Durantula Descends on Dallas

by Barking Carnival Staff on Feb 13, 2010 11:05 PM CST in Texas Longhorns and Other Basketball

The All Star game is on Sunday, and K-Smoove is taking his rightful place amongst the NBA’s elite. What should be the first of many All Star trips will take place in Dallas in a sort of homecoming to the state where Durant’s star began its shine for most of the nation.

Durant comes in second in the league in scoring, .2 points per game behind his Highness himself. He comes in having scored 25 or more points an amazing 25 consecutive games. Rarefied air where only Iverson and a guy named Michael Jordan have soared to in the past 30 years.

In his 3rd year, his stats across the board including points, shooting percentage, rebounds, assists, steals, and the dreaded +/- have continued to improve. He's the 2nd youngest player to reach 5000 points and would be the 2nd youngest player to ever average 30 points if he can get his average up a few ticks the rest of the season.

He has a chance to become the youngest NBA scoring champion ever. In short, Kevin Durant has become a legitimate force in the league and is on the cusp of super stardom as Tim Legler writes.

Of course Longhorn nation took Durant making the rest of the NBA kneeling before him as a given. We were given the pleasure of enjoying his special talent for a lone year, where he won every individual trophy that his spindly arms could carry. While we've understood his special goodness, Kevin has amazingly been under appreciated in his short NBA career.

Durant was banished to a floundering franchise, Seattle, that was looking to leave the Pacific Northwest. Durant and the Sonic franchise eventually landed in Oklahoma City where he has helped the franchise into playoff contention this year. Still being noticed in the NBA in OKC is the equivalent of being the hottest actor in North Korea.

It's been a slow burn, but Durant is now ready to announce to the world that he's ready to join the Lebrons, Kobes, and Dwaynes of the league as a NBA Superstar. It will most likely happen this weekend, in the state where basketball fans first got to know him.

Scoop Jackson with a good interview. Love the kid (no homo), he's all work and love. What's K-Smoove's upside? Alex English? George Gervin? Destined to be nothing but Lebron's foil? Redefine the small forward position? Should be a fun ride and Sunday will be a big step....

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Comments

I think the thing I most love about Durant is his completely subversive treatment of Oklahoma.

Here’s a guy who never ever hesitates to proclaim his adoration of the Longhorns, but nevertheless already has become beloved by Sooners and Cowboys alike.

by CrazyJoeDavola66 on Feb 14, 2010 2:56 AM CST reply actions

Pass the habitrail and brie, Patrick.

Durant is the man but the All Star weekend is nonsense.

Perhaps he’ll be frozen out by twats like Isiah Thomas.

by Sailor Ripley on Feb 14, 2010 4:06 AM CST reply actions

I agree the ASW (does anyone even watch the dunk contest) has surpassed it’s relevance but it’s still a huge TV draw and a lot of the casual fans may get to see Durant go off. Kevin defended his H-O-R-S-E crown.

The guy needs some love. He could have been a one year mercenary at Texas with little use for us now, but he’s our biggest and most important advertisement for Texas basketball and truly loves Austin. Just like AB came here because he was a TJ fan, we’ll get more then a recruit or two b/c some kid idolizes Durant…..Durant as a 1 and done may become our most important player ever in the program….

by Patrick Bateman on Feb 14, 2010 9:56 AM CST reply actions

If he played in a marquee market or for a marquee team, people would be talking about him for MVP. He might have the most complete offensive game in the league outside of Kobe.

by Steve Nebraska on Feb 14, 2010 12:23 PM CST reply actions