By Colin A.J. Murphy

The reigning champion Shooters gave Kevin Durant his share of double teams, but the NBA star still led his Lincoln Park squad into the Goodman League finals. Photos by Colin Murphy

On Saturday, Kevin Durant delivered a magical offensive performance in the Goodman vs. Drew game at Trinity College, scoring 44 points and earning MVP honors in Goodman’s 135-134 victory.

Playing in the Goodman League semifinals on Wednesday, Durant and his Lincoln Park squad took on the three-time defending league champion Shooters, and this go ‘round, KD had a much harder time finding his way to the basket thanks to a hounding and hard-fouling Shooter defense.

Perhaps it was just a mild off day for the NBA superstar, or maybe it had something to do with his 40-mile bike ride and American history lesson earlier in the day, but against the Shooters Durant never quite caught fire like we have seen him do time and again this summer. That said, he didn’t exactly disappoint, either.

Durant scored 32 points in leading Lincoln Park to an 88-81 victory, propelling his squad into the Goodman League championship on Thursday. Though not dominant, Durant served as enough of a focal point of the Shooters defensive scheme that he freed up teammates for open shots and driving lanes to the basket throughout the contest.

The back-to-back-to-back defending Goodman League champion Shooters were certainly not afraid of any challenge, and they defended their title honorably in the loss. Led by former Maryland standout and NCAA Champion Byron Mouton, as well as the long and athletic ‘Manute’ and fan favorite and former Goodman League MVP ‘SpongeBob’ (it’s okay if you forgot that his real name is Andrew Washington; so did League Commissioner Miles Rawls), the Shooters dug themselves an early hole and were never quite able to recover against the offensive firepower of Durant, Anthony “Gumby” Williams, Supa Coop and the rest of the Lincoln Park squad.

HIGHLIGHTS

Durant nailed this three pointer over the outstretched arm of Manute in the first half of Lincoln Park's 88-81 Goodman League playoffs semifinal win over Shooters.

In the first half, Durant swished a three from the left wing, had a quick drive into an up-and-under layup along the left baseline, and a beautiful hesitation move that earned him a layin down the middle of the lane. He made another drive to the hoop down the center of the lane that he finished off the backboard, and one. Other than that, he was pretty much fouled (or believed he was fouled) by a swarm of collapsing Shooters on every drive to the basket. The Goodman officials weren’t giving him the star treatment, and while he collected points steadily at the free throw line, he also turned the ball over several times amidst swiping Shooter hands.

For the Shooter side, Manute did about as good a job defensively on Durant as anyone could expect. He is long and athletic and plays gritty, in-your-face defense. He was hounding Durant all night and doing his best to get under Durant’s skin with a steady stream of talk throughout the game. He likewise flashed his athleticism, playing above the rim and getting most of his points on dunks and putbacks.

Manute was skywalking during warmups, and he continued to play above the rim throughout the game while also hounding Durant on the defensive end.

Gumby and Supa Coop provided the offensive burst when needed for Lincoln Park. Supa Coop in particular had two shifty step-back jump shots from deep beyond the arc—swish and swish—that wowed the crowd and drew colorful praise from Rawls on the mic. Gumby meanwhile attacked the offensive boards and got several of his points on putbacks and loose-ball finishes under the rim as Lincoln Park built their lead up to 15 in the second half.

Mouton played his unique brand of inside-out game that fans of the 2001 Maryland squad will remember well. He ran the break and converted multiple easy dunks, but he also drove to the hoop and finished with short jumpers from 8-14 feet.

Durant’s “wow” play came in the second half. With Manute defending him one-on-one on the right wing, Durant blew past him with a crossover dribble and elevated for the thunderous tomahawk dunk. The DJ scratched up a special serving of the WELCOME TO THE BIG SHOW sound effect: WELCOME-W-W-W-W-WEL-W-W-W-WELCOME TO THE BIG-BIG-BIG-BIG-WELCOME TO THE BIG SHOW!

This crowd-pleaser by Durant in the second half momentarily quelled a Shooters rally, and Lincoln Park stayed in front for the 88-81 win.

Starting midway through the second half, the Shooters began double-teaming Durant every time he touched the ball. Aside from one possession when Durant managed to evade a Manute-Mouton double team and flip in a scoop shot from the right baseline—and one—it was a tactic that for the most part threw Lincoln Park out of their rhythm and forced the ball out of Durant’s hands. Shooters were able to claw their way back in, coming to within three points with just three minutes to play, but they never quite got over the hump.

To see a full photo gallery of this game, click here.

To see highlights of this game and others from the Goodman League, visit The Mars Reel.

Fans of the Wizards/Bullets, be sure to check out the D.C. blog Truth About It. For additional national NBA news, columns, photos, and features, visit Hoopspeak.

Have an idea for The Voice Sports Blog? Contact Colin Murphy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .