NBA Playoffs 2012: Why Kevin Durant Is the Most Dangerous Player in the Playoffs

We know LeBron James as the MVP and Kobe as the most clutch player in the NBA.

However, both of those teams are struggling, and Kevin Durant's team isn't.

Thanks to Durant's magic, Oklahoma City rallied from down 13 to stun the Lakers and take a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference semifinals. Durant made the go-ahead three with 13.7 seconds to go, lifting Oklahoma City to victory.

If the Thunder put L.A. away in Game 5, they'll play the Spurs (or Clippers) in the Western Conference finals.

Without Durant, the Thunder would probably be down 3-1. He scored 31 in Game 4 and made the shots that mattered, and in Game 2, he hit the game-winning shot and keyed OKC's comeback from a seven-point deficit.

There's just no stopping him down the stretch.

If you ever get into a close game with the Thunder, make sure to guard Durant well. If you take your eye off him for a split second, he'll get open and nail a jumper. That's what happened in Game 4.

Metta World Peace was guarding Durant, and he let Durant take a step back. World Peace now wasn't able to block Durant's shot, and he didn't contest it well. As a result, Durant knocked down the three.

Go back almost two minutes in the game. L.A. led by two, and Durant had the ball. He posted up and knocked down a jumper.

This is an aspect of Durant's game that is making him invulnerable. He is 6'10", so he definitely has the height. He has the shooting ability, as we've seen by his high scoring totals.

There's almost no way to stop him. Wherever he is, no matter who's guarding him or how open he is, he's a threat to score. Factor in James Harden, Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook, and the Thunder look most likely to win a championship.

Sure, LeBron may have won MVP, but his team is down 2-1 without one of their Big Three, and down the stretch, James has failed to convert. He hasn't been able to stop big runs by Indiana and the Heat are in jeopardy because of that.

With help from Westbrook, Durant has been conquering opponents and sending them home empty. His clutch play—three go-ahead/game-winning shots—is the reason OKC is leading its second-round series.

And he won't back down. So watch out, San Antonio.

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