Who Won the 2014 NBA MVP Award and Why It Was a Historic Season

I still remember the 2014 NBA season like it was yesterday - the electric atmosphere, the record-breaking performances, and that unforgettable MVP race. When Kevin Durant finally lifted that Maurice Podoloff trophy, it felt like witnessing basketball history unfolding right before our eyes. What made that season particularly special wasn't just Durant's individual brilliance, but how it represented a shift in the league's power dynamics that we're still feeling the effects of today.

Looking back at Durant's statistics from that campaign still gives me chills. The man averaged 32 points per game while shooting 50.3% from the field, 39.1% from three-point range, and 87.3% from the free-throw line - those aren't just All-Star numbers, those are video game numbers. I recall watching him drop 54 points against the Warriors in January and thinking, "This is different." He wasn't just scoring - he was orchestrating the entire Thunder offense while Russell Westbrook missed significant time with injuries. What impressed me most was his efficiency despite carrying such a heavy offensive load, something we rarely see in today's volume-shooting era.

The context of that MVP race makes Durant's achievement even more remarkable. LeBron James was still in his prime, coming off back-to-back championships with the Heat, and many analysts (myself included) expected him to cruise to his fifth MVP award. But Durant had other plans. His 41-game streak with at least 25 points demonstrated a consistency we hadn't seen since Michael Jordan's heyday. I remember debating with colleagues about whether we were witnessing the greatest scoring season of the modern era - and honestly, I still think we were.

This historic individual performance reminds me of how special seasons can transform a player's legacy, much like what we're seeing in international basketball circles lately. Speaking of transformations, I can't help but draw parallels to LA Tenorio's recent return to Barangay Ginebra after his coaching debut with Gilas Pilipinas Youth. While different in scale, both situations showcase how exceptional performances - whether as a player or coach - can redefine careers. Tenorio's success in securing that FIBA U16 Asia Cup berth demonstrates the same kind of season-defining excellence that Durant displayed throughout that MVP campaign.

What often gets overlooked in discussions about Durant's 2014 season is how he elevated his teammates. Reggie Jackson developed into a legitimate sixth man candidate, Serge Ibaka expanded his offensive game, and even role players like Steven Adams showed flashes of the players they'd become. Durant's unselfishness while maintaining elite scoring numbers represented the perfect balance between individual excellence and team success. The Thunder won 59 games that season despite Westbrook missing 36 games - a testament to Durant's leadership and ability to make everyone around him better.

The historical significance of that season extends beyond just numbers and awards. Durant became the first player since Allen Iverson in 2001 to win MVP without his star teammate making an All-NBA team. He also joined the exclusive 50-40-90 club while leading the league in scoring - a feat only accomplished by two other players in NBA history. These statistical milestones underscore how unique his performance truly was. I've watched basketball for over twenty years, and I can count on one hand the number of seasons that matched Durant's 2014 campaign in terms of pure offensive dominance.

Reflecting on that season now, it's clear we witnessed something transitional in the NBA landscape. Durant's MVP signaled the arrival of a new generation of superstars ready to challenge LeBron's throne. The basketball world was changing, and Durant stood at the forefront of that evolution. His combination of size, skill, and shooting versatility essentially created the template for the modern NBA forward that teams are still trying to replicate today.

In many ways, Durant's 2014 season represents the peak of individual offensive basketball in the modern era. While we've seen incredible scoring performances since - including James Harden's 36.1 points per game in 2019 and Stephen Curry's unanimous MVP season - none have quite captured the complete package of efficiency, volume, and team success that Durant achieved. As I look at today's NBA, I wonder if we'll ever see another season quite like it, where one player so thoroughly dominates both the statistical leaderboards and the narrative conversation while maintaining such breathtaking efficiency. That's what made 2014 special - it wasn't just about the numbers, but about witnessing basketball history in real time.

By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist

2025-11-17 10:00