Kevin Durant

For even the most gifted first-year players, the process of getting acclimated to the NBA’s pressures can sometimes require some time. With a quick, unblockable release point perfectly matching that of his career’s trajectory, Kevin Durant used November 16, 2007 as confirmation to the Seattle SuperSonics that he was, in fact, not one of those players. Merely 10 games into his storybook career, Durant finds himself in prove-it position, with just 2.1 seconds remaining in a back-and-forth double overtime affair. Drifting towards the 3-point arc to provide his teammate with an outlet, the 2007 No. 2 pick leans back, as if in a recliner chair, before elevating into a breathtaking, off-balanced game-winner over Al Horford’s outstretched arms, stunning the Atlanta Hawks’ crowd in the process. The long-range bucket, appropriately, helped Seattle extend its streak to eight consecutive wins over Atlanta. Versatile in helping the SuperSonics overcome a game that featured 15 lead changes and 20 ties, Durant starred, putting in 21 points, three rebounds, two assists, three steals, three blocks, and one big-time 3-pointer.

Rookie of the Year

Rookie Year