This is 'it': Texas has something phenomenal in Durant

AUSTIN, Texas -- Kevin Durant remembers the day, still.

Expect Durant to turn heads in Texas. (Getty Images)

It was a nice day, not unlike most for most 11 year olds, and he had just finished a game over at the Seat Pleasant Recreation Center, back home in Maryland. That's the day something clicked, that's when he first knew for sure. So little Kevin -- though he wasn't that little, to tell the truth -- walked through the front door, found his mom on the couch watching television and asked if he could have one of those big talks.

The birds and bees?

More like baskets and balls.

"I said, 'Mom, can you turn the TV down a little bit?'" Durant recalled the other day at lunch while tearing apart some crab legs, similar to how many believe he'll tear through the Big 12 this season. "So she turned the TV down, and that's when I told her I wanted to play basketball for a living."

Basketball for a living.

No guidance counselor could've done better.

"Kevin has a chance to have it all," said Texas coach Rick Barnes. "There's nothing he can't do."

It should be noted that it's not typically wise for people to, at the age of 11, choose sports as a career. I wanted to play shortstop for the Mets when I was 11. But I had no arm and couldn't hit much better than A-Rod in the postseason. To all those who pushed me in other directions, I say thanks.

But for Kevin Durant, playing basketball for a living was a good, sensible career to choose, at any age. Just like William Faulkner was made to write, Karl Rove was made to campaign and Johnny Knoxville was made to fight bulls blindfolded in his underwear on film, Kevin Durant was made to play basketball.

It's pretty clear at first sight.

Even if first sight has the Texas freshman holding a bag of ice on his face.

"I had a tooth that was broke in half, so they just decided to pull it out Saturday morning," Durant said two days post procedure. "It was the worst thing I've ever felt in my life. Ruined my weekend."