DALLAS — Many players have become All-Stars throughout the years in the NBA. Some of those players have gone on to enjoy strong careers — although they often fall short of the Hall of Fame. Then, there are a few players who figure out the connection behind greatness and longevity, something Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant has certainly accomplished.
Ahead of the Rockets' game on Saturday night against the Dallas Mavericks, Durant's impressive legacy was a topic of discussion. Mavs head coach Jason Kidd believes KD's love for the game is the driving force behind his continued greatness.
“He loves to play the game of basketball,” Kidd said of Durant. “You start with the love and wanting to be great, and KD is the blueprint of that… He knows how to score, he can put it on the floor, he can shoot over you. Just understanding that he's perfected his craft.
“He came into this league as a scorer and he's just gotten better each year.”
Durant recently reached 31,000 career points. He's enjoyed a legendary career to say the least.
Kevin Durant enjoying another big season
KD, at 37 years old, has played in 18 games and is averaging 35.6 minutes per outing. Kidd also believes Durant's love for the game plays a pivotal role in his consistent availability and heavy minutes.
“He loves the game… Just understanding that he loves to play the game of basketball,” Kidd said. “He loves the gym, he loves the competition, he loves to score, he loves to win, he loves everything basketball brings and loves to work. You see that, being available, the minutes that he's playing at his age.
“He's playing the game at a high level, so it's good to see.”
Kevin Durant's Rockets will look to earn a win over the Mavs on Saturday night.
