Kevin Durant’s ‘Welcome to the NBA’ moment had Kobe Bryant play a major role in it. Over the years, veteran players have vividly described the defining moment in their NBA careers, one forever etched in their memory.
In the two-time NBA champion’s case, it was Bryant who gave him a clear picture of who he wanted to be in the league for however long he played.
Kevin Durant Relives His ‘Welcome to the NBA’ Moment
Speaking on the NBA’s latest video where players were asked to relive their ‘Welcome to the NBA’ moment, Durant revealed the time he was part of the Seattle Supersonics when Bryant had a 40-burger against the young forward’s side.
“The Lakers were on a back-to-back, so we felt naturally that’d be an easy game for us. Then Kobe had like 47 and hit a game-winner. That’s when I was like, ‘Yeah, he’s a different machine.’ That’s who I want to be in this league.”
As for Durant, he is still regarded as one of the league’s deadliest players, thanks to his elite scoring. He has since built a Hall of Fame career, with young players in the league likely to look to him as an icon, much as Bryant did years ago.
Widely considered a well-rounded forward, Durant’s impressive CV sees him as a 16-time NBA All-Star, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, and a six-time All-NBA First Team star. With more mileage he’s shown this season, the list of accolades is only likely to increase.
The veteran forward is now part of an impressive Houston Rockets outfit, looking to make the playoffs and win their third championship. He’s averaging 25.9 points per game this season as the third-seeded Houston team is considered a prime title contender.
The Rockets have been one of the teams to beat this season. They have been elite on both ends of the floor with a creative offense and top-tier defense.
At the time of writing, it has been a wobbly few games for Durant’s Rockets, winning three of their last six games. They are 40-25 and tied with the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves for the same number of wins.
Up next, the Rockets begin their five-game homestand starting Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans. This is followed by a two-game series against the Lakers. They end the stretch with a pair of skirmishes against the Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat.
Much depends on how Durant fares, as the Rockets will look to cement their case as the third seed with 17 games remaining in the regular season. They last made the NBA Finals in the 1994-95 season, and with a seasoned campaigner in the fold, the Rockets will look to make another deeper run and stake their claim on the title.
