Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Stephen A. Smith Believes Kevin Durant Is The Best Player In The NBA
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Stephen A. Smith Believes Kevin Durant Is The Best Player In The NBA

Stephen A. Smith Believes Kevin Durant Is The Best Player In The NBA

Stephen A. Smith explains why Kevin Durant is the NBA's best player.

Nico Martinez
Jan 12, 2023
4 Min Read
Share

Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

While Nuggets star Nikola Jokic may be on the fast track to earning his third-straight MVP, Nets superstar Kevin Durant was quietly building a case for being the league’s top performer.

Before he went down with an MCL sprain earlier this month, KD was averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game on 55.9% shooting, all while leading the Nets to a miraculous turnaround.

For most fans and experts, Durant’s play this season has been enough to include him in the MVP conversation. But for ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, that isn’t enough.

Speaking on First Take Thursday morning, he gave Durant the crown as the best player on the planet (when healthy).

“To me, when healthy, it’s Kevin Durant,” said Stephen A. “He’s averaging nearly 30 on nearly 56% shooting, over 37% from three-point range, the brother’s spectacular. Can’t ignore Giannis, can’t ignore Jokic… I look at Luka, guys like that. But for me, I’m going to always say when healthy, it’s KD. He’s the most unstoppable force in basketball.” 

"I think that KD, when healthy, is the most unstoppable force in basketball."

✍️ @stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/3ESCnuXwex

— First Take (@FirstTake) January 12, 2023

Somehow, after an Achilles tear in the 2019 Finals and two years of chaos and mayhem with his own franchise, Durant has been playing some of the best basketball of his life this season.

Currently, they’re the second seed in the East with a 27-13 record, but they are likely to lose osm ground without Durant for the next few weeks. Hopefully, when he returns, they can get back to playing dominant basketball.


Brooklyn Nets Face Big Questions About Their Future

The Nets are still in win-now mode, and that won’t change as long as Durant is still on the team. Unfortunately, the Nets don’t have too many tradeable assets to work with, but they have been reported to be seeking some additional star power alongside KD, Kyrie, and Ben.

Collins is exactly what the Nets are looking to add at this February’s trade deadline. An executive told Heavy Sports that the Nets are looking to add a “star” and “power-forward-like player.”

“The Nets are definitely looking for a deal, but they want to bring in a star who can play alongside what they have. They’d be in the market for a power-forward type, maybe a rebounder,” the executive suggested to Heavy Sports. 

Whatever the Nets do this trade deadline, they will also have to think about what will come in the summer when Kyrie and several other key players are scheduled to hit free agency.

For now, however, all they can do is take it one game at a time and do their best to win as much as they can until their superstar returns.

We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.

Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Brooklyn Nets ArchiveKevin DurantStephen A. Smith
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByNico Martinez
Follow:
Nico Martinez is a veteran staff writer for Fadeaway World from Brooklyn, New York. He joined Fadeaway World in 2016 and is currently residing in Columbia, South Carolina. Nico holds a degree in Sports Management from Columbia International University where he built a strong foundation in the inner workings of sports media and management. Nico's contributions have significantly enhanced the credibility and depth of Fadeaway World's content, earning him recognition across the sports journalism community. His work has been discussed in prestigious publications like Sports Illustrated. A dedicated follower of LeBron James, Nico often leads coverage on news related to the basketball star. With nearly a decade of experience in sports journalism, Nico consistently provides comprehensive and timely basketball news, engaging a wide audience of basketball enthusiasts.Nico's most desired player to interview, past or present, is Kevin Durant. He is particularly keen on asking Durant if he has any regrets about his career, especially concerning his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and why he engages so much with fans on social media. 
Previous Article Miami Heat Reportedly Monitoring Zach LaVine’s Situation With Chicago Bulls
Next Article NBA Fans Debate Who Would Win 1-On-1 Games Between Scoring Champions And Defensive Players Of The Year
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Warriors star Jimmy Butler
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Stephen Curry Says Jimmy Butler Gives Warriors “Legitimate Shot” At 2026 Title

October 3, 2025
JJ Redick
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

Richard Jefferson Reveals Major Flaw In JJ Redick’s Coaching

October 3, 2025
Luka Doncic
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

Austin Reaves Recalls Luka Doncic’s First Game Back In Dallas After Blockbuster Trade

October 3, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves News & Analysis

Anthony Edwards Gets Real On Putting “Belt To A**” On Elite Players Like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?