Carolina may not get much love in the mainstream media, but there’s one sports superstar who has now problem with giving the league’s only undefeated team their props.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant is a huge fan of the NFL and when asked his pick for MVP, best defensive player and Super Bowl favorite, the Washington, DC native and unabashed Redskins fan had no problem picking the Panthers.
[ESPN]
Who is your MVP? “Cam Newton. It’s easy for you to say (Tom) Brady because he’s actually throwing the ball a lot. Cam, they have a really good defense and a really good running game, but he’s running the ball himself and he’s passing. They’re 11-0 and they’re playing great football; dominant football. And he’s the leader. Without him, they wouldn’t be who they are, so you’ve got to give it to him. Devonta Freeman is another guy who would be in the MVP conversation, but (the Falcons) lost a few games.’’
Who is the Defensive Player of the Year? “You’ve got to go either Josh Norman or Luke Kuechly. You don’t throw the ball to Norman. He’s looking like the best corner in the league. Kuechly’s got a couple picks himself and he leads them in tackles, I think. There are so many defenses players I probably haven’t watched as much, but you have to go with the Panthers.’”
Who will win the Super Bowl? “Carolina. They’ve just got the total package on both ends. Their linebackers are as quick as cornerbacks. Their cornerback is the best in the league. The offensive line has gotten better protecting Cam. They’re running it well, and he’s passing it well. I just feel like they have it all.”
Durant also picked the Redskins to win the NFC East…naturally.