Kevin Durant has said that being named this season's NBA MVP would "mean a lot".
The Oklahoma City Thunder forward currently leads the league in points scored, averaging 31.5 points per game.
The 25-year-old told ESPN Radio: "It would mean a lot. I mean, you can't never, 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.
"Let's just sit back and judge basketball as we play it; not just LeBron [James] and myself, but other guys in the league, too. Just enjoy it, because it's here today and gone tomorrow. A lot of people take it for granted."
Durant will start for the Western Conference team in tomorrow's All-Star game.
Sian Cowper
