Kevin Durant is ready to go.
Actually, he is already going. The former MVP is coming off multiple surgeries to repair a Jones fracture to his right foot, but he has been playing 5-on-5 at the Thunder practice facility and is fully cleared for practice, Oklahoma City GM Sam Presti said at a news conference Wednesday. Royce Young of ESPN was on hand.
Sam Presti says Kevin Durant is fully cleared for training camp. Says he's playing without restriction, playing 5-on-5.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) September 23, 2015
Presti on Durant: "He feels great. Looks great. Happy to have him back on the floor."
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) September 23, 2015
Presti on if Durant's minutes will be cut: "I think that's something that Billy and Kevin and our medical team will work on."
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) September 23, 2015
After the health concerns for Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka in recent years, new coach Bill Donovan should find a way to limit their minutes when he can. It’s a marathon, one where the Thunder need to be fresh for the sprint the final miles (the playoffs).
It’s simple: If Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka are near healthy the Thunder are legitimate title contenders. With the margins between the top teams in the West being so tight, that’s where questions such as, “is Donovan ready?” or “will Enes Kanter’s defense be too big a liability?” come into play.
But the Thunder need to answer the big health questions first, and at least they are starting on the right foot (so to speak).
