Thunder's Durant happily returns to small forward

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The day of Kevin Durant at forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder are over. The reigning Rookie of the Year is now a small forward, finally playing the position many NBA minds think best fits his gangly 6-foot-10 frame and versatile skill set.

In his first move as Thunder interim coach, Scott Brooks shifted Durant from shooting guard to small forward, bringing an end to a 92-game experiment designed to protect the rail thin Durant against bigger, stronger opponents.

But Durant says he's ready to take on the move full time.

"I definitely am," Durant said. "That's my natural position. I've been playing that mostly my whole life. The last game I felt a lot more comfortable at (small forward), guarding (small forwards) and just helping my team out in different areas. So I'm excited."

As a shooting guard, Durant often stood around the 3-point line waiting for the ball to be swung his way. His offense was primarily one-dimensional, heavy on jump shots over small defenders, resulting in few drives to the basket and an average field-goal percentage.

Source: The Oklahoman

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1. Posted by Micheal S Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:18 pm EDT
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14th good move for him
2. Posted by Anthony Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:56 pm EDT
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this is a great move.. but this dude above me obviously has no life as you can see
3. Posted by carl121 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:26 pm EDT
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you happy now... Colbination idiot moron ....
4. Posted by Booby Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:57 pm EDT
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get a life dude
5. Posted by JERome Baker Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:53 pm EDT
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thought K.D. would have a more all around game but he is still a baby so we'll see. Think this guys gonna be a monster in a year or two.
6. Posted by WiltdaStilt Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:23 pm EDT
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This article makes no sense "His days as a forward are over". I don't think the CEO was the problem...
7. Posted by Zaid B Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:46 pm EDT
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The idiot who posted this definately made a type on the first line, but anyways this move will help in Durant's growth in this league. He is now more inclined to get bigger and stronger, but you got to like this move (opens up the position for Westbrook, too.)
8. Posted by Tanzie T Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:01 pm EDT
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kevin durant is overrated
9. Posted by Dirty D Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:41 pm EDT
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Your overrated
10. Posted by iFaHaD Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:36 pm EDT
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All of ya r overrated
11. Posted by KING Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT
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yeah i agree although he is small he is beastly and energetic and has hops out of the gym so it doesnt really matter if he is undersized because he is very physical and athletic i think he will have a better scoring chance and can get massive rebounds than say at sg standing outside most of the time.GO BULLS ROSE IS THE BEST
12. Posted by KING Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT
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yeah i agree although he is small he is beastly and energetic and has hops out of the gym so it doesnt really matter if he is undersized because he is very physical and athletic i think he will have a better scoring chance and can get massive rebounds than say at sg standing outside most of the time.GO BULLS ROSE IS THE BEST
13. Posted by bitlord Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:16 pm EDT
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Maybe the knicks should sign him toooo if he becomes a free agent....???????
23rd!!???woohooo
14. Posted by Speeeeeeeeeeewn Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:16 pm EDT
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!&*^@*!^@*^@28th!!!!!!!!
15. Posted by Chris M (2009 NBA CHAMPION LAKERS!) Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:05 pm EDT
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Man, this guy needs to hit the weight room asap! He's got the biceps of a fifth grader! If he doesn't put some meat on those bones, he'll never be a superstar!
16. Posted by DW Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:50 pm EDT
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Since I have KD in a fantasy league, I'm ready for anything that puts him in a better position to score and more. This is the "anything". PJ never knew how to use players or to inspire them to better play. This is a good idea. And I like that the new coach is using different combinations of players. Westbrook will be brought into the mix more and that's fine for a losing, though young and talented team. Now find a real coach Presti because you have more young talent headed your way in the next 2 drafts.
17. Posted by cubanatic Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT
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kevin durant is all hype
18. Posted by chiearch Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:14 pm EDT
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dirty d sucks
19. Posted by Marc M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT
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Other small forwards like Kobe or LeBron will eat him up big time! I hope he can add more weight but then the weight will slow him down. His as frail as Shawn Livingston. Oh noo..
20. Posted by DweebCake Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm EDT
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Marc - Kobe is a shooting guard. He only plays small forward if he has to because of who's on the floor because of his versatility.
Kevin Durant is really good. Hes not overrated. Its just that his team sucks. Its quite possible that without kevin durant, the team would have a 0 win season. you also have to consider that this is his 2nd y ear in the nba.
21. Posted by Redskins21 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:28 pm EDT
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He'll be alright. He's going to be a mini KG. he needs to get better at the post, with his speed and jumping ability he'll cause alot of problems for small forwards and guards in the paint.
22. Posted by Daniel V Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:52 pm EDT
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Anyone calling this guy overrated or all hype obviously doesn't watch or know anything about basketball. It's his 2nd year in the league. Not his fault PJ, for whatever clueless reason, thought he was better at SG than SF. He'll be a solid player and multi All Star for years to come.
23. Posted by jack Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:26 pm EDT
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Great! maybe now they will be able to catch the clippers!
24. Posted by Kevin N Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:48 pm EDT
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Kevin Durant needs to bulk up in the gym. Then find another city to play in, he is not going to get anywhere playing for OKC. He needs to go to a bigger marketing team!
Go Lakers!