Have the Warriors made Kevin Durant Better
After just 17 games, Kevin Durant has been playing out of this world. Shooting 57% from the field and 44% from the distance, it’s safe to say his new team seems to have added a new type of swagger to his already dominant game.
With the firepower at the Warriors disposal even before Durant arrived, one would assume he would not have to shoulder as much of a load and do nearly as much on the court. Yet through 17 games Durant has clearly done just as much if not more.
The Warriors are on a vicious run over the last few games and are finally clicking on just about all cylinders putting up at least 120 points in all but 7 games this season; scoring no less than 104 in every game this season. It’s ridiculous to think that this team has not even come close to playing to their full potential.
Durant seems to be reaping the benefits as he now that he has some selfless help around him and a more free flowing/ ball moving system. This unselfishness and “globetrotter-esque” basketball the Warriors seem to play on occasion has them sitting at 31 assist per game as a team. 7 more than the Rockets whom sit at second place.
Kevin Durant has received much criticism in the past because of his passive approach to the game. Yet the Warriors seem to scheme perfectly to compensate for his selective alpha dog mentality.
Has Durant found a new Prime
His PER through 17 game sits at a whopping 31. This number may level out as the season carries but the drop-off should be minuscule. While his shots per game sits at 17, his lowest since entering the league, his efficiency is through the roof. In all elements of scoring Durant is exceptional: shooting 76% from shots of less than 10 ft and 46% on both his pull up and catch and shoot attempts. Crazy.
Durant is only totaling 2.2 turnovers per game thus far with a usage rate sitting at 27, both his lowest totals since entering the league. One could say that KD, whom is getting closer and closer to 30, may have a new prime. If anything, being on a team with this many superstars may save some wear and tear on his body.
Check out Durant in this vine: He appears to be enjoying basketball more than he has over the past 9 years of his career.
He has always been one to reiterate how he wants to have fun playing basketball; he wants to spread the ball; wants to run, pass, and score in the flow of the offense. Something that was not a a regular occurrence in Oklahoma City.
His iso frequency is down 15% to 12% and he’s scoring more points per possession in those isos as his points per possession are up from .99 to 1.08 thus far this season.
The Warriors just so happen to be 21st the NBA in terms of iso possessions, only isolating 6.7% of the time according to NBA.com.
KD has scored exactly 462 points this season. 93 of those points have come from the line and 107 of them have come from transition buckets. This means nearly ¼ of all Durant’s baskets have come from the transition.
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It is no longer KD or bust when he steps on the court. No longer does he constantly need to play hero ball to get a win ; no longer are there questions surrounding the on the court cohesiveness of KD and Westbrook. Durant should and appears to be enjoying his stay in Golden State.
Nonetheless, he should be free of any serious adversity until June when the NBA Finals roll around. I imagine Durant is getting some of the easiest baskets of his professional career while having some of the most fun. Now Durant can finally “hoop”.