NBA – Why Kevin Durant is the best player in the world

Eight years back, in 2013, Kevin Durant confided his greatest weariness. That of not being number one. “I have been second all my life. The second best player in the country in high school. The second pick in the draft. I finished three times second in the MVP vote. I lost in the NBA Finals. I’m tired of being second. I will not be satisfied with that.“Behind the choice of his words and behind this palpable frustration already hid the origins of his choice to join the Golden State Warriors of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green three offseason – and as many failures – later. He wanted to become. caliph instead of the caliph and he saw in this association of Avengers the surest way to victory, because in the end, the best is first and foremost the one who wins.

At least that’s what he thought. But even after two titles, two finals MVP trophies and unprecedented domination, KD still saw himself relegated by the majority behind his friend and elder LeBron James. “He believed that getting the upper hand over James was going to grant him number one status. In the end, he was still behind him with the general public and especially Nike, the brand that sponsors the two superstars.Journalist Ethan Strauss wrote in 2019. To continue his quest, Durant had to break away from Curry and write his own story elsewhere. At the Brooklyn Nets.

Kevin Durant, the ultimate weapon in the NBA

Ironically, he’s been on the throne for a while. He has been the best player in the world since 2017. Since his time in Oakland. The talks got so focused on his choice to team up with three other All-Stars that they overshadowed the winger’s spectacular progress – already monstrous – during that time. He has become a killer on the floor, gaining even more efficiency while progressing in defense to integrate Steve Kerr’s standards in the field. He has become the ultimate basketball player.

Long (2.11 m minimum, do not be fooled by the official size announced). Incredible ease in dribbling for its size. Skillful. So skillful. He can score anytime, anywhere. Technical. So technical. If he wanted, Kevin Durant would be likely to play in all five positions. He’s a crack. His absence for 18 months – following his Achilles tendon tear – caused him to descend briefly from his number one seat. But he eventually returned to exactly the same place upon his return.

Better, he has probably never been so strong. His last playoff campaign attests to this. Exceptional, he almost eliminated the future champions, the Milwaukee Bucks, on his own. Finally, so to speak. But despite the crimes of James Harden and Kyrie Irving, Durant pushed Giannis Antetokounmpo and his comrades to their limits. Let’s not forget that the Nets have gone to a… shoe size of the title! A foot that bit the line as KD was about to finish off the Bucks. But he will still have stalled a triple-double with 49 points during this series. A phenomenal performance. With in the wake of the Olympic Games just as brilliant to lead Team USA to Gold in Tokyo. Without him, this team looked poorly. He sublimated it.

The best player in the world, an essential status

What he does today no one is able to do. Not even LeBron James. The King pretends to be offended when NBA staff members designate Durant or Antetokounmpo as the best player in the world – which prompted him to react ironically with the hashtag #WashedKing this summer – but he knows she is his place in the hierarchy. He has known since that he made the forcing to bring Anthony Davis in 2019. James, soon to be 37 and after dozens of seasons with the pros, can no longer carry a franchise from October to June with so much weight on shoulders. There is nothing to be ashamed of about it. On the contrary, it is quite normal at this stage of his career! It doesn’t mean James is finished. Far from there. It’s just a logical regression.

Talking about decline is often scary for such important legends in history. But the decline is natural. And the decline, for someone who starts from very high, obviously does not take the same form. He can no longer dominate physically as he did for the vast majority of his career. That’s why he’s injured more often than usual – two major health issues in three seasons – and why he’s less and less able to score 10-15 points in a row in some fourth quarters like he did so at one time by brutalizing his opponents near the circle. He obviously still has incredible athleticism, an IQ superior to his comrades and an increasingly reliable shooting in addition to his leadership and his sense of passing. He’s still a crack. But more to the point of stalling huge playoff campaigns all alone or almost. Not to the point of being THE inescapable threat in this league.

The best player in the world must be decisive

That player is Kevin Durant. And that’s why the Nets are considered the big favorites for the title in 2022. It’s not just the sum of talent, with James Harden and Kyrie Irving at his side. Everything starts from him. Without him, this team cannot win. On the other hand, his mere presence makes him a very serious candidate even if Harden or Irving (especially Irving) were to fail. And casually, that’s why this question – who is number one? – so often comes up on the mat. In reality, it is not trivial.

The best player in the world … is also often the one who leads his training to the end. Basketball is a team sport but there are only ten men on the court. Stronger individuality usually makes the difference. Even more in the playoffs. As a result, the franchise with the most talented guy leaves with a better chance of winning the trophy. Hence the interest in understanding who it is. And hence the interest, too, for the 29 other organizations to fill this void. It’s the arms race. The race for great teams. Because that might be the only way to bring KD down today.