Tue Feb 26 15:02:16 2008

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Durant still has a lot of work to do

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(Sports Network) - Rookie Kevin Durant will most likely win the 2007-08 NBA Rookie of the Year. While winning that award says plenty, there is still a lot of work the Texas product needs to do to improve his all-around game.

Durant is averaging a team-best 19.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists in his first 53 NBA games. He is shooting 40.0 percent from the field, including 28.9 percent from three-point range. The 6-9 Durant needs to be more active on the defensive end of the court and has to be more consistent with his outside shot.

The 19-year-old Durant has time on his side. He is the franchise player and management will try to build around him. Fellow rookie Jeff Green, who is averaging 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds this season, is one piece to the puzzle. The SuperSonics (15-40) are looking towards the future and not worrying about their current record.

Seattle was involved in a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline (February 21st), which showed that they are eyeing the future by trimming payroll. The Cavaliers, Bulls and Seattle completed a three-team, 11-player trade.

In an attempt to beef up its roster for a playoff push, Cleveland acquired forward/center Ben Wallace and forward Joe Smith from the Chicago Bulls, as well as swingman Wally Szczerbiak and guard Delonte West from the SuperSonics.

Chicago received guards Larry Hughes and Shannon Brown, plus forwards Drew Gooden and Cedric Simmons from the Cavs, while Seattle picked up former Cavs Ira Newble and Donyell Marshall as well as forward Adrian Griffin and a 2009 second-round draft pick from the Bulls.

On February 20th, the SuperSonics also dealt veteran Kurt Thomas to San Antonio for guard Brent Barry, center Francisco Elson and a 2009 first-round draft pick. Barry was waived.

The Golden State Warriors play the third of a five-game homestand when they host the SuperSonics on Tuesday at ORACLE Arena. It is the second meeting of the campaign between the clubs. On December 2nd, Andris Biedrins had a double- double with 18 points and 16 rebounds, as Golden State defeated Seattle, 109-96, at KeyArena.

The Warriors have won three in a row in the series. Seattle has lost four straight and seven of its last eight at Golden State.

Seattle tries to get back on the winning track against Golden State. On Sunday, Pau Gasol had 22 points to lead seven Lakers in double figures, as Los Angeles earned a 111-91 victory over the SuperSonics at KeyArena.

Mickael Gelabale poured in a career-high 21 points for the SuperSonics, who have dropped two of their last three games overall. Durant and Green scored 15 points apiece, while Earl Watson had 12 points, five rebounds and eight assists in defeat.

The SuperSonics are 5-21 on the road this season. They will return home to host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday and the Miami Heat on Friday at KeyArena.