Oklahoma City All-Star forward Kevin Durant reacts after defeating the L.A. Lakers at Staples Center. (GETTY IMAGES)
Kevin Durant’s Twitter handle is @KDTrey. The Oklahoma City superstar lived up to that name in a playoff game against the L.A. Lakers.
With the game tied 98-98 and 40 seconds remaining in the game, Durant put on his MJ cap and lifted the Thunder to victory. He stepped into the passing lane and picked off an ill-advised pass by Pau Gasol then took the ball in the middle of the court, slowly walked down Ron Artest and drained a cold-blooded 3-point shot to give Oklahoma City a 101-98 lead with 14 seconds left.
Kobe Bryant tried to answer with a three of his own, but his shot kicked off the rim and the rebound was gathered by James Harden, who then buried two free throws to close the deal on a 103-100 Thunder victory to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
It takes a special individual to do what Durant did against the Lakers. First of all, it was on the road at a hostile environment. Secondly, he was face to face with the menacing Metta World Peace, who is still one of the best on-ball defenders in the league. Durant ignored all those hurdles and knocked down a dagger shot through the heart of Lakers nation.
Kobe has been the undisputed king of late-game heroics the last decade, and is universally known as basketball’s best closer. But Kobe better watch his back because KD is coming hard and fast for his title.