Kevin Durant, this year’s likely NBA MVP, hasn’t been able to find his rhythm offensively in the first-round against the Memphis Grizzlies, shooting 40% from the field. Apparently, before the Thunder’s biggest game of the season tonight, The Oklahoman has given KD a new nickname.
Here’s how Barry Tramel came to the conclusion of “Mr. Unreliable” for Kevin Durant:
[Tony] Allen is inside Durant’s head. Durant is dazed and confused. Hesitant and docile. The Memphis Doberman has turned Durant into mere mortal this Western Conference playoff series. The Thunder is on the brink of elimination, and if Durant doesn’t return to something approaching the Slim Reaper in Game 6 Thursday night, Grim Sleeper is going to be more like it.
Durant went to the foul line three times – and made just one of two on all three trips, including a miss after Crawford’s interruption, when the Thunder trailed 100-99 with 27.5 seconds left in overtime, a score that held up at the end. For six years, Durant has shot foul shots on a string. Mister Automatic. Now he’s unreliable.
Oklahoma City’s New 9 had a good comeback to the headline, and one that almost everyone would agree to:
“Mr. Unreliable” ?? We respectfully disagree. Good luck tonight, Thunder! #webelieveinKD pic.twitter.com/qDHJTk1pEU
— News 9 (@NEWS9) May 1, 2014
