HoopsHype.com Rumors

But sort of lost in all this is that the Thunder still have Kevin Durant, the undisputed No. 2 in the league. A guy that has been growing his game seemingly, this moment. He's taken on more of a distributor role in the wake of losing James Harden, and has sort of evolved playing more LeBron James-style basketball, as a well-rounded player. “I got faith in myself and my team that I can go out there and lead us,” Durant said Friday at practice. “In fact, I know I can. I know I can lead us. "We all got to step up and play a bigger part because he's a huge part to our team," he said. "[Westbrook's] a huge part. I know I have to do a better job of being a better leader on the floor. Maybe doing some of the stuff that he was doing for us. It's going to be a tough task but we're all looking forward to it." CBSSports.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant 

Kendrick Perkins: And Russ and KD should be on first team all NBA period Twitter @KendrickPerkins

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Kendrick Perkins, Russell Westbrook 

Royce Young: KD told @SI_LeeJenkins that he checks LeBron's box score every game: bit.ly/XUvrM0 Twitter @dailythunder

Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron James, Kevin Durant 

As we have all come to realize, Thunder star Kevin Durant is tired of playing second-fiddle to LeBron James, the Miami Heat, Greg Oden and everybody else in his basketball career. However, this week will mark the fifth time Durant has finished first as Sports Illustrated’s choice for the cover. Included in the piece from SI senior writer Lee Jenkins: Durant: “I’ve been second my whole life. I was the second best player in high school. I was the second pick in the draft. I’ve been second in the MVP voting three times. I came in second in the finals. I’m tired of being second. I’m not going to settle for that. I’m done with it.” Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant 

Royce Young: KD on Harden: "It was kind of awkward looking across during the national anthem seeing him on another team. But we gotta get past that." Twitter @dailythunder

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, James Harden 

A pregame chapel service, more or less a scarcely attended Bible study for home and visiting players, is held at every NBA arena. It has grown into a bonding ritual for the Warriors. Of the 14 players on the roster, about 10 are regulars, and that doesn't include Jackson. When the Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder play, chapel usually becomes standing room only. Sometimes on the road, Golden State's deep presence is a welcomed sight for a chaplain accustomed to empty sessions. "That's just something that we all have, a spiritual connection," Thunder star Kevin Durant said. "Seeing all the guys that they have in chapel, you can tell that they really love Jesus." San Jose Mercury-News

Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant 

Kevin Durant will not play in Wednesday's regular-season finale, meaning Carmelo Anthony will secure his first career NBA scoring title. Durant, who is averaging 28.1 points per game this season, posted a note on his Instagram account announcing he will sit against the Milwaukee Bucks. The note, which was posted Wednesday morning, said: "SITTING OUT TONIGHT'S GAME, if you disappointed I didn't try to go for the scoring title, oh well!!" ESPN.com

New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony 

Royce Young: KD on 50-40-90: "It's a goal I set before the season. And to see it come alive is something I'm really proud of." Twitter @dailythunder

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant 

With two games remaining, Durant is shooting 50.9 percent from the field, 41.3 percent from 3-point range and a league-leading 90.7 from the free throw line. The field goal and free throw percentages are both career bests for Durant. Meanwhile, he's averaging 28.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists while playing 38.5 minutes, the fourth most in the NBA. Bird was unavailable for comment. But with Bird's counsel, Durant gained some perspective on exactly how he would approach this season. Durant peppered Bird with questions, from everything about his Finals matchup with Magic Johnson to his thought process in practices. “He's a guy that, of course, is a legend and I try to emulate,” Durant said. “Somebody that had that fire and that intensity when he played and when he coached and somebody I look up to.” Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Larry Bird 

Darnell Mayberry: Durant on the gesture: "I didn't mean anything bad out of it. It was just the heat of the moment." Twitter @DarnellMayberry

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant 

Darnell Mayberry: Kevin Durant has been fined $25,000 for "making menacing gesture" during the Thunder's 116-97 win over Warriors last night. Twitter @DarnellMayberry

Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant 

With 1:36 remaining in the second quarter, Durant charged down the paint to finish a slam dunk in transition following a massive block on the other end by Russell Westbrook. After he landed, Durant briefly moved his right hand across his neck, as if slashing his throat, before going back on defense. The dunk gave Oklahoma City a 55-49 lead in the nationally televised game. The Oklahoman reported Durant’s postgame explanation for the gesture: “Kill ‘em and pray for ‘em after the game,” Durant said of his new celebration. “It’s nothing against the team I’m playing against,” Durant said of his animated moves, adding that somebody encouraged him to do it following a highlight dunk. “Come out with a mindset and be friends after the game.” SI.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant 

Darnell Mayberry: Coach Mark Jackson: “When I look at Kevin Durant, you look at a guy you want to point your kids to and say ‘That’s how you carry yourself.’" Twitter @DarnellMayberry

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant 

Kevin Durant finished one assist shy of a triple-double and it’s probably a good thing that he didn’t get it. Would have been cheap had he recorded it. That’s because of the way he would have recorded it. He was desperately trying to get it, and if you were watching the flow of the game and, more importantly, how the scoreboard was changing in Utah’s favor as he tried his best for one final assist, you saw it was costing the Thunder. It just wasn’t the smartest decision. Of course it’s no big deal now. The Thunder won and Durant didn’t get it. It would have been more impressive had he gotten it in the flow, which, ironically, every one of his points, rebounds and assists came in. Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant 

Durant on not getting it: “It’s all good, brother. We won the basketball game.” Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant 

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant was named Western Conference Players of the Month for March. In March, James helped the Heat to a league-best 17-1 record, averaging 25.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists while shooting 53 percent from the field. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron James, Kevin Durant 

Two years later, as a serious threat to win his fourth straight scoring title, Durant now looks at his entire body of work, not just at the league's list of scoring leaders. “I think the media looks at it more,” Durant said before the Thunder's 103-80 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena. “I just try to be solid every game, shooting good shots.” Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant 

Darnell Mayberry: Kevin Durant didn't "copy" LeBron James by hugging that fan to the ground after he hit the halfcourt shot. The fan motioned for KD & KD went Twitter @DarnellMayberry

Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron James, Kevin Durant 

When the clock ticked inside of what could best be described as a harrowing final hour of contract negotiations between Scott Brooks and the Oklahoma City Thunder last summer, the thing that ultimately kept the team's coveted free agent coach from now pacing the sidelines of the Portland Trail Blazers was a text message. It came from Kevin Durant. “It was like the day before they got something done,” Durant said. “I think that day was the toughest.” Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Coaching, Scott Brooks 

The message moved Brooks, who had been tied up in tense on-again, off-again talks that had put his future with the Thunder in jeopardy. “During negotiations, it can be stressful at times,” Durant said. “One day it looks like something's going to get done and then the next it might not. So I reached out to him and just told him I loved him and let me know what happens.” Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Coaching, Scott Brooks