Durant on All-Star selection: 'Whoever want my spot can play me 1-on-1 for it'

It sounds like Kevin Durant has heard critics argue against his All-Star worthiness.

Despite missing more than half of the Oklahoma City Thunder's games this season, Durant was named to his sixth consecutive All-Star Game last week. Durant has been limited to 22 games due to a fracture in his foot to start the season, an ankle sprain and now a toe sprain, which he's expected to return from for Friday's rematch against the New Orleans Pelicans. 

Charles Barkley, for one, is among those who've spoken about Durant's selection to the event. And Durant has a message for those people - and apparently players around the league who may not feel the reigning MVP is as deserving as others. 

"Whoever want my spot can play me one-on-one for it," he said, according to Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman. 

Sounds like it would be a lot of fun, but that's probably not a challenge most want to take up against the four-time scoring champ. 

While there's likely some merit to those arguing against Durant's inclusion in the All-Star Game based on the number of games he's played and the amount of worthy candidates in the loaded Western Conference, he's still having an unbelievable season and on a short list of the league's most elite talent. 

Durant was on a minutes restriction after returning from the foot fracture, so his playing time is down on a per-game basis compared to his MVP season. But he's shooting at a near-identical clip and his scoring, rebound and assist numbers per-36 minutes (referenced below) rate favorably to last season, too.