Latest news with #DerekFisher
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kevin Durant Picks The Modern Day Thunder To Beat His 2012 Finals Team In A 7-Game Series
Kevin Durant Picks The Modern Day Thunder To Beat His 2012 Finals Team In A 7-Game Series originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Former Thunder star Kevin Durant has never been big into hypotheticals, but not even he could resist the urge to pick between two of the greatest Thunder teams ever. In a now-viral post on X, the 2x champion was asked to pick between his 2012 team and today's OKC squad that's four wins away from the title, and his answer may surprise you. Advertisement Fan: "Who wins in best of 7: 2012 OKC or this OKC team?" Kevin Durant: "I'm not big on hypotheticals, so idk -- but this 2025 Thunder team, they are historically great. Great shooting all across the board, efficient go-to scorer in deuce, size and athleticism all across the board, versatility, shooting big and bruiser big, great coaching. Just a flat-out out perfectly crafted unit. I f*ck with their approach to basketball. They are putting together a great film to learn from." It's important to remember how good the 2012 Thunder team was. In the lockout-shortened season, they won 47 games (second in the West) en route to an NBA Finals run. They were the second-ranked offense in the league at the time, only behind the San Antonio Spurs, with a rating of 109.8. The roster, which included veterans like Kendrick Perkins and Derek Fisher, was led by Kevin Durant, who was just a few years shy of winning his first MVP. In 66 games that season, he averaged 28.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game on 49.6% shooting. At just 23 years old, Durant's youth and inexperience were the only things holding him back, but he never showed any signs of cracking under the pressure. By his side was legendary point guard Russell Westbrook, who emerged as a star around the same time as Durant. In the 2011-12 season, he averaged 23.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game on 45.7% shooting. His leadership and competitive spirit inspired the entire team and paved the way for a dominant run to the Finals. Advertisement As good as that Thunder team was, however, Durant says that this year's team may be even better. Besides depth and versatility at every position, they have a star by the name of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has taken them to a higher form of contention. The NBA's reigning MVP was unstoppable this season with averages of 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game on 51.9% shooting. In the playoffs, Shai has been even better, and, with the support of Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Lu Dort, they've been nearly unbeatable in the playoffs. After going 68-14 in the regular season, the 2025 Thunder are now 12-4 through the first three rounds with home-court advantage for the Finals. Ultimately, what will truly determine the legacy of this year's Thunder team is whether or not they win the Finals. That's one thing Durant was not able to do back in 2012 (beaten by the Heat), but they have a chance to pull it off this year, and it will forever cement their legacy as the greatest Thunder team ever. Related: Thunder Could Get Even Scarier Next Season By Adding Young Serbian Star This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
NDTV
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
First-Ever BUDX NBA House In India To Take Place In June
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Budweiser today announced that the first-ever BUDX NBA House in India, an interactive fan event celebrating the convergence of basketball, music and culture, will take place on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 at the DOME, SVP Stadium, in Mumbai. Held in conjunction with the 2025 NBA Finals, the two-day event will feature basketball-themed activities, live musical performances, meet-and-greets with five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton, photo opportunities with the Larry O'Brien Trophy, as well as performances by Sacramento Kings mascot Slamson, the Kings Dancers and the Kings' dunk team. "The first BUDX NBA House will be a must-visit destination for the passionate NBA fans in India to come together and celebrate their love of the game amid the excitement of the NBA Finals," said NBA Asia Head of Strategy and NBA India Country Head Rajah Chaudhry. "We look forward to bringing this signature showcase of the NBA, music and culture to India at a time when there is incredible momentum around basketball in the country." "Budweiser has always been at the forefront of cultural and entertainment experiences, and we are proud to associate with the NBA to bring the first-ever BUDX NBA House to India," said Vice President Marketing and Trade Marketing, AB InBev India, Vineet Sharma. "This collaboration reflects our commitment to creating unforgettable moments for fans that not only celebrate the game of basketball, but also push boundaries in offering immersive experiences in music, sports and culture. We have been pioneers in shaping music culture in India, and this experience will further our mission of bringing alive never-before seen trendsetting experiences for Indian youth." BUDX NBA House will be produced and ticketed by District by Zomato. In addition to Budweiser, BUDX NBA House will be supported by a roster of partners, including Brand USA, Emirates and Visit California. Listen to the latest songs, only on
