Kevin Durant's MVP season is expected to be made official during Tuesday's press conference scheduled by the NBA, multiple reports said. Has the Oklahoma Thunder finally learned the lesson to tune out criticisms and become a full superstar?
According to ESPN, winning the first round of the NBA playoffs 2014 against the Memphis Grizzlies was crucial for Kevin Durant to avoid the "most uncomfortable MVP news conference since Dirk Nowitzki's in 2007."
It can be recalled that Dirk Nowitzki's Dallas Mavericks were ousted in the first round by the Golden State Warriors seven years ago despite the league-leading 67-15 record. While the 7-foot sharpshooter was magnificent, his MVP trophy announcement was forever blighted.
The Oklahoma Thunder will face the L.A. Clippers in the next round of the NBA Playoffs 2014.
Kevin Durant's MVP season was highlighted by scoring at least 25 points in 41 consecutive games, a streak previously held by Bulls legend Michael Jordan, and scoring a career-high 54-points, said Sports Illustrated's Point Forward.
Kevin Durant hit career highs across the board as he averaged 32 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 39.1% from three-point land and 50.3% from the field. He also led the league in player efficiency rating and win shares, according to Point Forward.
While his play in the first five games of the NBA playoffs 2014 was not as dominant, he bounced back in the last two games to defeat the Grizzlies.
Kevin Durant's MVP season is hardly surprising because he finally learned how to fuel his drive with all the criticisms thrown his way, Adrian Wojranowski of Yahoo! sports wrote.
"Durant hadn't come on Saturday to say I told you so," he wrote. "That's for losers. Soon, Kevin Durant will be the NBA's MVP and he understand the burden that comes with it. Take your best shot, because history has taught him through Michael and Magic, Kobe and LeBron: Embrace it. That's a franchise player, a forever star."
