can give the ball to and he can deliver the win, but with 7 minutes left in the Oklahoma State game, we made the decision that we were going to try and win 63-61, as opposed to trying to win 85-70. With a player like DJ Augustin, that is a strategy that will win you a majority of your games. But in the NCAA Tournament, winning a majority of games isn't a luxury that you have. It's a game like the USC loss last year, where down the stretch, they moved the basketball, attacked from all sides and kept scoring, while feeding the ball to Kevin Durant and letting him score didn't work. Because if you let inferior basketball teams hang around for too long, it will come back to haunt you.

Transition Not Easy for Durant

Here's a nice article on former Longhorn, Kevin Durant, and his NBA rookie year experiences. It's nice to see that KD still has a lot of contact with the program in Austin, and that he loves the University of Texas.

Durant in Transition

The Ewing Theory, Durant Style

If you are at all a reader of ESPN's Bill Simmons, then you're familiar with the famous " The Ewing Theory." Here, The Ewing Theory is explained quite simply:

1. A star athlete receives an inordinate amount of media attention and fan interest, and yet his teams never win anything substantial with him (other than maybe some early-round playoff series).
2. That same athlete leaves his team (either by injury, trade, graduation, free agency or retirement) -- and both the media and fans immediately write off the team for the following season.

And inexplicably, the team left without the superstar somehow accomplishes more the following season. Thus was the fate for Ewing's New York Knicks when they had their most successful season while their best player was injured. Some other famous examples of said theory include:

-Tennessee wins a national championship after Peyton Manning graduates
- Kentucky basketball wins a national championship after the loss of Rick Patino, Ron Mercer and Derek Anderson

But the more you think about it, the more the theory makes sense in the context of the 2008 Texas basketball team. As great as Kevin Durant was (evidenced by my man-crush) it seemed the team liked to watch him as much as the fans did. It wasn't even that Durant was a me first player; in fact he most certainly was not. But, with him on the floor, everyone seemed to feel like it was going to be up to Durant in the end.

The 2007 Texas team was as hyped as any team the Longhorns have ever fielded. With Durant, everyone expected that he would single handedly lead Texas to the Final Four. Well, its not that easy. With Durant in the mix, most players (other than DJ Augustin) never really found their place in the offense. Damion James was the most notable victim. Everyone knew James was an incredible talent, but for whatever reason, he just never seemed to be able to do the things he wanted to. With so much of the offense flowing through Durant, James never knew when it was his turn; and in turn this left him an indecisive and therefore ineffective offensive threat.

In 2007, Kevin Durant was the slasher, Durant was the shooter, Durant was the body inside. This left Augustin and Durant with defined roles and the other three on the court to adjust their game every night. For this year's team Augustin distributes, Justin Mason slashes to the basket, AJ Abrams is the spot up shooter and Damion James is the muscle inside. Never underestimate the value of a team where every player knows their role every night. If nothing else, these teams are consistent. And with the amount of talent on this Texas team, they are going to be consistently solid in every game this year.

So don't get me wrong, Kevin Durant took the Longhorn basketball program to new heights of exposure and prominence, even if he only took them to the 2nd round in the NCAA Tournament. The ironic difference is, that without Durant, this is a more complete Texas team, and therefore more built for a long run into March Madness. With wins over Tennessee and UCLA, Texas is already showing what type of team fans can expect this year. It's a team that relies on everyone to perform. Some nights, Abrams may hit 7 threes, others DJ may need to score 20 or have 15 assists, or James may be asked to hit his jumper all night. The nice thing for Rick Barnes is that, this year, they can.

New Commercial Confirms Kevin Durant "Man-Crush"

Just in case I was worried that my man-crush on Durant was fading, the NBA has put him in a really cool new commercial. Thank you.

Millions of Dollars and Free Coffee

With the second pick in the NBA Draft the Seattle/Oklahoma City SuperSonics select Kevin Durant. The NBA lottery is in the books, and with the second pick, Kevin Durant's fate is determined, and he will now reside in Seattle. The biggest question will be whether Durant will be able to generate enough excitement in the Pacific Northwest to prevent the team from moving to Oklahoma City.

