Durant works on Magic shot

WASHINGTON – Looking to expand his arsenal, Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant said the other day he’s working to add Magic Johnson’s patented running flip-up hook as a weapon and while it’s taking long to master, the goal is to use the shot with his new low-top, lightweight KD VI signature shoe in the next NBA season.

“I think the shot will add to my game,” said the 24-year-old Durant. “Right now, out of 20 shots, I’m making four or five so I’ve got a long way to go. It’s all about getting better. Last season, we were expecting to go back to the Finals. We had the best record in the West but when our point guard went down in the second game of the playoffs, it got tough. It was a learning experience. I know we’ll go back to the Finals and one day, bring a championship to Oklahoma City.”

Durant said even as he has led the NBA in scoring thrice, Oklahoma City wouldn’t be successful without his teammates. “We help each other out,” he said. “Basketball is a team game. When I don’t do well, my teammates cover for me. And when I do well, I never forget getting my teammates involved.”

Asked about his Manila trip two years ago, Durant said he’d like to go back and interact with the fans. “I was amazed at how big basketball is in the Philippines,” he said. “It was a wonderful experience playing in Manila. I didn’t realize how Americanized the country is. I felt right at home because I sense the love for the game.” Durant said he remembers playing against Gilas but doesn’t recall getting dunked on by Japeth Aguilar.

Durant said his best game this past season was when the Thunder beat the Sixers, 116-109, at Philadelphia last November. “I had a bad start, like seven or eight points at the half,” he said. “I was sluggish and lazy for some reason. Then, things got going in the second half but we missed our last seven shots in regulation. In overtime, I had three assists that led to three triples and we shot up by nine or 10. I ended up with 37 points. I felt that effort got us closer together as a team.”

On his greatest achievement so far, Durant said it was getting drafted in the NBA in 2007 because that opened the doors for him to take his game to the next level and give back to those who supported his rise to the top.

Durant said surviving tough times will make the Thunder ready for more challenges. The former University of Texas standout quoted his now-famous “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard” popularized in the 2012 movie “Thunderstruck” where he played himself. “In the gym, I’m always working to get stronger, to improve my ballhandling, whatever is my limitation,” he said. “I also try to do things I’ve never done before. During summer, I challenge myself to keep working because that’s how our team will get better. You need to be mentally and physically strong. You’ve got to be locked in and focused at practice. I’ve got a long ways to go to become the best player on the planet. It’s a process and it takes time. I try to make the most out of every moment because sometimes, when you want that moment back, it’s not there anymore.”

At the Seat Pleasant Activity Center in his hometown, Durant spent hours shooting hoops during summer when he was in high school. The facility opened 5 a.m. and closed 7 p,m. When it would come near closing time, Durant and brother Tony made a mad dash to their grandmother Barbara Davis’ home which is about a 15-minute walk away. Occasionally, Durant stayed the night at the gym behind the curtains as it was dangerous walking around in the neighborhood late.          

Durant’s brother Tony, 27, said growing up, they would use their grandmother’s house as an intervention center. “That’s where we would go for birthday celebrations and Sunday get-togethers,” said Tony. “That’s also where we learned the values of respect, humility and just being good people. Our grandmother prepared countless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for us. We cherish every moment with our grandmother. We understand that where we came from is what makes us. Our family is big on respect.”

Durant’s grandmother doesn’t live in the house anymore. It is now occupied by a cousin’s family. She said Durant bought her a new house and a new car. A highlight of the Durant KD VI shoe launch was inviting global media to visit the home on Sultan Avenue corner Faye Street.

Durant’s mother Wanda Pratt broke down and cried as she recalled the hardships of raising her children with her husband Wayne leaving the family before the future NBA star turned one year old.  â€œWho would’ve imagined back then that someday, a big crowd of media would come see us on the porch of my mother’s house?” said Wanda. “When Kevin was young, I pushed him to work hard. I knew he would grow up to be special. We’re proud of how he turned out as he remains humble, down-to-earth and respectful.” She said after Durant came from Manila two years ago, all he spoke about was the magnitude of the game’s popularity among Filipinos. “He loved it in the Philippines and he couldn’t believe the passion for the game by Filipinos,” she said. “I’m sure if he’s invited back, he wouldn’t hesitate at all to visit again.”