If the Oklahoma City Thunder played in the Eastern Conference, the club would be in fifth place. But, with a r
espectable26-21 record, the NBA’s newest franchise is tied for the last playoff spot in the tough West. The bulk of that success ought to be attributed to this week’s athlete, Kevin Durant. The third-year pro is having a most valuable player type of season, averaging 29.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, with a 48.8 field goal percentage. In his past three games, the Washington, D.C. native scored 28, 30, and 45 points and pulled down 11, 4, and 11 boards respectively. He led Oklahoma City to a couple victories, including an impressive 101-84 triumph over the 32-15 Denver Nuggets. Durant, 21, provides Thunder fans with a sound reason for optimism.
February 1st, 2010
Mikael Samulesson has excelled with the Vancouver Canucks. The former Detroit Red Wings forward is playing in his second 20-goal season and first 30-goal campaign. Samuelsson’s tremendous week included six lamp lightings and four assists in four games, en route to a 3-0-1 record for the Canucks. He scored his first National Hockey League hat trick in a four-point, 6-4 Vancouver victory over the shockingly strong Colorado Avalanche. The thirty-three year old has already set career highs in goals (30) and points (53). A $2.5 million cap hit makes his contract one of the most reasonable of all non-entry level deals in the NHL. Samuelsson was named the NHL’s first start of the week; he beat second star Lee Stempniak’s five goals in three games performance. 