Kevin Durant has been single-handedly putting teams away on offense since Russell Westbrook’s knee surgery, and his performances are starting to become historically good.
No really. This is starting to get ridiculous, even for him.
The forward was having another terrific season heading into January, but one could argue it was not necessarily much better than what he did last season. Through the month of December, Durant averaged 28.3 points per game – in line with the 28.1 points he averaged last season. With Westbrook out since Dec. 27, it was on Durant to carry the scoring load. Most expected his points to increase with a drop in efficiency, but his efficiency never dropped. In the last 14 games without his point guard, here is what Durant is averaging (counting the stats that are relevant for this particular topic only): 36.5 points on 52.2 percent shooting, six assists and 2.9 turnovers. During this span, he has seen a career-high 54-point night, scored at least 40 points three times, and scored under 30 just twice.
Not only is he scoring at a clip reminiscent of a young Michael Jordan with similar or even better efficiency, he’s also keeping the team involved with passes without turning the ball over at an alarming rate. Simply put, no one in the league can sniff the level that Durant is playing in over this dominant stretch, and that includes LeBron James – the guy he is always tired of being second fiddle to.
On Tuesday against the Portland Trail Blazers – a team the Oklahoma City Thunder have yet to beat this season in two tries – Durant scored 46 points on 17-of-26 shooting (68 percent!) and shot six-of-seven from beyond the arc. He was simply unconscious, and his performance proved to be enough to beat Portland 105-97. Players around the league – including Damian Lillard – took notice and shared their thoughts on what they’re seeing from the MVP of the first half of the season:
KD been in his bag lately
— Kendall Marshall (@KButter5) January 22, 2014
He’s a Flame thrower! (@Kevinharlan voice) “@daldridgetnt: Cold. Blooded. Durant.” — Chris Webber (@realchriswebber) January 22, 2014
Kevin Durant is good at basketball. — Steve Kerr (@SteveKerrTNT) January 22, 2014
Yo KD got no chill.
— BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) January 22, 2014
KD out here cookin
— Michael Carter-Willi (@MCW1) January 22, 2014
KD is not playing around. SMH — Tony Wroten (@TWroten_LOE) January 22, 2014
Sometimes you gotta just respect it and take ya hat off… — Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) January 22, 2014
You know – if @KDTrey5 sticks with it & keeps working he can become a pretty good player someday.
— Rex Chapman (@rexchapman) January 22, 2014
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James Park is the chief blogger of Sheridan Hoops. You can find him on twitter @SheridanBlog.