OPUBCO COMMUNICATIONS GROUP PRESENTS OPUBCO COMMUNICATIONS GROUP BEST VIEWED IN IBOOKS NBA IN OKC THE NEXT STEP A L O O K AT T H E M O M E N T S A N D P H O T O S T H AT M A K E T H E F U T U R E S O B R I G H T FOR OKC’S TEAM PAGE 1 I OKC THUNDER I 2010-2011 SEASON REVIEW OKTHUNDERC PUBLISHED WITH STORIES, PHOTOS FROM THE OKLAHOMAN OPUBCO INSIDE THE BOOK COMMUNICATIONS GROUP PRESIDENT David Thompson 4 | Kevin Durant 10 | The altar boy 27 | The beard EXECUTIVE VICE A look at what has made KD Jenni Carlson introduces you James Harden found PRESIDENT one of the biggest superstars to the big man in the middle another level to his game Christopher P. Reen in Oklahoma City, and the for the Thunder, Kendrick in the playoffs against the NBA. Perkins. Dallas Mavericks. EDITOR & VICE PRESIDENT OF NEWS Kelly Dyer Fry ART DIRECTOR Todd Pendleton SPORTS EDITOR Mike Sherman PROJECT DESIGNER Matthew Clayton >>> The NBA in OKC year in review was published by OPUBCO Communications Group, 9000 Broadway Exten- sion, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73114. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any man- Version 2.9.6.3 10836256_1, colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black 30.06.2011 14:32 ProPag ner without the written permis- sion from OPUBCO Communications Group. Copyright © 2011 OPUBCO Communications Group, all rights reserved. ON THE COVER: Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant slams one home during game 7 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals win over the Memphis Grizzlies at the OKC Arena. PHOTO BY SARAH PHIpps, THE OKLAHOMAN. PAGE 3 I OKC THUNDER I 2010-2011 SEASON REVIEW OKTHUNDERC Info AdNumber : 10836256_1 First Pub Date : 20110630 Size : 3.625 x 4.812 Colours : Cyan,Magenta,Yellow Proof Dest. : LayoutComment : OPUBCO COMMUNICATIONS GROUP CHAPTER ONE The kindness of Kevin Durant. STORY BY DARNELL MAYBERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN ayne Murdoch sat camped under the basket, on the cusp of capturing a potentially picture- perfect portrait. He steadied his lens as the three-on-two fast break crept closer to him. He held his position even when the action became too close for comfort. Suddenly, Kevin Durant slammed into him, the contact from two Charlotte Bobcats defend- ers sending him crashing to the floor following a reverse layup attempt. Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar, banged his head at the end of the play. Mur- doch was knocked over on impact. Durant rolled around in pain while rubbing the back of his head. Yet, with his noggin throbbing, and his team nursing a tenuous one-point lead in the second half, Durant still had the presence of mind to turn his attention to the well-being of someone else, something more significant than the scoreboard. He asked Murdoch if he was all right. “It kind of cracked me up because I was really concerned about him,” Murdoch said. “I was like, ‘Yeah I’m OK. Are you OK?’” Murdoch is the NBA’s team photographer for the Thunder. In his 31 years of taking NBA photos, he’s been barreled over by everyone from Hakeem Olajuwon to Karl Malone. The Mailman actually sat on Murdoch with no regard while arguing a call with a referee. And Murdoch’s seen much worse, like the infamous image of Dennis Rodman kicking a cameraman in the groin following a crash in Minnesota — and then laughing about it. But after his collision with Durant, Murdoch joined a rapidly growing group that has experienced the kindness of Kevin Durant. It’s a trait that Durant displays daily, but one that runs deeper than anything fans see on tele- vision. Now in his fourth season, Durant’s congeniality off the court has become as captivating as anything he’s THE OKLAHOMAN CHRIS LANDSBERGER, BY PHOTO capable of delivering on it. His compassion is all-inclusive. Custodial workers inside Oklahoma City Arena receive the same respect as team chairman Clay Bennett. Fans have been extended the same hos- pitality Durant reserves for friends and family. And it’s no act. Ask anyone who’s been around Durant about his genuineness and they’ll assure you it’s legit. “He’s always had a maturity about him of being that positive role model,” said Utah guard Earl Watson, a teammate of Durant’s during his first two NBA seasons. “He didn’t come into the league as an immature individual, which is rare for someone so young.” Watch Durant work a room, taking time for strangers like they’re