Introduction
Kevin Durant is a name that needs no introduction in the world of basketball. He is one of the greatest players in the game today and has been for many years. His stats speak for themselves, and his impact on the game is undeniable. In this article, we are going to take a closer look at Kevin Durant stats, his career, and his legacy in the NBA.
Early Career
Kevin Durant’s journey to becoming an NBA superstar started in college. He played one year of college basketball at the University of Texas before declaring for the NBA draft. In his lone season at Texas, Durant averaged 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He was named the National Player of the Year and was the consensus number one pick in the NBA draft.
Rookie Season
Kevin Durant’s rookie season with the Seattle SuperSonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder) was a solid one. He averaged 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He also set a record for the most points scored by a rookie in a single season with 1,422. Despite his impressive stats, the SuperSonics finished with a 20-62 record.
First All-Star Selection
Kevin Durant’s second season in the NBA was a breakout year for him. He averaged 25.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He was also selected to his first NBA All-Star game. Despite Durant’s individual success, the Thunder missed the playoffs with a 23-59 record.
NBA Finals Appearance
Kevin Durant’s first NBA Finals appearance came in the 2011-2012 season. The Thunder made it all the way to the Finals, but lost to the Miami Heat in five games. Durant averaged 30.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in the Finals. Despite the loss, it was clear that Durant was one of the best players in the league.
MVP Season
The 2013-2014 season was a special one for Kevin Durant. He won his first NBA MVP award after averaging 32.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. He also had a 50-40-90 shooting season, making him only the fifth player in NBA history to achieve this feat. Despite Durant’s individual success, the Thunder lost in the Western Conference Finals to the San Antonio Spurs.
Move to Golden State
In the summer of 2016, Kevin Durant shocked the basketball world by signing with the Golden State Warriors. The move was criticized by many as Durant was joining a team that had just set the record for most wins in a single season. However, Durant’s decision paid off as he won two NBA championships and two NBA Finals MVP awards with the Warriors.
Recent Years
Kevin Durant’s recent years have been filled with injuries. He missed the entire 2019-2020 season with a ruptured Achilles tendon and has only played in 19 games during the 2020-2021 season due to a hamstring injury. Despite the injuries, Durant has been playing at an elite level when healthy, averaging 27.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game.
Conclusion
Kevin Durant is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His stats speak for themselves, and his impact on the game is undeniable. Despite facing injuries in recent years, Durant continues to play at an elite level when healthy. He will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
