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One of the NBA's most polarizing figures, Kevin Durant, has defined himself in basketball culture through his skill and accomplishments while maintaining one of the most polarizing personalities in the NBA. With an eye on winning over maintaining loyalty to one team, Durant has positioned himself as one of the league's top stars.
Durant's championship triumphs are matched by his influence off the court, making him one of sports' most recognizable figures. In the history of the NBA, Durant separates himself as one of the league's most talented players - with future championship success still a real possibility.
Name: Kevin Wayne Durant
Position: Small Forward, Power Forward
Height: 6-10 (208 cm)
Weight: 240 lbs (106 kg)
School: Texas
Draft: Seattle SuperSonics (2nd Pick, 2nd Overall, 2007)
Season | Record | Off Rtg | Def Rtg | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG%/FGM | 3P%/3PM |
2016-17 | 67-15 | 115.6 | 104.0 | 115.9 | 44.4 | 30.4 | 9.6 | 6.8 | .495/43.1 | .383/12.0 |
League Rank | 1st (West) | 1st | 2nd | 1st | 7th | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st/1st | 3rd/4th |
After a controversial move from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Golden State Warriors, the 2016-17 season saw Kevin Durant move from championship contender to championship favorite. Averaging 25.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, Durant was named to the All-NBA Second Team and helped lead the Golden State Warriors back to the NBA Finals after a loss in the previous year.
Durant helped lead the Golden State Warriors to one of the most dominant post-season runs in NBA history. In the Western Conference Playoffs, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, and San Antonio Spurs with a 16-0 record. They eventually got their revenge by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1 in the NBA Finals, with Durant earning his first NBA Finals MVP Award.
Season | Record | Off Rtg | Def Rtg | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG%/FGM | 3P%/3PM |
2017-18 | 58-24 | 113.6 | 107.6 | 113.5 | 43.5 | 29.3 | 8.0 | 7.5 | .503/42.8 | .391/11.3 |
League Rank | 2nd (West) | 3rd | 11th | 1st | 17th | 1st | 9th | 1st | 1st/1st | 1st/8th |
After assuring that his move to the Golden State Warriors was worthwhile with a championship in 2017, Kevin Durant went on to produce another spectacular season through the 2017-18 campaign. Despite the Warriors finishing just second in the Western Conference, Durant averaged 26.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 68 games. Combining 72.8 points with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Durant led the league's highest-scoring trio.
The Warriors had a more difficult path to the NBA Finals than their previous season. While they eliminated the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans with an 8-2 record, the Houston Rockets pushed them to seven games as Durant faced former teammate James Harden. Fortunately, the Warriors established dominance over the league with a 4-0 win in the NBA Finals over the Cleveland Cavaliers - earning Durant his second NBA Finals MVP Award.
Kevin Durant's success must be noticed, despite only two NBA Championship rings throughout his career. While his success has yet to reach the heights of the NBA's greatest legends, he's proven to be competitive against some of the best of his time.
Durant may have run out of time to compete with Michael Jordan in the championship race. But with quality rivals like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, Durant has plenty of time to equal their success.
Player | No. of Rings | Years Won | Team(s) |
Bill Russell | 11 | 1957, 1959-69 | Boston Celtics |
Sam Jones | 10 | 1959-66, 1968-69 | Boston Celtics |
Robert Horry | 7 | 1994-95, 2000-2002, 2005, 2007 | Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs |
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 6 | 1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988 | Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers |
Michael Jordan | 6 | 1991-93, 1996-98 | Chicago Bulls |
Scottie Pippen | 6 | 1991-93, 1996-98 | Chicago Bulls |
Magic Johnson | 5 | 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987-88 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Tim Duncan | 5 | 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014 | San Antonio Spurs |
Kobe Bryant | 5 | 2000-02, 2009-10 | Los Angeles Lakers |
LeBron James | 4 | 2012-13, 2016, 2020 | Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers |
Kevin Durant's prospects of championship-level success in the NBA were identified before he entered the league. He remains one of NBA history's best scorers and has always led teams that threaten to compete for the NBA Championship. With four Finals appearances and two titles, Durant is one of NBA history's most successful stars.
Player | Finals Appearances | Year | Team(s) |
Bill Russell | 12 | 1957, 1959-66, 1968-69 | Boston Celtics |
Sam Jones | 11 | 1958-1966, 1968-1969 | Boston Celtics |
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 10 | 1971, 1974, 1980, 1982-1989 | Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers |
LeBron James | 10 | 2007, 2011-2014, 2015-2018, 2020 | Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers |
Tom Heinsohn | 9 | 1957-1965 | Boston Celtics |
Magic Johnson | 9 | 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Jerry West | 9 | 1962-1966, 1968-1970 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Frank Ramsey | 8 | 1957-1964 | Boston Celtics |
K. C. Jones | 8 | 1959-1966 | Boston Celtics |
John Havlicek | 8 | 1963-1966, 1968-1969, 1974, 1976 | Boston Celtics |
Bob Cousy | 7 | 1957-1963 | Boston Celtics |
Robert Horry | 7 | 1994-1995, 2000-2002, 2005-2007 | Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs |
Kobe Bryant | 7 | 2000-2002 2004, 2008-2010 | Los Angeles Lakers |
James Worthy | 6 | 1984-1985, 1987-1989, 1991 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Michael Jordan | 6 | 1991-1993, 1996-1998 | Chicago Bulls |
Scottie Pippen | 6 | 1991-1993, 1996-1998 | Chicago Bulls |
Shaquille O'Neal | 6 | 1995, 2000-2002, 2004, 2006 | Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat |
Tim Duncan | 6 | 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2014 | San Antonio Spurs |
Tony Parker | 5 | 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2014 | San Antonio Spurs |
Larry Bird | 5 | 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 | Boston Celtics |
Kevin Durant has won two NBA Championship rings. He won his first championship in 2017 with the Golden State Warriors and his second in 2018 with the Warriors. LeBron James has won four NBA Championship rings, which he earned in 2012 and 2013 with the Miami Heat, 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kevin Durant has seen great success throughout his career, reaching the NBA Finals four times but winning the title twice. Durant's teams were worthy of their wins and losses in their final appearances. Durant always positions himself with the opportunity to win, but at 34 years old, his window is closing; provided good health, Durant always has a chance at winning another title.
Kevin Durant has won two NBA Championships (2017 and 2018). Here's a comparison with the championship counts of some other prominent NBA players:LeBron James: One of the greatest to grace a basketball court, James has won four NBA Championships (2012, 2013, 2016, and 2020) across his stints with the Cavaliers, Heat, and Lakers.Stephen Curry: revolutionizing the modern era of basketball, Curry has won four NBA Championships (2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022) with his sharpshooting Golden State Warriors.Kawhi Leonard: While maintaining good health has been Leonard's issue throughout his career, he still won two NBA Championships (2014 and 2019) by leading defensively tenacious units in the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors.Giannis Antetokounmpo: the league's most intimidating physical force, the Greek Freak has won one NBA Championship (2021) with his Milwaukee Bucks.Durant has proven himself among the game's biggest stars in one of the most competitive eras of basketball. He is, without a doubt, one of the modern era's most successful stars.
Christian Jope is a writer, social media strategist, and data analyst. A Queen’s University Alumni, Christian is an author and social media strategist with Raptors Cage, while also working closely with MLSE and Canada Basketball through community-driven events.
Email: [email protected]
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