Kevin Durant: Move Over LeBron, the League Has a New Top Dog
While I'm sure to draw criticism from a wave of readers based on title alone, allow me to introduce you to the NBA's premier talent: Mr. Kevin Durant.
The antithesis of LeBron James, Durant is a humbled young man who is the perfect player for the Oklahoma City franchise. After beating out Prince James for his first career scoring title, Durant's game is poised to blossom to another level this season.
On the cusp of turning just 22 years old (9/29), the freshest face in the NBA provides the league with exactly what it so desperately needs. With a baby face, arms free of tattoos, and from an educated background, Durant projects positivity and light when the league is faced with dark days ahead.
The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is set to expire at the end of June 2011, and it seems that there is major disconnect between those parties involved. The league has already borrowed upwards of $400 million over the last two years and it doesn't seem that the financial status of the NBA is on the rise any time soon.
Despite all of the negativity that surrounds Jerry West's silhouette, it's clear that Kevin Durant has become not only a favorite of the fans in Oklahoma City, but truly around the world. Now an international icon for the first time in his life, the very young man proved to the world on a worldwide stage at the recent FIBA games.
Leading the United States team to a convincing capture of the gold medal, the Thunder superstar proved that he's truly capable of doing just about anything on the basketball court. Arguably the most athletic player in the NBA, Durant's skill set is like none others. A true defensive challenge for opposing teams, Durant's size (6'11") and freakish wingspan (7'4") make him practically impossible to cover.
Immediately establishing himself as a legit 20-point scorer by averaging 20.3 during his rookie campaign, Durant's average PPG (points per game) have soared every season since. He averaged 25.3 PPG in his second full season, and a gaudy 30.2 last year that won him the crown.
Responding to criticisms that he was purely just a scorer and his game was too one-dimensional, Durant proved that his game is indeed multi-faceted by averaging 7.6 rebounds per affair last season, which included several double-digit rebound games.
Perhaps better suited to stretch the floor than anyone in the league, Durant can beat you from anywhere on the court, including behind the three-point arc (36 percent last season). He can also take it inside, and even if you send him to the foul line (88 percent), he's sure to make you pay for it. Playing in all 82 games last season, Durant is the most dependable player both in fantasy basketball and in the NBA.
Take a backseat, LeBron, much like you did when you signed with buddies Wade & Bosh this summer, and watch Durant's Thunder take the league by surprise.
I can't say that I'll be surprised, because frankly, I won't be.