old friends, and you’ll forget the young man is still just 22. Most his age haven’t been out of college a full year. Durant, meanwhile, has the weight of a professional sports franchise and, to an extent, a city on his back. And he’s making carrying them look easy. “He’s such a great ambassador to not only our organization but the entire NBA off the floor,” said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. Durant is a pro athlete without a sliver of a sense of entitlement. He has an admitted passion for pleasing and “wanting to see people happy.” Of the few times Durant turns down requests, he generally is being ushered away by his handlers. Even then, Durant apologizes and explains he has to go while being hurried away. SEE REST OF STORY ON PAGE 5 PAGE 4 I OKC THUNDER I 2010-2011 SEASON REVIEW OKTHUNDERC OPUBCO COMMUNICATIONS GROUP Kevin Durant is the next big thing in the NBA, but most importantly for the Thunder organization, he is a pro athlete without a sliver of a sense of entitle- ment. He has an admitted passion for pleasing and “wanting to see people happy.” Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman “I just tell myself that I need to do what gingerly into the locker room. A male Wayne Pratt often preached about hav- Jesus would do,” Durant said. “He would usher on one side of the tunnel stopped ing a small window to make a difference do the same thing, go the extra mile just Durant and inquired about where he was and impact lives. Each time Durant stops to please people. So I said why not me?” from. As Durant finished answering and and shakes a hand or poses for a picture, ‘I like to see people smiling’ resumed his trek to the locker room, an that’s what he’s trying to do, knowing full Durant entered the NBA as the next adult male fan rushed down the lower well how much it means to so many to be big thing. He was the player of the year bowl on the other side of the tunnel. The able to meet an NBA player. during his lone season at the University fan asked Durant to pose for a picture. “He understands that it’s a blessing. Ev- of Texas. He was the No. 2 overall pick in Durant did. The decision opened the erything that’s given to you is a blessing,” 2007. And while playing his rookie sea- floodgates, sending kids racing down the said Wayne Pratt. “At the end of the day son with the Seattle SuperSonics, Durant aisles like seagulls at the sight of bread. basketball is just a game. And you still often invited neighborhood children in- Durant spent the next five minutes pos- have to be a person after that.” side his home to play video games during ing for pictures and signing autographs — That’s why, after a 40-point perfor- his down time. while standing on his still gimpy ankle. mance, Durant still extends a handshake Today, as a scoring champ, a First- Kobe Bryant and LeBron James aren’t and a cordial “good night” to each male Team All-NBA selection and a two-time doing that. police officer and usher standing outside All-Star, Durant still caters to fans to an “I like to see people smiling,” Durant the Thunder’s locker room. He might pull almost ridiculous degree. After sustain- said. “So I do whatever it takes.” female officers and ushers in for a hug. ing an ankle sprain during a home game ‘It didn’t have to be you’ Most all of them, Durant addresses by against Indiana, Durant had to leave Durant’s parents, Wayne and Wanda name. It’s why during the game, Durant the arena in a protective boot. With his Pratt, instilled a sense of humility. Wanda generally hands ball boys his sweats and brother, Tony, and good friend, Charlie Pratt has often told her youngest son, “It towels just before he checks back in. Bell, by his side, Durant started to limp didn’t have to be you,” a quote that has Other players are notorious for dropping out of the arena. A member of the cus- stuck with Durant. their warm-ups on the floor and mak- todial staff stopped the three and made “That’s as simple as it can get,” Durant ing the ball boys pick them up, or, worse, small talk. Durant, at the end of an exas- said. “But it taught me that it could be throwing the gear at them. It’s why perating evening, obliged. the guy living across the street that’s in Durant has a nightly routine for signing Two nights later, the injury left Durant my shoes. I was blessed to be a guy that’s autographs at home games: robotically questionable to play at Atlanta. After been chosen to do something.