Originally published Monday, March 10, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Sonics Notebook | Kevin Durant more selective on three-point tries
In his first NBA game, Kevin Durant spent the majority of his time on offense behind the arc, where he launched seven three-pointers and...
Seattle Times staff reporter
Turning point: The Sonics led 58-54 at halftime but gave up six unanswered points to start the third quarter and lost the lead. When the period ended, Seattle trailed by 10 (89-79) and never got closer than five points in the fourth quarter.
Key statistic: Seattle committed 22 turnovers, the most by a Toronto opponent, which resulted in 30 points for the Raptors.
Next: Indiana, 4 p.m. Tuesday at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Percy Allen
TORONTO — In his first NBA game, Kevin Durant spent the majority of his time on offense behind the arc, where he launched seven three-pointers and connected on two.
In the past 10 games, the Sonics rookie has attempted seven total three-pointers.
"I'm just trying to be aggressive going to the basket," Durant said. "I only take threes if I'm wide open or if the shot clock is going down. I'm trying to get to the basket, shoot a mid-range or drive to the basket. I think when I do that, you get to the line more, you get easy points and your percentage goes up. I should have started that early on."
Durant's free-throw attempts have increased this season. In the first 10 games, the 6-foot-9 shooting guard took 45 shots from the line. He has 67 in the past 10 games.
"He's still learning how to be effective," guard Earl Watson said. "He's so tall, he can get that [three-point] shot off anytime he wants. Personally, I think he should shoot the three because we need three-point shooters. The three-point shot can change the game."
The Sonics attempted 744 three-pointers before Sunday, 29th in the NBA.
When the season began, coach P.J. Carlesimo gave Durant the green light to discover his offensive game. He attempted 58 three-pointers in the first 10 games and never took fewer than three in a game. In 17 games in Febuary and March, Durant has 15.
Carlesimo said Durant hasn't been told to not shoot threes, but opponents have been paying more attention to him and that's having an effect.
"They're saying, 'I'm not letting this guy get open looks,' " Carlesimo said.
Durant is second among rookies with 179 three-point attempts, but his .279 shooting percentage is ninth among the 10 rookies who have attempted at least 40 three-pointers.
"I think he can be a very good three-point shooter because it's an easy shot for him," Carlesimo said.
KeyArena plan
Save Our Sonics is urging fans to call legislators to voice support for a KeyArena remodel plan to be addressed during the legislative session that ends Thursday. The Washington legislative hotline is 1-800-562-6000.
"If people have felt powerless and want to do one simple thing, they should call this hotline," said the group's founder, Brian Robinson. "There is still time to act and these calls make a tremendous impact."
Note
• The Sonics are considering re-signing G Mike Wilks, whose 10-day contract expires today, to another 10-day deal. Wilks made just one appearance: two points and one assist Friday in Philadelphia.
| SEATTLE | |||||||
| min | fgm-a | ftm-a | or-t | a | pf | pts | |
| Green | 27:08 | 2-5 | 2-2 | 0-2 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Wilcox | 38:24 | 10-17 | 8-9 | 1-10 | 2 | 2 | 28 |
| Petro | 18:23 | 2-3 | 0-0 | 0-6 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Watson | 31:01 | 5-10 | 4-6 | 1-3 | 8 | 2 | 14 |
| Durant | 35:50 | 7-15 | 6-6 | 0-6 | 3 | 2 | 20 |
| Collison | 31:52 | 6-9 | 0-0 | 2-8 | 2 | 3 | 12 |
| Wilkins | 24:13 | 5-7 | 0-0 | 1-2 | 1 | 4 | 11 |
| Ridnour | 16:59 | 2-4 | 2-2 | 0-0 | 9 | 0 | 6 |
| Gelabale | 9:21 | 1-3 | 2-2 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Elson | 6:49 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 1-1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 40-74 | 24-27 | 6-38 | 28 | 18 | 106 | |
| TORONTO | |||||||
| min | fgm-a | ftm-a | or-t | a | pf | pts | |
| Moon | 21:43 | 4-6 | 0-0 | 1-5 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| Bargnani | 47:28 | 6-21 | 4-4 | 0-7 | 2 | 2 | 16 |
| Nesterovic | 28:27 | 7-10 | 3-3 | 0-6 | 6 | 4 | 17 |
| Calderon | 27:41 | 3-5 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 5 | 1 | 7 |
| Parker | 32:16 | 8-14 | 5-5 | 1-4 | 3 | 3 | 23 |
| Ford | 20:19 | 3-9 | 0-0 | 1-1 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Brezec | 5:06 | 0-3 | 0-0 | 2-2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Kapono | 15:44 | 4-6 | 0-0 | 0-1 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| Delfino | 26:49 | 4-12 | 6-6 | 2-4 | 3 | 1 | 15 |
| Humphries | 14:27 | 6-6 | 0-2 | 4-6 | 1 | 2 | 12 |
| Totals | 45-92 | 18-20 | 11-36 | 26 | 20 | 114 | |
| Seattle | 31 | 27 | 21 | 27 — 106 |
| Toronto | 24 | 30 | 35 | 25 — 114 |
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
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