Kevin Durant is arguably the greatest scorer in NBA history and, without a doubt, the best player in Oklahoma City Thunder history. With four scoring titles, multiple seasons of at least 30 points per game, and the most 3-pointers in franchise history, even those who haven’t forgiven his decision to join the rival Golden State Warriors have to concede his position at the top.
Former Thunder guard sings KD’s praises
The last memory Andre Roberson has of Durant in Oklahoma City is when No. 35 hugged Steph Curry at center court in Oracle Arena moments after surrendering a 3-1 series lead in the 2016 Western Conference Finals. Curry looked his soon-to-be teammate in the eye; Durant congratulated him as cameras enveloped the scene. These two were about to change the path of the NBA in a few short months.
While KD’s decision to leave in favor of a 73-win team will forever haunt Thunder fans, Roberson hasn’t lost that soft spot in his heart for the one-time league MVP. In a recent podcast appearance, the former OKC guard revered his former teammates' scoring ability and placed him on the pedestal of greats.
“It’s gotta be KD; pure skill? Paul George is up there, but he ain’t no 7-footer,” said Roberson, advocating for Durant’s position as the best scorer ever.
Even at an advanced career stage, now playing with the Phoenix Suns, minimal signs of attrition at age 36 have helped Durant’s case as the greatest scorer to ever play. What often swings votes in favor of the two-time NBA Finals MVP is his stunning ability to score at all three levels despite being seven feet tall.
Before he arrived in the league, the basketball universe had never seen a player possess his varied skill set: pull-up jump shooting, ball handling, and a feathery touch from the midrange.
Just two seasons ago, No. 35 furthered his case as the top scorer ever by becoming the first player to record at least 55% shooting from the field, 40% from the 3-point line, and 90 percent at the charity stripe.
The driving force behind it all
All truly great athletes share one quality: an unshakable work ethic.
As smooth and effortless as Durant’s scoring ability has appeared over the years, the fact is that harvesting such a skill set took staying hours after practice and long summers. Even as a younger player, KD’s preparation was second to none.
“I [have] never seen anybody work as hard as him,” Roberson said of Durant . “That’s why he’s also one of the skilled 7-footers... it was just the work he put in on a daily basis. Wherever he was at, he would find a gym. … It could be anywhere in the world.”
His work ethic should be unquestioned. While many people simply assume that recovering from a torn Achilles tendon as well as he did is an outlier in sports history, it is truly a testament to the work the future Hall of Famer puts in behind the scenes. Even his long-time rival, LeBron James, said during the Paris Olympics that Durant goes “even harder” in practice — and this was when he was still recovering from a bad calf.
As Kevin segways to the finish line in his career, he still has room to get a couple of more scoring feats under his belt. Entering next season fresh off being embellished as the most decorated scorer in men’s basketball history, KD has the momentum to make greatness happen.
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