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Kevin Durant is your new scoring leader with two games to go (Kobe and the Lakers have one left). It appears Durant has missed an opportunity to win the MVP this season as the Thunder have skidded a bit while he hasn’t been his usual terrifically efficient self. But he has an edge on Kobe for the scoring title, right now by 0.05 of a point. It’s the closest scoring race since George Gervin and David Thompson decided theirs by 0.07.
Who cares, right?
Some have asked why the obsession, or at least interest, in Durant chasing the scoring title. What’s it matter if KD wins something he already has two of? Who cares about points when real trophies are at stake?
To me, that stuff matters. It’s a big deal. When you’re a fan of a team, you’re a fan of all components. At least that’s how I see it. You care about the individual awards, the stats, the little things. Of course wins and losses come first and you give it all up for a ring, but those smaller achievements matter. You want to be able to talk about KD and mention an MVP, how many All-Star Games he’s got, how many scoring titles or triple-doubles. There’s absolutely a pecking order with all this stuff, but I think the hardware count for something. It’s all part of the overall Thunder picture. It’s all part of rooting for a team.
When KD puts up a jumper, if you’re anything like me, you hope it goes in for two reasons: 1) because the Thunder get points and 2) because it means KD’s shooting percentage goes up, he gets points and his final line will look better. Stats matter. Not in the cut and dry wins and losses realm, but in terms of the total fan experience of following your team, stats, awards and whatever else all play their part.
For KD to win a third consecutive scoring title, he joins an elite list of players that includes Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, George Gervin, George Mikan, Neil Johnston and Bob McAdoo. That’s it. No Kobe, no LeBron, no Shaq, no Allen Iverson,. Six players in NBA history have won three straight scoring crowns. That’s an achievement. When you’re a Thunder fan, you’re a KD fan. And again, while wins and championships rank first on the list of desired achievements and a scoring title is probably bottom 10, it’s something to be proud of. It’s something you have to put on KD’s eventual resume. Listing off things that includes, “10-time NBA scoring champion” sounds pretty good, right?
I’m certainly not advocating for Durant to try and consciously win the award these next two games. That would be entirely unlike him. He’s team first, win first and Kevin Durant last. It often seems like he scores because he can’t help it. He has his mind completely locked in on efficiency and playing team ball. Because of that, it wouldn’t surprise me if he averages something like 22 a game for these last two. Especially since the Thunder’s Western position is all but locked in. Durant might only get 20 minutes.
I just think we should care about it. I want James Harden to win Sixth Man of the Year. I want Serge Ibaka to win Defensive Player of the Year (even if he probably shouldn’t). I want KD to win the MVP. And I want KD to win another scoring title. Nothing wrong with that.
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Yea for FANS it is a big deal. As a fan I would absolutely love to see Durant win his 3rd straight scoring title.
I like this post and I agree. Hope he can swing it
KD always knows his shooting line during games, he will make sure he stays ahead of Kobe for the scoring title.
@Brob785 The problem is that Kobe has his last game on Thursday, the day after KD's last game. So Kobe will know exactly how many he needs to make to win.
KD, after shoot-around: “Whatever he (Brooks) wants me to do I’ll do it, but I really don’t wanna just play 15 minutes or a half. If I do play I want to kick it in full and use that as an opportunity to get better.”
Tranlation: "Scotty, if you play me, at least let me play long enough to keep the lead on the scoring title."
(from: http://www.dailythunder.com/2012/04/practice-notes-harden-held-out-of-shootaround/ )
My only comment on this is that I hope KD rediscovers his touch. It seems like his efficiency has fallen back to mere mortal (albeit supremely talented mortal) from its previously ridiculous status earlier in the year. I have no problem when KD gets 35 on 18 shots. It's when he starts to get Kobe-esque that things become problematic.
I will say, the Kings at home may be the best team to cure our offensive woes. Maybe get back to running that slick little play that undid Miami during the first game against them.
@ou_sas
I just want Durant to keep shooting no matter what. The more shots for Durant the better. He should be leading the league in FGA's not Kobe. He's the most talented scorer in the league, and should be averaging 23 or 24 shots a game.
