Kevin Durant's Playoff Debut vs. MJ's/Kobe's/LeBron's

Starting off on the right foot in the playoffs for any player is obviously the preferred route for any one.

So with the Oklahoma City Thunder now in the midst of a heated 2-2 series, a lot of the success is because of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. However, Kevin Durant didn't decide to turn on his shooting switch until about the second half of game two.

Already being named a superstar, many people didn't think Durant would struggle that much even though it was his first playoff game and going up against one of the best all-time defenders in Ron Artest.

So when you think of playoff debuts with past superstars, you might wonder how they performed under the bright lights for the first time

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Micheal Jordan's Playoff Debut

25 years ago, Micheal Jordan stepped onto the court for his first playoff performance against Milwaukee.

Believe it or not, he actually had a pretty rough game. He lost the game after shooting 7-19 for 23 points. He actually didn't even score in the second half. A lot of journalists in the papers wondered if he was going to choke in the playoffs.

After the game, he then blamed his performance on pain in his wisdom tooth.

However, I think Jordan shut up the critics in his next few years.

Kobe Bryant's Playoff Debut

In Kobe Bryant's playoff debut as a rookie, he was actually a bench player who had a limited role. He only played 14 minutes with 8 points.

The Lakers only used him as a spark of energy and hoped for a high-flying dunk to try and get the crowd back into it. Later on in the series, he had three not-so-good shots that never touched the basket and ended the series against the Utah Jazz.

Although, I believe the many championships that he has won has made up for his non-stellar playoff debut in 1996-97.

LeBron James' Playoff Debut

LeBron James made his playoff debut against the Washington Wizards in 2006. You might say he had a good day.

He recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds. He joined Johnny McCarthy and Magic Johnson as the only players in NBA history to register a triple-double in their playoff debut.

Even though he has had stellar performances, he has yet to win the championship. Although, that could very well change this year.

Kevin Durant's Playoff Debut

Kevin Durant had a rough beginning to his playoff debut, as well. He shot 7-24 with 24 points. Although he did go 9-11 from the line in game one. None of the previously mentioned players had close to a quality defender as Durant had in Ron Artest. I really wouldn't count that as a fun day at the office.

All in all, Kevin Durant looks to have settled back down onto Earth and doesn't look to be as nervous. His future playoff performances will almost surely shadow over his mediocre playoff debut.