The Oklahoma City Thunder have been able to maintain their standing this year as one of the threats to the Miami Heat's championship crown without the services of one of their main guns, Russell Westbrook.  The reason they have been able to keep pace in the Northwest Division and Western Conference standing has been the outstanding play of superstar forward, Kevin Durant.

Last year, in OKC's opening playoff round matchup against the Houston Rockets, Russell Westbrook tore his meniscus on a freak accident play when Rockets' point guard, Patrick Beverley, lunged at the basketball.  The Thunder went on to win that series, but it was obvious that OKC was struggling without Westbrook.  Nothing made that more evident than the 4-1 Western Conference Semifinals loss that they suffered at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies.  Kevin Durant did what he could against the Grizzlies but it was simply not enough.  Since the end result of that series was so drastic, people questioned if Kevin Durant was actually capable of putting a team on his shoulders. 

The way that Durant has been performing this season should remove all doubt about his capability.  Russell Westbrook, for the most part, has been out this season only appearing in 25 of the 40 games that the Thunder have played.  Kevin Durant has been the undisputed leader of OKC.  In the 12 games since Christmas, when Westbrook was hurt, Kevin Durant has averaged 36.2 ppg including two 48 point games against the Celtics and Jazz and a 54 point game just last night against the Golden State Warriors.

On the season Durant is averaging 30.6 ppg on 49.4% shooting from the field and 39.1% shooting from 3-point range.  OKC is 7-5 since Christmas and three of those losses have been by four points or less.

Reggie Jackson has done a great job of filling in for Westbrook putting up 14.4 ppg.  Also, OKC defensively has been stellar all season.  They are second in the NBA in defensive field goal percentage holding opponents to 42.2% shooting from the floor and seventh in points allowed giving up 98.2 ppg. 

Currently, the Thunder are 30-10 which is the fourth best record in the NBA and only one game behind the Portland Trail Blazers in the loss column for first place in the Northwest Division.  If Kevin Durant continues to carry the team on his shoulders the way he has so far, with Russell Westbrook out for extended time, it will be necessary to give Kevin Durant serious MVP consideration.  Kevin Durant has taken his game to a whole new level and is proving that he is a leader.

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About the author
James FitzGerald IV
I am just blessed to know that no matter what, all things you go through can be used for God's purpose. The good and the bad. That is really refreshing.