Kevin Durant hasn’t had much run time with the Phoenix Suns, but the team is undefeated when he’s been on the floor and many believe they are capable of winning it all. The first-round series against the Clippers, even without Paul George, will be a great test for the Suns to see how they stack up against some of the best teams in the West.
Looking ahead to the series, Kevin Durant spoke about facing Kawhi Leonard specifically and the type of impact he makes on the floor.
“It’s funny, I played against Kawhi when he was young coming into the league and he didn’t have this role that he has now — a superstar,” Durant said, per Suns reporter Duane Rankin of AZ Central. “So I just seen his development over time, it’s been cool to watch. (He’s) tough to play against but it’s cool to watch. He’s somebody who brings it every time he steps on the floor, so he ups the level of everybody around him.”
"I played against Kawhi when he was young coming into the league and he didn't have this role that he has now."
Kevin Durant on facing Kawhi Leonard in the #NBAPlayoffs . #Suns #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/opSaltX5Pf
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 13, 2023
Kawhi gets a lot of hate for his load management tactics, but he turns it on for the postseason and elevates his game to a whole new level. This year, without PG, Kawhi will likely carry an even bigger load as the Clippers look to him to lead the offense and generate shots for the others.
Most important of all, though, will be Kawhi’s efforts on defense. As one of the best perimeter defenders in basketball, the Klaw will likely be guarding Kevin Durant or Devin Booker, and he is sure to make things tough on them.
Can The Suns Win The West?
With Durant on board now, there are no more excuses for the Suns. They have all the talent and experience needed to win the title, and no other teams have stepped up as a powerhouse in the West.
“No one wants it more than I do,” Chris Paul said, according to Sportsnaut. “It’s cool. I got a lot of guys around this league that I’ve known for a long time and have been close to, so I appreciate it. I just keep playing. I just keep going. That’s my mindset.”
Chris Paul will be a bit of a wild-card in the series, but the Suns will go as far as Kevin Durant takes them, and we’ve seen him cross the finish line multiple times before…
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