The king of bold statements of these NBA Finals, Paul Pierce, made sure to double down on his previous pick of Kevin Durant as the best player in today's NBA. After looking at Durant's numbers in catch-and-shoot, pull-up, transition plays, and drives — Pierce raised the question that if the rest of the analysts on the table were marveling at his all-around efficiency, then why couldn't he be considered the best player in the league?
“I know you guys don't wanna hear it, but we're at the start of the Kevin Durant era and the end of the LeBron era,” Pierce said.
A bold statement given James' monstrous numbers this postseason and the eye-gouging triple-double production in the NBA Finals, averaging 32 points, 12.3 rebounds, 10.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks through three games and 41.7 minutes per game.
Pierce's choice wasn't enough to convince his co-analyst Chauncey Billups, who remained firm in James' reign in this day and age — but it had enough validity to swing Jalen Rose‘s vote, who sided with Pierce upon hearing his reasoning.
“I don't necessarily agree with Paul, but I gotta ride with him here,” Rose said. “A lot of people act like Kevin Durant hasn't been in the top two or three in the last five, six years. He's not saying that Klay Thompson is the best player in the league, like he's been right there for those who have been paying attention.”
“He is right that this is the start of the KD era.”
Durant's game has elevated this season with the addition of a new-found passion for the defensive side of the ball, and while his numbers aren't what James has been putting up statistically, they reflect a model of consistency — shooting over 50 percent from the field in nine straight postseason games and 11 of his last 13 games since the start of the playoffs.
His scoring average, rebounding, and three-point shooting have also risen with the progression of each series, realizing his team would need more from him as they get closer to an NBA championship.
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