26.6 PPG, 6 RPG, 4.2 APG, 64% TS Were KD's numbers last season. He is a SUPERSTAR. Everyone underrated him because the Suns roster construction was a mess. No real PG, Beal and Booker as your next 2 best players. Even then, the Phoenix Suns had a record of 3-17 without Kevin Durant this season. 33-29 with him. We finally found a real franchise player
To all the clowns here who said KD didn't help the Suns win, please read, study and memorize the above. I'll also add the Suns with KD were 32-20 with KD before mailing in the last 10 games of the season (going 1-9). 32-20 (with KD) + 3-17 (no KD) + 1-9 (mail in) = 36-46 final record.
Suns record with Durant + Booker + Beal together, while it wasnt great, it was still good. Problem of course is they didn't play together much. On roster construction, Rockets vs Warriors had 2 games they scored in the 80s. Durant + Booker once combined for 82 points in a playoff game, and Suns lost.. Durant gets bashed for the Nets situation. Though that's when Kyrie became "World B Flat" space cadet and always injured. James Harden did another flake job of disgruntlement, while his body started getting injury breakdowns. Durant & crew could be blamed for wanting Steve Nash over Kenny Atkinson. But Durant + Kyrie + Harden only played 16 total games together! What a weird period. Imagine Rockets going from the Harden fat suit, Silas years "Pray for Wemby" fiascos, and Rockets now are as stable a setting that Durant's had in a while.
It's funny ppl calling KD washed when he just averaged all-nba numbers and was the Suns best defender. He's also averaging 1.2 blocks per game. KD has average 65 games/year since his injury, which is what most age 30+ stars average these days due to load management and minor injuries. His numbers across the board are actually even better since he got injured compared to his pre-injury years, which is practically a miracle. There's no doubt in my mind KD has a least 2 more years of elite level production as long as he stays healthy. Dude is much like Amen.. lives, breathes, eats basketball. I hope Amen picks up some post-game moves from KD, he's easily big enough to be posting up smaller guards and getting past them easily with his athleticism. Hopefully, KD will sign a lower 2-year extension with us so we can operate below the 2nd apron.
If we were moving Amen to PG I would challenge this notion. He would be leading us in defense, assists and be top 3 in points in that scenario. The team would clearly be shifting an uptempo one which suits his strengths and hides his weaknesses. That would be the favorite to be our best overall player even if not our leading points-getter. However as currently constructed, I think it's Durant by far 1st, Sengun 2nd (your rim protector, 2nd best scorer and one of your highest assist guys) and Amen 3rd. The midrange and post area will continue to remain very crowded and we will be playing a very slow halfcourt pace so Amen is not going to get to shine a lot except for the routine development you'd expect from year 2 to year 3. It's worth a shot, let's see how it works. Nothing is really going to majorly affect KD's game, but I think teams will essentially let KD get his and focus on shutting the other 4 down which in theory won't be difficult since the other 4 are collectively neither good in transition nor good shooters. I'm hoping one of Sengun or Amen come out with a significantly improved 3PT shot to make this all a non-issue.
Durant still gets to the line 6 times a game, which is 9th for Forwards. Same for Sengun, which is 2nd for Bigs. Combined, we can put a lot of teams in foul trouble early. Just got to hit the dollar throws.
I'm sure the entire roster is fine w/ that. It don't make these other guys less good, and we're all good with that too. EDIT: BTW, he was incredibly locked in during that interview and in that playoff run. If he can get back to that, it'll be a good chance we get a chip.
It's funny how most of the KD trade hate has to do with his age. I bet if we traded the same package for Steph Curry there would be less hate.
Kevin Durant is the second most talented player to ever wear a Rockets jersey. Even in his late 30s, he's the best player on this team without a doubt. We need him to get a championship in Houston and go into the Naismith as a Rocket.
