On court with the MVP

Now that Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant has been officially named the NBA’s MVP this season, I can now declare boastfully that I once played on the same court as the best player in the world’s best league.

That happened last year when broadcaster/Slam Philippines editor Mico Halili and I took a Nike trip to KD’s hometown Seat Pleasant, Maryland, to meet not only the four-time NBA scoring champion but also his mother Wanda, grandmother Barbara and older brother Tony. Nike arranged for KD to play a series of five-minute pick-up games with the visiting press at the Sidwell Friends School gym in Washington, D. C. and that was when Mico and I had a chance to play hoops with the game’s emerging legend.

I remember being called to play in the second set and KD was on the opposite team. The five minutes went by quickly. Our side ended up losing, 9-2, and our only field goal was scored by yours truly. It wasn’t a spectacular shot I made. I knew that in a pick-up game, everyone wants to score so I just hung around the basket waiting for a teammate to miss. Sure enough, I got into position for an offensive rebound on the weak side and banked in an easy put-back. On another play, I jumped for an offensive rebound and KD stood, without elevating, to pluck it from my hands. When I landed, I felt soreness in my shoulder. I didn’t realize until I went to bed that night how competitive KD is even in playing pick-up games with recreational players who aren’t fit to go more than five minutes on the floor. I haven’t played a basketball game since that incident with KD – what a memorable way to end my “career.”

As for Mico, he played in the fourth set and also went up against KD. Playing point guard, Mico did a nifty crossover to evade KD who attempted to reach in for a steal. That was some move by Mico. It happened in the middle of the court. If it was close to the basket, Mico would’ve probably scored on a layup off KD – imagine that happening!

Both Mico and I will never forget the rare opportunity not only to play on the same floor as KD but also to meet him. KD’s a down-to-earth person, no frills, no airs, no pretenses. You get what you see. He was raised well by his mother and grandmother. I recall that at the end of our first long and tiring day on the trip, his mother took off her high heels, walked barefoot to her car and brought with her a packed lunch to take home. Now, that’s what you call, plain and simple living, the way ordinary people do it.

Durant’s milestone honor is being marked by the introduction of a KD MVP T-shirt and a surprise KD VI NIKEiD shoe. The T-shirt is a collector’s prize with the KD signature initials on the right sleeve, the Nike swoosh on the left sleeve and the letters MVP on the front with a lightning bolt designed into the V. A big event will be staged this morning (Manila time) in Oklahoma City to celebrate the MVP award.

“Nike is very proud to congratulate KD on his very first MVP award,” said Courtney Cole-Faso, Nike Philippines country marketing manager. “We applaud his dedication, commitment and hard work that have brought the Oklahoma City Thunder to advance to the second round of the (Eastern) Conference semifinals.” Nike said KD is now “in rarefied company among basketball’s upper echelon…gaudy stats mixed with an endearing charm and an unpredictable style of play, he has the courage of a warrior mixed with the humility of a gentleman.” Very well put.

Nike said the MVP award is a recognition of a “special” season that began last June with the KD VI global launch in Seat Pleasant – the launch that Mico and I were lucky to attend. “As his journey continues and awards increase, KD has already set himself apart from the rest and is among the game’s best,” said Nike.

The award is a tribute to Durant’s incredible regular season showing. He averaged a career-high 32.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and a career-high 5.5 assists, hitting .503 from the field and .873 from the line. KD is now in his seventh NBA season and he’s only 25. He has collected gold medals from the 2010 FIBA World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics. Before his career is over, KD’s trophy room will be transformed into a massive warehouse.

With teammate Russell Westbrook playing in only 46 of 82 regular season games, KD took charge in leading the Thunder to a 59-23 record behind only San Antonio’s 62-20 mark. In the first round of the playoffs, Durant averaged 29.8 points but erupted for 69 points in the last two games to lift OKC to a 4-3 series victory.

Beating Memphis in the first round wasn’t easy. The Grizzlies erected a 3-2 lead after beating the Thunder, 100-99, in overtime in Game 5 on the road. The newspaper Oklahoman reacted to OKC’s woes with an eye-catching 80-point headline calling Durant “Mr. Unreliable.” KD shot 33 in Game 1 which the Thunder won, 36 in Game 2 which the Thunder lost, 30 in Game 3 which the Thunder also lost, 15 in Game 4 which the Thunder won and 26 in Game 5. Durant ignored the negative press and did what had to be done to bring the Thunder to the next round. He went 12-of-18 from the field and buried 5-of-5 triples to finish off the Grizzlies, 120-109, in Game 7 at home. The Oklahoman later apologized for its insensitivity.

The voting for MVP was one-sided. Durant polled 1,232 points on the strength of 119 first place ballots. LeBron James had 891 points with six first place votes. Others in contention were Blake Griffin, Joakim Noah and James Harden.

During the season, Durant strung up 41 straight games with at least 25 points, the longest streak since Michael Jordan’s 40 in 1986-87. Only two others had longer runs – Wilt Chamberlain’s 80 in 1961-62 and Oscar Robertson’s 46 in 1963-64. KD joined Jordan, George Gervin and Allen Iverson as the only players to lead the NBA in scoring in at least four seasons.