Kevin Durant (Part 2)

In the 2007 NBA draft, Kevin Durant was selected as the second overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics, following Greg Oden who was picked by the Portland Trail Blazers as the first overall pick.
Durant made an immediate impact in his rookie season. In his debut regular-season game, at just 19 years old, Durant showcased his talent with 18 points, five rebounds, and three steals against the Denver Nuggets. He quickly demonstrated his ability to be a clutch performer, making his first game-winning shot on November 16 against the Atlanta Hawks.
By the end of the 2007–08 NBA season, Durant's outstanding performance earned him the prestigious title of NBA Rookie of the Year. He achieved impressive averages of 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, joining the ranks of Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James as one of the only teenagers in NBA history to average at least 20 points per game for an entire season. This remarkable feat highlighted Durant's exceptional talent and solidified his status as a rising star in the league.


Following Durant's impressive rookie season, the SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City and rebranded as the Thunder, sporting new colors and drafting Russell Westbrook from UCLA, who would later form a dynamic All-Star duo with Durant.
At the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend, Durant showcased his scoring prowess by setting a Rookie Challenge record with an impressive 46 points. By the end of the 2008–09 NBA season, Durant had significantly elevated his scoring average to 25.3 points per game, positioning himself as a strong contender for the Most Improved Player Award.


Durant's ascent in the league continued during the 2009–10 season, as he earned his first NBA All-Star selection. His stellar play propelled the Thunder to a remarkable improvement, increasing their win total by 27 games from the previous season and securing a playoff berth against expectations. With an outstanding scoring average of 30.1 points per game, Durant became the youngest NBA scoring champion in history and was named to his first All-NBA team.
In his playoff debut, Durant contributed 24 points in a Game 1 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite the Thunder's eventual series loss in six games, their performance garnered widespread recognition, with many analysts identifying them as a formidable contender for future NBA titles.


Prior to the commencement of the 2010–11 season, Durant made headlines by announcing via Twitter that he had inked a lucrative five-year contract extension with the Thunder worth approximately $86 million. Demonstrating his scoring prowess once again, Durant secured his second consecutive NBA scoring title, averaging an impressive 27.7 points per game.
Under Durant's leadership, the Thunder enjoyed a successful regular season, amassing 55 victories and clinching the fourth seed in the competitive Western Conference. In the ensuing 2011 NBA playoffs, Oklahoma City advanced past formidable opponents like the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies, setting up a challenging Conference Finals showdown against the Dallas Mavericks, where they fell short in five games.


During the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, Durant showcased his offensive firepower by notching his first career 50-point game on February 19 against the Denver Nuggets. His stellar performance extended to the All-Star Game, where he poured in 36 points and earned the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award. Finishing the season with a scoring average of 28 points per game, Durant secured his third consecutive scoring title.
Guided by Durant's remarkable talent, the Thunder secured 47 victories and entered the 2012 NBA playoffs as the second seed in the Western Conference. In a thrilling first-round matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, Durant displayed his clutch gene by sinking a game-winning shot with a mere 1.5 seconds remaining in Game 1. Oklahoma City proceeded to eliminate the Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the San Antonio Spurs before ultimately succumbing to the Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA Finals.
Throughout the NBA Finals, Durant showcased his scoring prowess, leading all players with an impressive average of 30.6 points per game while shooting an efficient 54.8 percent from the field. Despite falling short in the championship series, Durant's exceptional performance solidified his status as one of the league's premier talents.


During the 2012–13 NBA season, Durant showcased his remarkable scoring efficiency by finishing with a scoring average of 28.1 points per game. Although he failed to retain his scoring title, Durant achieved a significant milestone by joining the prestigious 50–40–90 club, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to do so. He achieved this remarkable feat with impressive shooting percentages of 51 percent from the field, 41.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 90.5 percent from the free-throw line.
Behind Durant's stellar play, the Oklahoma City Thunder concluded the regular season with an impressive 60–22 record, securing the top seed in the competitive Western Conference. However, their postseason aspirations suffered a significant blow when Westbrook, Durant's All-Star teammate, suffered a meniscus tear in the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs against the Houston Rockets, sidelining him for the remainder of the playoffs.


With Westbrook sidelined, Durant shouldered an even greater offensive burden, showcasing his scoring prowess by averaging a career-high 30.8 points per game throughout the playoffs. Despite his individual brilliance, the Thunder were unable to overcome Westbrook's absence and were ultimately eliminated in the second round by the Memphis Grizzlies in five games. Despite the disappointing playoff exit, Durant's outstanding performance further solidified his reputation as one of the league's premier talents.

References

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