When you talk about generational scorers in the NBA, the conversation usually revolves around legends like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry. Each of these icons brought a unique flavor to the game: Jordan’s mid-range mastery and killer instinct, Kobe’s footwork and toughness, LeBron’s all-around dominance, and Curry’s revolutionary range. But there’s one name that deserves just as much reverence—if not more—for the way he scores, how often he scores, and how easy he makes it look: Kevin Durant. KD is truly 1 of 1.
From his silky jump shot to his ability to pull up from anywhere on the floor, from his unguardable release to his unheard-of efficiency for a volume scorer, Durant’s game is a masterclass in offensive basketball. He’s not just one of the greatest scorers ever—he’s one of the most efficient, and that’s what separates him from nearly everyone else in league history.
A Scoring Machine Built Like No Other
Standing nearly seven feet tall with a wingspan that seems to stretch across the court, Kevin Durant is a physical anomaly. He has the length of a center, the handles of a guard, and the footwork of a seasoned veteran. There has never been a player built like KD who can do the things he does offensively.
Durant can score from all three levels with elite precision. He’s deadly from mid-range—arguably the best mid-range shooter since Jordan. He can take defenders off the dribble, pull up in transition, hit fadeaways, post up smaller players, and drain contested threes like they’re layups. There is no “right” way to guard him. Even elite defenders like Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, or Jrue Holiday have found themselves helpless at times against KD’s skill set. His release point is so high that even well-timed contests barely make a difference.
Efficiency Like We’ve Never Seen
Let’s talk numbers—because Durant’s stats back up everything the eye test tells us. For his career (as of 2025), he averages just under 28 points per game on shooting splits of roughly 50% from the field, 38% from three, and nearly 90% from the free-throw line. That’s near 50/40/90 territory across a career that spans almost two decades.
Only a handful of players in NBA history have ever recorded a 50/40/90 season, and Durant has flirted with it multiple times while averaging well over 25 points per game. That’s not just efficient—that’s elite volume and elite efficiency, combined in one deadly package. Most players either shoot a high percentage or score in volume. KD does both.
To put this into perspective: legends like Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant were phenomenal scorers, but they shot in the low-to-mid 40s over their careers due to high shot volume and tough shot selection. Durant, on the other hand, makes those same difficult shots—and more—but does it at 50%+ efficiency.
Playoff Killer
When the lights are brightest, KD shines even more. His playoff performances are the stuff of legend. In the 2021 playoffs with the Brooklyn Nets, Durant dropped 49 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists in Game 5 against the Bucks while playing all 48 minutes—a performance widely regarded as one of the greatest in playoff history.
What makes his playoff performances so unique is that he doesn’t need to dominate the ball to take over a game. He doesn’t require 30+ shots or endless possessions. He scores within the flow of the offense, making everything look smooth, calm, and calculated. KD is like a jazz musician—improvising with rhythm, making beauty out of chaos.
Whether he’s the primary option or sharing the floor with other stars (like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson in Golden State), Durant has always found a way to get his numbers. And not just empty stats—he’s been Finals MVP twice and played a critical role in the Warriors’ dominance.
A Scorer Built for Every Era
Part of what makes KD so special is his timelessness. Put him in the 90s? He’s killing teams with the mid-range and length. Drop him into today’s pace-and-space game? He fits perfectly with his three-point shooting and switchability. Durant’s game transcends systems and eras. He doesn’t rely on athleticism like some of his peers. Instead, he’s mastered angles, footwork, timing, and precision.
In today’s analytics-heavy league where efficiency is king, Durant is the crown prince. Coaches and GMs obsess over true shooting percentage and effective field goal percentage—metrics that KD quietly dominates. He’s not just scoring 30 points—he’s doing it on 17 or 18 shots. That’s unheard of.
Still Going Strong
Even as Durant enters his mid-30s, he shows no signs of slowing down. Sure, injuries have popped up—an Achilles tear, some nagging tweaks—but KD has bounced back better than almost anyone expected. His post-injury performances have been just as lethal as ever, proving that his game ages well. He doesn’t need to rely on speed or explosiveness. His jumper, decision-making, and length remain elite.
With every game he plays, Durant climbs higher on the all-time scoring list. But it’s not just about the numbers—it’s the how. It’s the feel. It’s the fact that we’ve never seen anything quite like him. In a league full of greatness, Durant still feels different.
1 of 1 — No Comparison
The phrase “1 of 1” gets thrown around a lot these days, but when it comes to Kevin Durant, it truly fits. There has never been a player with his combination of size, skill, shooting touch, and efficiency. He’s not a big man who can shoot—he’s a shooter who just happens to be 6’10”. He’s not a wing who scores—he’s an artist who paints masterpieces on hardwood every night.
KD doesn’t just get buckets—he gets them beautifully, consistently, and efficiently. He makes the impossible look routine. Whether it’s pulling up over two defenders, hitting a dagger three in the Finals, or slicing through defenses like a blade through silk, Kevin Durant is a walking bucket with a mathematician’s precision.
Conclusion
When the story of the NBA is written, Kevin Durant will go down not just as one of the greatest scorers—but perhaps the most efficient elite scorer the game has ever seen. He’s changed the way we look at shot-making, and he’s done it with style, grace, and ruthless accuracy.
He doesn’t need hype. He doesn’t need theatrics. Just give him the ball, and he’ll show you why he’s truly 1 of 1. 😤
