Kevin Durant: 2008-2009's Most Improved Player

Last night, the sorry Milwaukee Bucks beat the even sorrier Oklahoma City Thunder, 98-87. Kevin Durant, last year's Rookie of the Year, finished with 12 points (on 35.7 percent shooting), three rebounds, two assists, and four turnovers in 33.5 minutes. For much of the first half, Durant ran around with zero points, zero rebounds, zero assists, zero steals, zero blocks, three turnovers, and three fouls. On his own team, he was outplayed by Chris Wilcox and even rookie Russell Westbrook, who managed 13 points, four rebounds, and four assists, along with a block and only two turnovers in less than 22 minutes. After all this, I'm still declaring that Kevin Durant wins Most Improved Player this year. He is taking his game to a completely new level this year. To understand, we have to take a look at what he did last year in his rookie season. Coming into 2007-'08, I was very wary of Durant. He was vastly overhyped in my mind. In fantasy basketball drafts, he was easily going three or four rounds ... (link)