Is Kevin Durant one of the most overrated players in the NBA history?

• Even in his best season, Durant was not the best player despite his ability to score the ball in almost any offensive set and possession 
• Kevin Durant is an elite scorer, but he has never demonstrated that he is a dominant all-around star or the world’s best player at any given time
• Durant has been criticized throughout his career for failing to assert himself when he should have

Kevin Durant is widely regarded as one of the top 15 players in NBA history. 

His ability to score the ball in almost any offensive set and possession distinguishes him from other players in his position. He possesses a unique skillset in NBA history.

Kevin Durant in a game against the Celtics. Photo: MARCA

Despite standing nearly 7 feet tall and possessing a deadeye shooting stroke. Of course, his accomplishments are impressive given that Durant is a 12-time All-Star and 9-time All-NBA performer with four scoring titles.

Kevin Durant may be one of the most overrated athletes even with these honours. 

While that may seem blasphemous given his elite skill set and offensive ability, his intangibles must be questioned when examining his career in depth.

 Durant has disappointed in a few areas throughout his career by ignoring the bias and looking past his beautiful shooting stroke. 

After being swept by the Boston Celtics, his 2022 playoff season is officially over. It may be time to look back at his career to see why 4-time scoring champion Kevin Durant may be one of the most overprotected, overrated stars in NBA history.

A NATURAL SCORER BUT LACKING IN OTHER AREAS

Kevin Durant is unquestionably a baller. He is one of the most gifted scorers of all time, averaging 27.2 PPG on 49.6 per cent FG, 38.4 per cent 3-PT FG, and 88.4 per cent FT in his career. 

These shooting splits are unquestionably impressive and indicative of a natural scorer. There is no denying that Durant is one of the top five scoring talents of all time.

What is highly questionable is Durant’s overall game. Durant has been criticized throughout his career for failing to assert himself when he should have.

While this could signify a selfless player who wants to play basketball the right way, it could also be a sign of mental weakness. 

And when his scoring runs dry during a game.

Kevin Durant. Photo: NetsDaily

We’ve seen countless superstars struggle with their shots but still contribute to their team’s victory. 

Durant is not a player who can do that, and as we saw in the series against the Boston Celtics, a lack of scoring relegates him to second-tier star status.

 WON AN MVP AWARD BUT  WAS NEVER THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD AT ANY TIME

Kevin Durant won the MVP award in 2014 after averaging a league-leading 32.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 5.5 APG, and 1.3 SPG while shooting 50.3 per cent from the field, 39.1 per cent from 3-point range, and 87.3 per cent from the free-throw line. 

There was no doubt that Durant had arguably his best individual season because he displayed his elite shot-making ability, which made him unstoppable.

Even in his best season, Durant was not the best player in the world. Durant has never been a better player than LeBron James. 

One could argue that Durant was never the best player in the world at any point in his career. 

Early in his career, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Dirk Nowitzki were the most influential players in the league. Even as he matured, Durant was playing in LeBron’s league.

THE  2022 PLAYOFFFS  PERFORMANCE IS INEXCUSABLE

A single playoff series should not define an All-Star or superstar player’s career. 

That is simply unjust and without foundation. However, when it comes to Kevin Durant, this series has opened many eyes, especially given the criticism he has received throughout his career. 

There’s no getting around the fact that he looked fearful, confused, and out of his depth against the Celtics this season.

Durant’s numbers dropped significantly despite averaging 29.9 points per game on 51.8 per cent shooting from the field and 38.3 per cent from three in the regular season.

Kevin Drant’s Brooklyn Nets were eliminated in the NBA playoffs by the Caltics. Photo: MARCA

 Durant could only muster 38.6 per cent FG and 33.3 per cent 3-PT FG against the Celtics. He was inefficient for a player who needs to score to be effective, so the Nets had no chance in the series.

Most importantly, his presence was noticeably absent. Simply looking at the numbers won’t tell the whole story because his 26.3 PPG average in the first round could be telling the wrong story. 

The Brooklyn Nets star went 1-5 from three in 41 minutes of play in Game 1 and scored 23 points with six turnovers.

Durant scored 27 points the next game but shot only 23.5 per cent from the field and committed six turnovers. 

The NBA superstar might have had the ugliest game in recent memory if it hadn’t been for his 20 free throw attempts. Of course, his performance in Game 3 was simply inexcusable. 

The superstar forward only scored 16 points in 46 minutes, taking 11 shots and committing five turnovers.

Kevin Durant is an elite scorer, but he has never demonstrated that he is a natural leader, a dominant all-around star, or the world’s best player at any given time. 

With championship titles that came in the way of joining a championship team that didn’t need him, it’s difficult to argue that Kevin Durant is one of the most overrated players in the NBA.