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NBA Player Power Rankings: Kevin Durant Surpassing LeBron?

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dunks in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dunks in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Rank: No. 4

Position: Small Forward

Age: 27

Slash Line: .507/.390/.889

Season Averages: 36.0 MPG, 27.4 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.2 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 2.4 3PM

When Kevin Durant is aggressive, there isn’t an active scorer who can do the things that he does. There’s still a sense of tentativeness in his game, but Durant’s combination of size, explosiveness, and the range of his jump shot are downright uncanny.

The Orlando Magic learned that the hard way when the four-time scoring champion torched them for 37 points and sank an unbelievable game-winner.

Durant has been one of the NBA’s most clutch players since entering the Association in 2007. The 2014 NBA MVP isn’t yet playing at the level he achieved two seasons ago, but he’s been inching closer over the past month.

During his most recent week of play, Durant posted 33 points and 12 rebounds on 11-of-18 shooting, had 28 points against the Washington Wizards, and tallied 37 points and a game-winner against the Orlando Magic.

The favorite for MVP is clear, but if any player is capable of turning on the jets and catching the runaway leader, it’s Durant.

Durant is No. 3 in the NBA in scoring at 27.4 points per game, but he’s averaging 28.9 points on 49.6 percent shooting from the field since January 1. He’s averaging 33.8 over the past five, including performances of 33, 37, and 44 points scored.

Durant is catching fire, and that is terrible news for every NBA player who doesn’t wear an Oklahoma City Thunder jersey.

Next: The Walking Triple-Double