Will Kevin Durant Become the Youngest MVP in NBA History?
The youngest player to win the MVP award was Wes Unseld at the age of 23. Come the end of the 2010-2011 regular season, Kevin Durant will be 22 years old, having the chance to once again mark his name in NBA history at an early age.
Kevin Durant’s road to stardom has been quicker than the majority of the superstars in the NBA. Kevin entered the NBA at the age of 18 after winning National College Player of the Year and Big 12 Player of the Year awards in 2007, among other collegiate awards.
At 19, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year. That was just the start of his mark on the NBA.
Winning “Youngest player to…” awards is not new for Mr. Durant.
In his most recent accomplishment, Durant became the youngest player to lead the league in scoring at the age of 21, taking the title from two-time MVP LeBron James. He also broke the record for the active player with most consecutive 25-point effort games, showing his extreme consistency.
In 2010, Kevin Durant finished second in league MVP voting. LeBron James was voted league MVP for his second straight year.
Since the end of the 2009-2010, things have changed.
Oklahoma City has emerged as a power in the Western Conference. They are believed to finish as high as second in the West this upcoming season.
LeBron James signing with the Miami Heat will also play a role in presenting Kevin Durant a lifetime opportunity.
With LeBron James sharing superstar duties with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, his production and statistics are expected to decrease slightly. The same can be said for Wade and Bosh themselves.
The only two other contenders for the award are Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant. While Bryant’s resume speaks for itself, the depth and talent of the Lakers, who only got better in the off-season, will present even more opportunities for Mr. Bryant to rest and get ready for another championship run, possibly hindering his chances to obtain his second MVP trophy.
Unlike Bryant, Dwight Howard has yet to capture his first MVP trophy. Already established as the best center in the NBA, Howard will also contend for the award. His production decreased from the 2008-2009 season, but the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year will challenge Durant each and every game, even if they are playing a thousand miles away.
In his first three NBA seasons, Kevin Durant has increased his scoring average from 20.3, to 25.3, to 30.1. His rebounding average has improved from 4.3, to 6.5, to 7.6. He has also shown improvement in shooting percentage, assists, blocks, and steals. He trailed only LeBron James in overall player efficiency.
There is no telling if Kevin Durant’s basketball growth will finally hit a stop. He might as well be averaging close to a double-double next season while scoring 35 points per game. Even if he manages to duplicate his 2009-2010 season, he would still be at the top of the list in contention for the 2011 NBA MVP award.
Kevin Durant has been an example on and off the court since joining the league. His leadership, humbleness, passion, and respect will forever teach the next generations of basketball players how a superstar should be. He has won many awards in his life at an early age, and will only win many more. But in 2011, there will be an MVP trophy for Durant to get.
Oklahoma City will be behind Durant.
The NBA fans will be behind Durant.
Even fellow MVP contenders will be behind Durant. This is an award for Durant to get.
One can only begin to describe how bright the future is for Kevin Durant and his Oklahoma City Thunder.
Will Kevin Durant be awarded the 2010-2011 NBA MVP Award? He’s got my vote.
Does he have yours?
