Every rookie remembers his first game in the NBA. Ask any NBA player about his rookie debut and he’ll tell you everything about it with plenty details. Few of them play well, some mediocre and some lose it and disappoint, but one thing is sure: no rookie will have his way in his first match in the big league.

That was certainly the story of Kevin Durant’s rookie debut against the Denver Nuggets. He didn’t lose it. In fact he managed to score 18 points in just over 31 minutes, but his shot was off as he went just 7-of-22 against a team hungry for success that just changed to a more defensive-minded strategy. The Nuggets eventually beat the SuperSonics 120-103 on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams.

Carmelo Anthony’s message to the Sonics and their fans that probably are expecting immediate greatness from Durant was clear: give the kid some time to adapt, don’t force him!

"He's going to be all right. I've been in that situation. I hope nobody puts too much pressure on him and makes him take that team to the NBA finals this year," said Anthony, who defended on Durant and also showed him a couple of moves at the offensive end. Anthony scored 32 points and made three three-pointers.

Team mate Allen Iverson, who had 25 points and 14 assists, agreed and said that starting as a rookie against a player like Carmelo Anthony is very tough.

"The future is bright for him and the sky's the limit for him. He's going to be great" Iverson added.

Durant, who was taken by the SuperSonics with the No. 2 pick in the draft last June, scored his first point in the league on a free throw about 1½ minutes into the game and also threw his first air ball in the NBA two minutes later. The feared effects of a gimpy ankle, which he sprained about a week ago, were fortunately absent.

After the game, Durant was a bit disappointed. He praised his team mates for providing him with open shots and took the blame for missing them.

"I need to knock them down. I had a lot of open shots I should have knocked down," said Durant.

On the other hand, Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo stated that Durant has actually played quite well for a "19-year-old kid playing his first game." Carlesimo has turned the focus on the team and said that he is rather interested in how the team performs, not how individuals play.