Why Am I Not Surprised?

Because we're talking about Kevin Durant.

In college, he was the best all around player as a freshman, averaging 25 points a game in a top 3 conference.  In fact, during the 2006 season, he was the ONLY scorer in the top 10 from a major conference.  Everybody was playing at Rice, Davidson, or some other less than respectable school.  Oh, and everything i just said about scoring above?  It can be applied to rebounding, too.  Meaning that Kevin Durant was not only the best player on Texas (which is respectable)... Not only the best player in the Big 12 (which is impressive)...  But was the best player in college basketball (which is... you know).


There's your first hint.

In his rookie campaign for the SuperSonics (RIP), he averaged 20 points, 34 minutes, and 87% from the line (tops amongst rookies in each of those categories).  And as far as scorers go league-wide, Durant was in the top 25.  He was also top 10 amongst rookies in rebounding... As a shooting guard. 

Rookie of the year?  Your second hint.

In his Sophomore effort, Durant improved his scoring by more than 5 points a game (25 per game), his shooting from the field and from 3-point land (.476 and .422, respectively), and his rebounding (+2 per game).  So, not only did Durant avoid a sophomore slump, but he had suddenly became one of the most complete players in the game (= Top 10 in points, Top 40 in rebounds, Top 20 in steals, and Top 10 in Free Throw attempts).

Emergence.  Your final hint.

Kevin Durant didn't come out of "nowhere."  You shouldn't be surprised by his gaudy numbers this season (30 points, 6 rebounds, a steal, a block, 3 assists, and 88% from the line, to go with his 3rd most attempts in the league), because they have been building since the first time you had ever even heard his name.  Could it be that Greg Oden's disappearing act is negatively impacting Durant?  One bust* polluting the impact of a non-bust?  Or was it the initial debate and draft results associated with these two collegiate superstars that seemed to taint Durant's potential?  I'm just asking, because honestly I have no idea how people could have not seen this coming. 

Does Durant belong in the MVP conversation?  Based on his performance and the sudden surge by the formerly lowly OKC Thunder, absolutely.  But please leave his name in the conversation, and off of the ballot, because it's not his time... Yet.  Just wait until next year when he's averagin 32 points per game, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.  Then he can win.

/ Yes, I wanted the Celtics to draft Durant over Oden
// Yes, I believe Ryan Leaf would be better than Peyton Manning

* I do not believe that Oden is a "bust."  He will be a solid double-double night in and night out, along with being an intimidating presence in the paint.  However, so was Dikembe Mutombo, and would you use a first overall pick on him?