Will Kevin Durant Live Up to the Hype?

With the second pick in the NBA Draft, the Seattle Sonics selected a young guy from Maryland who played at Texas and dominated the college scene.

His name: Kevin Durant.

Durant is responsible for introducing many more people to the world of college basketball, because he is a straight baller.

Durant can beat his opponents in so many ways, whether it's in the post or from the outside.

This kid was born to play ball.

He put up 25 PPG and nine rebounds in college—and he was only 18. Of course that's incredible, but now he has moved on to big time play in the NBA.

Durant is the next big star to break into the league. Just like Iverson, LeBron, Melo, and Kobe, this kid is for real.

The Sonics open the season on Halloween at Denver, where Durant will get a taste of a real NBA season.

Is he ready?

Of course he is!

The kid is already dropping 20 PPG in preseason on some pros. Does that sound like he's ready?

Durant lived up to the hype in high school and college, and now he will attempt to do it in the pros—but how long will it take for him to have an impact on Seattle?

The answer: Not long.

LeBron came out during his first televised NBA game and showed the world that he can play ball. On Oct. 31st, Durant will do the same.

I predict that Seattle will make the playoffs this season. In addition to Durant, veterans like Kurt Thomas and Wally Szczerbiak—as well as Georgetown rookie Jeff Green, who's amazing when he gets one-on-one—will contribute to the Sonics' success.

I also think Durant will be named Rookie of the Year. Dick Vitale best described Durant as "a mixture of McGrady, Garnett, and Nowitzki with his game."

To be compared to those players is a huge accomplishment.

Durant—who is already known to Melo, LeBron, and Kobe of Team USA—will make himself known to the entire NBA after this season. The whole world will know who the next big ticket in the NBA is.

So believe the hype, because Durant will live up to it...