MVP would ´mean a lot´ to Durant

Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant says being crowned MVP for the first time would mean a lot. Reigning MVP LeBron James, who has won the accolade on four of the past five occasions, has been favourite to retain the honour for most of the season. But a sizzling month of basketball in January, which saw Durant average 35.9 points in the absence of injured team-mate Russell Westbrook, has seen the five-time NBA All-Star move into contention for the individual honour. Durant is averaging a league-high 31.5 points, well ahead of Carmelo Anthony (27.3), James (26.5), Kevin Love (25.8) and Stephen Curry (24.6). "It would mean a lot," Durant told reporters ahead of Sunday's All-Stars match in New Orleans. "I mean - MVP in this league - you can't ever downgrade that. "Whoever you are, no matter how many you've won, you can't downgrade MVP. "Of course, the ultimate prize is to win the championship. But as far as regular-season accolades, I think it's right up there at the top. "It would be cool, but it's out of my control. The only thing I can control is how I play and everything else out there, that'll fall in line." With Durant dominating, comparisons to James are unavoidable. But the 28-year-old is fed up with the media constantly comparing two of the league's modern-day stars. "You should really focus on how good LeBron James is," Durant said. "I think people should appreciate that more than always comparing guys. In our world, you want to compare everything. "You judge everything. That's just how we are."