Kevin Durant 2013-14 NBA Most Valuable Player

Photo Credit: NBA.com

By Francisco Romero

It took no one by surprise that Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder won the Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the 2013-14 NBA Most Valuable Player. The league announced Durant’s first MVP award Tuesday.

Durant finished the season as the league’s scoring leader for the fourth time in the last five seasons at the same time helping his team finish with the second best overall record of 59 -23. The league’s new MVP finished the season with an average of 32.0 points per game with 7.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists.

“My dream was to become a rec league coach. I love basketball so much, I love playing it, I just never thought I’d make it to college, NBA, or be standing up here today,” said Durant during an emotional speech. “It is a surreal feeling. So many people doubted me and motivated me. I failed so many times and got back up. I got through the toughest times with my family, but I’m still standing,” he added.

The 2013-14 was a special one for Kevin Durant, a season highlighted by endurance and consistency, he had a streak of 41 consecutive games scoring at least 25 points, (from Jan. 7 through April 6). It was the longest streak since Michael Jordan did it in 40 straight games during the 1986-87 season.

“He strives to be the best basketball player he can be. He gives everything to his team, his community, and that is inspiring. I am blessed to stand up here and call myself his coach. He is as humble of a superstar you will come across. He is committed to all of you, and that is special,” said Scott Brooks, Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder Head Coach.

During the press conference and emotional Durant paid tribute to his mother with the following statement: “You made us believe, you kept us off the street, you put clothes on our backs, food on the table,” And added “You went to sleep hungry. You sacrificed for us. You’re the real MVP.”

Durant was the top vote getter followed by Miami’s LeBron James (891 points, six first-place votes), the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (434 points), the Chicago Bulls’ Joakim Noah (322 points), and the Houston Rockets’ James Harden (85 points).