Posted at 2:10 a.m., Tuesday, July 10, 2007
NBA: Sonics' Durant has another poor shooting game
Associated Press
LAS VEGAS — Kevin Durant showed again he isn't afraid to shoot as he starts his professional career with the Seattle Supersonics. The shots, however, continue to be off target.The second pick in last month's draft was 4-for-19 from the field and scored 18 points last night in the Sonics' 87-74 loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA's Las Vegas summer league.
"I just wasn't in the game tonight," Durant said. "As the game went on, we got a little better, and that is the important thing."
On Friday night, the 6-foot-9 Durant was 5-for-17 from the field in a 77-66 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
The 215-pound forward struggled with New York's physical play yesterday, finishing with one rebound and no assists in 34 minutes.
"It is what it is," he said. "I've made some good passes, but we've just missed shots. I can't do anything about that."
Durant was 2-for-11 from the field in the first half and he missed his first four shots in the second half before hitting a short jumper with 9:25 to play. He finished with 11 points in the fourth quarter, including a 3-pointer in the final minute and six straight free throws.
"The game is quicker and everyone is good," said Durant, who swept the national player of the year awards in his one season at Texas. "You have to play hard every night.
"I'm still getting the ball where I want it in the post. I just need to execute."
