That had to be one of the most magnificent, yet humble, acceptance speeches from a professional athlete I've ever seen (well, heard on the radio). The authenticity was inescapable, the humility was palpable, the honesty almost overwhelming. As a friend of mine tweeted, "Athletes everywhere today got an example of what true leadership really is." Just a hall-of-fame speech in every possible regard. Man, how can you not just be nuts about the kind of guy he is, and what he's about. Just awesome.

A 'powerful & surreal' speech given by Kevin Durant televised live on KFOR - Oklahoma City. Truly a proud and historic moment for Oklahoma City!


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

If anyone finds a video of the whole speech, please post it. The only ones I can find cut off when he's talking to Reggie.


Nevermind. I finally found this:

http://www.news9.com/story/25436827/kevin-durant-named-mvp

That means KD still has plenty of time to become a jerk if he had a mind to do so. Somehow, I don't think his mama would stand for it, and so it isn't likely to happen.
Ain't nothing like a boy who loves his mama. :)

Pro athletes almost never play their entire career with one team.

In fact, I can't remember the last time that happened with a superstar... Maybe Cal Ripken?

Makes it very hard for a community to continue to love a player when they ultimately end up competing against your own team.

This is the full version of KD's speech:

MVP Award Presentation | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (http://www.nba.com/thunder/team/2014_mvp)

He's not only my favorite player in the NBA, he is one of my favorite people in general. He never forgets where he came from and he doesn't shy away from his emotions. I love that dude.

He had my bawling like a baby here at my computer!

This is the full version of KD's speech:

MVP Award Presentation | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (http://www.nba.com/thunder/team/2014_mvp)

Man that sure was hard to watch, my monitor kept getting all blurry. What an amazingly humble man for someone that has accomplished so much

Pro athletes almost never play their entire career with one team.

In fact, I can't remember the last time that happened with a superstar... Maybe Cal Ripken?

Makes it very hard for a community to continue to love a player when they ultimately end up competing against your own team.

Maybe not currently, but there are quite a few if you go back a little. I know for sure Barry Sanders played with the Lions his whole career.

One person he didn't thank in his speech; his fiancé. I found that really strange.

Are they still together?

One person he didn't thank in his speech; his fiancé. I found that really strange.

Are they still together?

I think they split just after the season started.

Maybe not currently, but there are quite a few if you go back a little. I know for sure Barry Sanders played with the Lions his whole career.

True, but that was only 10 seasons, where Ripken played 23.

KD has already played 7 and at 25 has many more ahead of him.

Pro athletes almost never play their entire career with one team.

In fact, I can't remember the last time that happened with a superstar... Maybe Cal Ripken?

Makes it very hard for a community to continue to love a player when they ultimately end up competing against your own team.


Tim Duncan will and he's had an all star career.

Tim Duncan will and he's had an all star career.

Very true! Hopefully KD will follow his lead.

They have what seems like the entire event uncut on the thunder website: MVP Award Presentation | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (http://www.nba.com/thunder/team/2014_mvp)

Very true! Hopefully KD will follow his lead.

There are a ton of NBA players who played, or are deep into their careers, playing only with one team (this is just players I remember from the 90s on when I started watching the NBA): Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, & David Robinson of the Spurs (who is kind of a model franchise for the Thunder), Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Udonis Haslem, Nick Collison, Jameer Nelson, Anderson Varejao, John Stockton, Reggie Miller, Joe Dumars, Isiah Thomas, Kevin McHale, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, etc... And then there are a ton of players that played their entire career with one team until switching to chase a title or something of the like: Karl Malone, Paul Pierce, and many others.

The point is that there's quite a precedent for staying with one team your entire career, or at least the meaningful parts of it.

Pro athletes almost never play their entire career with one team.

In fact, I can't remember the last time that happened with a superstar... Maybe Cal Ripken?

Makes it very hard for a community to continue to love a player when they ultimately end up competing against your own team.

Derek Jeter, Tim Duncan.

