Kevin Durant-Brandon Jennings: The Rivalry Begins

Three-year veteran Kevin Durant and rookie Brandon Jennings have both done something many thought wouldn't happen until the future.

Maturity was the biggest question surrounding both players, but so far this season both have answered that question.

Durant has turned the Thunder from a Western Conference bottom-feeder into a team that could possibly make a run at the playoffs.

Jennings has the entire Bucks organization thinking the same thing: With the return of both Andrew Bogut and Michael Redd, Milwaukee could compete for the division title.

On Friday, the two will get their first taste of action against each other. Both are incredibly competitive, vocal, and energetic players. Basketball fans could be looking at the blossoming of a young NBA rivalry come tomorrow night.

Though the Bucks are a depleted team, Jennings has kept them afloat with his outstanding play. He set a team rookie scoring record earlier this season when he dropped a scintillating 55 points on Golden State.

Durant also plays on a team that happens to be plagued with injuries. Guards Shaun Livingston, Kevin Ollie, and Kyle Weaver are all out.

Luckily for Durant, he still has his three most talented teammates in the lineup—guards Russell Westbrook and rookie James Harden, as well as forward Jeff Green.

On Saturday, two of the most explosive young players will go head-to-head for the first time and, knowing how both of these players play, they won't disappoint.

The season is young and we still have much to learn about both players and whether or not this will turn into the rivalry that it has the potential to be.

But for now, it’s time for the players to lace up and prepare for what should be quite an explosive evening of NBA basketball.