As the NBA all-star break rolls around this week, this means that the first half of the season comes to a close. The first half of the NBA season has not disappointed NBA fans at all.
Throughout the first half of the NBA season there have been some major injuries to key players such as Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash of the LA Lakers, this is just to name a few. Amongst all the injuries that have plagued the NBA season, there have been some great highlights and stories.
The two stars that have shined above all others have been LeBron James of the Miami Heat and Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The two superstars have been the talk of talk in the NBA for throughout the first half of this NBA season.
LeBron James who is the reigning league MVP and Finals MVP has helped the Miami Heat get off to a great start. The Miami Heat have posted a (35-14) record and are second place in the Eastern Conference standings and this is big thanks to the play of LeBron James. James is averaging on the season 26.1 points seven, 6.9 rebounds, 6.6 assist per game all while posting a 28.65 player efficiency rating.
With the numbers James has posted this season one would think he is on pace to receive his fifth league MVP. If this were a previous season LeBron would probably be the frontrunner, but due to the stellar play of Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder LeBron James may have to take a back seat this year.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated Kevin Durant was quoted saying, “I’ve been second my whole life, I was the second-best player in high school. I was the second pick in the draft. I’ve been second in the MVP voting three times. I came in second in the Finals. I’m tired of being second. I’m not going to settle for that. I’m done with it.”
Kevin Durant has been on an absolute tear this season averaging 31.2 points, 5.5 assist which is a personal record and 7.6 rebounds per game while also posting a 31.13 player efficiency rating. Durant has pushed his Oklahoma City Thunder to a (41-12) record and a number one standing in the Western Conference. Not only has Kevin Durant been heads and shoulders above everyone he’s also been making history in the process by going on a tear scoring 30 points in 12 straight games.
Head to head this season Kevin Durant and LeBron James battled it out, both players posting 30+ points, but the real stat that matters is who received the win and that stat went to Kevin Durant an the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Now we have reached our midway point of the NBA season and the midseason MVP would have to go to Kevin Durant hands down but we have to remember there are two halves to a NBA season and the MVP award is not rewarded to a player only after a half of season.
