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Chris Miller: Kobe CP3 Durant Blake Griffin and Andrew Bynum Western All Star starters Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Andrew Bynum 

Somebody get Kevin Durant a pair of sunglasses and a tuxedo to wear on the red carpet. That way he’ll feel right at home as an honorary member of Team Hollywood for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game. It’s two Lakers, two Clippers and the two-time scoring champion from Oklahoma City who’ll make up the starting lineup for the Western Conference on Feb. 26 in Orlando. Forwards Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City – Crashing the All-L.A. party, he is to the West what LeBron James is to the East: the standard-bearer and a no-brainer pick (26.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.1 apg). Kobe Bryant may still be the reigning royalty in the lineup, but this fresh prince is getting ready for an MVP trophy and maybe a crown. NBA.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant 

Not everyone is so fired up about Blake Griffin's dunk over Oklahoma City big man Kendrick Perkins on Monday. The Clippers star went down the lane, elevated, made contact with Perkins and then threw the ball down into the basket, the fingers on his outstretched hand grazing the rim. The play has been the talk of the league. "I have no appreciation for it at all," said Perkins' Thunder teammate, Kevin Durant. "It was a layup, I think. He threw the ball in and got fouled and made his free throw, so it was three points at the end of the day, no matter how it happened, how it went in the basket. I really wasn't impressed. He finished it. So what? We've moved on." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Kendrick Perkins 

Durant wasn't surprised the play gained so much attention. "I wasn't surprised because Blake is a poster child," Durant said. "He dunks the ball a lot and makes spectacular plays. If it wasn't against us, maybe I'd say it was a good play, but it was against us, so it was a bad play. I have nothing against Blake, don't get me wrong. But it was against us, so I've got to stick up for my teammate." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Kendrick Perkins 

Darnell Mayberry: ESPN's @jadande asked KD which great duo in the history of the game he hopes to be like. Durant said Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Kevin Durant, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan 

I had just finished doing a television segment from the floor of Oracle Arena a little after 5 p.m., while some Thunder players shot in the background. I was a guest on Chronicle Live, and was talking about Durant, Russell Westbrook and the game itself. After I was done with the hit, I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Durant, whom I’d never met. “Hey my man, I’ve got a question for you,” Durant said. “Why does everyone want to talk about who the best player is on our team, whether it’s me or Russell? Why does everyone worry about that?” CSNBayArea.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook 

Naturally, I was defensive and told Durant that’s not what I was talking about on television. “I know,” he said. “But you’re in the media so maybe you know why some writers and guys like that do it. I just don’t get it.” “I’m not sure,” I answered. “I mean, we’re on the same team, Russell and me, so what does it matter?” Durant said. “Who cares whether he’s better than me or I’m better than him?” “Well, you know, the media does that kind of stuff every once in a while,” I said, unabashedly throwing my media brethren under the bus. “You know, it happens here some with Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry.” CSNBayArea.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook 

Durant nodded. “Thanks,” Durant said. “It’s just that we’re on the same team, you now? So it doesn’t matter. Who cares?” “You’re probably right,” I said. “I guess it doesn’t really matter.” With that, Durant thanked me one more time and while walking away said ... “I just have a lot of questions, that’s all.” CSNBayArea.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook 

However, there’s a catch and that’s where KD’s deal comes in. Someone with direct knowledge of the CBA tells me a player on a maximum level contract can’t do it. Because the restructuring has to include an extension and a designated five-year player can’t be extended. For example, a player on a three-year deal could restructure, but would have to get a new four-year deal. And since KD already has a five-year contract, he can’t add any more years to that. So the conclusion: Even if KD wanted to do it, he couldn’t do it. But would he if he could? I asked KD about it before the game against the Hornets before I had it all sorted out and for fun, here’s what he said. “If they came to me, of course I’d look at it. I want to keep everybody together,” he said. “But it seems that everything is going to fall in place perfectly as far as keeping the group together as far as contracts are concerned. But I really haven’t look into it.” DailyThunder.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant 

But like he said, it might not be. We’ve all broken down the future contract scenarios a number of times and it’s going to be close, but it’s possible the Thunder are fine. And if they’re no, so be it. You move on and try and win with who you’ve got. The fact OKC has Durant and Westbrook locked up and will almost certainly keep Harden is enough to make them a contender for a while. DailyThunder.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant 

