LeBron James set the precedent, but other players, too, are extending their careers far longer than previously thought possible. Kevin Durant, for instance, was a name many believed might not be able to go for as long as he already has. With a long injury history, the wear and tear could have potentially slowed him down.
But long after missing an entire season of action with a torn Achilles, the former MVP is going as strong as ever. A key trade acquisition for the Houston Rockets this offseason, he’s playing some of the best basketball in the entire NBA over the last month. And it’s led NFL legend Shannon Sharpe to give him immense praise.
Kevin Durant Gets Shannon Sharpe’s Approval
The second seed in the Western Conference a season ago, the Rockets lacked veterans on the roster, and they bowed out in the first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors in seven games.
As a result, they pulled the trigger to bring in Durant and add a much-needed bucket getter on the roster. This year, while their overall record hasn’t been quite as good, the hope is that they are better poised for a deep postseason run.
And Durant has played a key role in that belief. Averaging 26.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on a blistering hot 51% from the field, 40.1% from 3-point range, and 89.1% from the charity stripe, he has been as good as advertised, if not better.
Since the All-Star break, though, he has taken it to a whole other level. As Underdog NBA brought into focus, he has totaled the most points of any player in the league in that span, while averaging 29.1 points per game on 54.1% shooting.
His uptick hasn’t gone unnoticed. Three-time Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, Sharpe has transitioned to a career in sports media with his podcast, “The Nightcap Show.”
On the latest episode, he broke down the production from Durant and made a bold claim about his career. “KD looks to me like he might be better after the Achilles than he was before the Achilles. He hasn’t missed a beat.”
Pointing to his ability to play off the ball, Sharpe credited him with making a seamless transition to each new location, thanks to his ability to play within the system and put up numbers without dominating the ball.
That playstyle has allowed Durant to be a force with the Rockets as well. It remains to be seen if the trade helps them reach their ultimate destination, but the possibilities do seem endless with the two-time NBA champion along for the ride.