Since it seems that Greg Oden is a guarantee for the #1 pick and the Portland TrailBlazers, Kevin Durant will be happily welcomed by the Sonics. His presence should first allow the Sonics to finally deal disgruntled small forward, Rashard Lewis. Seattle wouldn't miss a beat replacing Lewis with Durant.

Seattle would feature a team with point guards, Earl Watson and Luke Ridenour combining powers to form something resembling a competent point guard. Seattle would have to hope Ridenour rebounds from an abysmal year where he lost his starting job to Watson, who would be a great point guard, if he could shoot a basketball. If Ridenour can bounce back and reach his potential or can combine with Watson to stabilize the position, it should be serviceable.

The shooting guard position is locked up by perennial all-star Ray Allen, who at 31 is still a star in the league. He would be a good role model for Durant and would get a more durable superstar next to him than Rashard Lewis. Also, Durant's youthful attitude would probably do some good to add a few more years onto Ray Allen's career, in what has become a horrible situation for him the last 5 years.

At power forward and center the Sonics would field Chris Wilcox and Nick Collison. Wilcox is a high energy and athletic player, while Collison showed signs of being the star he's capable of being late last season. While Collison isn't a true center, he has filled the position solidly since the Sonics plan of drafting project centers has failed miserably, I wonder why? Off the bench, the Sonics would have shooting guard Damien Wilkins, small forward Mickael Gelabale, and the three headed train wreck that is Johan Petro, Robert Swift, and Mouhamed Sene.

The addition of Durant would instantly improve the outlook of this team, but in the Western Conference they would need another scorer to be able to compete. If they decided to keep Rashard Lewis they would have plenty of scoring options and would be able to play a fast up pace tempo and play a style similar to the Denver Nuggets. However, they lack the quality point guard play you need to make that style a success and would struggle greatly against the top teams with interior size like San Antonio, Houston, and Utah. If they were able to move Rashard Lewis for an upgrade at point guard or a solid center this could be a team that could compete in the Western Conference. But that's counting on an awful lot of competence out of a front office that has drafted Johan Petro, Robert Swift, and Mouhamed Sene in the last three years.

The most intriguing part of this year's lottery is the fact that Kevin Durant would be a perfect fit with the Portland TrailBlazers who own the #1 pick, and Greg Oden would be a great fit for the Sonics. Durant would make Portland instant contenders with a lineup of Jarrett Jack/Sergio Rodriguez, Brandon Roy, Durant, Zack Randolph, and LaMarcus Aldridge. However, Portland won't pass the opportunity to draft Oden with the #1 pick, because Oden is a big time center. And NBA types dream for franchise centers, regardless of how he fits into their team.

It would be interesting to see Portland draft Durant outright and actually give off the impression that they're drafting while keeping their current roster in mind, or even more so, deal the #1 pick to Seattle and another piece and move down so both teams get what they want. But let's face it, a trade that fills a need for both teams? This is the NBA, come on. So look for Durant to make his home in Seattle, and when the Sonics are unable to fill the holes around him, look for Durant to be the newest star of the Oklahoma City Sonics.

Big XII Response: Kansas State

With Kevin Durant's announcement, fans across the Forty Acres have been forced to imagine a world without Kevin Durant. Well, a campus without Kevin Durant. While anyone and everyone with an opinion has chimed in with their thoughts on Kevin's decision, Drinking the Forty not withstanding, we wondered what our neighbors around the Big XII felt on Durant's departure and what it means for their chances in the Big XII next season. So we contacted our correspondents around the Big XII...okay we tried to make new friends around the Big XII, and asked for their input. So over the next few weeks we will feature, the Big XII Response. Today's correspondent comes from the fine folks at KStateFootball.com.

No surprise in these quarters regarding Kevin Durant jumping to the NBA, my only surpise is that he bothered to stop by the Big 12 at all. A marvelous talent and a joy to watch the one year he graced the hardwoods in our neck of the woods. Austin is a great city with some fascinating people, especially if you're a college student, but a scholarship stipend will never compete with New York and Los Angeles on an NBA salary.

