Kevin Durant had a Game 5 performance against the Bucks that left Nick Wright puzzled when it comes to his top 5 wing players of all time.
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With Kyrie Irving ruled out to play Game 5 and James Harden practically playing on one leg, all the Brooklyn Nets fans could do was put their faith in the 2-time NBA champion Kevin Durant and boy did he deliver.
As a sports fanatic, watching a player or team compete and elevate amid adversity is such a rewarding experience, one can’t help but feel extremely inspired and moved. In a game where the Bucks were the betting favourites, the Brooklyn Nets emerged victorious 114-108 as the ‘Slim reaper’ walked off the court with a 49 point triple-double.
KD put on a performance for the ages and is the first player in NBA history to record 45-plus points,15-plus rebounds and 10-plus assists in a playoff game, consequently leading the Brooklyn Nets to their 3rd win against the Milwaukee Bucks.
KD chose to play the entire duration of the game and was the most efficient player on the courting shooting 16/23 from the floor and scoring 20 points in the crucial 4th quarter.
Before Game 5, there was a lot of speculation regarding KD’s ability to lead a team as a facilitator and all-around player. This because he hadn’t been in a similar situation before always being surrounded by perennial all-stars or MVP recipients.
All these speculations and doubts now seem misplaced and many are now coming around to accept the notion that Kevin Durant might the best player in the league right now.
Nick Wright believes Kevin Durant could possibly take Larry Bird’s spot on the Mount Rushmore of wing forwards
In a recent appearance on the Herd with Colin Cowherd, renowned sports analyst and broadcaster Nick Wright discussed KD’s performance and how it would impact his legacy in the long run.
“It’s one of the most impressive playoff games any wing has played in the history of the league. I went through the archives this morning, I think it is better than any playoff game Larry Bird has ever played.”
“Larry had an unbelievable Game 7 against the Pistons, I think this was better. I think it’s arguably better than any playoff game Kobe’s ever had.”
Nick also talked about how in an era where load management seems to be the norm, for KD to go out and play the entire game is extremely impressive.
“A performance like that, I do think Durant at some point could start to elbow Bird off that wing forward Mount Rushmore, I think that is absolutely in play. He played a perfect basketball game last night.”
“A performance like that, I do think that at some point Kevin Durant could start to elbow Larry Bird off that wing-forward Mount Rushmore.” @GetNickWright talks KD’s Game 5 performance: pic.twitter.com/5PKTdOXjGo
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) June 16, 2021
While some might argue that KD has already surpassed Bird in terms of his achievements and accolades as a player, it’s safe to say that the ‘Slim Reaper’ will go down as one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball.
