Congratulations to Kevin Durant, who was named the 2012 All-Star Game MVP. His Western All-Star team defeated the Eastern All-Stars by a final score of 152-149. Durant led all West players in scoring with 36 off of 14-25 shooting while grabbing seven rebounds and handing out three assists.
Not coincidentally, Durant was also the high minute man for the West, garnering 37 minutes of playing time on the night. His cohort Russell Westbrook also tallied high minutes on the night in getting 28 minutes of action. The playing time can probably be attributed in part to Scott Brooks, who was honored as the head coach of the West by virtue of the Thunder's best record in the conference. Durant and Westbrook combined for what is now a pretty standard 57 points, which helped fuel the West's win.
Interestingly, Durant's effort was matched almost identically by LeBron James, who tallied 36 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in a losing effort. LeBron's near mirror-effort continues the pairing of the two, whom seem to be becoming linked at various points in their respective careers. KD and LeBron both signed extensions during the same summer but in opposite fashion (LeBron starred in "The Decision" while KD simply tweeted his new contract), they famously did some workouts this past summer during the lockout, they hosted a flag football game together, and are currently #1 and #2 in the MVP race in leading their respective teams to identical records in the first half of the season (27-7). Each of their teams are the odds-on favorites to meet in the NBA Finals.
For now though, we can simply celebrate the fact that Durant was the best player among the NBA's best, and in his acceptance speech, said:
"I'm glad I'm taking this [MVP trophy] back to Oklahoma City."
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