Kevin Durant Named To Second Team All-NBA

Prior to last season, when Kevin Durant missed 55 games due to injury, he was named to the All-NBA First Team five consecutive years (2010-2014).  In his bounce back season, Durant put up 28 points, eight rebounds, and five assists per contest.  Those numbers haven’t been accomplished since Michael Jordan in 1988-89.  Durant was also second in the league in Player Efficiency Rating (28.25).  One would think that those numbers are worthy of an All-NBA First Team nod, but the “Slim Reaper” was named Second Team, while the two First Team forwards were LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard.

While James and Leonard both had remarkable seasons, Durant’s was simply better.  His 28.2 PPG topped the Leonard’s 21.2 and James’ 25.3.  Durant led the Thunder- the number one rebounding team in the NBA- in rebounds per game with eight, more than Leonard’s 6.8 and James’ 7.4.  Durant ranks second among the three in assists behind James’ 6.8 and ahead of Leonard’s 2.6.

While Durant may not be as good as an on-ball defender as Leonard- the 2015 and 2016 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, his defense has steadily improved, evidenced by his performance in the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors, entering last night’s Game 5, the Warriors were shooting below 30% when Durant was the primary defender.  Durant is certainly a two-way player that effects both ends of the floor, he averaged a block and a steal per game.

Leonard’s shooting percentages may have been higher than the 2013-14 MVP, but he is not nearly the offensive player Durant is.  Leonard is an excellent catch-and-shoot option, he shot 44% on threes this season, but he does get a lot of good looks at the basket thanks to his Spurs teammates and the San Antonio system that thrives off of ball movement.  Leonard doesn’t really create his own shot off the dribble, he has made improvements in his shot creation but when compared to Durant or James, the comparison isn’t that close.

There is no shot Durant can’t make.  At 6’9″ with a 7’5″ wingspan, Durant can rise up for a jumper over any defender the league has to offer, including Leonard, James, Paul George, Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green.  Durant possesses limitless range and is a threat to score from anywhere on the floor, whether off the dribble, pull-up, catch-and-shoot, off the pick and roll, or he can post up on the block and drive to the basket.  With his size, length, shooting stroke, and guard-like handles, Durant is virtually impossible to defend;  there are very rare instances where a defender can actually bother Durant on the offensive end of the floor, most of his bad nights are due to the shots just not falling or bad shot selection.

James is also a threat to score at anytime during a game, although not necessarily from anywhere.  James is an absolute beast driving to the hoop standing 6’8″, 250 pounds with elite strength and athleticism, he is a lot to handle.  The downside to James’ offense is that he is a bad three point shooter, while not as bad as his friend and former Miami Heat teammate Dwyane Wade (16%), James only shot 31% from the arc this season.  Taking away his three point shots, James shoots 57% from the field, but he has failed to be a threat from deep throughout his career.

Overall it is a shame that Durant, one of the top three players in the NBA was put on the Second Team.  Honestly, it would also be a shame if James or Leonard were second team either.  If I had to pick one to be replaced by Durant though, it wold be Leonard.  I think the NBA should alter the position requirements for All-NBA voting, similar to the All-Star Game voting, and just have backcourt and front court players, voters are asked to name two guards, two forwards, and one center.  The real shame is DeAndre Jordan being named First Team NBA while superstars like Durant, Chris Paul, and DeMarcus Cousins are on the Second Team.

The full All-NBA Teams are as follows:

First Team:  Steph Curry (Warriors), Russell Westbrook (Thunder), Leonard (Spurs), James (Cavaliers), Jordan (Clippers)

Second Team:  Paul (Clippers), Damian Lillard (Trailblazers), Durant (Thunder), Green (Warriors), Cousins (Kings)

Third Team:  Kyle Lowry (Raptors), Klay Thompson (Warriors), George (Pacers), LaMarcus Aldridge (Spurs), Andre Drummond (Pistons)