My Player (Season 3) OKC Preview - Hapshoops32's Dynasty

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My Player (Season 3) OKC Preview

Posted on March 5, 2011 at 11:27 PM.

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HAPPEL TAKES SHOTS AT DURANT AHEAD OF BIG SUNDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN

Oklahoma City, OK (AP) - Orlando forward Brian Happel may have given Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder some bulletin board material. While speaking to the media after the team's walk-through, Happel called Durant over-rated. "He's a great scorer, and that's fine. But what else can he do? He's bigger than me, he should be able to get rebounds - I still outrebound him. I can also outscore him. Everyone talks about what a pure scorer he is. I can score the ball just as well, but I also help make my teammates better."

Happel didn't stop there. He also went off on Durant and other NBA stars complaining about the referees too much. "And, I don't whine about not getting every single call. He's not alone either. A lot of stars cry and complain. Maybe you should stop worrying so much about the refs and control what you can - how you play the game. You're not going to get every call, nor should you. Get over it!"

Happel vs. Durant Stats - 2012-13
Player	GP	MIN	PPG	RPG	APG	TOPG	FG%	3PT%	FT%
Brian Happel	27	41.9	38.6	13.6	5.1	2.0	.688	.461	.949
Kevin Durant	39	38.6	26.5	10.2	1.3	2.5	.504	.333	.934

The frustration has been boiling for Happel, as teams continue to gun for him and his Magic teammates. "You should hear some of the crap that comes out of their mouths on the court. It's sad, really, the jealousy that exists. Instead of talking so much, I let the scoreboard and my stat lines do the talking." Orlando has won 10 straight games coming in to Sunday night's matchup in Oklahoma City. The Thunder, meanwhile, have been struggling, playing .500 basketball over their last 10 games. Oklahoma City, and Durantula, certainly have some extra motivation. "I'm not sure what set him off, but he ought to take a look in the mirror. I'm crying and complaining? Sounds like what he's doing to me," said Durant after practice Saturday afternoon. Whatever the case may be, things are certainly heating up in the dead of winter!