Durant, once hailed as the league's No. 1 superstar, is now plagued by injuries and controversy. Since tearing his Achilles tendon in the 2019 Finals, Durant hasn't returned to his peak form. He joined the Nets in the summer of 2020 to form a lavish Big Three with Irving and Harden, but their partnership didn't work as expected. Durant played in just 35 games in the regular season this season, averaging 269 points, 71 rebound, 56 assists, 13 caps, 07 steals and a shooting percentage of 537%, 45% three-point shooting, and 88 free throw shooting2%。Those numbers look pretty good, but in the playoffs, Durant's performance has slipped a bit. He averaged 35. in the semifinals against the Bucks4 points, 106 rebounds, 54 assists, 16 caps, 08 steals and shot 497% and 35 percent from three-point range5% and 875%。While he put up a stellar game in Game 5 and Game 7, scoring 49 and 48 points, respectively, he was powerless to prevent the Nets from being eliminated by the Bucks.
So, has Durant's level really fallen off a cliff? Let's get to know the real Kevin Durant. First of all, we have to admit that Durant's injury has had a huge impact on him. A torn Achilles tendon is a very serious injury that can affect a player's explosiveness, movement speed, jumping ability, and even mental state. After Durant's return, it was clear that he didn't have the agility and agility he used to have, and his defense regressed, and he relied more on his height and reach to make up for it. Second, we need to see that Durant's team environment has also changed. When he was with the Warriors, he had excellent teammates such as Curry, Thompson, and Green, and their style of play was very fluid and coordinated with each other, and Durant could get the shot he wanted at any position. When he was with the Nets, although he had talented players like Irving and Harden, their chemistry was not ideal, and their style of play was more of a solo game, and Durant often had to force shots under the opponent's key defense. Finally, we need to recognize that Durant's opponents are also improving. The Bucks' Antetokounmpo, the Hawks' Trae Young, the Suns' Paul, and the Clippers' Leonard are all tough opponents that Durant could face in the playoffs, and they all have excellent individual abilities and team support, and they are all eager to prove themselves in the playoffs. If Durant wants to win a championship again, he will have to overcome not only his own injuries, but also the challenges of these contenders.
To sum up, we can say that Durant's level has not fallen off a cliff, he is still one of the most influential players in the league, he still has unparalleled scoring ability, and he still has a championship mentality. However, he is no longer invincible, he is no longer the undisputed number one, and he is no longer a genius who does not need to work hard. He needs more time to recover, more trust to communicate, and more courage to fight. We look forward to the next season, Durant can return to the court with better condition, stronger strength, and higher goals, and bring us more excitement and surprises.
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