This Clippers series will be very telling. I've been really worried about the matchup and my gut said Clippers in 6 before it started. Our 3 point defense has been lazy and porous for quite a while now. Westbrook has really devolved into an awful, lazy defender who makes low-percentage gambles and then doesn't hustle back into position. Here's a good breakdown by Anthony Slater: Thunder Film Room: How did Chris Paul and the Clippers exploit OKC so badly from three? | News OK (http://newsok.com/thunder-film-room-how-did-chris-paul-and-the-clippers-exploit-okc-so-badly-from-three/article/4746666)

The Clippers won't shoot that well every game, but they don't need to to win. It'll be interesting to see what adjustments Brooks and the players make. My biggest criticism of the team is the lack of discipline our veteran squad shows either offensively or defensively. Basically, we often do not play smart. During the first 5 games of the Memphis series KD and Russ in particular took terrible shots, way too many contested threes (Russ should never shoot more than 1 or 2 a game - he's an awful 3 point shooter). Now, our lack of defensive discipline is showing. To me, this is all a reflection of the coach. Let's hope we have some answers in the coming games or I suspect we'll see some significant changes in the offseason. This is the time to convince KD that he can win a championship here.

You have to dial in a different number for every team. Clippers dialed first. I expect a much better second game.

A couple of great shots from tonight honoring our new MVP! (Thanks to Bellabo for the photos):



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/kd3.jpg

Pro athletes almost never play their entire career with one team.

In fact, I can't remember the last time that happened with a superstar... Maybe Cal Ripken?

Makes it very hard for a community to continue to love a player when they ultimately end up competing against your own team.

Edmonton Oiler fans still loved Gretzky, Messier and the rest of those guys when they rolled back through town. Although it will be interesting what the reaction will be when Durant eventually returns with a different organization. Although different circumstances, I was a bit surprised with how quickly Okies started to despise Harden.

Durant really intrigues me. He's such an amazing guy and good person that I honestly can't predict what he will do. I expect him to eventually want to try a different setting but not as an insult to OKC. I was born and raised in OKC and still left. Doesn't mean I dislike the place....just wanted something new.

But Durant almost seems content with this market.....which is interesting considering he's one of the best athletes in the world.

It is crazy how quick everyone turned on Harden after he was so beloved. I still appreciate the guy and have a spot in my sports heart for him. But so it goes with pro sports.

It is crazy how quick everyone turned on Harden after he was so beloved. I still appreciate the guy and have a spot in my sports heart for him. But so it goes with pro sports.

A lot of it going so south so quickly seemed more on what he was saying during the contract negotiations, he was clearly going for a max contract but publicly talking about wanting to sacrifice for the team, less people would have turned if he would have just been saying something more along the lines I love it here and hope can resign with the team, the people have been great to me but since I have a short window to make the kind of money that multiple teams are offering will be holding out for a max contract.

Russell Westbrook, I want to Thank you too for being a strong example for our kids and young men of today.

I know this is just a game, but we know you have a choice to be here and you guys are always welcomed here. This is your home away from home.

Clay B, please do all you can to keep this "family" together. We are proud of them and want to see them succeed on & off the floor.

Thank you.

So all game 1s of round 2 were blowouts. Unfortunately we were on the wrong end of ours. I am thinking tonight may be a different story, though.

Would love to see the team come out extra motivated from KD's leadership on full display last night.

A lot of it going so south so quickly seemed more on what he was saying during the contract negotiations, he was clearly going for a max contract but publicly talking about wanting to sacrifice for the team, less people would have turned if he would have just been saying something more along the lines I love it here and hope can resign with the team, the people have been great to me but since I have a short window to make the kind of money that multiple teams are offering will be holding out for a max contract.

Yes. He could have handled it differently, but casually mentioning that you might be willing to take less than the max totally offsets years of play and dedication to the community?!? He's still a pretty young guy. I forgave him for a slight misstep. I definitely root against Harden & the Rockets as it pertains to the Thunder, but I still like him as a player.

Are we still talking about James Harden? Let it go already! The only people still talking about that are Bill Simmons...and frankly who cares what that hack says.

He wasn't worth the money he was asking. If Houston thought that he was, more power to them. But so far all its earned them is inconsistent play, terrible defense, and 2 back to back first round playoff exits. And yes, his BSing about I am willing to sacifice to play with my brothers blah blah blah while doing something completely different behind the scenes absolutely had an impact on the fan base here.

Pro athletes almost never play their entire career with one team.

In fact, I can't remember the last time that happened with a superstar... Maybe Cal Ripken?How about Larry Bird?

How about Larry Bird?

Dirk

Yes. He could have handled it differently, but casually mentioning that you might be willing to take less than the max totally offsets years of play and dedication to the community?!? He's still a pretty young guy. I forgave him for a slight misstep. I definitely root against Harden & the Rockets as it pertains to the Thunder, but I still like him as a player.

