Image via Complex Original
Happy Birthday! Kevin Durant's Most Badass Moments
With the 2010-11 NBA season approaching, everyone
Named 2007 National Player of the Year
When: 3/30/2007
Moment: Kevin Durant became the first freshman to be selected as The Associated Press' college basketball player of the year. Durant had a career-high 37 points and 23 rebounds in a victory over Texas Tech. He also went on to lead the Texas Longhorns to the Big 12 tournament championship game.
Complex says: Classic pause-worthy quote from Texas Tech's Bob Knight: "There's no secret thing that he drinks before the game or that they rub on his ass before the game that makes him that good."
2007 NBA Draft
When: 6/28/2007
Moment: Durant was selected second overall by the Seattle SuperSonics (R.I.P.).
Complex says: The Portland Trail Blazers had the first pick but decided to roll with Greg Oden a.k.a. Mr. Microfracture Surgery over Durant. Yup, that's a FAIL.
Named 2007-08 Rookie of the Year
When: 5/1/2008
Moment: Kevin Durant earned ROY honors by averaging 20 points per game and starting in 80 games.
Complex says: Did we fail to mention how the No. 1 pick, Greg Oden, hasn't done shit in the league but get injured and send dong pics? Yikes.
Nike Hyperize Commercial
When: 2009
Moment: Kevin Durant showed surprising mic skills as the rapper "Velvet Hoop" alongside Mo Williams (Fog Raw), Rashard Lewis (Ice-O), and Andre Iguodala (Chief Blocka) in this ad for Nike's Hyperize basketball sneaker.
Complex says: Nike's known for coming through with the dope commercials, but as for the shoes themselves? Some say they're an ankle-breaker—not in a good way, though.
Who needs both shoes?
When: 1/29/2010
Moment: Durant proved that he only needed one sneaker to block Denver's Aaron Afflalo.
Complex says: Must be the shoes? Nah, fam. Durantula's just a beast.
Named Youngest NBA Scoring Champion
When: 4/15/2010
Moment: At 21, Durant became the youngest scoring champion in NBA history by averaging 30.1 points per game in the 2009-10 season. The record had been previously held by 22-year-old Max Zaslofsky of the 1947-48 Chicago Stags.
Complex says: Kobe, Bron Bron, where you at?
2010 NBA Playoffs
When: April 2010
Moment: Durant led the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first playoff berth in franchise history. During the first round, the Thunder surprised many by pushing the top-seeded Lakers to six games. Durant averaged 25 points per game in the series.
Complex says: As shown in the video, stylin' on NBA vets is nothing new for this young buck.
2010 FIBA World Championship
When: 9/11/2010
Moment: Durant set a Team USA Olympic and world championship record of 38 points in the 89-74 semifinal victory over Lithuania. Team USA would go on to win the FIBA World Championship, and Durant was named MVP.
Complex says: Forget the Kobe vs. LeBron debate, this dude is the present and the future.