As I watch every Thunder game I can, the love I feel for Kevin Durant grows rapidly. Ever since I watched him at Texas, I knew I was watching the next coming. A new era if you will. Yes, LeBron James is the ‘Chosen One’, but you can’t become legendary without a worthy opponent. Everyone thought that would be Carmelo Anthony, but he is stuck and he will forever be. I don’t wish harm or bad will on Melo, but he is never going to win a championship. I have no logical explanation for it, it’s really just a gut feeling. Anyway, back to my point, Durant is going to be there when James thinks its going to be easy. James will be forever better than Durant, in a basketball sense, but Durant has that “it” factor. He gets “it”. He understands what needs to be done and how to obtain what he wants. It still is in question if ‘The King’ has figured that “it” out.

Now, Kevin Durant has lead the Thunder to the playoffs in only three years time, equivalent to LeBron’s feat. The difference, Durant plays in the West. He plays in a much harder division, conference, and players. No one can argue that. The Oklahoma City shooting guard has embraced everything that has been thrown out him and with open arms.

In the offseason, Durant didn’t work on his shooting, dribbling, or post ability. Instead, he worked on his defense and rebounding, because that’s what the team needed him to do. A immense amount of props goes to Scott Brooks, Coach of the Year candidate, for installing this into the young man’s mind, but Durant wants to do it. He wants to be the guy, the man, the leader, and the results of this season are a testament of that.

With all of the hard work and meshing with young teammates Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green, Rookies James Harden and Serge Ibaka, the team secured the best turnaround in the league at +26. They’ve come together and follow their fierce-less leader without any qualm or questioning. The team gathers and supports. The stage is set for a dynasty. This is only the beginning…

Every season thus far, Durant has increased his scoring average by five points. The crazy thing is, he can do it again next year. The man only shot 36% from three and he is a much better shooter than that. Also, if he gets to the free throw line more, which he will, than this pattern is not as farfetched as most may think. He improved in rebounding and steals, evidently, the offseason development paid off. Next season, he will average a double double.

In our first ever podcast, I stated, “Kevin Durant is the most unguardable player on the planet.” I meant it, but not entirely with confidence. Today, as I type this right now, it is clear to me as the light of day. He is undoubtedly the most unguardable player on the talent. Again, LeBron is the best, but he still has a weak long-range jumper, and sometimes, he will fall in love with it in inopportune times. Durant is built to score, and from anywhere. He’ll drop a three with a flick of a wrist or throw one down so hard, the defender’s ancestors feel ashamed. It’s similar to the way that LeBron was constructed by God to embody anything and everything necessary to be great at this game. Durant is built to score at will. It’s awing watching him manipulate the game to drop buckets left and right. It’s an art form. As Picasso with his brush, Durant is with the basket. It just makes sense.

It is time for the playoffs, and where will amazing happen this year? Why not in OKC, they have the best scorer in the league and have played the Lakers well. LA is injured, confused, and stumbling into the postseason. The Zen Master is more worried about playing head games with KD instead of his getting his team ready for the playoffs. Durant is too focused, too grounded, and too ready to be affected by such childish actions.

I predicted the Lakers to win, but don’t you dare think that I believe the Thunder don’t have a chance to make history…and The King is waiting.

This is only the beginning…

This is The Ref signaling I’m out until next time and remember: We miss calls, you miss lay ups