Thunder are 8-2 with Durant, 8-15 without.

[russwest0]

Is it too late for him to get in on the MVP race?

He was clearly the best player in the game last year and is clearly the best player this year, and could be even better than last year.

He scored 30 in a half like a week ago, comes back, and then drops 44/10/7 hitting clutch shots like it's nothing.

[Done_And_Done]

There's still a good 50 games left to play. I would say that he has a shot. Why not...

[BuffaloBill]

You know what the scariest part is? This isn't even his final form


:biggums:

[russwest0]

You know what the scariest part is? This isn't even his final form


:biggums:

I laughed during the post game interview when Durant said "hopefully I feel better next game."

Dude was 60-70% and just took a SHAT on the suns.

[Done_And_Done]

I laughed during the post game interview when Durant said "hopefully I feel better next game."

Dude was 60-70% and just took a SHAT on the suns.

Kevin's been eating his fibre like a good boy.

[K Xerxes]

Scary good.

[russwest0]

Scary good.

Thing is his defense has been just as good as the rest of his game this season... I don't know when he's going to start getting recognition for his play on that end, because during games like OKC vs CLE he was straight up blowing up CLE's offensive possessions throughout multiple stretches of that game, but after the game there wasn't any chatter in the media about his defense.

[r0drig0lac]

best player in the world

[K Xerxes]

Thing is his defense has been just as good as the rest of his game this season... I don't know when he's going to start getting recognition for his play on that end, because during games like OKC vs CLE he was straight up blowing up CLE's offensive possessions throughout multiple stretches of that game, but after the game there wasn't any chatter in the media about his defense.

Yeah, I missed the game yesterday so could only do some highlight and boxscore watching. Definitely tuning into his next game to see how well he's performing on both sides of the court. I agree his defense is something that's been underrated this past year or so, but I think people are just in awe of the offensive numbers he can put up. It's almost as though people see 'Durant drops 44', and they don't even bat an eyelid over it.

I just want to see this level of effortless dominance in the playoffs. And then there'll be no more discussion as to who's the best in the world. Though with the ledecline seemingly taking place, it might not even take that.

[White Mamba]

8-15 = a lot of games without Westbrook too. just sayin.

[russwest0]

8-15 = a lot of games without Westbrook too. just sayin.

did you see the games with just Westbrook but no Durant? OKC looked lost in the clutch and threw away many games they should of easily had.

Yet you look at last nights game, down 3 with a minute to go, and Durant brings the ball down the floor, and just steps into a 3 and drills it like it's nothing.

[SOD 21]

8-15 = a lot of games without Westbrook too. just sayin.

True.

Oklahoma City was 3-12 thru their first fifteen games when RW returned from his broken hand.

The Thunder played all but one of those first 15 games with RW, against Portland (I don't count the Clippers game since he only played like nine minutes), and OKC played many of those games with five or six other players missing games, too.

At one point, OKC was playing without eight of their 14 players that were supposed to be on their opening day roster, which is why players like Lance Thomas and Ish Smith were added to the roster.

[Kblaze8855]

The most games he could play at this point I believe is 59. The least an mvp ever played was 58 by Bill Walton but the Blazers were 50 - 8 in those games.

What are the odds he doesn't miss any more games?

Isn't he still recovering?

[Top Gun]

The GOAT is back. Could literally blow away the rest of the MVP competition if he plays at his peak for the rest of the season.

[GimmeThat]

you know what they call the 2nd seed or the 6th seed who makes it to the Conference final?

a Conference finalist.

[Le Shaqtus]

He's only 26..

[Roundball_Rock]

The most games he could play at this point I believe is 59. The least an mvp ever played was 58 by Bill Walton but the Blazers were 50 - 8 in those games.

What are the odds he doesn't miss any more games?

Isn't he still recovering?

Exactly. Shaq has only 1 MVP because he was docked by voters for missing 8-12 games every year. Durant cannot win the MVP playing less than 60 games on a team that will be a 6th or 7th seed. Moreover, Westbrook's high level of play this year should deflate Durant's MVP votes (I am not saying that is right but that is a reality of how MVP voting usually works). Durant is in fact the MVP right now but he won't win the award this year given circumstances.

[Budadiiii]

He's only 26..
WTF?

