Yes, shots were forced. And the defense wasn’t exactly vice-like. No, this wasn’t LeBron dominating the Kings in his debut. And it ended so damn late we’re bound to fall asleep at some point today. Still, Kevin Durant’s 7-for-22, 18-point, 5-rebound performance in Seattle’s 120-103 loss to the Nuggets did take hold of our interest for a few hours late last night.

Durant’s ankle looked fine. He blew past led-footed Carmelo Anthony for his first NBA bucket, and later stuck a three in Melo’s eye. Then he got Glenn Robinson Big Dog-itis and was impatient, chucking as soon as he got the chance. But the lack of a Seattle offense (no point guard, only one post presence on the team) had everyone jacking shots (we’re cool with Durant taking 22 shots – would have been fine with 30). For three quarters, Seattle was making jumpers; in the fourth it went cold and Denver pulled away to win easily. Allen Iverson – looking every bit as quick and tough as he did in 2000, abused overmatched Earl Watson for 25 points, 14 assists and seven steals. About the only thing we didn’t like was picking Seattle to reach the playoffs. These guys don’t play any defense.

Comments on other Sonics: They better pray Luke Ridnour’s broken nose heals quickly, because Watson (1-for-8) is not a starting NBA point guard; anyone else think Wally (0-3) looked a bit overweight and slow? None Nene-fat, but definitely chunkier. He’s also lost a step, because he couldn’t get past Mark Eaton … Damien Wilkins was hot (21 points), and so was Delonte West (19 points), but something about these two guys gave us the impression they wanted to tell the national TV audience, ‘hey, we’ve got more than some hot shot rookie.’

Lessons learned in loss to Nuggets, 120-103 (Seattle Times)
Kevin Durant audio (Seattle Times)