It was not like a one off casual mention, he said that for months in interviews, he would even throw it in with responses that were not even about the contract (granted he might have just done the same interviews enough he knew where they were going latter). I do not even hold it against him, he should make the deal that best fits what he wants, just was not going give him the benefit of doubt on statements after the deal was made.

Lets win this one!

My wife now wants to fist bump every Thunder basket. Can Playoff fever mutate?

Love the attacking style we're playing with tonight. Russell is just so damned great, when Collison is on him he's smart in realizing he needs to post that up EVERY.SINGLE.TIME!

A good win because, well, it's a win. Getting contributions from guys like Perk (he's played his best ball in OKC this playoffs) and, finally, Thabo, really helped. Russ and KD took generally took good shots. The Clippers shooting finally gave out in the 2nd half, but they've got so many capable shooters that you can't count on that. Still too many open threes. Good win. On to game three...

A good win because, well, it's a win. Getting contributions from guys like Perk (he's played his best ball in OKC this playoffs) and, finally, Thabo, really helped. Russ and KD took generally took good shots. The Clippers shooting finally gave out in the 2nd half, but they've got so many capable shooters that you can't count on that. Still too many open threes. Good win. On to game three...


Pretty much exactly what I was going to say.

I will add, Reggie needs to be more involved. Last night he and KD got into a little tango when Reggie made an awful, forced pass to KD. Reggie looked like he was very frustrated.

If Fisher is down with a sore shoulder, activate former starter Andre Robertson. Also, I'd like to see Perry Jones.
Both these guys have shown the ability to run a shooter off the three point line and into a long mid-range. Plus
Robertson gives you a very active offensive rebounder.

I think it's pretty clear none of the young guys are going to get much of a chance this playoffs (except maybe some spot minutes for Perry on LBJ in a potential finals). While Roberson is a good rebounder, he is so inept offensively that guys can totally ignore him to crowd the paint. He's basically the same player as Thabo, and with the game Thabo had last night (even if it is way overdue), I don't think there's any way Roberson should see the floor this playoffs.

If Fisher was out his minutes will probably just go to Reggie among others. Reggie is our third most dynamic offensive player behind KD and Russ. I suspect he's going to have a big game, or at least more steady contributions, at some point. And, yes, I think we'll need it from him.

Next two games in this series switches to Los Angeles; a victory over the Clippers will put the ball back in our court.



http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

Our tough match up against the Memphis Grizzlies prepared us for this series against the Clippers.

What they're saying in Los Angeles:

:Smiley122"Adams, in particularly, seemed to get under Griffin's skin a bit in Game 2, with his aggressive, physical play."

Clippers need more from Blake Griffin against physical Thunder*-*Los Angeles Times (http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-clippers-blake-griffin-thunder-20140508-story.html)

"The Clippers can overcome big scoring nights from Kevin Durant (32 points) and Russell Westbrook (31), but when the Thunder stars also manage a combined 22 rebounds and 19 assists -- that's a problem."

Clippers need to protect boards, limit Thunder role players in Game 3*-*Los Angeles Times (http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-ln-clippers-thunder-role-players-20140508-story.html)


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

Huge win tonight! The Clippers play us tough but our guys did enough to steal home court back. If we can take Game 4 as well...

Ibaka was amazing tonight.

Russell showing his brilliance as of late. Really great team ball tonight.

HCA is back baby! Let's take Sunday afternoon and close it out in the 'Peake!

I am going to keep it short. YEEHAW!!!!

When KD and Russ are both on, we're a handful. If anyone else makes a significant contribution, we're all but unbeatable. Serge was nearly perfect, and Caron hit some key 3s down the stretch.

I think if the Thunder win on Sunday, then they close out in 5, otherwise, though it should finish in 6, it will probably go to 7 off a bad overall performance by the Thunder.

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The Thunder has shown resilience in turning the tables on the Clippers. Really proud of the way our team didn't panic, continued to chip away and maintained its strength until the Clippers cracked. 'Cracked,' which reminded me--what was Chris Paul smoking when they asked him about his relationship off the court with Durant.

Chris Paul has really turned into 'ugly' character since moving out west. .


Kevin Durant has true class & character. He respects his coaches, team players, fans and opponents which shows why he's the MVP!

