Gregg Popovich’s Spurs were in Brooklyn tonight, with the modest goal of trying to outsmart these in-form Nets. It did not happen, since the troops of Jacque Vaughn won their 12th consecutive success on a score without appeal: 139-103.
If he didn’t have to force his talent, Kevin Durant was still very accurate with 25 points at 10/14 shooting and 11 assists. For coach Pop, who had KD under his command with Team USA, the Nets star is quite simply the ultimate competitor, with his passion for the game intact.
“If he continues to improve, it would be wonderful for him, but I don’t see how he could improve further. He is already doing a great job. He loves this sport like no one has ever loved it. He’s just passionate about it.”, Spurs strategist said.
Will Hardy sent to the slaughterhouse
Gregg Popovich backed up his point with an anecdote from when Team USA was on a mission to Tokyo to bring back Olympic gold. After training, players and staff used to get together… to watch Kevin Durant’s last workout. Obviously a moment that was worth the detour and recalls the aura of leader by the example of KD.
“He set an example for everyone else. I don’t think a lot of people realize that. They just think he’s got talent and he’s very good at shooting hoops and stuff. But when the practices were over, not only the other players but also the staff, we were all mesmerized, watching him do his individual training.
Former assistant to Gregg Popovich at Spurs and in selection, it was then Will Hardy, now Jazz coach, who was going to rub shoulders with the beast to allow him to perform all his “rehearsals” at different places on the pitch.
“We went to one side of the pitch, usually Will Hardy took it from that side. And KD put him in misery for 45 minutes, chasing all the balls and sending him back. He started on the inside, to the outside, doing his moves, his supports, the whole panoply. It was just his way.”remembered coach Pop. “I don’t think other players or other teams have experienced this kind of thing. Loving the game that way to really work on all the bases, all the fundamentals. It was special. He was the leader of the group, that’s for sure.
And Team USA had won another Olympic title under his leadership…
Photo: FIBA.com
| Kevin Durant | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2007-08 | SEA | 80 | 35 | 43.0 | 28.8 | 87.3 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 4.4 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 20.3 |
| 2008-09 | OKAY | 74 | 39 | 47.6 | 42.2 | 86.3 | 1.0 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 25.3 |
| 2009-10 | OKAY | 82 | 40 | 47.6 | 36.5 | 90.0 | 1.3 | 6.3 | 7.6 | 2.8 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 30.2 |
| 2010-11 | OKAY | 78 | 39 | 46.2 | 35.0 | 88.0 | 0.7 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 27.7 |
| 2011-12 | OKAY | 66 | 39 | 49.6 | 38.7 | 86.0 | 0.6 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 28.0 |
| 2012-13 | OKAY | 81 | 39 | 51.0 | 41.6 | 90.5 | 0.6 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 4.6 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 28.2 |
| 2013-14 ★ | OKAY | 81 | 39 | 50.3 | 39.1 | 87.3 | 0.7 | 6.7 | 7.4 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 32.0 |
| 2014-15 | OKAY | 27 | 34 | 51.0 | 40.3 | 85.4 | 0.6 | 6.0 | 6.6 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 25.4 |
| 2015-16 | OKAY | 72 | 36 | 50.5 | 38.8 | 89.8 | 0.6 | 7.6 | 8.2 | 5.0 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 3.5 | 1.2 | 28.2 |
| 2016-17 | GOS | 62 | 33 | 53.7 | 37.5 | 87.5 | 0.6 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 4.8 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 25.1 |
| 2017-18 | GOS | 68 | 34 | 51.6 | 41.9 | 88.9 | 0.5 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 5.4 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 26.4 |
| 2018-19 | GOS | 78 | 35 | 52.1 | 35.3 | 88.5 | 0.4 | 6.0 | 6.4 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 26.0 |
| 2020-21 | BRK | 35 | 33 | 53.7 | 45.0 | 88.2 | 0.4 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 5.6 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 26.9 |
| 2021-22 | BRK | 55 | 37 | 51.8 | 38.3 | 91.0 | 0.5 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 6.4 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 29.9 |
| 2022-23 | BRK | 35 | 36 | 56.1 | 36.3 | 92.9 | 0.3 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 5.3 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 29.7 |
| Total | 974 | 37 | 49.8 | 38.3 | 88.6 | 0.7 | 6.4 | 7.1 | 4.3 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 27.3 | |
