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Def Pen
Kevin Durant is the best player in the NBA.
While it is clear that the two NBA MVP favourites are Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden, a strong case can be had for arguing that neither are the best player in the league.
That title should go to Kevin Durant.
While LeBron James has universally been known as the best player in the league for the majority of his career, the past few years have shown the gap between James and Durant closing.
A big factor in this being that both of Kevin Durant’s championships have come against LeBron and the Cavaliers, not to forget that KD also won Finals MVP both times too.
The Warriors currently boast the best record in the Western Conference ahead of tonight’s key matchup against the Denver Nuggets.
In 73 games this season Durant is averaging 26.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and a career high 5.8 assists per contest. The 10-time All-Star is shooting 51.6 percent from the field, 34.9 percent from behind the three-point line and 88.4 percent from the free throw line.
The former league MVP is currently ninth in the NBA in scoring. Since he is playing on a star-studded roster in Golden State, the four-time scoring champ doesn’t need to use his offensive powers to score like he used to when he was playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Not to forget that he also won the All-Star game MVP this year too.
Durant’s most recent offensive clinic came against the Memphis Grizzlies, in which the Warriors won 118-103.
The Warriors no.35 had an almost perfect night, finishing with 28 points, making 12 of his 13 field goal attempts. The shot he missed could’ve been called for a foul too.
After the game, Dubs head coach Steve Kerr said “the game is easy for Kevin. I don’t think there’s ever been anybody as skilled at his size in the history of the league, so he just does whatever he wants.”
It has been clear from the past couple seasons that Durant is becoming the perfect all-round player.
Since joining the Warriors, his defence has picked up massively particularly with blocks. He has also averaged career highs in assists the past two seasons, and this element of his game is easy to see.
It is clear that Kevin has accepted a less dominant role to the one he had on OKC, and it is apparent that for the majority of the time that he gets the ball his first thought is to try and find an open man.
While KD might not have the same body shape and size as other dominant players around the league like Giannis or LeBron, no one possesses the skillset that he owns.
His ability to make shots from anywhere on the floor and over any defender is second to none. His ability to perform in the clutch moments of any game, and his decision making between pulling up for a shot or dishing it to an open teammate has also improved massively the past few seasons.
If KD is to have a postseason similar to last, in which he won the championship and Finals MVP by putting up some incredible performances, then I feel he will past LeBron as the league’s best player, and it’ll be his league for the next few seasons wherever he plays.