Kevin Durant Continues To Impress, Drops 36

Oct 15, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) handles the ball against Denver Nuggets shooting guard Jordan Hamilton (1) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Durant doesn’t just have to look good this preseason – to give hope to Oklahoma City Thunder fans that they’ll be just fine without Russell Westbrook – but he has to be what we’ve come to know and then some.

He’s done that. I mean really done that and then some, and then some. And then some. He’s looked so good that we’re not even thinking about the void they continue to have at the shooting guard spot – after losing James Harden.

Durant’s latest showing was a 13 of 20 shooting night, on his way to 36 points in 23 minutes (!) against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night. He pulled out everything from his silky-smooth jumper to a finesse style finishes to his signature in-ya-face dunks.

Durant looks good and I’m not just saying that. He looks like he’s finally filling into his body, looks like he has gained confidence in his post moves and appears to be getting ready for a run at LeBron for the League’s best player. I’m not sure if he’ll get there, but he could actually make it interesting this year.

Oh, yea. And that MVP, he’s coming for that too, LeBron.

[Video courtesy of NBA.com]