Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant slipped into the background and became largely an afterthought last season after missing 55 games last season with foot and ankle injuries. However, Durant will be back and better than ever this season, and will reclaim his crown as the best player in the NBA. Here are three reasons why:
3) Performances in big games
While some of the NBA's stars have inflated statistics from beating up on lesser competition, that isn't the case with Durant. Despite being in and out of the lineup with injuries last season, which kept him from developing any rhythm in the season, KD still averaged over 26 points in the 15 games the Thunder played against playoff teams last year.
The Thunder are expected to be one of the top teams in the West again with him healthy, and their games against the Warriors, Spurs, and Rockets will be key in setting OKC up for postseason success. Knowing Durant will play well in those games is a big boost for them.
2) Improved defense
While Durant is known as an offense-first player, he's now become a very good defender. He's learned how to use his length to keep a ball handler in front of him and contest a lot of shots, while his speed, athleticism, and strength allows for him to guard multiple positions. He doesn't get a lot of credit for it, but Durant has become one of the game's best two-way players.
1) Pure scoring ability
Durant is the best pure scorer in NBA history, using his 6'10" frame to slither to the basket whenever he wants or shoot over smaller defenders on the perimeter. He's a career 38 percent three-point shooter and has shot over 50 percent from the field in each of the last three seasons while getting to the line nearly 10 times per game, where he shoots 88 percent for his career. All signs indicate that this foot problem is completely behind Durant, and if that's the case, he'll be back to dominating the league from the season opener on.
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