Kansas State's fortune in 2007 rests with that of Martin and Hill and their ability to keep together as much as possible of the '07 recruited class. If Michael Beasley & Co. remain intact the 'Cats will be competitive with their cross-state rival for the first time in two decades. Beasley and Billy Walker would be the best front court in the conference, as good as any in the nation. But a lot of "ifs" this far out.

http://www.kstatefootball.com/

Big XII Response: Iowa State

With Kevin Durant's announcement, fans across the Forty Acres have been forced to imagine a world without Kevin Durant. Well, a campus without Kevin Durant. While anyone and everyone with an opinion has chimed in with their thoughts on Kevin's decision, Drinking the Forty not withstanding, we wondered what our neighbors around the Big XII felt on Durant's departure and what it means for their chances in the Big XII next season. So we contacted our correspondents around the Big XII...okay we tried to make new friends around the Big XII, and asked for their input. So over the next few weeks we will feature, the Big XII Response. Today's correspondent comes from the fine folks at CrossCyed.

Kevin Durant was simply the best player in college basketball. It's funny though, because I thought ISU dealt him one of his worst games of the year by assigning a 4-year walkon in Chris Ceasar to guard him. I kept saying before we played Texas "thank God we only have to play him once." He was going to get even more dangerous if he stuck around, so I'm glad he;s gone. Of course, it hurts the conference to lose a player of his stature, but it's good for the conference too, showing we can get these guys. I don't really think Durant leaving will have a huge impact on Iowa State. We'll be middle of the road anyways. We keep losing players, but we have a five star recruit in Craig Brackins coming in, as well as a rather slick PG in Diante Garrett. ISU will once again have a wait and see kind of year.

http://crosscyed.blogspot.com/

The Big XII Response: Missouri

With Kevin Durant's announcement, fans across the Forty Acres have been forced to imagine a world without Kevin Durant. Well, a campus without Kevin Durant. While anyone and everyone with an opinion has chimed in with their thoughts on Kevin's decision, Drinking the Forty not withstanding, we wondered what our neighbors around the Big XII felt on Durant's departure and what it means for their chances in the Big XII next season. So we contacted our correspondents around the Big XII...okay we tried to make new friends around the Big XII, and asked for their input. So over the next few weeks we will feature, the Big XII Response. Today's correspondent comes from the fine folks at the Tiger Board.

Kevin Durant leaving for the NBA is obviously a loss for the Big 12 Conference. Durant was a marquee player who drew a lot of attention from the national media to the Big 12 and that is never a bad thing. For the Missouri Tigers, the loss of Durant means the Tigers will have a better shot at knocking off the Longhorns next year. It will be hard for the Horns to replace that kind of scoring and that kind of defense.

I don't expect the Tigers to be significantly better next year, but an NCAA appearance is not out of the question. Had the Tigers been able to win a couple more conference games this year, I think they would have been selected. I think a 2-3 game improvement is definitely within the Tigers' grasp.

http://www.tigerboard.com/

**Yes, this idea was taken from Deadspin. They're good at what they do. Imitation is the finest form of flattery.

Durant Banks It

Well, it's official. Kevin Durant has declared to leave the University of Texas after one season and enter the NBA Draft. It ends much speculation as to what Kevin Durant would decide to do, and whether he was in fact a human. But in the end, Kevin proved that he is in one way just like us, and likes the idea of having lots and lots of money in his bank account.

While there will be much commentary in the coming weeks about the legacy of Kevin Durant, the void he leaves at Texas, and how to replace it, I thought we'd first take a look at where Kevin Durant may make his new home in the NBA.

I imagine that the announcement will cause NBA teams to enhance their efforts to tank their season, not that they needed much help. From the Celtics declaring Paul Pierce will be missing the rest of the season with various ailments a night after he played 40 plus minutes and scored 34 points and the Bucks announcing today that Michael Redd was playing far too well, and he will join Andrew Bogut, Charlie Villanueva, and bubble boy on the disabled list. Even the Grizzlies fearing that they were using too much talent decided to scour the D-League to find the newest Grizzly stars. However, with Kevin Durant now in the picture, every team not in the playoff race will be trying their best to lose games. Except the 76ers, they must not have gotten the memo, as they play solid basketball down the stretch for no apparent reason.

Memphis (19-59) has been tanking this season from 7 minutes into the season opener, because Jerry West knows a good opportunity when he sees it. Kevin Durant would give the Grizz a loaded front line with Rudy Gay and Pau Gasol already similar type players. But really, how many athletic, talented forwards is too many? I'd like to see a front line with Gay, Durant, and Gasol. Granted, sometimes you need a guard to win a basketball game, and Memphis doesn't have any. A year removed from the playoffs one has to wonder whether Memphis has been tanking the season from last year, but Jerry West can't be that good, can he?

