Kevin Durant sealed the sport in opposition to Dirk Nowitzki and his Dallas Mavericks on this present day in 2011. The NBA has included the clutch buzzer-beater in its record of the highest 75 moments in its historical past.
Kevin Durant on this present day in 2011
The OKC Thunder ran a beginning 5 of Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, Russell Westbrook, Kendrick Perkins and Thabo Sefolosha, successful with Durant’s buzzer-beater.
The Dallas Mavericks’ 5 starters had been Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Delonte West and Brendan Haywood. Dirk didn’t make the duty simple for OKC, as he scored 29 factors at a plus-19. He had 10 rebounds and 4 assists as properly.
Durant completed plus-7 with 30 factors, 11 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal. Westbrook and Ibaka had 16 factors every, with Perkins at six and Thabo Sefolosha with none. James Harden was a reserve for OKC on the time and managed to clock 15 factors with a plus-22.
With underneath a second on the clock, there was solely sufficient time for a single shot. Durant caught the inbounds cross past the arc, turned and let the ball fly as shortly as he might. The ball fell because the buzzer sounded, and your entire stadium erupted in pleasure.
Durant performed his first 9 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics/OKC Thunder franchise. The Sonics selected him with the second choose within the 2007 draft, and the franchise moved to OKC after his rookie season. He was the NBA MVP in 2013-14.
Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors in 2016 and helped them win back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. He was the Finals MVP for each of these title runs. Throughout the 2019 NBA Finals, KD suffered an Achilles damage after which turned a free agent that summer season.
The Brooklyn Nets signed him in the summertime of 2019.
Kevin Durant this season
Kevin Durant averages 29.7 factors, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per recreation this season. He has been a frontrunner for the MVP award since early on.
KD’s league-leading large offensive common is one factor, however what’s pushing his MVP argument is his contribution to Brooklyn’s success.
The Brooklyn Nets (23-9) lead the Jap Convention. And Durant has powered the staff, from management roles to scoring roles. With Kyrie Irving having missed all 32 video games within the aftermath of his anti-vaccination stance, and James Harden lacking 4 current video games in well being and security protocols, KD has been the headliner.
Seeing such a clutch shot from 2011 reminds us of Durant’s long-standing greatness. His potential to play the position he must whereas all the time exhibiting up within the clutch is an asset any staff craves.
Durant’s greatness has not gone anyplace. Within the spirit of wanting on the previous, listed below are highlights of Durant and the clutch performs he has made:
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An 11-time All-Star, Durant has been Brooklyn’s marquee participant this season whereas nonetheless excelling in all his common classes. Durant’s basketball IQ continues to evolve as he continues to assist the Nets in first place.