NBA Finals: Thunder’s Kevin Durant earns the spotlight

NBA Finals » OKC’s quiet star draws more focus with his game.

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"A lot of times I try to let him figure it out on his own, but sometimes I go to him and tell him I need one of those games from him, I need one of those performances from him, because he still has it," James said. "He knows he still has it, too, but every player needs a little kick every now and then, no matter how time tested they are."

Wade was briefly THE guy in the NBA six years ago, leading the Heat to an NBA title at 24 and looking as if he could have plenty of years on top.

Things are set up for Durant, just 23, to inherit that role now. He can put himself on a list along with Michael Jordan, Bryant and Willis Reed, who were MVPs of the All-Star Game and Finals in the same year, then will chase Olympic gold with the U.S. team this summer.

Game 1 had barely ended when already Durant was talking about what he could do better in Game 2, and that’s as far as he’ll look for now.

"I’m just taking it a day at a time," he said. "It’s just a blessing to be here, not just in the finals but being in the NBA, having this opportunity to do something I love to do, and just take it slow, take it a day at a time, keep working every single day, and at the end we’ll see where I’m at. But I can’t think too far down the line. Just got to be ready for the next day and prepare myself right for whatever happens."

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