Five games behind Memphis in the chase, is the Boston Celtics (23-53). Durant has to be terrified of the possibility of going to the Celtics. While they have a great city, great fans, great history, and the love of Bill Simmons, they obviously sold their soul for all those titles under Red Auerbach. Durant would be cursed if he went to the Celtics, and would have no chance to become a star. Len Bias, Reggie Lewis, and Rick Pitino come to mind immediately. But even players that have had success, seem to have some fatal flaw. Antoine Walker appeared to be cursed by the need to shoot 15 threes a game, and even Paul Pierce had to endure being stabbed before he could truly become a star. Durant would have to be a little uneasy about going to Boston. Perhaps he could use the Chauncey Billups strategy and convince Boston that he was a bust before succeeding elsewhere.

People say Durant's game is like Oscar Robinson's, so why not head to Milwaukee (26-51). With Bogut in the front court and Redd in the back court, the Bucks would become an absolute force. Actually, now that I think about it, with Mo Williams, and Charlie Villanueva, this team would go from a lottery pick to an immediate contender in the East. Durant would have to be excited to go to the Bucks, as they would have to be one of the best teams he could go to out of the lottery front runners.

The Atlanta Hawks (28-49) would be a terrible pick for the Hawks, and with their luck they would probably land in the two spot to take Durant. With Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, and Josh Childress, they really don't need another swing man. Though if Atlanta were smart they would get Durant, and trade Marvin Williams and Josh Childress for a point guard and a center and win lots of games with Joe Johnson, Durant, Josh Smith, and their newly serviceable center and point guard. But this is Atlanta, if they got Durant, they would attempt to be the first team in NBA History to play 5 forwards in the same role at the same time.

The Charlotte Bobcats (31-47) would love to get Durant, and he would be an upgrade over whoever they currently run out at the power forward or small forward. Because that Adam Morrison thing worked out great. I think Durant would like to go to Charlotte, but it just seems that they're so young and while extremely talented don't seem to be improving every year. I just don't think Okafor or Gerald Wallce will ever stay healthy, May seems to be a tweener, Morrison might have a Brent Barry ceiling, and Felton can't decide whether he's an elite point guard or a journeyman. Their roster just doesn't seem as loaded at second glance.

Seattle (31-47) has a roster that Durant would fit nicely into. With Rashard Lewis, Ray Allen, Earl Watson, Luke Ridenour (if he figures out how to play basketball again), Nick Collison, Robert Swift, and Wilcox, Durant would make this team an instant contender for the 7 seed in the West. But then again, by the NBA draft half those players could be gone and the team could be in New Orleans. Someone should let Seattle know that they have a basketball team, even if the rest of the country doesn't know that they do.

Portland (31-46) would be extremely young and talented with Durant. He could fit in nicely with Aldridge, Zach Randolph, Brandon Roy, and Jarrett Jack. He also would fit into that whole don't domestically abuse your family, don't buy, sell, or use drugs, and don't have illegal dog fights thing that Portland seems to be striving for. So that's a plus!

Philadelphia (31-45) knows how to treat a star. With Charles Barkely and Allen Iverson before him, Kevin Durant would be celebrated by the City of Brotherly Love and appreciated every step of the way. He would also be given no discernible talent around him to the point that he would eventually be forced to demand a trade and move on to try and win a title.

I don't think Durant would want to end up in Sacramento (31-45). They seem to be getting older and assembling less talent every year. Really, I think the Maloofs are attempting to move the team to Las Vegas through losing in the basketball version of Major League. Though, I don't think enough National Guard could prepare us for Ron Artest in Las Vegas.

How would Kevin Durant fit into the New York Knicks (32-45) roster? How does anyone fit into the New York Knicks roster? But Isiah Thomas would be delighted to add another superstar in NYC. But would Durant get any touches with those pass first point guards of Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, and Nate Robinson?

I think Durant in Minnesota (32-45) could be the worst of all destinations for him. With Garnett already there, they would be playing very close to the same player. It would just seem to be like Durant going to an apprenticeship until he fills Garnett's role as a frustrated but extremely loyal player with no chance of winning.

