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NBA Player Power Rankings: Three-Quarter Season Awards

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts with forward Draymond Green (23) after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts with forward Draymond Green (23) after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 6, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after hitting a 3-point basket in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Durant scored 32 points as the Thunder beat the Bucks 104-96. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after hitting a 3-point basket in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Durant scored 32 points as the Thunder beat the Bucks 104-96. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Award: All-NBA First Team

Last Rank: No. 3

Position: Small Forward

Age: 27

Slash Line: .507/.396/.894

Season Averages: 36.2 MPG, 28.1 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.3 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 2.6 3PM

Russell Westbrook is posting video game numbers through three-and-a-half quarters, but he goes cold during the closing minutes of the fourth. That’s where four-time scoring champion and former NBA MVP Kevin Durant comes into play.

The Oklahoma City Thunder rely upon Durant to close out games, and judging by their 44-20 record, he’s doing a pretty decent job.

Durant went toe-to-toe with the Golden State Warriors, recording 32 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists on 11-of-17 shooting. He then tallied 32 points, 13 boards, and eight dimes on just 14 shots against the Milwaukee Bucks, and had 30 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Slowly, but surely, Durant is looking more-and-more like the man who ran away with the 2014 NBA MVP award.

MVP is all but locked up in 2015-16, but Durant is making quite a statement for what’s to come in future seasons. He can still score from anywhere on the court, is emerging as a genuine triple-double threat, and has become far more aggressive on the glass.

If Durant is rounding into form, the rest of the Western Conference should be fearful of what’s to come.

Next: The King on a Fractured Throne