The year was 2010 and a new star was ready to be unveiled in front of the world.
Although Kevin Durant had played with Kobe in a Team USA scrimmage in 2007 and before his NBA debut, this was the first time the two were pitted against each other in the playoffs.
Here is how it turned out...
Durant was in his third season at the NBA and he, allong with Russell Westbrook had just made their first All-Star appearance that season as well. And then they made it to the playoffs, that too against the Lakers. OKC was not at all phased by the Lakers' mystique and aura and proved they were a formidable matchup.
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It was a hard-fought game 1 and the Lakers were able to gain control of the game by the fourth quarter and sealed their victory 87-79. OKC had tons of young stars like James Haden, Jeff Green and Serge Ibaka along with Kevin Durant that gave Kobe a run for his money.
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Even though Kevin Durant finished the night with 24 points and Kobe 21 points, it was th Lakers legend that eventually landed the W. This Game 1 set the tone for the rest of the series.
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It was a dream come true for KD to play against one of the best talents in the NBA preparing to compete in the FIBA world championship, let alone come off the bench. In a game where Durant was happy just to suit up, he stole the show as an overwhelming offensive weapon.
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He scored 24 points in just 25 minutes and 18 of those came in the second half alone. All of this was while being guarded by LeBron James, Tayshaun Prince, and Shane Battier. Three players that made all-defensive teams next season.
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If anyone wasn't sold on Durant after his historic season in college, they were all in after this game. Scoring from the low post, jump hooks, mid-range, and three-pointers, KD was doing all of this while sharing the ball with Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony.
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