Kevin Durant out indefinitely

[Andrew]

Well, the news just keeps getting worse and worse for the Thunder...

Reigning NBA MVP Kevin Durant likely won't return this season.

General manager Sam Presti said Friday that Durant still has pain in his right foot, well after he was expected to be ready to return. When asked if the best thing would be best to shut him down for the season, Presti said: "Essentially, that's the direction that we're taking right now, in terms of removing him from all basketball-related activities."

[NovU]

At least OKC has Westbrook continuing to thrive at unseen level. He just had a triple double again in a Win against East's best team Hawks.

Maybe it's for the best that KD sits out a season to fully heal up and let Westbrook continue excel and learn.



In contrast to KD, fellow superstar Paul George seems to have made great progress in recovery. He might come back next week. Obviously we won't see him at 100% this early but this news is nonetheless promising since he was likely to sit out for entire season due to freaky nature of injury.

[shadowgrin]

I smell another Derrick Rose, young MVP whose promising career is bogged down by injuries.

[Andrew]

I don't know about that. I certainly hope not; it's bad enough the league has had one rising star's career derailed by injuries in recent times, let alone losing a more established star into the bargain. I'd hate to see another Anfernee Hardaway/Grant Hill situation where we have two players who were meant to be among the league's marquee attractions instead spending most of their career in street clothes...well, casual formal attire, as the current dress code dictates.

[Andrew]

Officially out for the season.

If the Oklahoma City Thunder are going to make a run in the NBA playoffs — not to mention even making the playoffs — they’re going to have to do it without Kevin Durant.

The Thunder on Friday announced that Durant was done for the season, as he will undergo a third surgery to his right foot, where he suffered a Jones fracture that led to the first surgery before the season began.

[Phil89]

I can't see OKC mounting a serious championship challenge without Durant. The (likely) first round match-up with the Warriors should still be fun though.