Durant Closes the Gap - 波特蘭拓荒者 Portland Trail Blazers

Durant Closes the Gap

posted: 6/22/2007 at 3:14 PM

If you've been thinking this will be an easy decision for the Trail Blazers,
you didn't see Kevin Durant's workout at the practice facility on Friday
morning. If the debate was barely-controlled burn before, now it's safe to
say it's jumped the fire lines and is officially ablaze. Credit Durant for
putting the Blazers in this situation. That's exactly what he wanted to do.

Durant's first task today was a jumping test. His standing jump, off two
feet, was impressive. When he was allowed to take a few steps and jump off
one foot, the only thing I heard was a Blazer executive, standing next to me,
say "holy ___." His hand hit somewhere around 12 and a-half feet, a few
inches higher than Greg Oden hit on Wednesday. I'm not trying to make too
much out of a high-jump test, but it was the first, of many times during the
workout, he caused jaws to drop.

As you probably already know, Durant is silky smooth, and put on the best
outside shooting display we've seen yet. His long-range shot looks the same
as his 10-foot jumper, and he strokes from several feet beyond the 3-point
line with ease. As much as I knew he was an incredible athlete, it was his
shooting touch I was most impressed with. Count me among those who look back
at the much-publicized, failed 185-pound bench press attempt in Orlando, and
say, "who cares?"

Durant never seemed to tire during the workout, and if he was nervous, it
didn't show. He, in fact, got even better when the media horde was allowed in
for the final 30 minutes of the workout. They got to watch some long-range
shooting drills, and he was spot on. They also got to see a jumping endurance
test, when Durant was asked to catch the ball beyond the foul line, take one
dribble, and jam with two hands, over and over again, without taking a rest.
A couple of times he didn't even need to dribble. He's got incredibly long
strides, and showed very solid ball-handling skills in the full-court drills.

Durant has been described as not being as media-polished as Oden, and that's
probably true. But, he was engaging, charming, and mentioned many times how
badly he wants to be the Blazers' selection at number one.

Blazers owner Paul Allen was on hand again, and several times clapped his
hands during the workout, and even shouted encouragement to Durant. I had the
chance to interview Allen after it was all done, and we'll have that for you
soon on our Draft Central page. After the interview, Allen smiled and said,
"well, who would you take?" And, I think he was actually interested in the
answer. He asked a lot of people. Moments later he headed into a closed-door
meeting with Kevin Pritchard and his staff.

Pritchard, who is still playing it very close to the vest, said again they
have not made up their minds. I believe him.

I had the chance to spend several minutes with Durant after his workout, and
we'll have the interview for you shortly, on Draft Central, along with some
highlights of the workout. Durant said he appreciated Brandon Roy and
LaMarcus Aldridge meeting him at the airport yesterday. He also had dinner
with the two on Thursday night. Durant also told me that Oden sent him text
messages Thursday night, and attempted to tell him what to expect from the
workout. As you've probably heard, these two guys, who will forever be linked
because of this draft, have become friends.

I was left to ponder several questions. Who is better suited for this Blazers
roster? Who stands the better chance of being a hall of famer (not that they
both won't possibly be)? Who will give the Blazers a better chance at winning
a title? Did one player stand out enough in these workouts to get the edge in
the minds of the Blazers' staff?

Mostly though, I guess I still can't figure out who I would take. This isn't
fabricated drama. Durant made sure of that.

http://mikebarrettsblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/durant-closes-gap.html

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