And he's already learning to adapt his game to be less dependent on athleticism. His jumper is WET.

We will NOT see a massive decline at 30 like we're seeing with LeBron, who's game is 100% predicated on athleticism.

If anything, I don't see Durant peaking till he's 33-35. That is freaking SCARY.

[Budadiiii]

Exactly. Shaq has only 1 MVP because he was docked by voters for missing 8-12 games every year. Durant cannot win the MVP playing less than 60 games on a team that will be a 6th or 7th seed. Moreover, Westbrook's high level of play this year should deflate Durant's MVP votes (I am not saying that is right but that is a reality of how MVP voting usually works). Durant is in fact the MVP right now but he won't win the award this year given circumstances.
Shaq is a great comparison right now for Durant. Easily the most dominant player in the universe. Shaq had Kobe and Phil Jackson though.... so I don't even know if it's fair to Durant to say he is Shaq. He's probably better. I know he's a much better leader and teammate, that's for sure.

Dominates in a different way, and is considered the best closer in basketball. 90% FT shooter, can pull up from anywhere and any time. We haven't seen a closer like this since Jordan.

[Roundball_Rock]

Shaq is a great comparison right now for Durant. Easily the most dominant player in the universe. Shaq had Kobe and Phil Jackson though.... so I don't even know if it's fair to Durant to say he is Shaq. He's probably better. I know he's a much better leader and teammate, that's for sure.

Dominates in a different way, and is considered the best closer in basketball. 90% FT shooter, can pull up from anywhere and any time. We haven't seen a closer like this since Jordan.

Shaq did have Kobe but Durant has Westbrook. Moreover, Durant has Ibaka, who is much better than the third best player on those 2000's Lakers teams. Durant also at one point not only had Westbrook, Ibaka but also Harden.

Fair points that Durant is an excellent closer-something Shaq could not be due to his FT shooting woes. Shaq also contributed to chemistry issues in multiple cities. All that said, Shaq brought home the goods 4 times and was in the Finals 6 times. Durant thus far has not won a ring and has reached the Finals only once.

It will be interesting to see the next 2-3 years for Durant. Almost every basketball player peaks between the ages of 27-30, although there are exceptions (i.e. Hakeem). So, barring injury, history suggests Durant will actually improve further still. However, how will Durant fare in the team success department? If Durant has a run of several years as the best player in the league, has a top 10-15 all-time player caliber peak, has a top 3-5 player in Westbrook alongside him (Westbrook too has not reached his pea yet) along with Ibaka--and Durant does not win a ring what will the general view of him become?

The central question vis-

[edrick]

That other guy in OKC missed quite a few games as well...

[Angel Face]

Returns from injury and dropped those numbers, easily the best player in the league. I wonder if he can still win the scoring title. Give him a month and he will easily lead the league in scoring. Dunno if he is qualified tho.

[NZStreetBaller]

God it sucks that the best player in the world is injured. we should be witnessing great things from him not waiting for his return. but it is what it is.

And I agree that durants going to stay the man for a long time. hes super skilled. super tall. super fast. is able to cross over smaller dudes. pull up from anywhere. and the fact that he doesnt carry alot of muscle will be very helpful to his longevity.

[riseagainst]

best player in the game.

[SillyRabbit]

In all honesty: Yes Durant should be the MVP of the league if he's healthy the rest of the season.

But the voters of the award are complete potatoes, so you never know what will happen.

[Jlamb47]

If durant and westbrook healthy i dont see anyone stopping them this year

[ImKobe]

In all honesty: Yes Durant should be the MVP of the league if he's healthy the rest of the season.

But the voters of the award are complete potatoes, so you never know what will happen.

If Harden keeps up his current level of play and the Rockets finish top 3 in the West, he'd deserve it more. Houston is 22-9 with Howard having missed 12 games. Harden is averaging 28/6/7 on 60%TS.

[Papaya Petee]

BREAKING NEWS: One of the best players in the NBA comes back to his team along with his teammate whose also one of the best players in the NBA, and the team starts winning a lot more games.

[Papaya Petee]

BREAKING NEWS: One of the best players in the NBA comes back to his team along with his teammate whose also one of the best players in the NBA, and the team starts winning a lot more games.