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In a year of trade talks, injuries, and new faces in new places.  One new face has made it all the way to Seattle, Washington and the person is my pick for rookie of the year Mr. Kevin Durant.  Being the second pick over all in the draft this past June, Durant is quickly making a name for himself in the NBA.  Last night was his first game against Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets. It didn’t go the way he had plan it, the Sonics ended up losing the game 103 - 120.   His shots were a little off, he made is first shot at the free throw line and made an airball just mintues later but he still finished with 18pts. 

As gifted as Durant is and by all accounts he’s got the tools to become a special player but some rookies in this star-driven NBA sometimes turn up as second-class-citizens.  But everyone goes through it.  That’s just one of the lessons he’ll have to learn. 

In the preseason Durant faced big names and it looked like they were outmatched in the talent department.  During the 126-106 defeat to the Lakers, Kobe Bryant scored 16pts in a three minute span.  With the Houston Rockets, Tracy McGrady (30pts) began draining shots and Portland’s Brandon Roy almost single-handedly led the Trail Blazers to a 109-107 victory.  Durant, who missed the final two exhibitioons because of a sprained left ankle, led the Sonics in scoring with 18.8avg.  This is his first year but it could also be Seattles last year with the Sonics.  That is the least of Durant’s worries, now he is just focusing on his fisrt year and showing everyone why he will be Rookie of the Year.