Kevin Durant’s skill set has blended seamlessly across every team he’s played for. From his early days with the OKC (Seattle Supersonics) to his stints in Golden State, Brooklyn, Phoenix, and now Houston, it’s quite a range of teams with different cultures and game philosophies.
Advertisement
Through his career, which began in 2007, the 37-year-old superstar’s ability to score from anywhere on the court, stretch defenses with his shooting, and attack the rim has remained remarkably similar. What makes KD’s game especially impressive is how well-rounded it is despite all the changes in teammates, systems, and coaching styles.
Rarely do you see a player adapt to each roster while still maintaining the same offensive arsenal, whether that’s isolating, spotting up, or cutting to the basket. His passing and basketball IQ continue to grow, helping him make the right play in any situation. So what is it about Durant that allows him to be incredibly consistent?
Well, it’s because of his attention to detail, according to his longtime teammate, Steven Adams, who balled alongside the future Hall of Famer as a member of the Thunder and now as a member of the Rockets.
The thing Adams appreciates most about KD is how he has approached the game the same way for his entire NBA career. “The biggest appreciation is consistency with him,” Adams told The Old Man and the Three podcast.
“His approach to his game, his craft, it’s exactly the same from how he was in OKC to how he is now. It’s very meticulous, and it’s very dialed in. All the little details you can think of are the same,” he added.
Honestly, that’s easy to spot. Whether it’s his shooting efficiency or his ability to create plays, watching a Durant highlight reel looks similar regardless of the color of his uniform. And that’s not a bad thing.
So often, a system can completely offset a player. Jimmy Butler found success in Miami working in the Heat system, but it was that same system that eventually pushed him out. Durant, despite a lackluster run in Phoenix, still did his job and put up numbers when he was supposed to.
“A lot of people would probably get bored with that. With all these small details, they may find it boring. But he’s able to lock in on those things for all these years. That’s no easy feat,” Adams added.
Fellow Rockets star Reed Sheppard was there as well and backed up what the big New Zealander said. “What impresses you most is how hard he works out,” stated Sheppard.
That also tracks. KD is in tremendous shape, both physically and mentally. He doesn’t destroy trolls on X for no reason. He’s doing it to build up his mental fortitude.
Well, whatever he’s doing is working this year. The Rockets hold a 16-7 record and are 5th in the very competitive West. If the season ended today, they would be taking on the Spurs in the postseason.
The good news is that the Rockets have proven that they can beat anybody. The bad news is that they’ve also proven they can lose to anybody. Regardless, with Durant leading the way, perhaps Houston finally gets back to the Finals.
All KD has to do is remain consistent in being consistent. And as Adams and Sheppard so elegantly put it, that’s not going to be an issue.
