NBA Player Power Rankings: Rested LeBron James Thriving
5. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Rank: No. 5
Position: Small Forward
Age: 27
Slash Line: .529/.457/.889
Season Averages: 35.1 MPG, 27.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 2.8 3PM
When he plays with aggressiveness, Kevin Durant is the most unstoppable scorer in the NBA. When he picks his spots, Durant is still a virtual lock to score 20-plus points and have a significant impact on every game he plays.
No matter what venue, opponent or situation is put in front of him, The Servant will find a way to score.
Durant opened the week with 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists on 9-of-21 shooting in a loss to the Miami Heat. He then posted 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in a close win over the Sacramento Kings—a performance that also included a putrid 10 turnovers.
Fortunately for the Thunder, the 2013-14 NBA MVP redeemed himself with 32 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals to just three turnovers on 11-of-14 shooting in a demolition of the Memphis Grizzlies.
The latter performance is closer to what one can expect from the four-time scoring champion. Still shaking off the rust from a season-ending foot injury in 2014-15—look at the numbers and then process that information—Durant is beginning to look like himself again.
If this is the highest level that Durant can possibly perform at, then NBA defenses are still in for torture.
Next: King of the Fourth Quarter