Kevin Durant is one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. His statistical advantage speaks volumes about his elite’s scoring ability.
Durant averages more than 26 points per game in 13 different seasons. Superstars remain virtually unstoppable when attacking Rims.
Legends like Michael Jordan and LeBron James have even argued that they couldn’t protect him one-on-one.
Many consider Kevin Durant to be one of the purest scorers in NBA history, ranked above players like Paul Pierce, who previously argued for that distinction.
But Durant’s efficiency really separates him from other elite scorers. Durant shot more than 50% off the field in 12 of his 17 NBA seasons.
He also connects with 3 pointers in 40% clips in eight different campaigns, proving versatility from anywhere in the courthouse.
NBA insider Tim Bontemps believes this shooting profile will fully benefit the Houston rocket. The team desperately needs consistent and efficient scoring along with a young, inconsistent roster.
Bontemps highlighted what distinguishes Durant from scoring legends like Kobe Bryant.
“No one has ever seen the combination of skills and abilities that Kevin Durant has. The one thing we can definitely ask him about over the course of his career is that he didn’t shoot enough,” explained Bontemps.
“He’s a guy who’s very happy to be somewhere in his 20s and is topped with an average of around 30 in his career. If he had a 2005 Kobe Bryant season and wanted to score 35, 36 points, he could easily do it,” Bontemps continued.
“But he never pushed himself to be such a player. He would rather manipulate in the offense and score 28 points on 50/40 shooting. So he’s a great fit for the Houston Rockets.”
This is especially relevant when I remember Durant to replace Jalen Green in the Rockets lineup.
Green struggled with efficiency despite his potential scores, not firing more than 43% from the field or more than 36% from the 3-point range during his career with rockets.
Green disappeared at a key moment, including the playoff elimination against the Warriors when the Rockets needed him the most.
Durant’s ability to score from multiple areas and situations represents a massive upgrade to Houston’s championship aspirations.