Durant officially inks extension with Thunder
Basketball Betting Lines
07/08/2010 -
Oklahoma City, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Forward Kevin Durant has officially
signed a multi-year contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The
deal is reportedly for five years.
"Today is an exciting and important day in the growth of the Thunder
organization," Thunder general manager Sam Presti said. "The mutual and
substantial commitment by both Kevin and our ownership group comes by way of
aligned values and vision. Kevin's consistent work ethic, humility, team-first
mentality and strong community investment are just some of the reasons that
today's commitments stretch beyond our franchise and throughout our community
and the entire state of Oklahoma."
Durant's agent, Aaron Goodwin, earlier told the Oklahoman the deal is worth
close to $85 million and runs through the 2015-16 season without a player
option that would have allowed for free agency after the fourth year.
"I am excited to remain a part of the Thunder organization and the Oklahoma
City community," said Durant. "This is a big day for my family and myself. I
would like to thank God for putting me in this position, the Thunder for
believing in me since I was drafted and my teammates for supporting and
encouraging me everyday."
Durant is the reigning NBA scoring leader after averaging 30.1 points while
appearing in all 82 regular-season games in 2009-10. He set a franchise record
by scoring 30-plus points on 47 occasions last season and helped lead the team
to the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
Also, his 756 made free throws were a franchise-best and the most recorded in
a single season since Michael Jordan connected on 833 during the 1986-87
campaign.
Taken second overall by the defunct Seattle SuperSonics in the 2007 draft,
Durant has averaged 25.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists for his career.
"Kevin Durant personifies what we are building with the Oklahoma City Thunder," said Thunder chairman Clay Bennett. "His dedication to his
teammates, to continually working at his game, and to this community is at the
core of what we want this organization to represent. We are excited to have
the opportunity to continue to watch Kevin evolve as a player and just as
thrilled to have someone of his personal character on our team."
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After seemingly endless speculation as to w
Pacific-10 Conference odds
Teams that should be in: Stanford
 Oregon and USC get their tickets punched after taking care of business this weekend. Yes, the Trojans' computer numbers aren't great, but there's no way the third-place team in this league is getting nixed. Grudgingly, I added Arizona after consultation with our Bracketologist. I don't know that Arizona will lose its last three (including a Pac-10 quarterfinal game), and even if the Cats do, I still can't see how they'd be left out, given the overall profile. That said, it bears watching, as three more L's would leave them at 18-12 (9-9) and on a 6-11 skid entering the Dance. It would be nice to see the Wildcats get at least one W in the Bay Area next week, as Cincinnati (albeit without Armein Kirkland and with a worse profile) was axed after a similar slide last season. I just couldn't rationalize having some of the other teams as locks and not having Arizona in that category -- there just aren't enough good teams behind the Cats to threaten their spot, it seems. Stanford has its fate in its own hands with the Arizona schools coming to the Farm to close out the regular season next weekend.
Should be in:
Stanford [17-10 (9-7), RPI: 40, SOS: 21] No shame in not getting a win in L.A., but that makes the home game against Arizona State a must-win ahead of what could be an intriguing meeting with Arizona should the Cats lose at Cal. Getting to 11 Pac-10 wins would make Selection Sunday much more comfortable, but 10's probably more than enough this season. The Cardinal have nonconference wins over Texas Tech and at Virginia to lean on, although they also lost badly to Air Force and Santa Clara at home.
| Southeastern Conference odds |
Work left to do: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Mississippi State
 It looks more and more possible that no one from the SEC West will make the NCAAs. How weird is that? Tennessee and Vandy move into the locks category after more good work this weekend. Kentucky stays there, although it would be smart for the Cats to handle Georgia at home Wednesday ahead of a trip to the Swamp. Could a disaster scenario (two more L's and a first-round SEC tourney exit) somehow dislodge the Cats despite their incredible computer numbers? Still unlikely, but not worth chancing it.
Work left to do:
Alabama [19-9 (6-8), RPI: 43, SOS: 47] The tough L at Tennessee was understandable, and even created some hope. Unfortunately, that hope was dashed by a home loss to Auburn, which leaves the Tide in some real trouble. There's still no signature win on the profile (no, Kentucky doesn't count), and the computer profile is weakening rapidly. The Tide conceivably could beat Ole Miss and win at Miss. State to get to 8-8 and clinch at least a share of the West crown, but that's probably not enough right now. The Tide will need to do some work in the SEC tourney.
Georgia [16-10 (8-6), RPI: 52, SOS: 23] This is the team with the best chance to make it from this section right now. The Bulldogs rebounded from a terrible performance at Ole Miss to beat down Miss. State. Now they are at Kentucky (king of the RPI 51-100 win) and home to Tennessee. That would be worth a lot of computer points to get both (which is doable), as both teams are in the top 11 in RPI. Finishing at least 9-7 is an absolute must, and I would feel much better about the Dawgs' chances if they got both to get to 10 SEC wins. They also beat Gonzaga, but lost to ACC bubblers Georgia Tech and Clemson.
Mississippi [18-10 (7-7), RPI: 63, SOS: 79] Like everyone else in this division, Ole Miss gacked up a chance to stake a claim, losing by double figures at South Carolina. Even 9-7 likely is not nearly enough with a nonconference profile devoid of anything notable.
Mississippi State [16-11 (7-7), RPI: 66, SOS: 37] With a chance to get in the mix, these Bulldogs were leashed by their Georgia counterparts. Could they get to 9-7? I guess -- although winning at Arkansas, then beating Alabama is no lock -- but would that mean all that much for a team with this overall profile? Probably not. There's nothing of note (on the good side) in the nonconference profile. |
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