Kevin Durant: The Youngest Scoring Title Champ Ever

by Scipio Tex on Apr 15, 2010 2:33 AM CDT in Texas Longhorns and Other Basketball

In the season's finale, Kevin Durant scored a silky 31 points on 12 of 18 shooting (with 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks - one trick scoring pony?) to lead the Oklahoma City School For Young Mutants to an improbable 50 win season, a playoff date with the world champion Lakers this weekend, and the NBA scoring title at 30.1 ppg.

At 21 years of age.

Kevin Durant is the youngest scoring champion in NBA history.

He takes that distinction from Max Zaslofsky, notable Jewish sports hero, who averaged 20.6 ppg in 1948 at the comparatively wizened age of 23.

When will the Jewish people stop putting all of their eggs in the athletics basket?

Zaslofsky played a form of proto-basketball, more recognizable to James Naismith and his peach basket than our game today. Players shot two hand set shots, the Lakers were in Minnesota, he had a career 34% field goal percentage (considered solid at the time), the players were alabaster-hued, and they often smoked unfiltered cigarrettes during the jump ball.

Zaslofsky stood a mighty 6-2 at combo guard/forward. The dominant player of that era was 6-9 giant George Mikan, who moved like a Sleestak filled with barbiturates.

The history only highlights the fact that over sixty plus years, this record went unchallenged, from one and done (Carmelo) to straight from high school to pro (Kobe, Moses, Howard, Garnett, Lebron) by some of the most dominant players in the game.

We're witnessing history, the blossoming of one of The Greats.

Just imagine if he could bench 185?

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Zaslofsky stood a mighty 6-2 at combo guard/forward. The dominant player of that era was 6-9 giant George Mikan, who moved like a Sleestak filled with barbiturates.

Thanks. Holy shit. Now I can go to sleep.

by Sailor Ripley on Apr 15, 2010 2:40 AM CDT reply actions

Colin is a man who easily admits when he is wrong:

by SL Xpress on Apr 15, 2010 5:27 AM CDT reply actions

Zaslofsky stood a mighty 6-2 at combo guard/forward.

He was also the best part of the Hangover.

by t1climb1 on Apr 15, 2010 8:08 AM CDT reply actions

Anyone read Phil Jackson’s quotes about Durant getting to the line a lot? I’m fascinated to see how the impish and dickish coach tries to play mind games with Durant. I used to really respect and like Jackson, but he’s become a clown in the last decade. This will be a rough learning curve for the Thunder in the playoffs. He’ll use the media a lot to try and get in Durant’s head.

by Burnt Orange Wookiee on Apr 15, 2010 9:47 AM CDT reply actions

“Anyone read Phil Jackson’s quotes about Durant getting to the line a lot?”

I like Larry Brown’s old quote about the cry baby crying. And what happened? – Jackson’s Lakers went to the line 40 times the next night.

by Eskimohorn on Apr 15, 2010 9:54 AM CDT reply actions

Rode him as the 7th pick to 1st place in my fantasy league. Man, I love me some Durant.

by jc25 on Apr 15, 2010 12:02 PM CDT reply actions

fuck phil. i didnt know the herd was such as ass either. how’s that bench press treatin ya know portland?

by ballrific on Apr 15, 2010 12:05 PM CDT reply actions

This was pretty funny:

Cowherd V. Bowen

Cowherd was a good sport, I thought.

by Drew Dunlevie on Apr 15, 2010 12:28 PM CDT reply actions

Actually, Jackson played Durant pretty smoothly. KD should have just said “He’s a great coach and that’s his opinion” instead of getting defensive.

Or even better, KD should have made a joke about it. “Hey, when I rape someone at a Colorado hotel and get off scot-free, then he can complain about me getting a free ride.” For example.

by Woody Bombay on Apr 15, 2010 1:44 PM CDT reply actions

Jackson played him great, but I think Durant’s response was better. He complimented the refs and played to their egos. Very smart, if not intentional. I’m sure Jackson will mess with KD some. He’s 21, not too hard to do.

by Burnt Orange Wookiee on Apr 15, 2010 1:59 PM CDT reply actions

.
Jackson Durant Garnett Foul Line

“Ever since KG said something, everybody’s been questioning how I get to the line,” Durant said. “If you watch our games, you wouldn’t question it. The NBA should put us on national TV more, I guess.”

by Sailor Ripley on Apr 15, 2010 4:54 PM CDT reply actions

Love it. Love that kid. I hope the NBA is listening.

by Burnt Orange Wookiee on Apr 15, 2010 5:08 PM CDT reply actions

This is a really really really big deal but I’m not all that excited about it because it was so expected. Often times during his freshman year at Texas, I wondered if he would score 30ppg in the NBA right then and there. I was wrong, it took him 2 years of getting used to things.

by dick on Apr 15, 2010 10:54 PM CDT reply actions