He would go down as one of the all-time greats, you could tell from the beginning. Now, after just 12 seasons in the league, he is guaranteed to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, even if he never plays a minute of professional basketball again. That is his level of excellence.
We’re going to recognize his incredible career by taking you step-by-step through his NBA journey today. Thus, if you’re a fan of Kevin Durant, take a seat, unwind, and let us tell you everything there is to know about each and every one of his honors and achievements:
2007-08
Via Getty
Since entering the league, Kevin Durant has played with a grudge. It didn’t take him long to give the league notice that he was out to show to everyone that he deserved to be the first overall pick in the Draft.
Honors and distinctions:
– The Year’s Rookie
2008-2016
(via Wallpaper Flare)
After the Seattle Supersonics relocated to Oklahoma City, Durant improved his performance even more. His rapid development into one of the league’s most prolific scorers made the squad a consistent playoff challenger.
From beyond the arc, Durant developed into a proficient volume scorer. After missing the cut in his first two seasons, he became a fan favorite and was selected for seven consecutive All-Star Games (including one MVP in 2012) thanks to his playmaking and defense, which also saw considerable improvements.
Along with leading the league in scoring four times (three in a row), he averaged over thirty points a game in two of those seasons and was selected to play for Team USA in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, winning two gold medals.
If that wasn’t enough, he won the MVP award for the 2014–15 season, guiding the Thunder to a 59–23 record while averaging a league-high 32.0 points per game with 7.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.4 threes, and 1.3 steals a game on 50/39/87 shooting.
Honors and distinctions:
MVP, two gold medals, four NBA scoring titles, and seven all-star games
MVP All-Star
2016-2019
Credit: USATSI
An NBA Championship was the only item lacking from Durant’s nearly perfect resume. He had a good chance to make the Finals in 2012, but fell to LeBron James and the Miami Heat. He didn’t get another chance until 2016.
This is the reason he made the contentious decision to join the Golden State Warriors and showcase his skills, earning him a lot of backlash from other players in the league. Nevertheless, he kept his word and shown that he was capable of being the top player on the world’s greatest team.
The formidable Warriors became much more terrifying under Durant. Instead of accepting a free pass to the Finals, he improved them and led them there. That explains why, in just three seasons in the Bay, he won back-to-back NBA Championships and two consecutive MVP trophies in the Finals.
It goes without saying that he participated in the All-Star Game in each of those seasons and won the All-Star MVP title in 2019.
Honors and distinctions:
– 3 All-Star Games – 2 NBA Champions – 2 MVPs of the Finals
MVP All-Star
2019-2023
Credit: Getty Images
So now that he’s already a champion and doesn’t have anything to prove, Durant decided to join Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets for the next step of his career. Sadly, he hasn’t been able to play while he recovers from an Achilles injury.
Durant could enter the GOAT conversation if he led the Nets to a couple of championships and he knows it. He’s doing his own thing and developing a winning culture on a struggling franchise, proving that he doesn’t want to win the easy way.
So, after a one-year hiatus, the league will have to try and find a way to stop Durant once he’s back at full strength for the upcoming season. He’s now one of the best two-way players on earth and it’s going to be a pleasure seeing him hooping again.
2023-Now
The Blockbuster NBA transaction has the Suns receiving Kevin Durant and TJ Warren. Brooklyn Nets get Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, and several future Draft picks.
The Phoenix Suns have officially become the next NBA superteam with a late-night acquisition on Wednesday of Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant. The Nets, who just got rid of Kyrie Irving before the trade deadline, are now
in full rebuild mode. Especially after getting four 1st round picks from the Suns, and much more.
Just three days before NFL’s Super Bowl LVII takes place in Phoenix, the city’s NBA squad will feature superstars Devin Booker, Chris Paul… and KD himself.
The details of the Kevin Durant trade to Phoenix
The Phoenix Suns acquire:
Kevin DurantTJ Warren
The Brooklyn Nets receive:
Mikal BridgesCam JohnsonJae Crowder4 1st-Round Picks2028 pick swap
Will Kevin Durant be in attendance at Super Bowl LVII?
Will Kevin Durant be present at Super Bowl 57? The NFL final between the Eagles and Chiefs, who are vying for the Lombardi Trophy, will take place on Sunday, February 12 at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals. The Suns’ home court, Footprint Center, is only eighteen miles away.
Nobody would be surprised if KD showed up on Super Bowl Sunday and gave a hip-hop dance to Rihanna during the halftime show, as he is a huge NFL and music enthusiast. It would also be a fantastic chance to acquaint him with Phoenix residents.
