Kevin Durant’s Scoring Mastery: A Journey Through Teams and Triumphs

Kevin Durant: A Scoring Legend in the Making

Kevin Durant, known to many by his Instagram handle @easymoneysniper, has long been a figure of awe in the basketball world. His scoring ability is nothing short of legendary, and his journey to becoming the eighth player to reach 30,000 career points is a testament to his prowess on the court. Durant’s teammates, including fellow future Hall of Famers, have always marveled at his smooth, effortless scoring style. From his early days as a skinny teenager in the league to his current status as one of the most prolific scorers, Durant’s career has been a masterclass in basketball excellence.

As Kyrie Irving, a former teammate from the Brooklyn Nets and Team USA, put it, “He’s that guy that you see almost like a monument in a science museum of just like, what does a great scorer look like?” Durant’s unique combination of height, ball-handling skills, and shooting ability makes him a fierce competitor on the court.

Durant’s scoring accolades are numerous. He won four NBA scoring titles by the age of 25, a feat surpassed only by Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. His precision on the court is remarkable, joining the ranks of Larry Bird and Steve Nash as the only players in NBA history with multiple 50/40/90 shooting-split seasons. At 36, Durant shows no signs of slowing down, averaging 27.1 points this season, matching his career average that ranks sixth all time. This marks the 16th season Durant has averaged at least 25 points, second only to LeBron James.

Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder: 2007 to 2016

Durant’s journey began with the Seattle SuperSonics, where he won Rookie of the Year during the team’s final season in Seattle. As the franchise moved to Oklahoma City, Durant became the face of the Thunder, a team brimming with young talent. Alongside Russell Westbrook and James Harden, Durant formed a nucleus of future MVPs. He claimed his first scoring title in his third season, averaging 30.1 points.

Durant’s time with the Thunder was marked by scoring crowns and an MVP award in the 2013-14 season, where he averaged a career-best 32.0 points. Despite leading the Thunder to the 2012 NBA Finals, the team never captured a championship, with injuries and the Golden State dynasty proving formidable obstacles. Durant eventually left in free agency in 2016.

• Nick Collison: “There were other guys that were changing the game, but it was more like bigs who could shoot and maybe put it on the floor a little bit in straight lines. He could really play on the perimeter and he’s 7 feet tall.”
• Jeff Green: “It’s rare that you have seen a guy who is a legit 7-foot who can handle how he handles but also stop. He stops under control to get to a shot. You can’t block it.”
• James Harden: “His change of pace, change of direction … he’ll get you leaning one way and once he crosses back over, he’s so tall that if you’re not on his hip, he’s shooting right over you or he’s getting to the basket.”
• Kendrick Perkins: “KD’s post-up game — midpost [and] at the elbow — I think that’s what he’s mastered.”

Golden State Warriors: 2016 to 2019

Durant’s decision to join the Golden State Warriors was met with criticism, but the results were undeniable. Despite sharing the ball with the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Durant was a dominant force. The Warriors reached the Finals in all three of Durant’s seasons, winning titles in the first two years. Durant was named Finals MVP twice, averaging 35.2 points in the 2017 series against the Cleveland Cavaliers and 28.8 points in the following season’s sweep.

However, Durant’s time with the Warriors ended in disappointment, with a ruptured Achilles tendon during the 2019 Finals against the Toronto Raptors. Despite the setback, Durant’s tenure with the Warriors was a period of historic greatness.

• Stephen Curry: “Pure talent and work ethic. I mean, it doesn’t happen by accident. He’s been blessed with a certain skill set with his height.”
• Zaza Pachulia: “He could score anywhere — inside, outside. If you just look at his inside game, it was as good as anyone else.”
• Klay Thompson: “How many 7-footers can shoot the ball from that deep like him? Maybe Dirk, Wemby now.”
• Draymond Green: “I mean, there’s no bad shot for him. He’s 7-feet, dribbles the ball like a point guard, shoots the ball like shooting guards, dunks the ball like centers.”

Brooklyn Nets: 2019 to 2023

Durant’s move to the Brooklyn Nets alongside Kyrie Irving and later James Harden was seen as the formation of a new superteam. However, the trio played only 16 games together before breaking up due to drama and dysfunction. Durant’s most memorable moment with the Nets was his near-game-winning shot in Game 7 of the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite Durant’s 48-point performance, the Nets were eliminated.

• James Harden: “He don’t care where you at. You could be a tall defender, shorter defender. Once he raises up, all he sees is that rim.”
• Royce O’Neale: “He’s stronger than you think and he looks. He uses his body and his athleticism to shoot over you, to get to the elbows.”
• Jeff Green: “Obviously he’s a volume shooter, but the efficiency of how he scores, it’s not like he’s going 6-for-25.”
• Kyrie Irving: “He’s a scientist out there. He’s always hovering around 50/40/90.”

Phoenix Suns: 2023 to Present

Durant’s latest chapter with the Phoenix Suns began with a blockbuster trade that paired him with Devin Booker. Despite the high cost of the trade, Durant’s scoring brilliance continues in Phoenix. However, the Suns have struggled to build a contender-caliber supporting cast around their star duo, leaving them in play-in territory.

• Bradley Beal: “People don’t really understand how good his feet are. Granted for his size, too, just his ability to be able to get by his defender with the first quick step.”
• Royce O’Neale: “He knows exactly where he wants to get and what type of shots he wants to shoot.”
• Tyus Jones: “Practice, games — he shoots at a high clip all the time. It’s very impressive and it’s motivating to be around that.”
• Mason Plumlee: “It feels like he’s never forced a shot. The thing that kind of also made me think of that was I was watching him do a podcast with JJ [Redick].”
• Devin Booker: “We’ve never seen it before. Everyone tries to emulate it, and we still haven’t seen it.”

Team USA

Durant’s contributions to Team USA have been equally impressive, with 518 points in 28 Olympic games, averaging 18.5 PPG. His teammates have praised his scoring ability and work ethic, with Anthony Edwards noting, “He don’t really miss midranges, man.”

• Anthony Davis: “Just the amount of work he actually puts into his game, man. I’d see him in Paris, me and Bron talked about it, all off us there obviously are gym rats.”
• LeBron James: “KD is a generational player. Someone that comes around every so odd often. To have his size, his wiggle, his ability to put the ball on the ground, his ability to shoot the ball, his ability to be damn-near unguardable.”

Durant’s journey to 30,000 career points is a remarkable achievement, and his impact on the game of basketball is undeniable. As he continues to defy expectations and set new records, Durant’s legacy as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history is secure.