Born to Ball: Kevin Durant’s Ascent to the NBA’s Elite

December 23rd, 2009 by Teddy Mitrosilis Leave a reply »

Only three years ago, this young man, with the perilously thin limbs and fluorescent smile traded, in his Longhorn burnt orange for the dying shade of Sonic green.

After paying his dues for one year at Texas, Durant entered the 2007 NBA Draft as the best player on the board. If it wasn’t for Greg Oden and basketball’s infatuation with taking risks on potentially great big men, Durant would have found his way to Portland as the No. 1 overall pick.

As a freshman in college, Durant proved to all NBA executives that he could score. That’s what 20 30-point games will do as an 18-year old playing against some of the most experienced competition in the country.

But can Durant do anything other than score? Can he handle the ball? Can he pass? Can he play in the post? Does he have the size and strength to handle the physicality of the NBA and the grueling season? Is he quick enough to defend the world’s best basketball players on the perimeter? Does he possess the appropriate personality to lead? Does he have the maturity and desire to take a listless franchise and ...

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