Kevin Durant ties Michael Jordan’s scoring streak

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Baller Mind Frame’s No Layups brings you the hottest NBA stories on the web mixed with personal opinion from our very own Aaron Lanton

Kevin Durant scored at least 25 points for the 40th consecutive game during Oklahoma City’s 111-07 road loss to Houston on Friday, tying Bulls legend Michael Jordan for the longest such single-season streak during the three-point era.

The NBA’s scoring leader tallied 28 points (on 7-for-19 shooting), 12 rebounds and six assists against Houston. He was stuck on 22 points until the game’s final minute, when he connected on two three-pointers to push him over the top. Durant, a five-time All-Star is on track for his fourth career scoring title and is considered by many to be the favorite to win the 2014 MVP award.

”We lost the game, that’s all I’m worried about,” he said of the streak, according to the Associated Press. ”I don’t care. We lost.” Sports Illustrated

First off, props to Durant on this accomplishment. He is blooming into a player far greater than I ever thought he would become once he entered the league. It is a pleasure and a privilege to watch him do his thing every night. 

This second point is not a diss to Kevin Durant or Michael Jordan, but an emphasis on the asterisk that everyone ignores about the streak: Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamerberlain had longer streaks of games of 25-plus points – Robertson had 46 in a row and Chamberlain had 106. One hundred and six freaking games in a row. A full regular season and then some. As Sports Illustrated mentioned above, this was the era before three-point baskets existed. That’s insane. Did that even happen or did a bunch of stats guys just make up stuff? Almost certainly an unattainable record. 

Without a doubt, give Durant his props (he’s defintley winning MVP this year) but let’s remember to respect our history and the unfathomable performances that set the stage for the greatness we witness today. – AL