4 Reasons Why Kevin Durant Should Be 2012 NBA MVP

Since he entered the NBA—as the No. 2 pick in the 2007 draft by the Seattle Supersonics—Kevin Durant has greatly improved his abilities. He entered the NBA as a scorer and not much else. He didn't defend well, he didn't rebound the ball and he was incredibly skinny—and got manhandled by the bigger and stronger NBA players.

Now, at the end of his fifth NBA season, Durant is one of the best basketball players in the world. He could always score points, but now he's become a more efficient scorer. He's improved his rebounding throughout his career. He's added range to his shot, giving him the ability to consistently knock down three-pointers.

In short, he's gotten so good that he's now in the running for the NBA MVP on a yearly basis. In fact, Durant should win the MVP this season and here are four reasons why.

He Plays on One of the Best Teams in the NBA

In order to win the MVP, you need to play on a winning team. Not necessarily the winning team—because season awards are voted on before the playoffs start—but a team that is widely regarded as one of the top teams in the NBA. 

You could argue that team performance shouldn't have any bearing on individual awards, but historically speaking, it does. Besides, this isn't MLB or the NFL where nine-11 players are playing for each team. In basketball, only five players from each team play at a given time, so it's much easier to have an impact on your team's performance.

If the playoffs started today, Durant's Oklahoma City Thunder would be the top seed in the Western Conference. Right now, only the Chicago Bulls have a better win-loss record. With Durant as the best player on the Thunder, he's the biggest reason why they're as successful as they are. He's the most valuable player on one of the best teams in the NBA.

He's Improved All Aspects of His Game

Coming into the season, Durant was already viewed as one of the top five players in the NBA, arguably one of the top three players. If you don't believe me, then consider that Durant finished second in MVP voting in 2009-2010 and fifth in 2010-2011. As scary as it sounds, Durant has gotten even better.

He's won the last two scoring titles, so everybody knows he could score. He's now become a more efficient scorer. He's posting a career high in shooting percentage, as he's now knocking down 50.2 percent of his shots. He's also on pace for career highs in total shooting percentage (60.9 percent) and effective field-goal percentage (55.1 percent).

While he's still not an elite defender, he's greatly improved on this side of the ball. He's lengthier than most small forwards, so he's able to use his length and his agility to stay with players on defense. His steals per game (1.3) and blocks per game (1.1) are career highs. He's also posting a career-high 101 in defensive rating.

His rebounding numbers are career highs. He's averaging 8.1 rebounds per game, that's much higher than the 6.8 he averaged last season. It's not like it's strictly volume rebounding due to increased playing time. To exemplify that, consider that his defensive rebounding percentage (20.8 percent) and his total rebound percentage (12.0 percent) are career highs.

Lastly, but certainly not least, Durant has become a much better passer. He's setting career highs in assists per game (3.5) and assist percentage (17.4 percent).

He's Stayed Healthy

Durant has played in all 54 games for the Thunder this season. As the best player on his team, the team's performance is easily attributed to Durant's performance. Since he's played in every game, he's had an effect on every game for the Thunder.

Last year's MVP, Derrick Rose, has played in 34 of the Bulls' 55 games. The Bulls are 28-6 with Rose in the lineup and 14-7 without him in the lineup. That's still way beyond a playoff-caliber win-loss percentage, even without Rose in the lineup.

You can't possibly make that argument about Durant and the Thunder because Durant doesn't miss any time. Nobody knows how the Thunder would do without Durant. It seems pretty safe to assume that the Bulls would still be a playoff team without Rose.

He's a Clutch Performer

Let's be honest, due to Derrick Rose's injuries this year, the MVP race is down to LeBron James and Kevin Durant. LeBron James has long been knocked for his play in crunch time. Durant, on the other hand, has been known as a clutch performer. This is where he separates from James in the MVP race.

In clutch statistics—defined as fourth quarter or overtime, less than five minutes left, neither team ahead by more than five points—Durant is superior to James. His team is 15-9 with him on the floor in such situations, they're plus-35 in net points and plus-14.0 in net points per 48 minutes.

James and the Heat are 10-8 in the same scenario, plus-12 in net points and plus-7.0 in net points per 48 minutes.

Those are just team clutch statistics. The difference between the two is more apparent in individual statistics. Durant shoots 41.1 percent in clutch situations, 47.4 percent in effective field-goal percentage during clutch situations and would average 50.8 points per 48 minutes in those situations. He also only has one percent of his shots blocked in clutch situations.

James shoots 38.6 from the field in the same scenario, has a 42.0 percent effective field-goal percentage and would average 33.2 points per 48 minutes. James, despite being bigger and more physical, has seven percent of his clutch shots blocked.