Kevin Durant’s Ridiculous Four-Point Play MVP Worthy

Kevin Durant makes basketball look easy.

Just take last night’s ridiculous four-point play against the Memphis Grizzlies in game one of their playoff series. Trailing 98-93 with 13 seconds left, Durant takes a sideline pass from his teammate Russell Westbrook with time winding down and promptly gets pushed out of bounds by Memphis center Marc Gasol drawing the foul. Durant hurls a desperation shot hoping to get to the free throw line as he’s falling out of bounds and…

Swish.

Yes, this could be perceived as a lucky four-point play by Kevin Durant. Heck, Kevin could try it again ninety-nine times and the ball might rim out every single time. But plays like this define why Kevin is rightfully being mentioned as the MVP of the league this year. It’s not just the fact that his ridiculous shot went in, it’s that was savvy enough to take it in the first place.

It’s also why Durant is making a name for himself as a clutch player. With the Thunder down late in the game to the Grizzlies, shots like this define why Durant is not afraid to take the big shot in the big game. And that’s more than some can say for his competition: namely Lebron James, whose often been criticized for passing in big moments like this.

While many in the James camp suggest that LeBron should be MVP every year regardless of performance by others, looking at what Durant accomplished this year makes his nomination undeniable. Kevin lead a Thunder team without any top play makers – thanks to Russell Westbrook’s early season injury – to the second seed in a tough Western Conference. Lebron’s Heat by contrast faced a weak Eastern Conference with a somewhat healthy Dwyane Wade and an Indiana Pacer team that combusted at the end and still couldn’t finish first.

Even the Clippers Blake Griffin, coming off his best season in the NBA thinks Durant is the man this year over James. And while James counts himself among one of Durant’s fans, there is still some who clamor for LeBron to take home the trophy.

According to an article on Bleacher Report however, the debate ends when you look at how Durant has raised his level of play this year:

“Clearly, Durant could always score, and though his points and usage are up this year from where they’ve ever been, that’s not the only reason why he’s a better player in 2014. There’s so much about Durant that’s gotten better.

The defense has progressed. He’s legitimately become a lockdown wing defender, who knows how to rotate and whose length and athleticism make him a complete force on the defensive end.”

The Thunder meanwhile, will need every ounce of that skill and even luck – like last night’s ridiculous four-point play – from Kevin Durant if they hope to reach the NBA Finals.