Kevin Durant and the 10 Best 'Small Market' Players in the NBA

Kevin Durant
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Kevin Durant is one of the NBA's premier players. Although the team that drafted him (Seattle Supersonics) changed area codes, Durant managed to become one of the NBA's polarizing figures while playing for a "small-market" team.

This list will convey the top ten players who play for small-market teams.

Players will be selected from this pool: Teams that have a metropolitan population of less than two million:

1) Salt Lake City, UT. (1,130,293)

2) New Orleans, LA. (1,189,981)

3) Oklahoma City, OK. (1,227,278)

4) Memphis TN. (1,304,926)

5) Milwaukee, WI. (1,559,667)

6) Indianapolis, IN. (1,743,658)

7) Charlotte, NC. (1,745,524)

10. Al Jefferson

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2011 Team: UTH

Playing for a bad team like the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging all-star numbers can often be overlooked. For the first time in his career, Jefferson will get the opportunity to play for a legitimate playoff contender. 

If Jefferson averages similar numbers to the ones he posted in Minnesota, Al has the chance to get selected to his very first all-star game. With the departure of Amar'e Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer, the Western Conference PF spot is up for grabs.

9. Rudy Gay

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2011 Team: MEM

The Memphis Grizzlies were on the verge of making the Western Conference playoffs last year. While many look at power-forward, Zach Randolph as the team's best player, Rudy Gay is the player that requires the most attention. 

While many of us are put back by his spectacular dunks, his play-making ability is something that really goes unnoticed.

Gay just signed an 82-million dollar extension, if he takes the Grizzlies to the playoffs, he'll prove that he's worth the money.

8. Brandon Jennings

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2011 Team: MIL

Brandon Jennings was one of the top three rookies last year. His terrific shooting and scoring abilities were conveyed during his 55-point onslaught against the Warriors. 

While his shooting pct. maybe under 40 percent, his leadership and play-making abilities are somethings that his team values.

Brandon Jennings lead the Milwaukee Bucks to the playoffs, only to lose in seven-games to the Atlanta Hawks. Jennings will have his word cut-out for him next year, but I'm sure he'll be up for the task.

7. Russel Westbrook

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2011 Team: OKC

Russel Westbrook is one of the league's most athletic specimens. He has proven he is the qualities of a star player, however his game is still very raw. Westbrook is coming off a terrific sophomore stint in the NBA.

Behind Durant, Westbrook is the Oklahoma City Thunder's second option. His game is evolving slowly, but I truly believe the sky is the limit for this kid. (as long as he keeps working)

6. Andrew Bogut

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2011 Team: MIL

After a short, but brilliant 2010 season, Andrew Bogut posted his name as one of the NBA's best centers. With the likes of more common names such as Dwight Howard, and Andrew Bynum, Bogut proved to be a valuable piece in the Milwaukee Bucks franchise. 

Averaging a double-double during the regular season, Bogut helped the Bucks make the playoffs and become a team that can contend in future years.

5. Danny Granger

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2011 Team: IND

Many fantasy players know about the deadly scorer Danny Granger; but putting games aside, many NBA fans haven't heard Granger's name. Danny Granger earned most improved player honors back in 2009, a year that also saw him make the eastern conference all-star team.

2010 saw Granger take a step back by averaging almost two less points, and shooting .427 percent. Danny Granger is an explosive scorer and an impact player who changes the game, but with that said he needs to learn to lead a team into the playoffs if he wants to become a more-widely known name across the league.

4. Gerald Wallace

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2011 Team: CHA

Last year, Gerald Wallace conveyed that he is one of the league's elite rebounders. Despite being swept in the first-round, Wallace gave the Charlotte Bobcats their first-ever playoff-berth. 

On top of giving the Bobcats a playoff-berth, Wallace made the NBA all-star team for the first time in his career, as well as being named to the NBA's all-defensive team. 

If Wallace keeps improving at the pace he has been, we can see the Bobcats start to make some noise in the playoffs.

3. Chris Paul

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2011 Team: NOH

Chris Paul was once a strong MVP candidate, however since his 2008 campaign, his New Orleans Hornets have fallen off the grid. Things reached a boiling point with the Hornets during the summer, when CP3 asked to be traded.

It is rumored that at Carmelo Anthony's wedding, he said that 'Melo, Amar'e Stoudemire, and himself will make their own superstar team next summer. 

Despite the trade demands, the New Orleans management was able to convince Paul to stay...for now.

2. Deron Williams

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2011 Team: UTH

After his 2010 campaign, Deron Williams has legitimately earned the title of NBA's best point guard. Although he is praised as the league's premier one guard, Williams and the Utah Jazz have heard the same song play for the last three years. For each of the last three post-seasons, the Deron Williams led Jazz have been knocked-out of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Former teammates Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver, and Carlos Boozer fled to the Windy City, however with reinforcements like Al Jefferson coming over, Williams looks to lead his Jazz back into Western Conference contention. 

1. Kevin Durant

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2011 Team: OKC

Kevin Durant is the youngest player in NBA history to earn the league scoring title. Although the Durant led Thunder finished only their 2nd year in Oklahoma City, they made the playoffs, and pushed the eventual champions (L.A. Lakers) to the brink.

It's scary to say that Kevin Durant might play even better than he did last year. If Durant plays at a comparable level in accordance to how he did last season, we could be looking at the next NBA MVP. Many put Durant's Thunder as the favorite to knock-off the two-time defending champion Lakers.