Ex-league executive says OKC's Durant is great player to build around
Everyone has an opinion. Some opinions just carry more weight than others.
That's why Bob Bass' views on Oklahoma City's NBA future should get Thunder fans excited.
Inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame last month after 54 years in basketball, Bass said there's one reason Thunder fans should expect the Ford Center will someday host NBA playoff games.
Kevin Durant.
"In the NBA, one player can change a franchise,”
Bass said. "I don't think there's any question he's the type of player you can build a team around.”
Bass, 79, has been retired four years. He lives in San Antonio and spends much of his time at his other residence on the Texas Gulf Coast. But the two-time NBA Executive of the Year still follows the league closely.
"I watch games,”
Bass said. "That's what I do. I saw (Durant) play quite a bit. He can definitely be a special player.”
It's uncertain whether Durant will have the same impact in Oklahoma City as Kobe Bryant has in LA, LeBron James has in Cleveland or Chris Paul has in New Orleans.
Bass, though, is convinced last year's Rookie of the Year is a future All-Star. Bass said Durant has some skills similar to George Gervin, a Hall of Famer Bass coached with the San Antonio Spurs.
"He'll be like Gervin in that he'll have a mismatch every night he plays,”
Bass said. "If a big guy covers him, he can take him outside and go by him. If a little guy covers him he can post him up.”
"I always felt George Gervin had a better mismatch than (Kareem) Abdul-Jabbar ever had. There was always a 7-footer covering Jabbar. But Gervin might have a 6-foot-2 guard covering him. Durant has the possibility of creating a similar situation.”
The Thunder must acquire more talent to become a viable playoff contender.
It will take some time and patience, but Durant gives the Thunder a solid foundation.
"He can do so many things,”
Bass said. "Those are the type of players you build around. Do I think Oklahoma City can do something in two or three years? There's no question they can.”
