National Basketball Association

Durant shows his alpha-male side

Published Apr. 28, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Remember when Kevin Durant recently said he was "tired of being second" all the time?

If you're an NBA fan, of course you do — because reading or hearing nothing but modesty has become expected for the Oklahoma City scoring machine, known as basketball's polite superstar. But frustration bordering on bravado? Never from KD.

The four-time All-Star may have three league scoring titles on his resume, but his silky-smooth shooting style lends itself to pretty play — and often it seems he's avoiding taking a shot to ensure his teammates are involved, yet he quietly puts up video-game numbers.

But that constant compliment has carried a bit of a rub. Namely, why doesn't Durant take over more like a true franchise superstar should? How ironic, his desire to share the wealth of touches with his Thunder teammates has started to raise doubts with some that he could ever truly lead a team to a championship.

Fast forward to Saturday night. The five-year veteran — still just 24 years old (how is that possible?!) — faced a huge challenge: Travel to Houston for Game 3 of OKC's first-round series with the Rockets and former teammate James Harden.

Sure, the Thunder held a 2-0 series lead and status as the consensus favorite to head back to the NBA Finals. But in losing fellow star teammate Russell Westbrook to a season-ending knee injury in Game 2, suddenly the doubters and critics started barking:

Kevin Durant has a record of 19-61 without Russell Westbrook (hasn't played without him since 2008) -- bit.ly/15AfWuJ
— RealGM (@RealGM) April 26, 2013

How would Durant approach the game? Could he be "the man" for OKC? Could he be the best player for the Thunder AND the true team leader?

It didn't take long to find out.

'THIS IS MY CITY!'

World, meet the unleashed Durant.

Playing with the ball more than ever, the OKC sharpshooter shot . . . and shot . . . and shot. And could not miss, opening with 17 points in the first quarter, including this emphatic dunk over Houston's Omer Asik:

At one point, the score was: Kevin Durant 20, Houston Rockets 19. The barrage continued in the second quarter, with Durant's intensity a stark message to the league that he is ready to take over when necessary.

He even (wait, what?) screamed a little trash talk after drawing this charge:

He finished the first half with 27 loud points as OKC built a 66-49 lead.

THE GUT CHECK

Despite Durant's early flurry, the desperate Rockets — trying to avoid the dreaded 0-3 hole in the series — stormed back, and eventually erased OKC's previous 26-point lead.

So Durant, after resting for a mere 44 seconds in his lone stint on the bench, was back in for a classic duel down the stretch with his ex-mate Harden, who finished with 30 points.

Finally, a 3-pointer in the final minute gave Houston a 99-97 lead and seemed to be the dagger that would spoil Durant's effort.

But then came the greatest "shooter's roll" ever seen in such a big moment . . .

The Rockets, their fans and the entire NBA was floored. OKC got the win, 104-101.

Mr. Durant's final line: a career playoff-high 41 points in 47 minutes, 14 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. Anyone doubt Durant now?

The coolest punctuation to the night? The postgame presser, where Durant invited a young Thunder fan to join him at the interview podium in lieu of the absence of Westbrook, who Durant says sent him text messages at halftime and after the game.

Westbrook's message? ''Just said congrats and that he loved me," Durant said.

Seriously, what a guy. And what a player. Watch out, West. Don't think Durant's ready to give up his throne.