Why Kevin Durant's Big-Game Brilliance Will Derail LeBron James' MVP Bid

It's been a tremendous season for Miami Heat superstar LeBron James.

All he's done is average 26.5 PPG, 8.3 RPG and 6.5 APG and have the Miami Heat looking at taking a run at capturing the NBA championship. James is putting together one of the best seasons in history, and it's been a forgone conclusion that LeBron would be awarded his third MVP trophy at season's end.

Not so fast, though.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward  Kevin Durant is making his own serious push to wrestle that MVP away from James, and he's doing it in a big way.

Durant's putting together his own big season, averaging 27.7 PPG, 8.1 RPG and 3.5 APG. His Thunder are the Western Conference's best team and are hot on the heels of the Chicago Bulls for the NBA's best overall record.

What could ultimately separate Durant from James in the eyes of MVP voters could be his brilliance in big games. Especially late in big games, when Durant continues to take his game to a higher level.

That's something that James, quite frankly, can't boast since last season's NBA Finals.

One of the only fair criticisms to make about James' game is the fact that he really hasn't shined in big moments since signing with Miami. That part of his game hasn't made its way from Cleveland yet, where he apparently left it.

The bigger the game and the bigger the moment, Durant brings his absolute best.

Durant steals the spotlight in those moments. He wants it, and more often than not, he comes through. There have been countless big fourth quarters and more than a few game-winning shots along the way.

You can't come close to saying the same thing about LeBron.

The stretch run will be important for James, as he tries to create his own big moments in big situations. If he doesn't, the spotlight might not be the only thing Durant steals.

He may steal the MVP award as well.