3 ways in which Kevin Durant's height has made him a cheat code in modern NBA
Kevin Durant's height is what makes him extremely tough to guard. The Brooklyn Nets forward is listed at 6-foot-10, but he is also very agile, moving quicker than most guards.
Even at the age of 34, the two-time NBA champion is still one of the best players in the league. Thanks to his physique, the forward is capable of playing in any position.
Durant's team is off to a poor start, but he's averaging the best scoring mark of his career at 32.5 points per game.
This article will list three ways in which Kevin Durant's height has made him a cheat code in the modern NBA.
#1 3-level scorer
KD has a soft touch and can score from anywhere on the floor. Being an elite three-level scorer and having a few inches over opponents is a recipe for success.
In his 14-year career, Kevin Durant has averaged 27.2 points on 49.6% shooting.
His career scoring average is the fourth-highest in NBA history, just behind Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, and Elgin Baylor. However, none of these players was a great 3-point shooter like the Nets superstar.
Durant was relatively inefficient in his first few seasons in the league. But he's shot above 50% in the past 10 seasons and has made 52.8% of his shots this season.
#2 Height makes him a versatile defender
Besides offense, Durant's height has also helped him become a versatile defender. The 6-foot-10 forward is not an elite defender, but he can definitely disrupt the opposing team's offense.
With a 7-foot-5 wingspan and quick hands, he is capable of playing both perimeter and interior defense.
In his NBA career so far, he has averaged 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. The fact that he can guard almost every position is what makes him extremely valuable on the defensive end.
#3 Can guard tall players, shoot from deep
Durant's height makes him the ultimate player and he has the potential to do so much more than anyone else in the league. As amazing as Steph Curry is, his height doesn't allow him to guard taller players. LeBron James, on the other hand, is a great all-around player, yet lacks a 3-point shot.
On offense, Durant can do it all; from being an extremely efficient scorer to distributing the ball. He is so efficient that he can have 50/40/90 splits in almost every single game.
On the defensive side, he can switch to any player, from small and quick guards to tall centers. He's incredibly quick and agile, yet he doesn't rely on his athleticism alone to get the job done.
Considering how he has started this season, he could have a few more elite campaigns in the NBA.