Summary of "Stephen A's Take: Kevin Durant is an All-time NBA Great!"
Released on February 14, 2025, on The Stephen A. Smith Show by Stephen A. Smith and iHeartPodcasts.
Introduction
In the February 14, 2025 episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into the illustrious career of NBA superstar Kevin Durant. Amidst debates surrounding Durant's leadership and team success, Smith presents a compelling argument positioning Durant among the all-time greats in basketball history.
Kevin Durant's Scoring Prowess
Stephen A. Smith opens his discussion by highlighting Durant's monumental achievement of joining the exclusive 30,000-point club, becoming only the eighth player in NBA history to reach this milestone. Smith emphasizes Durant's exceptional scoring ability:
"Kevin Durant is one of the top 10 players in the history of basketball. I challenge anybody to find me a dude that's 6ft 11, 7ft tall that could do the things he can do with a basketball on the perimeter, beyond the arc, mid-range game." [01:06]
Durant's versatility as a scorer is underscored by his ability to excel in various aspects of the game, making him a unique and formidable offensive threat.
Comparison with NBA Legends
Smith meticulously compares Durant to other basketball legends, asserting Durant's elite status:
"He's a greater scorer than LeBron James, ladies and gentlemen. He's a greater scorer than Kobe Bryant." [03:15]
He acknowledges Kobe Bryant's prowess but distinguishes Durant by his physical attributes and shooting capabilities:
"Kobe wasn't 6ft 11 with a 7’6” wingspan. That was KD, Trey. That was Kevin Durant." [04:00]
Smith candidly places Michael Jordan as the only scorer he regards above Durant, further solidifying Durant's position among the top three greatest scorers in basketball history.
Performance Post-Achilles Injury
Addressing Durant's resilience, Smith discusses Durant's performance following his Achilles injury:
"After 12 years in the NBA, he had torn his Achilles. And since that time, he's actually shot better and more efficiently than he was doing before his injury. 53% from the field, 41% from three-point range." [02:45]
Smith underscores Durant's remarkable ability to not only recover but enhance his shooting efficiency post-injury, a testament to his dedication and skill.
Leadership and Intangibles
While praising Durant's on-court achievements, Smith does not shy away from addressing criticisms regarding Durant's leadership and team dynamics:
"I know it's shocking because he got pissed at me and he called me a clown because I questioned his leadership and all of this other stuff." [04:50]
Despite these criticisms, Smith maintains his respect for Durant as an individual:
"But he's a pretty damn good dude. He just gets emotional sometimes and he lashes out. But he's a good brother. He's never cheated the game, he steps on the court. He performs at a high level all the time." [05:10]
Smith acknowledges that while Durant's leadership qualities may be debated, his personal integrity and consistent performance remain unquestionable.
Greatness Unaffected by Team Outcomes
Smith asserts that Durant's greatness transcends his team's recent struggles in the playoffs:
"He could be mad all he wants to. The man got swept two of the last three years and would have lost in the first round a third straight year if Kawhi London hadn't gotten hurt. But nothing takes away from his greatness as a basketball player." [03:50]
He emphasizes that team outcomes, while important, do not diminish Durant's individual excellence and contributions to the game.
Future Prospects and Legacy
Concluding his analysis, Smith speculates on Durant's future achievements and potential legacy:
"I don't think he'll make it to 40 because he'll have to average about 2,000 points a season for the next five years. And you know, he's over 35, so I don't know he's gonna play till he's 40, 42 or whatever, but hell, I can't put nothing past him because he's that dude." [04:45]
Smith remains optimistic about Durant's ability to continue performing at a high level, even as his career progresses into its later stages.
Final Affirmation
Smith wraps up his segment by unequivocally affirming Durant's status:
"This dude's one of the greatest players in NBA history and one of the top three greatest scorers in the history of basketball. Look at the numbers. They speak for themselves, ladies and gentlemen." [05:20]
He extends his congratulations to Durant for his 30,000-point milestone and firmly cements Durant's legacy as an NBA legend.
Conclusion
In this episode, Stephen A. Smith delivers a thorough and passionate defense of Kevin Durant's standing in NBA history. Balancing statistical analysis with personal insights, Smith not only celebrates Durant's scoring achievements but also navigates the complexities surrounding his leadership and team performance. The episode serves as a testament to Durant's enduring impact on basketball and solidifies his place among the sport's all-time greats.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- "Kevin Durant is one of the top 10 players in the history of basketball." [01:06]
- "He's a greater scorer than LeBron James, ladies and gentlemen." [03:15]
- "After 12 years in the NBA, he had torn his Achilles. And since that time, he's actually shot better and more efficiently than he was doing before his injury." [02:45]
- "I know it's shocking because he got pissed at me and he called me a clown because I questioned his leadership." [04:50]
- "This dude's one of the greatest players in NBA history and one of the top three greatest scorers in the history of basketball." [05:20]
This summary encapsulates the key points and discussions from Stephen A. Smith's segment on Kevin Durant, providing an insightful overview for those who have not listened to the episode.