Kevin Durant’s Leadership Is His Achilles Heel For The Thunder

Kevin Durant has witnessed his game evolve throughout his NBA career. Once considered a player with soft touches and limited lateral quickness, this 6-foot-10 forward has developed into an elite scoring weapon who can guard multiple positions on defense while being one of the league’s premier rebounders.

He has won two championships, two Finals MVP awards and four All-Star Game Most Valuable Players awards in his NBA career to date. Additionally, KD was named to ten All-NBA teams (including six First Teams) and earned himself the nickname of “King KD” due to his uncanny ability to find baskets.

Durant has made the Thunder better this season through his leadership on and off the court, setting an example for his teammates while revitalising an organization that had begun to decline before his arrival.

Durant has redefined what an NBA superstar can achieve while remaining an outstanding citizen off the court. He has made headlines for his charitable efforts and even launched an investment fund – all while exceeding Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 20,913 points and becoming an obvious candidate to break Kareem’s career scoring crown.

Durant insists despite his struggles with the Suns this season, he’s on track to return to MVP form next season. Over his last five games he has averaged 30 points and 10.7 rebounds while shooting 55.6 percent from the field and dishing out an average of 7.1 assists per game.

Durant isn’t alone this season in his league’s turmoil between players and referees; as tensions between both continue to escalate. On Tuesday, Victor Wembanyama hit Durant after being called for a lane violation, prompting an expletive-laced tirade by Durant that eventually got him ejected from the game.

Ejection was just the latest of several controversial calls that have become an ongoing theme recently. Tensions between referees and players are at an all-time high as the league attempts to keep up with technology and modernize officiating; as a result, games can sometimes turn lopsided with significant effects that could decide the winner or loser.

No wonder some stars hesitate to compete in the Dunk Contest: Obi Toppin, Anfernee Simons and Derrick Jones Jr. were far from All-Star material during last season’s format; Williamson or Morant entering could reenergize it all year-long; until then, however, we must settle for seeing only some of their greatest dunks!