Stone-Cold Evidence That Kevin Durant Is Trying To Turn Himself Into LeBron James

Publish date: 2024-06-22
2012-12-06T17:53:13Z

Kevin Durant is changing the way he plays this year. He's shooting less, passing more, playing better defense, and scoring more efficiently.

In short, he's playing more like LeBron James.

Sam Amick of USA Today interview Durant today, and wrote:

"Durant is, ironically, closing the gap on the game's best player — that being his arch-nemesis and friend LeBron James of Miami — by becoming more like him."

AP

The stats make that clear: While Durant has a long way to go to reach LeBron's heights, his numbers say his game is trending toward LeBron's.

1. He's taking less threes, and shooting at a higher percentage:

Tony Manfred/Business Insider

Field goal percentage:

Three pointers attempted per 36 minutes:

Durant is an excellent three-point shooter, but he's chosen to take more high-percentage shots this year. In the past, KD has been quick to take transition 3's. But this year he's taking better shots, and has become more efficient as a result.

2. He's player better, more aggressive defense:

Tony Manfred/Business Insider

Defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions):

Steals per 36 minutes:

Part of this defensive shift has to do with Oklahoma City, which has gone from a terrible defensive team four years ago to a very adequate defensive team today. But that improvement doesn't take place without the help of Durant.

He may never be a great defender because he's not as quick or agile as LeBron. But he's getting better.

3. He's rebounding better, and passing more:

Tony Manfred/Business Insider

Assists per 36 minutes:

Rebounds per 36 minutes:

This is the biggest area of improvement. Durant is totally focused on getting his teammates involved this year. He told USA Today:

"They gave (the role players) confidence from the beginning of the season, and I'm sure being on that stage and having those guys trusting them meant they were able to step their game up. That's the only thing I'm trying to do now."

His assist numbers have increased as a result. In addition, his slightly reduced scoring role has allowed him to attack the boards more freely, and he's grabbing a solid share of rebounds despite playing alongside two rebounding specialists in Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka.

Look, we're not saying Durant is going to be as good as LeBron. But it's clear that he's making an effort to expand his game by mimicking some of the ways LeBron plays.

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