Now the pressure back on the L.A. Clippers. Time for the Thunder to move in for the kill; take game four and close this thing out at home.



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Not to dwell on Harden - I was expecting the trade the moment they re-signed Serge and was pretty sanguine when the move happened - but I think his style of play also made it easy to turn on him. I feel the same way about Chris Paul and OKC-native and Sooner Blake Griffin.

In the back of my mind I was a little bit troubled by the flopping, ref deception and other things I normally think of as dirty play. But when they were playing for my teams I did my best (and found it easy) to overlook it, and even was a little bit entertained by it at times, chalking it up to craft. But once they left (and for each guy the flopping - cheating - has become way more pronounced since), I found it very easy to dislike them.

Believe me, I notice the occasional flop, whine, grapple and nut shot from our own guys, but in no way does it define our style of play. I think in some cases a few of our guys (Westbrook for example) would rather be beaten than resort to flopping. I respect that.

Chrissy Paul has always been a drama queen...Much too good to flop, dramatize even the slightest touch and whine about every call

Refreshing to watch Adams "the anti-flopper" play.

It would be nice if OKC could put this away in 5 and get some rest. It's a tall order, but if they play like they did the last 2 games, I just don't think the Clips have it in them to beat OKC. Unless the Clippers combine an onslaught of 3-point shooting with a massive advantage in the turnover department, the overall Clipper defense just isn't good enough to stymy OKC. OKC will continue to dominate the boards because OKC they've been the best rebounding team in the league all season and have all the assets to continue that domination.

But if they were to put the series away in 5 and the IND/WAS could go to 7, OKC could at least a full 4 days rest between series.

What a great game that was. The hustle and effort put forth by Team Thunder on both sides of the ball and the Clippers as well. Just a great game to watch. Of course, the best part was the Thunder ended up on top. I think back to when the NBA meant; not much hustle, not getting back to play defense, and a lot of one-on-one play. But this was real basketball played at the level it should be played. Great job Thunder.

It would be nice if OKC could put this away in 5 and get some rest. It's a tall order, but if they play like they did the last 2 games, I just don't think the Clips have it in them to beat OKC. Unless the Clippers combine an onslaught of 3-point shooting with a massive advantage in the turnover department, the overall Clipper defense just isn't good enough to stymy OKC. OKC will continue to dominate the boards because OKC they've been the best rebounding team in the league all season and have all the assets to continue that domination.

But if they were to put the series away in 5 and the IND/WAS could go to 7, OKC could at least a full 4 days rest between series.


Honestly I don't think this team needs the rest. I would rather keep on pace with this 1 on, 1 off pattern. We seem to suck after multiple days of rest.

However, I would love to close this out in 5.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say we're not closing this out in 5. The Clippers have had a couple bad shooting games in a row after their scorching hot game 1. I suspect they've got a good shooting game coming... I hope I'm wrong though.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say we're not closing this out in 5. The Clippers have had a couple bad shooting games in a row after their scorching hot game 1. I suspect they've got a good shooting game coming... I hope I'm wrong though.

Regardless, I still hope they pull out a win in game four, since it is fairly rare for lower ranked teams to come back when getting behind in the series 3-1.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say we're not closing this out in 5. The Clippers have had a couple bad shooting games in a row after their scorching hot game 1. I suspect they've got a good shooting game coming... I hope I'm wrong though.

45% is not a bad shooting game. May not be their best, but 45-48 is about average


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45% is not a bad shooting game. May not be their best, but 45-48 is about average

7/26 from 3 point range is though. I expect them to have a 3 point outburst in another game... I hope I'm wrong.

Thunder got balanced scoring with contributions from the bench players:

PTS
14 Butler
14 Jackson
04 Adams
02 Collison

34 Points from the bench.

Key stats:
Thunder FGM-A 44-79 - 55.7% vs. Clippers FGM-A 42-93 - 45.2% - Rebounds: Thunder 44 Clippers 33.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers - Box Score - May 09, 2014 - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?id=400556256)



http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

So much for Portland giving San Antonio a run for their money.

Spurs making them look like a joke this series.

So much for Portland giving San Antonio a run for their money.

Spurs making them look like a joke this series.

I picked San Antonio in that series.


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Sure is quiet out in Los Angeles. Thunder 32 Clippers 15 at end of 1st quarter.

1 point game...


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I'm afraid we'll see a Finals rematch. The media wants Miami to keep on winning.

Well that was disappointing.