@ou_sas Moreso would be Westbrook rediscovering his 15-20 foot jump shot from the elbow areas. He has been awful from that range lately and we will need that consistency in the playoffs.
I remember KD during his 25 point streak. It was clear during games that it mattered to him, and he had to scramble during a couple of games to extend the streak as time was running out, even with the game in hand.
Royce, I absolutely love this write-up. I feel 100% the same way. I hate it when fans have to act like they don't care about individual achievements. These are a big deal to me, and I think they should be.
This bit was perfect: "When KD puts up a jumper, if you’re anything like me, you hope it goes in for two reasons: 1) because the Thunder get points and 2) because it means KD’s shooting percentage goes up, he gets points and his final line will look better." I applaud you for saying it, cause I know admitting these things ain't what the cool kids do, but it's the truth.
@TempBoy Brandon Royce has a way of saying things that you didn't even know you believed (with your heart--ha ha) until you saw the words in black and white.
MY reasons for him winning the scoring title are a'plenty. Durant is the coolest cat in the league. Even my Heat fan friends can admit that. The dude is awesome, and is so much fun to watch play basketball. 3 in a row. That is incredible. Secondly, to allow KOBE to win the scoring title would burn me so bad. Durant has played TEAM basketball this year and still made his way into scoring champ contention. MVP can wait, those will come and we all know it. We are all so excited for the next 7-8 years of basketball because we know it's going to be pure domination. They learned how to win early, I can't believe these guys are my age. THUNDER and KD UP!
By the way Durant made a comment when he came into the league that he would like to win 10+ scoring titles, so it matters to him a little more than he leads on, even if his stance on it has changed from being in the lead. It would be unfair to Durant to only give him 20 minutes against SAC IMO. If you're only going to play him 20 minutes, just let him sit out the game.
I'd rather rest him against the Kings and let him play a full game against the Nuggets if they are trying to matchup with Denver in the first round. The game against the Kings means nothing. The game against the Thunder may likely decide who they play in the first round.
I have Durant +130 on $100 to win the scoring title so I have double the interest in this.
Screw a scoring title Ginobli broke his arm in the last game of the regular season and the Spurs were screwed. Rest, rest, rest.
Hey Royce,,, You left off Brooks for COY.
@Skyline Well... I was trying to be realistic.
@Royce Young @Skyline You're calling that unrealistic?! Look where he has taken this team! <_<
@draga @bertfan SARCASM my only weakness!!!
@bertfan Dude..lmao.
you're outa touch man, if anything Brooks is holding this team back with his lack of offense and in game substitution. We coulda won the championship last year with any of half of the NBA coaches.
I'd rather see defer to his teammates and actually run an offense. That might help us not drop an 18 point lead and give up a chance at taking first in the West. But I can understand why some people think this award is important. I'd just rather win important games and not lose to the Wizards it's not even a close comparison.
@itstheMs In what way is deferring to his teammates going to help the offense? We have almost no offensive system in place and we get very few easy looks. So if we're gonna have someone taking a jumper, I'll trust the guy with the other worldly efficiency.
@FREE_COLE @itstheMs That's interesting because we had complete control through three quarters against the Lakers while we had good ball movement. When we stopped moving the ball and started forcing the ball to that scoring leader our offense was terrible. I'd rather see Rus drive to the rim, which took us to OT, than watch KD miss shot after shot trying to put the game on his shoulders. Believe it or not Thabo has actually been playing really well offensively lately and Serge should have had a couple looks during that 18pt collapse. Instead we forced it to KD and he refused to take the ball to the rim and get fouled. That loss had little to do with Harden being out and more to do with our other stars not having what it took to win the game. I'm not blasting our team I'm just not watching games through Thunder Goggles.
@itstheMs Normally i'd agree with you, but these last two games don't have an affect on our standing. Its sort of a reward to KD for playing team ball for most of the season..
@neo12 @itstheMs Yeah, but maybe, we should, you know, work on immproving so we aren't out of the playoffs in a week and a half.
@Grolgar @neo12 @itstheMs I'm with Grolgar
Let's go KD! Let's hope rest of the team tries to get him the scoring title, cough cough.. russ, haha. Nightmare scenario is if brooks sits him in the 4th quarter in a blowout..
Nothing wrong with that, indeed!