Heading into the final quarter of the season, it seems the criticism of Kevin Durant has heated up.

Some national pundits argue he’s jacking up too many shots, doesn’t play enough defense and other than scoring doesn’t have any other impact on the game.

Some articles in the past month have cropped up grilling Seattle’s most famous rookie.

Add to that Charles Barkley’s comments that he believes Atlanta’s Al Horford, not Durant, should win Rookie of the Year honors, and that Durant is a one dimensional player that could use a Happy Meal, and the piling on has began, it seems.

ESPN’s David Thorpe has Atlanta’s Al Horford ranked higher than Durant.

And so does NBA.com’s Dave McMenamin.

ESPN’s LZ Granderson anoints Horford the Rookie of the year here.

Critics also point out that Durant’s former school Texas is playing fine without him.

Look, I’m not going to argue Durant doesn’t take bad shots. You’ve seen some of the box scores and they ain’t pretty, 4-of-13 against the Los Angeles Lakers, 3-12 in a 42-point loss to Denver, , and an 8-of-18 shooting night on Sunday against Minnesota.

Durant’s shooting 40 percent on the year from the field, and turning it over 2.95 times a contest.

However, what you don’t get from those stats is when Durant is taking those shots. Is the shot clock running down and is he forced to chuck it up? Does Durant score in the clutch? And who’s there to ease the scoring load for Durant?

I think these are valid questions as you watch Durant’s game evolve. Horford plays with several guys who can create their own shot in Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and Mike Bibby.

Horford gets his share of post ups and is effective on the block, but basically all he has to do is hit the boards and play defense. Durant is the marquee player on the Sonics and receives the most attention from opponent’s defensive schemes night in and night out. He weighs about a 195 pounds soaking wet and isn’t strong enough yet to back his defender down to the basket for easy buckets, yet he still manages to get his points most nights.

Ask any NBA scout and they'll tell you Durant is a unique player in the NBA. He’s a 6-10 shooting guard with a quick first step who can blow past almost any defender. He’s still developing a low-post game to go along with his ability to face up defenders. And he moves his feet well enough defensively to stay in front of the likes of cat-quick guards like Steve Nash and Ben Gordon. Critics need to understand he’s a work in progress, and playing without players like Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis to help ease some of the offensive pressure.

“Honestly I don’t know what the critics want me to do,” said Durant after practice in preparation for Tuesday's game against Detroit. “I mean do they want me to average 30 points a game in this league as a rookie? On a new team? I don’t see how I can do that. But I think I’m getting better and helping this team out as much as possible.
“I’m playing a new position that I’ve never played before (shooting guard), and guarding players that I’ve never guarded before, you know, 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-3 players, and just trying to do my best on that. And as time goes on I’m only going to get better if I keep working. I think right now, compared to the beginning of the year, I’m much better.”

Listen to the full conversation with Durant here. And Carlesimo talks about Durant here.