A dream comes true for MVP Durant
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Top: Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Western Conference dunks during the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at the Amway Center on Sunday in Orlando, Florida. The Western Conference won 152-149. Ronald Martinez / Agence France-Presse Above: Eastern Conference's Dwyane Wade (right) of the Miami Heat defends Western Conference's Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday. Chris O'Meara / Associated Press |
Kevin Durant cringes a little whenever he hears his name next to words like "elite" or "superstar".
But after winning his first All-Star MVP award with a scoring display that ranked among the best in the game's history, even Durant might have to acknowledge his own NBA stardom.
The Oklahoma City Thunder forward scored 36 points and grabbed seven rebounds on Sunday night to help the West hold off a late charge from the East in a 152-149 victory.
"It's just exciting to be named (an) All-Star, but to step it up another level and become MVP, it's only something as a kid you dream about," Durant said. "Coming from where I come from, I didn't think I would be here. Everything is just a blessing to me."
His performance was a small piece of All-Star redemption for Durant after he came up just short against Minnesota's Kevin Love in Saturday night's 3-point Shootout.
Durant dazzled with a scoring barrage that included jump shots, slashing layups and dunks to help the West open a 21-point lead. He even eclipsed West teammate Kobe Bryant, who scored 27 points and passed Michael Jordan to become the top career scorer in All-Star Game history.
Durant said there was no special method to how he approached the game, but said he and West coach Scott Brooks did have a discussion back in Oklahoma City in which Durant let him know he didn't mind logging a high number of All-Star minutes.
Durant finished the night playing a game-high 37.
"I'm always like that," Durant said. "You know, every game I play in I try to be aggressive and be myself. It made it easier having my coaches over there, as well ... People just sacrificed shots, and that's what you like to see from superstars."
Miami's Dwyane Wade said Durant will be a player to watch in future games.
"That record (Kobe) got, with KD in the league, I don't know how long it's going to last," Wade said.
Brooks said he's never amazed by the fifth-year player.
"This is his first time of probably many," Brooks said of the MVP award. "I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to coach him. The guy, he does a lot of things well ... He just comes in and does his work."
Durant said Sunday's honor ranks high on his list of career achievements, including the gold medal he won at the world championships in 2010.
"It ranks right up there at the top," Durant said. "I keep saying it, but I'm excited I got it, and I'm glad I get to celebrate this with my family and my teammates and everybody in Oklahoma City. We'll see if I get another one down the line."
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