Every team will be fitting these last two weeks to lose as many games as they can to get in the best position of landing Kevin Durant. Wherever he lands, he will make an immediate impact, and I for one will enjoy watching him take over the NBA. Though, I would've liked to see him take over the Sweet 16 first.

Ready or Not: Durant to Announce by Tuesday

Well, Longhorn fans, the wait seems to be over. We've all been doing the same thing since the end of the basketball season. So lets treat Kevin Durant's decision like we're ripping off a band-aid and just rip it off and get it over with.

While the team celebrated a successful, however short, season at the annual basketball banquet, many thoughts were on the impending decision of the best athlete to ever to grace the hardcourt at UT. Reports began to surface this weekend indicating the Durant will, as expected by many, declare for the NBA draft, forgoing his final three years as a Longhorn. Not shocking news. Texas Basketball has not had a good track record with basketball players sticking around the 40 acres for an extended period of time (see, T.J. Ford, LaMarcus Aldridge, P.J. Tucker, Daniel Gibson, Maurice Evans, Chris Mihm).

But there is a small slice of hope Texas fans cling on to, thinking that KD might just decide to return for one more run at a sweep of national awards. But as reports continue to surface, all indication lead to the conclusion that Durant is not long for dormitory life. In fact, Burnt Orange Nation is quoting sources that Durant's decision is made, leaving only the official announcement.

While it would have been nice to have Kevin Durant around, Texas basketball is far from left bare. With the probable departure of Durant, Texas only loses Craig Winder from last years team. The Horns are also adding recruits Alexis Wangmene, James Kirkendoll, Gary Johnson and Clint Chapman. So Texas looks to be a solid team in '07-'08. And with the departure of Texas A&M's Billy Gillespie and Kansas' Julian Wright, Texas will be able to contend for a Big 12 championship and hopefully a run in the NCAA Tournament.

Kevin Durant, above, dribbling towards a new shoe contract.

Coaches Like Kevin Durant; Oscar Robertson and Dr. Naismith still unsure

One of the great things about college sports is that anyone that feels like it can give an award.

Today, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) felt like giving their player of the year award to Kevin Durant. I believe that means the over 5,000 members in the NABC wish Kevin Durant was on their team. But did not go to the lengths of Danny Ainge, and sit next to Durant's mom at the Big XII Tournament.

Now, I'm sure this award is extremely prestigious. I mean it's the National Association. Of Coaches. In Basketball. Yeah, we're waiting on the Naismith award too. But according to Texas Sports (the only mention I could find of the award, not that I actually looked hard.) we can win a 3rd award from Oscar Robertson too. And really, don't we all want the approval of the Big O?

In other news, several sources have reported that Kevin Durant is still enrolled at the University of Texas. That means we still have a chance, right?


Of note:

-Glen "Big Baby" Davis announced he was going to forgo his senior season and enter the NBA draft. I think Big Baby learned a lot coming back from his junior season. Namely, that he made a huge mistake coming back for his junior season. I don't think anyone is surprised at this since, well, LSU sucks.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2007/news/story?id=2805642

-In a surprise story today, reports are saying that New Mexico has about come to terms with Iowa head coach Steve Alford to take over for the Lobos. Wait, when did Steve Alford get fired from Iowa? He didn't get fired? He voluntarily left? Wow, what does it say about the stature of your program when your coach leaves to go to New Mexico? Better yet, what does it say about New Mexico? That they're committed to playing physical, ugly, slow, non-entertaining basketball, and want to show they're a program that is determined to make it to the NIT every year? Also, how does Iowa rebound from this loss...hire any of the 75% of available coaches across the country? Seriously though, a good hire for New Mexico, except that they're probably paying him 1.5 million a season, and Iowa is probably just getting a head start on what would've been taking place in two more years anyways.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2807516

I concur...

Nice article from today's Washington Post -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/20/AR2007032001632.html

The text from the article:
A Feel-Good Story Reaches a Cliffhanger

By Sally Jenkins
Wednesday, March 21, 2007; E01

So far, everyone has done the right thing by Kevin Durant. The trick is not to do the wrong thing now. Why is it necessarily the smart choice for Durant to risk becoming another soured, over-moneyed performer with a leaner of a shot, playing too many minutes on a last-place NBA team that needs him to boost attendance?

