Kevin Durant’s Impact on the NBA
Kevin Durant was selected second overall in the draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, who have been defunct for seventeen years. After his rookie year, the SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder. Durant’s influence has significantly impacted every team he’s been part of, as well as the entire league. This is evident on the court: when he began his N.B.A. career, big men were typically powerful players. He entered the league as a long and agile player, blending the finesse of a guard with the attributes of a forward, creating ambiguity about his position. Today, the league is filled with versatile big men who can shoot, pass, and defend, making them hard to contain. Durant has played a central role in various discussions within the league, especially regarding loyalty, individual agency, personality interactions, and player motivations. Depending on perspectives, these narratives can be seen as either beneficial or detrimental.
Durant’s Ongoing Journey
Durant has often expressed frustration with how he is portrayed in the media. Despite this, he has embraced his status as a key figure in the league. He was named M.V.P. while with the Thunder, then contributed to the Golden State Warriors’ championship dominance before transitioning to the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets faced challenges, and his subsequent move to the Phoenix Suns was even less successful. However, Durant’s playing style is not to blame; his fluid movement remains intact, characterized by both calmness and explosive energy. Outside basketball, he has ventured into media through his entertainment company, Boardroom, and engages directly with his online critics, finding enjoyment in the interaction.
A New Chapter with the Houston Rockets
On N.B.A. opening night last Tuesday, Durant made his debut with the Houston Rockets. The team comprises young rising stars coming off a fifty-two-win season and has eleven players under thirty, including three starters aged twenty-three or younger. At thirty-seven, Durant’s presence aims not only to serve as a mentor but also as a key player. The Rockets secured him with a significant two-year, ninety-million-dollar extension, reflecting their expectation for him to lead the roster. They believe Durant can elevate them to championship contention, allowing for a diverse lineup of larger players that head coach Ime Udoka has been experimenting with to counter more traditional formations. The narrative potential of this situation is intriguing, marking an unpredictable phase in the life of a remarkable athlete.
The Relevance of Veteran Players
The prominence of older stars in the league is not a new trend. LeBron James is turning forty-one this year, while Stephen Curry is thirty-seven and will team up with Al Horford (thirty-nine), Jimmy Butler (thirty-six), and Draymond Green (thirty-five) on the Warriors. Surprisingly, the Warriors are not the oldest team; that title goes to the Los Angeles Clippers. Many athletes across various sports have extended their playing careers due to improved nutrition, training, and financial incentives, with basketball particularly showcasing this trend.
Changing Dynamics in the League
This longevity is surprising given the shifting dynamics within the league. The pace of play has become increasingly intense, with more teams utilizing full-court defenses and trapping strategies that favor younger, less-worn players agile enough to endure a long season while maintaining performance into the playoffs.
Emerging Stars in the NBA
Furthermore, several dominant players have emerged following the era of Durant, James, and Curry. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić, both thirty, are noteworthy, with Jokić regarded as one of the top players in the league. The current M.V.P., Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is twenty-seven, while Luka Dončić, a candidate for the next M.V.P., is twenty-six. The average age of this year’s champion Thunder is 25.6, almost eight years younger than the Clippers. The Pacers, whom the Thunder defeated in the Finals, also fielded a mostly youthful rotation, indicating a significant shift as the Thunder are expected to contend for another championship this season.
