Kevin Durant likes 'The Servant'

— -- As he strives to win his first league MVP award and to keep his Oklahoma City Thunder atop the Western Conference standings, Kevin Durant is ready for a new nickname.

Just call him "The Servant" from now on, the star forward told Grantland's Bill Simmons.

"I like to serve everybody. My teammates. Ushers at the game. The fans," Durant said in an interview Friday, when asked why he chose "The Servant" as his new moniker.

Despite being one of the game's biggest stars, Durant never has truly embraced a nickname. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound All-Star has tried to distance himself from the "Slim Reaper," previously telling the Oklahoman newspaper, "I'm not here to be a guy of, I guess, death."

He said he likes "KD," comparing it to the simplicity of "AI" -- the nickname of former All-Star guard Allen Iverson. 

But for now, Durant told Simmons, "The Servant" is what fits best.

"I know it's kinda weird to make your own nickname," Durant said, "but I like that one better."

Durant leads the NBA in scoring with 31.5 points per game. The West-leading Thunder (43-12) return to action from the All-Star break on Thursday night against LeBron James and the visiting  Miami Heat (37-14).