Speaking ahead of his game against the Nets this week, Suns superstar Kevin Durant spoke honestly about his NBA longevity. In a chat with Yahoo Sports, Kevin explained how he’s a cut above the typical 36-year-old athlete and how rare it is to still be so good after 16 years in the NBA.
“I ain’t a regular 36-year-old,” Durant told Yahoo Sports. “I condition my mind, my body, to be a pro. So what else am I gonna do? Burn out? How many people playing at this level at my age? So you can’t compare me to anybody who’s burnt out. It could happen, but does it look like it right now?”
LeBron James often gets credited as the champion for longevity and his 20-year track record stands as one of the greatest in NBA history. But at 36 years old, with over 16 years of experience, Kevin Durant isn’t too far behind him in terms of sustained and consistent greatness over a long period.
Drafted 2nd overall in 2007, Durant was a star from the very start and he helped bring prosperity to the Oklahoma City Thunder. As he rose to become one of the top players in the game, his work ethic and commitment to the sport became some of the defining features of his career.
Somehow, nearly two decades later, Durant is still playing elite-level basketball on a Suns team with proper title ambitions. Through 32 games this season, Durant is averaging 27.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game on 52.2% shooting. He’s among the NBA’s biggest scorers once again and has the Suns in position to make a major run in the West.
For most players, their peak ends in their early to mid-30s, and by the time they reach their 16th season, they are nothing more than fringe role-players. But generational stars like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry, have managed to evade father-time to an incredible degree and it deserves some major recognition.
In the case of Durant, his place in the NBA GOAT debate is highly debated but he’s undoubtedly one of the featured faces of the modern NBA. With nearly two decades of greatness under his belt, Durant’s legacy is undeniable and it’s no secret where he considers himself among the All-Time greats.
Regarding what’s next for the All-NBA legend, he’s going to keep doing what he has been for 16 years now: play his best game on the court. With the Suns in position for a potential title run, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are locked in on the championship pursuit and it’s going to take everything to beat out the competition.
With what time Durant has left, Suns owner Mat Ishbia is committed to building the best team possible even if it means giving up their entire stockpile for the future. The time is now for the Suns and Kevin Durant is doing everything he can to deliver on his promise of a title.
For now, he’s only focused on the next game on the schedule. After tonight’s match against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center, the Suns will face the Washington Wizards on Saturday, January 25th, at 9:00 PM EST at Footprint Center. Finally, they will defend home court against the Los Angeles Clippers at 9:30 PM EST.
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