Tonight's game will likely be one of the most viewed of the 2013-14 NBA Season. The Miami Heat play the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both teams are having successful seasons, but let's be honest; the people want to see LBJ battle Durant. This might actually be the first time since these two great players have played against each other that Lebron might be an underdog. Although he is having a great season, it is safe to say that Durant is having an even better season. Does the media want to anoint a new best player? Surely the answer to this question is another question--which player's ascension will be the most compelling story and thus lead to better ratings?
Men Lie; Women Lie; Numbers Don't
Kevin Durant is having one of the most dominant seasons in the history of the NBA. He is currently in the midst of 11 consecutive games of scoring at least 30 points per game. He has a 40 and 50 point game interspersed in the streak as well. The streak is even more impressive because it has come without the steady production of Russell Westbrook, who has been out of the lineup with a knee injury. This fact is particularly important because Durant struggled to carry the team on his back in the NBA Playoffs last year when Westbrook was injured. However, this year, Durant has guided has team to the best record in the Western Conference. He has done so, by-in-large, without the help of his sidekick. All things considered, he has had the best individual season of any player in the NBA this year. His stat line is ridiculous: 31.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 5.2 APG, 51% FG%, 88.1% FT%, and 41.9 3P%.
Media's Role
All truly transcendent players experience voter fatigue. This happened to Michael Jordan during his second championship run when Karl Malone was voted as the regular season's Most Valuable Player. With Lebron winning three of the last four MVP Awards, the media may be a bit tired of reporting about the inevitable Lebron James MVP Award. Earlier this season, the media seemed to back Paul George as an underdog candidate to win the MVP Award, and then "it" happened. The "it" is Kevin Durant's historical scoring streak. This storyline has captured the media's attention, while giving them a new, fresh story to report. Lebron's acknowledgement of Durant's skill, and his acknowledgement that Durant cannot be guarded one-on-one by any player has also given Durant's streak that much more publicity and credibility. The media wants to spin the story that Durant is tired of playing the role of runner-up to Lebron year after year. That story is compelling indeed.
MVP Trophy
Let us not get ahead of ourselves. Lebron James is still the best player in the world. That does not mean that another player cannot have a better season than him. Thus far this year, Durant has had a slightly better statistical season. These two great players know as well as anyone that the MVP is a regular season award. It is one that has eluded Durant during his seven years in the NBA. It is one that Lebron has won four times. The post season performances of both players are most important. Even if Durant outplays Lebron tonight, the season is not even halfway complete, and Westbrook will be back in a Thunder uniform sooner than later. That means a few things for Durant: adjustments, and more adjustments. Who knows how Westbrook's return will impact Durant's game, and whether that impact will be positive.
Regardless of what happens in tonight's matchup, it should be can't miss television.
Peace
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