Kevin Durant Makes First Statement in 'Best Player in the NBA' Argument

It didn't take Kevin Durant long to prove what his fans already knew: He's the best player in the NBA, and should remain exactly that for a long time to come.

Radio talk-show host Jim Rome would like you to know he told you so:

"

I'll say it again.Lebron, give Kevin Durant back his MVP trophy.

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) June 12, 2012"

In reality, it's not that LeBron James was anything less than deserving of those MVP accolades—it's just that Durant is on pace to get the more important MVP award—the one they hand out after the NBA Finals.

His Game 1 performance in the 2012 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat was the opening salvo in an effort to establish himself as this league's next legend.

Of course, Durant probably doesn't see it that way.

But, the rest of us should.

Durant scored 17 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter, a feat all the more impressive given that the Heat collectively mustered just 21 points in that last frame. James did his part to be sure, especially in light of his teammates' inability to keep up with the Thunder's scorching 58-point second half.

While Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh combined to shoot a woeful 11-of-30 from the floor, LeBron dutifully kept his club in the ballgame, tallying 30 points and eight rebounds. He also spurred a dominant first half for Miami with an aggressive approach in the early goings and also finished with four steals on the night.

There's no doubt about it. James played like an MVP.

Durant just played better.

Like the great closers that have gone before him, Durant saved his best for when it mattered most. And, he didn't wait until the fourth quarter to do so.

With the Thunder on the brink of losing control of the game early in the first quarter, Durant hit back-to-back three-pointers to keep OKC within striking distance. Scott Brooks' young club looked understandably rusty in that first half, but guys like Durant don't get rusty.

When his team starts to struggle, he just gets a little more determined.

And, while it was his assortment of predictably smooth jumpers that defined Game 1, the 23-year-old superstar was only as selfish as he needed to be. His four assists won't drop any jaws, but his bounce pass for a Nick Collison dunk in the final minutes helped seal the deal for Oklahoma City.

He also got his hands on eight boards, the differential by which OKC out-rebounded the Heat.

Still, Durant's performance will be remembered for his points, and those fourth-quarter points in particular. 

The New York Daily News' Mitch Lawrence sums up the late-game heroics nicely:

"

Durant hit an array of shots in the fourth, including a three-pointer, long-range jumpers, a put-back off Westbrook’s miss and a drive across the lane. Most of his baskets came against Shane Battier, who actually was on Durant most of the night.

"

Durant won't win any All-Defensive Team honors after letting LeBron get his 30 points, but at least he spent most of the night guarding Miami's best player. He also didn't do that bad of a job, especially in the context of checking the MVP.

James missed 13 of his 24 field-goal attempts, and had just nine free-throw attempts—a modest figure by his standards.

It wouldn't be at all surprising to see James check Durant down the stretch of this series, even if he has to demand the task outright from head coach Erik Spoelstra.

Unless he does, this could be just the beginning of the Kevin Durant Show, both for this series and for many years to come. After all, we're not talking about a long-time NBA Finals veteran here.

HOOPSWORLD's Alex Kennedy tweets just how historic the three-time scoring champ's explosion was:

"

Kevin Durant scored 36 points in his NBA Finals debut. That's the second-best debut in NBA history, behind only Allen Iverson's 48 points.

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 12, 2012"

Not too shabby.

There's still a fine argument to be made for LeBron James' supremacy. He's done plenty to make that case in a postseason one can't help compare to some of the most historic achievements.

That argument just suffered a devastating counterpoint on Tuesday night, and it may not be the last one we see in these 2012 NBA Finals.