Kevin Durant averaged 28 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game this season, yet he’ll surely miss out on MVP and might have to settle for All-NBA Second Team. The league is so stacked with talent and greatness this season, but Durant still feels he is being overlooked.
What’s really impressive, Yahoo Sports reminds us, is that this time last year Durant was recovering from bone-graft surgery on his foot and people began to have their doubts.
Historically this surgery has been difficult to come back from, especially for players Durant’s size. However, Kevin miraculously was able to come back this year in full force, looking just like he used to. It’s a lost story line in a regular season with multiple historical events, mainly achieved by the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs.
A year ago, Durant was bedridden, barely able to move and watching last year’s playoffs from home. Durant was watching the league and fans slowly forget about him, which forced him to motivate himself.
“I’m the best player in the world… I had to continue to tell myself that because everybody else was telling me I was falling off, or I’m not as good as I used to be. I had to tell myself that and try to take that approach.”
Durant told Yahoo that he feels “unappreciated” more than anything else. But ESPN’s The Jump reports that he’s “definitely pissed” that he isn’t a realistic MVP winner this season. Tracy McGrady, who was on the panel, said this stuff is “petty” and Durant’s main focus should be on winning a championship. The rest of the panel seconded that assertion, adding Durant has an ego and that is why he would never go to a team like Golden State.
There is something strange about calling the man who dedicated his MVP award to his mother someone with too large of an ego. On top of that, he thanked every individual teammate publicly as he accepted that award back in 2014.
Plus, what if Durant just really wants to be a leader? He has the stats and consistency to back up that desire, however it is a valid point that postseason awards shouldn’t be on the forefront of his mind. It’s time Durant shifts his focus and thrives on being an underdog, like he and the Thunder did back 2012 when they upset the Spurs and advanced to the NBA Finals.
(Via Yahoo Sports)
