Kevin Durant may finally have the one vote he most needs to secure his first NBA MVP award.
Four-time league MVP and two-time reigning top player LeBron James told ESPN on Wednesday “I think K.D. has had one heck of a season, and if he was rewarded with the MVP, it would be great. It would be awesome for him, for his family. It would be a great thing for him. He has played MVP-type basketball.”
For much of the season, particularly the second half, the MVP race has boiled down to a two-horse race between the Oklahoma City and Miami Heat stars. Now Durant seems to be distinguishing himself as no one else, even in James’ eyes.
“He’s been the most consistent basketball player as far as MVP this year,” James added. “He has put up some great numbers.”
Durant is averaging 32 points, 5.6 assists, and 7.6 rebounds per game, compared to James’ averages of 26.9 points, 6.5 assists, and 6.9 rebounds. Durant has also scored at least 40 points in 12 games this season and has surpassed the 50-point mark twice, including a career-high 54-point game against Golden State on Jan. 17.
Durant’s streak of 41 straight games of scoring at least 25 points—surpassing even Michael Jordan’s run of 40 straight such games during his historic 1986-87 season during which he averaged 37 points per game—recently came to an end, though it hardly diminishes his overall season.
“The Servant” embarked on his run with teammate Russell Westbrook sidelined and having played in just roughly half the Thunder’s games this season. A six-year veteran, Durant also has career highs in assists (5.6) and has recorded his second best season in shooting percentage (50.8), and third best campaign in rebounding (7.6).
It’s all been enough to keep the Thunder as season-long division leaders in the Northwest Division and as the Western Conference’s overall No. 2 seed behind the San Antonio Spurs, whom they’ve actually sweep in the season series between the two teams.
