Sports Cipher

Durant was the Second Youngest to…..

Durant was the second youngest to make over 10,000 points in a career at 24 years and 33 days. In Thursday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, Durant raked in 23 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and two steals. The only reason the Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t blow the Spurs out of the water was because of Russell Westbrook’s, my fantasy player, turnovers and the lack of Thunder getting points in the paint.

Tony Parker, Spurs French clutch point guard, hit a buzzer beat in the fourth quarter to win the game 86-84. The previous play, the score was 84 even, the tie marked the 12th tie of the night. The game was constantly tit-for-tat but two Spurs had a great night; Tim Duncan and the future of the Spurs, Kawhi Leonard. Duncan had 20 points, eight rebounds, one assist and three blocks. Leonard is looking even better than he did last season. That summer must have helped him!

IBLOCKA

Serge Ibaka, centerpiece in Thunder defense and league’s lead shot blocker last season, has earned the name Iblocka for a while now. He always seems to live up to up. He’s got the potential to be the best big man in the league but two things are holding him back: His lack of technique and his relationship with Kendrick Perkins.

1. Ibaka is sloppy when it comes to his technique and can easily foul out. Maybe that’s what makes him so great, because he gets the job done without doing it correctly BUT giving the other team opportunities to make free throws WILL hurt the Thunders chance of being the best in the West.
2. Perkins and Ibaka need to have a relationship like Garnett and Perkins while he was in Boston. The reason the Thunder have Perkins is because they traded Jeff Green for him. He hasn’t really produced much of anything except for an intimidating face. Once he and Ibaka get into sync the Thunder will have something to get over on when Westbrook gets on a turnover frenzy.

Thunder play their next game against Portland Trailblazers at home in Oklahoma City on Friday. Spurs, who are 5-0 in season openers, take on Utah Jazz on Saturday at home in the AT&T Center.

Photo Credit: Newsday