FanHouse Summer Leagues

Greg Oden may have the better sense of humor, but it's looking like Kevin Durant has the DNA to lead men into battle. Or at least make them want to trust him with their life. From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

Most of the Sonics' roster at the Las Vegas summer league won't make it to training camp. They are journeymen, youngsters headed for the NBDL or overseas or players trying to resurrect careers. Yet, Durant has reached out to each of them, regardless of their background or stature.

Before he spoke with a reporter, teammate Jermaine Jackson, all of 31, said, "Tell him how this old head (Jackson) is helping you out." Durant smiled. He is not only emerging as the Sonics' most popular player, but also a popular teammate.

Heading into the draft, there were whispers that while Oden was the monolith, Durant had the kind of killer instinct you just can't teach. I wonder if we're about to see a repeat of that when it comes to leadership. Oden can tell them jokes for days, but it will be Durant who has them believing when it counts.

As Mutoni already told you, Kevin Durant's first pro-ish play involved getting blocked by Mavs center DeSagana Diop. That probably shouldn't matter much for Durant, but it did call attention to the fact that Diop--who just finished his seventh season--is toiling like a rook in the summer leagues.

According to The Dallas Morning News, it's all part of Avery Johnson's master plan . . . to make Diop more like Erick Dampier:

[Blocking and rebounding] will keep Diop in the league at a nice salary after this season. But what the coaching staff must see from him is a hint that he can be an opportunistic scorer.

[...]

If he can show the Mavericks – and the rest of the league – improvement in that area, along with keeping his defensive instincts, he can break the bank next summer.

What I don't get is why Avery Johnson wants to make Diop into the next Dampier. It's one thing to develop Diop, and maybe be forced to overpay him next summer. But to actively encourage he follow the Dampier plan? It kind of takes the phrase "players' coach" to an unnatural extreme.