The past year or so has been absolutely brutal for Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant. In last season's Finals, the two-time NBA champion suffered a career-threatening Achilles injury prior to his former team, the Golden State Warriors, famously falling to the current defending champs, the Toronto Raptors.
Fast forward some months later, and just when it seemed like Durant's road to recovery was going as smoothly as expected, he suddenly somehow contracts the dreaded coronavirus. We're all sending our prayers to one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and hope that he gets through these trying times with flying colors.
In his honor, we have decided to look back on every single Kevin Durant signature shoe, as well as the one most significant event in his basketball career in that particular season. All photos are courtesy of cardboardconnection.com.
Nike Zoom KD I (2008-09)
One year after being drafted by the now defunct Seattle Supersonics, a then 20-year-old Durant already got his first signature shoe from Nike. We all know that a very select few get their own signature shoe line, so the fact that the former Texas standout got his so early in his career was a foreshadowing of the great career he would have ahead of him.
Nike Zoom KD II (2009-10)
In the 2009-10 season, Nike released the Zoom KD II, which was the first manifestation of the trademark strap of Durant's line. This would make a reappearance in future editions of the shoe line. Notably, it was in this season that Kevin Durant was first named an All-Star.
Nike Zoom KD III (2010-11)
By the 2010-11 season, Durant was already a bonafide superstar. KD would lead the Thunder to back-to-back playoff appearances, but this time around, they would go all the way to the Western Conference Finals, losing out to eventual champs, the Dallas Mavericks, 4-1.
Nike Zoom KD IV (2011-12)
Durant, alongside Russell Westbrook and James Harden, would take it a step further in the 2010-11 campaign by going all the way to the NBA Finals this time around, only to be defeated by LeBron James (his first-ever championship) and the Miami Heat.
Nike KD V (2012-13)
At this point, Nike had decided to drop the “Zoom” label, officially giving Durant his very own line.
Nike KD VI (2013-14)
The KD VI is regarded by many as one of, if not the most iconic edition of this entire shoe line. It was a pretty memorable season for Durant as well, winning his one and only MVP title to date.
Nike KD 7 (2014-15)
The strap made it's triumphant return this year after a two-year hiatus. This was a forgettable season for Durant, who played in only 27 games the entire year due to a lingering foot injury. As a result, the Thunder missed out on the playoffs for the first time in six years.
Nike KD 8 (2015-16)
Durant came back with a vengeance in the 2015-16 season, but the campaign would ultimately end in disappointment, with OKC losing out in the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors in an epic seven-game series. This turned out to be Durant's final season with the Thunder.
Nike KD 9 (2016-17)
A few months after losing in the WCF, Durant would controversially decide to sign with the Warriors as a free agent. His decision paid dividends, with Golden State winning the title that year, and his Durant's first championship after nine years.
Nike KD X / KD 10 (2017-18)
By winning the title once again in the 2017-18 season with the Warriors, Durant proved that he was no one-hit-wonder. Winning a championship is one thing, but defending it successfully takes a whole different level of greatness.
Nike KD 11 (2018-19)
This was the pair Durant was wearing when he famously tore his Achilles tendon — not that it matters. The touch of gold on the shoe was an ode to the Warriors, in what was going to be his final season with the franchise.
Nike KD 12 (2019-20)
This pair screams Brooklyn Nets — and rightfully so, after Durant once again reshaped the landscape of the NBA by signing with a new team in the summer. It's a shame that we won't be seeing Durant actually wear this pair on the hardcourt. Or could we?
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