In a sit-down with Sports Illustrated, Heat star Bam Adebayo answered the age-old question: who’s the hardest player you’ve ever had to guard?
While there are multiple names that would have made sense, his answer of “Kevin Durant” was no shock at all.
In the interview, he explained the pick in detail:
“That’s tough, we got a lot of dudes in this league…. hardest dude to guard? I would say Kevin Durant,” Adebayo said. “I mean, 7-foot and can do the things that he do, like that’s not an easy matchup for anybody at any moment on the court.”
It was a subjective question, but there is no doubt that Kevin Durant is one of the hardest guys in the entire league to stop. Like Bam, Anthony Davis has also given the nod to KD as the toughest opponent.
“KD. 6’11, can do it all from anywhere on the floor,” Davis once wrote. “I’ve won some battles, he’s won some battles, but having to guard him is just tough.”
Bradley Beal has done the same.
“I am gonna say me, but Kevin Durant. Kevin Durant is very tough to guard,” said Beal. “Only because he’s seven feet and doing everything imaginable.”
It isn’t just pure skill and talent that makes Durant such a difficult assignment. As a (nearly) 7-footer with incredible wingspan and quick movement speed, his body may be the greatest advantage of all.
Over his 13-year career, KD has accomplished more than most players can dream of. He’s a 12x All-Star, 9x All-NBA player, 4x Scoring Champ, and 2x Finals MVP.
Even after tearing an Achilles tendon in 2019, he continues to dominate the game at unprecedented levels. this season, the Nets superstar is averaging 29.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game on 52% shooting.
