The leader of the Suns’ hot start.
Time is a construct, but age is too, at least if you’re watching Kevin Durant. Averaging 27.8 points per game, the Slim Reaper has started the year on a TEAR. He’s been at his best late in games, like on Monday when he hit the game-winning shot to top off his 35-point performance against the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s averaging 8.4 points per game in the final frame, the third-best rate in the NBA.
KD FOR THE WIN. pic.twitter.com/vFo1T7NkLC
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 5, 2024
Of the top 20 in points per game this season, he’s the oldest on the list. While Stephen Curry and LeBron James have made it the expectation that all-time greats keep their greatness late into their 30s, it should not be taken for granted.
“Greatness.”
Jusuf Nurkic on Kevin Durant, who scored a game-high 32 points, putting Suns up four with 16.8 seconds left in Phoenix Suns 115-112 win over Miami Heat.
“It looks like cheat code.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/TrXVh2G6AI
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 7, 2024
The Phoenix Suns are now tied for the best record in the Western Conference at 7-1. Questions about the team’s future roster decisions and choice to get rid of most of their draft capital to trade for Durant are silent not just because of his play, but also his leadership.
Josh Okogie on Kevin Durant’s leadership: “You can’t say, ‘If it ain’t leadership like *this*, it ain’t leadership.’….Kevin is a guy who makes sure everybody is held accountable.”
So why is it always a talking point with KD?
“People just like to use him as the easy target.” pic.twitter.com/NFH4JZJoAj
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) November 2, 2024
With questions about his leadership very topical lately, in his second full season as a member of the Suns, the team’s best player is keeping the squad organized and stronger defensively than a year ago. Last year the Valley was 10th in defensive rating at 114.5; this year, they’re 8th at 111.3. Leading the team and second in the entire association in minutes per game, KD has his defensive chops all over the team’s improvement.
It’s obviously a small sample size and eight games is exactly that, eight games, but as the season goes on, if Durant can continue this level of elite play, the Suns not only become a legit threat in the Western Conference, but also a squad that can reach their full potential.
Last season at points, the Valley appeared to have those moments of offensive brilliance that was expected when the team was assembled. When they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in February 114-106, and the big three of Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Durant combined for 85 of the squad’s 1114 points it was especially on display, but for most of the season, the team’s offense didn’t always perform to it’s highest level.
So far, the early returns are showing the team is playing better offense, and it’s led by the 36-year old all-time great.