4. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Rank: No. 5
Position: Small Forward
Age: 27
Slash Line: .533/.475/.891
Season Averages: 34.5 MPG, 28.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 2.9 3PM
Kevin Durant missed six games due to a hamstring injury, thus causing him to settle for No. 5 on last week’s rankings—an atrocity, I know. On Monday, November 23, Durant returned from the absence in the most dominant of ways.
One game doesn’t change everything, but it was enough to see that the 2013-14 NBA MVP is still amongst the best in the world.
In 30 minutes of action, Durant dropped 27 points, six rebounds and four steals on the Utah Jazz. He did so in Salt Lake City, one of the toughest venues in the Association, on just 13 shots.
Durant’s 27 points were scored on 10-of-13 shooting from the field.
In his next outing, Durant put up 30 points on 11-of-118 shooting against the Brooklyn Nets. Already a four-time scoring champion, it’s entirely conceivable that Durant could win No. 5 in 2015-16.
Durant has already booked his ticket to the Hall of Fame. If he can remain healthy, 2015-16 will be yet another All-NBA season on his resume.
Next: The King is Coming