Sonics get to know Durant — and vice versa

Earl Watson heard all he needed to hear from Jason Kidd about Kevin Durant.

Point guards tend to gossip more than tabloid columnists whenever they play with a phenom like Durant. So after a two-week Team USA training camp, Kidd began spreading the gospel about the Sonics' prized rookie.

"Jason Kidd really loves Kevin Durant," Watson said. "He was like, 'Man, I love that kid. I love playing with him.' He was just raving about him.

"I was already excited to have a chance to actually play with him for an entire season, and I just wanted to get on the court with him as soon as possible. For a point guard to get that chemistry with a shooter is really important."

So Watson not only jumped at the chance to play in pickup games with Durant and other Sonics last week, he helped arrange them.

There were no coaches, fans or media at the Furtado Center. The players didn't run any schemes that will soon be implemented by new coach P.J. Carlesimo, and there was nothing at stake except for pride.

"Everybody is competitive," Durant said. "Everybody wants to win. We had three teams that played. So you sit out a game [when you lose]. If you sit out a game, you're very mad. Whoever sits out, you come back out with that fire.

"The first day, my team, we lost three straight, and the first to win four games wins. Then we won four straight and we won. I think that shows that everybody is competitive and everybody wants to win."

That day Durant played with Sonics Nick Collison and Mouhamed Sene as well as veteran guards Doug Christie and Jermaine Jackson.

By most accounts, Durant, a 6-foot-9 small forward, showed everyone why he was the No. 2 overall NBA draft pick and the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award.

Still, he was surprised by Watson, the 6-1 guard, who was wildly inconsistent last year and has struggled to find a role with the Sonics since arriving in a Feb. 23, 2006, trade from Denver.

"I haven't seen Earl Watson since a couple of years," Durant said. "He impressed me so much. He can do so much with the ball. ... He's a real tough player. He plays defense. He does whatever you need him to do on defense. He's a pass-first point guard. He comes off the screen and he hits you with no-look [passes]. He comes off the screen shooting jumpers, fadeaways or gets to the basket.

"He's such a smart player. I didn't know he was that good."

Durant figures to be the only Sonic with a guaranteed spot in the starting lineup.

Watson will have to contend with Luke Ridnour, who started 58 games last season, and newcomer Delonte West. If Durant starts at small forward, the shooting-guard job is wide open. Contenders include: rookie Jeff Green, Damien Wilkins, Mickael Gelabale and Wally Szczerbiak, who missed 50 games last season in Boston because of ankle surgery but is cleared to practice.

Chris Wilcox is nearly a lock to start at power forward, but Collison may push him for starting time. Collison started 56 games last year as an undersized 6-10 center, but it remains to be seen whether he'll have a chance to keep his job. Carlesimo has alluded to favoring a 7-footer at center and will have his choice between Johan Petro, Sene and Robert Swift, who missed last season because of knee surgery.

Seattle newcomer Kurt Thomas will also contend for minutes at power forward and center, however the 12-year veteran appears more suited as a backup than a starter.

"Everyone has a chance to compete for a starting role," Watson said. "So many changes they made, there's no telling which direction they're going to take our team in.

"Regardless of anything else, Kevin and Jeff Green are two of the most intricate parts of our team this year. It's up to us to encourage and support their growth no matter what happens on the court."

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com