Secondary in those visions was how Durant’s length and athleticism would also benefit an already long, switchy defense that ranked among the NBA’s best in the past two seasons.
This year, the NBA is seeing Durant fully engaged on defense, revealing the same type of potential many had expected on the offensive end.
Defense is tough to quantify in the NBA, but one example of Durant’s increased focus on that end is in blocks. Durant leads the league in total blocks, and his 2.3 swats per game is second — and far and away a career high for him.
Likewise, according to the NBA’s stats site, Durant is allowing opponents to shoot just 38.8% from the field when he defends them — eighth-best in the league among players who have defended more than 200 shots.
Opponents are also scoring just 0.51 points per possession against him in isolation situations and 0.94 points per possession on spot-up opportunities.
In other words, Durant is locking folks up. His teammates have noticed, including the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Draymond Green.
“If I had a vote, I’d vote for him right now,” Green said.
He added that he thought Durant was a candidate, “if not the leading candidate.”
“I don’t think it’s really a race right now,” Green said. “The way he’s been playing on the defensive side of the ball has been spectacular.”
Durant has always been a solid defender, but in Golden State’s scheme, he’s applying his length and agility in ways that are almost unfair.