You wait generations for a kid like this, a player so perfectly built it's as if he came from a kit. Watching Durant, you get the feeling that his parts were put together right, all the joints fit smoothly into the grooves, and everything is screwed tight, but not too tight. Just right. Every motion he performs seems correct, from the way he squares up to shoot to his courteous manner as he holds open a door. What's clear is that Durant is the product of great care and patience. What's also clear is that he shouldn't hasten his entry to the NBA if he's not ready.

Durant's draft status has been a subplot throughout his freshman season at Texas. With the Longhorns' elimination from the NCAA tournament last weekend, a decision looms: Should he make himself available, despite the fact that he's just 18 and probably 20 pounds too light, or stay in school? For some reason, the stakes seem higher for Durant than for other players who will be making the same decision. Maybe that's because he has the potential to be a three-octave performer if he continues to develop so beautifully. Or maybe it's because he's plainly so young for his age, and college so clearly suits him. "I do think this," Texas Coach Rick Barnes says. "I think he's never been happier."

He's something else, too, something you don't see much any more in the NBA, or college either. He's unspoiled. It's the great irony of Durant's situation: The thing that NBA teams and sneaker companies love most about him could be undermined by too-early entry to the league.

Fortunately, evidence suggests that his family doesn't believe in get-rich-quick schemes and is carefully outlining the pros and cons before making a decision. Durant already exhibits a promising trait: a sense of his own shortcomings. He gets this from his mother, Wanda Pratt. He was a senior at Montrose Christian School before she praised him for something he did on the court in the last game of his high school career. He had 31 points and nine rebounds and helped beat rival Oak Hill, the nation's top-ranked team, at the buzzer. "And she didn't say I played a great game," he says, "she just said I played a good game."

Durant's mother was a taskmaster by necessity. She was single for much of his childhood, raising him while separated from her husband Wayne, a security guard at the Library of Congress. Wanda, a postal office supervisor, rose every morning at 5:30 and was at work by 7, so it was Kevin's job to do all of the household chores -- clean the kitchen and wash the dishes, take out the trash and scour the bathrooms.

To keep Durant occupied after school, Wanda sent him to the Seat Pleasant Activity Center, where he picked up a ball for the first time. He was only 7 or 8, and he couldn't dribble or shoot, throwing the ball up from his shoulder. But even then, it went in. "I was horrible," he says. "But for some reason I would hit jump shots."

One night he went home and told his mother he had decided to be a ballplayer. Wanda treated the statement gravely. "Sleep on it," she said, "and tell me tomorrow if you're serious." When he said he meant it, Wanda turned him over for rigorous training to a Seat Pleasant coach named Taras Brown, who insisted he give up the pleasures of pickup and practice fundamentals instead. Brown made Durant dribble around cones, practice jab steps, and shoot the ball a thousand times a day. He conditioned by crab-walking up and down the court 10 times, balanced on his fingers and toes. Forward first, and then backwards.

Worst of all were sprints up a 50-yard hill near the center, sometimes as many as 25 a day, which would leave him doubled over in pain at the top. From the peak, he could see the Washington Monument. "I hated that hill," he says. "Sometimes I wonder where [Brown] got that stuff from. I think he was crazy. Because that's not right."

He got no sympathy from Wanda, who if anything was even more demanding. When his worksheet called for 25 sprints, she would double it. "I think my mom's crazy, too," he says.

The goal of all that work has always been the NBA. Now that the opportunity is here, no one could blame Durant if he decides to seize it. The rewards of the draft are hard to resist -- and maybe he shouldn't. The choice is not simple: If he stays, he risks injury and could forfeit millions. If he goes, he forfeits time.

What's the best way for him to become a finished player? That's the real question. The finish is what counts; there are millions of aspirants in the world who start things and don't finish them, much less properly, whether novels, carpentry projects or to-do lists. Anything of real quality requires finish.

What brought Durant this far was a certain order and thoroughness, he is all about working in an organized way toward an end. Everything the family has done to date suggests that they see this as a slow, steady step-by-step process, one that has stressed fundamentals over shortcuts. They may decide that Durant won't be improved by haste now.

