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NBA Player Power Rankings: Russell Westbrook Pushing for MVP

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 29, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) gestures from the court during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) gestures from the court during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) brings the ball up the court against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) brings the ball up the court against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Rank: No. 4

Position: Small Forward

Slash Line: .508/.389/.893

Season Averages: 35.9 MPG, 28.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.2 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 2.5 3PM

Kevin Durant is what happens when you make an unrealistic character in a video game. He shouldn’t be as explosive as he is at his size, nor should he move as fluidly coming off of screens, shoot with such ease, or facilitate at the level he does.

Durant isn’t looking like the dominant force he was in 2013-14, but he and the Thunder are as dangerous as they’ve ever been.

Since opening the season at 11-8, the Thunder are 41-15 with a recent eight-game winning streak. During that 54-game period, Durant is averaging 27.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists on 50.6 percent shooting from the field.

Many have overlooked Durant due to his injuries, but OKC is 67-27 with KD and 30-33 without him over the past two seasons.

Durant had 20 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds in 30 minutes on 7-of-11 shooting against a Utah Jazz team that’s No. 2 in scoring defense. He then dropped 31 points on a starless San Antonio Spurs team, and had 34 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in a 119-100 blowout of the Toronto Raptors.

For what it’s worth, the one game Durant didn’t play in was an 88-82 loss to the Detroit Pistons during which OKC shot 37.8 percent from the field. Stop downplaying his obvious greatness.

Next: Star on Both Ends