-as seen on Lamar Advertising billboards Tuesday evening
It was a night of personal records for third year player Kevin Durant as he eclipsed the 5,000 career point mark. He also has a consecutive scoring streak of 25 straight games with 25 or more points and this becomes Durant’s 30th 30-point game of 2009-10. The last to score 25 in 25 was Eastern Conference All-Star Allen Iverson, who managed this task on the way to an MVP trophy in 2000-01. In the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 89-77 win over Northwest Division rival Portland, Durant amassed 33 points and 11 rebounds, ending the night at 5,012 points in 205 games played.
As impressive as those statistics sound and as dominating as KD can be on the court, this game was won by not just by Durant, but by the team. The team that is currently sitting in 6th place in the Western Conference. The team that is known for their youth but is growing up before our very eyes as they vie for not just a chance at the playoffs, but a good seeding in their tough conference. The team that plays like a band of brothers and exemplifies the true definition of teamwork every night they hit the hardwood.
This win was earned by everyone on the Thunder team – starters and reserves alike. Rookie James Harden garnered 13 points in his 24 minutes, which doesn’t necessarily sound remarkable until you hear they were all consecutive points in the fourth quarter. Serge Ibaka came off the bench to contribute four blocks. Russell Westbrook dished it off seven times to his fellow teammates to get in on the action. Jeff Green picked Portland’s pocket four times to add to the Thunder’s 17 steals on the night.
All nine men who played in the contest contributed something, whether it be on the stat sheet, as a defensive presence that held the Trailblazers to their lowest point total of the year, or as a prominent leader. This team has come farther than anyone imagined coming into the season and has already surpassed many expectations. And the year is just now at its All-Star break midpoint. This team – and this city – is not just only looking toward the future but living in the present. Enjoying the national recognition as a force to be reckoned with in the west. And preparing for a second half and playoff run to shock our shoes off.