The NBA (Really) Wants Kevin Durant...(Sigh)

Well, this looks like the first in what may be a long line of Kevin Durant and the NBA stories to come. It seems Mr. Danny Ainge (Boston Celtics GM) could not wait even until the NCAA tournament started to start wooing Durant away from Texas. In a stroke of “fortuitous” seat placement, Ainge found himself next to Wanda Pratt, mother of the Longhorn super star.

The NBA has very specific rules regarding the contact of NBA teams and “amateur” college players. Fines are laid out to any organization that makes substantial contact with a college player, or even discusses that player and their NBA prospects. Seems pretty tough, but straightforward. Well, it seems Ol’ Danny figured that an impromptu sales pitch in front of 18,000 people at the Big 12 tournament and the million or so watching on TV was a pretty covert scheme.

Needless to say, David Stern was not impressed. The Celtics were dropped a $30,000 fine for Ainge’s visit with Mrs. Pratt. But this was actually the third time a team has been fined by the NBA for comments about Durant. It seems Kevin has already begun taking the money of NBA execs to the tune of $60,000. The Golden State Warriors have already paid $15,000 for the privilege of saying Kevin Durant’s name, and none other than Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Bobcats were levied a similar $15,000 fine. (To be fair MJ just pulled that from his pocket after taking $30K from Charles Barkley on a par 3, closest to the pin competition).

I guess this is what Longhorn fans are left to. I was trying to think of an analogy of what watching Kevin Durant being courted by the NBA is like, but I am coming up short. But it sucks. Yeah, everyone knew he would only be here for a season and we are all glad he was here. But after the abrupt end to the year, the time seems all to short. But, I guess we had KD for a season longer than anyone else in the nation. Right?

The best I can do is say this must be what its like to have your kid leave for college. You know, even when they are born, that you have a limited time until they leave you for greener pastures. But by the time they are 18 and walking out the door you think, “Wait. That was it? Where’d the time go?” And worse yet, you know they should leave. Even though, for your selfish reasons, you want them to stay, their opportunities lay elsewhere. So you just enjoy the time you had and watch from a distance while everyone else gets to see what you had to yourself; even for just a short time.

Still doesn’t make me feel much better…

Durant Wins Several Acronyms: POY & FOY

Kevin Durant adds two awards to his soon to be overflowing trophy case. Along with being named a unanimous selection to the All Big 12 First Team, Durant adds the titles of 2006-07 Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year in the Big 12.

Following an unprecedented year during Big 12 play, Durant led the league in both points and rebounds per game (29.3 ppg, 13.1 rpg). Durant was also the first player in the history of the Big 12 to score 400 points and grab 200 rebounds in one Big 12 season.

While the Freshman of the Year honors were a forgone conclusion many games ago, the overall Player of the Year award came down to the wire between Durant and Texas A&M's Acie Law. In any other year Law's numbers (20.8 ppg, 4.9 apg) would have garnered him such accolades, this year he was competing with one of the most dynamic players in NCAA history.

There was, however, a good argument to be made on Acie's part. Many feel the POY should be the best player on the best team, and that was arguably Acie Law for A&M. You would be hard pressed to find a more clutch player in the Big 12 this year. As Texas and Kansas can attest to, Law seemed to elevate his game to an annoyingly high level (for Texas fans anyway) against the best competition in the league.

In the end, though, the most talented player with the highest stats won out for the annual award. The only major award left for Durant to recieve will be the Naismith National Player of the Year awarded later this year. Durant seems to be the favorite thus far in the season to win (with Law, Wisconsin's Alando Tucker, UCLA's Arron Affalo and Ohio State's Greg Oden as the top contenders). Durant would be the second Texas player to win the National POY as T.J. Ford took home the award in 2003.

Happy Texas Independence Day!

"The stars at night, are big and bright...." So goes the song sung by millions of Texans over the years.

The end product of Texas' fight for independence from Mexico has final come to fruition; Kevin Durant as a Longhorn. Just think, if it weren't for brave men such as Davy Crockett and Sam Houston, today, KD might be playing for the Oaxaca Iguanas.

No word yet if the Republic will continue to exist once Durant enters The League. Until then...

Kevin Durant and USA Basketball

Colangelo said he plans to invite University of Texas player Kevin Durant to Team USA training camp this summer.

scroll down