Eddie Johnson: I was having dinner with my wife last year, looked up and saw Durant walking outside. Without hesitation I bolted out of my seat to approach him to just let him know that I admire everything about his game and his attitude. True to form, he stood there and soaked in everything I said and said thank you. Not one time in those few minutes did I feel rushed or ignored and it seemed like he was reveling in the opportunity to gain more knowledge. This is why Durant will become one of the best players this game has seen. It is mindboggling that his numbers, already in the stratosphere, continue to improve every year. He is standing alongside Kobe Bryant right now as the best perimeter shot maker in the game. The biggest asset Durant has is his leadership. The way he has handled his teammates, especially Russell Westbrook, has been extremely impressive. HoopsHype

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant 

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant will be appearing in an upcoming movie called “Thunderstruck.”The two-time NBA scoring champion filmed scenes on Tuesday.Durant plays himself in the movie. In the pivotal scene, a young boy magically swaps basketball skills with the NBA superstar, leaving Durant with the skills of a kid who couldn’t make his own high school basketball team. “It was pretty cool. I’m going to be nervous about how people view the movie and how they think my performance was,” said Durant. HoopsWorld

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant 

Jorge Sierra: Kevin Durant (@Kevin Durant), @Kevin Love and @Jared Dudley trail @Steve Nash in the NBA Tweeter of the Year vote. http://bit.ly/wJBoGa Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant, Steve Nash, Jared Dudley, Twitter, Kevin Love 

There were no shortcuts those first two years. Brooks had been a finalist for the coaching job in Sacramento before the Kings hired Reggie Theus before the 2007-08 season. When Brooks didn't get that job, he went north to be Carlesimo's top assistant in Seattle. Brooks emphasized defense when he came in, but again, everybody emphasizes defense when they come in. "I knew his basketball background and I knew how much he knew about the game," Durant said. "But to be honest, once they got rid of P.J., I didn't know he would be the interim coach. I didn't know they'd bring him in as a coach. But once they did, the concepts and the identity that he tried to bring to this organization was something I believed in, and I knew it was going to be good for our organzation. I always, since Day One, I believed in Sam Presti and the guys in our organization." NBA.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Sam Presti 

"He just looks like a smart guy," Durant said of Presti, with a laugh, as if he was trying to explain why one might like chocolate ice cream. "He just looks like he knows the game of basketball. Since we traded Ray Allen to get Jeff Green, and they brought in myself, I knew that was a bold move. I knew he saw something. And ever since then, I've been a Sam Presti fan. Every person he's brought through here has been a class guy, and basketball-wise, a hard worker. He knows his stuff ... NBA.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Sam Presti 

Durant and teammate Russell Westbrook recently were selected as two of 20 finalists for the 2012 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team. Two summers ago, both helped lead the USA to its first gold medal in the FIBA World Championship since 1994, and both have a good chance to make the final 12-man roster when it is announced later this year. Durant already is looking forward to it. “I'm excited, man,” Durant said. “It's a great feeling. It's a privilege to have the opportunity to represent my country. Hopefully, I get picked for the team. That's something I always thought about as a youngster is representing my country in the Olympics. So hopefully my name is called.” Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, USA Basketball 

Durant was then asked what it would be like to face teammate Serge Ibaka, who is expected to compete for Spain in London after being granted Spanish citizenship. “Serge talks a lot of trash about Spain,” Durant said. “So hopefully we get to play those guys. It'll be fun playing against my teammate, though. He's worked so hard to be a part of that great national team over there and hopefully I get a chance to do the same.” Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, USA Basketball, Spain, Serge Ibaka 

Kevin Durant: Words can't explain how happy I am for @russwest44, signing his new deal, just upset I found out about it on twitter smh lol love u bro Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook 

Michael Lee: Flip on Kevin Durant: "If I had to pick an MVP right now he’d be the MVP of the league, based on how he’s played & how the team has played." Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Washington Wizards, Kevin Durant, Flip Saunders 

Darnell Mayberry: Wizards coach Flip Saunders with high praise for Kevin Durant: "If I had to pick an MVP, he’d be the MVP of the league." Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Washington Wizards, Kevin Durant, Flip Saunders