Is Kevin Durant An All-Star?

By Nathan Grubel | Feb 1, 2015

Jan 18, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) smiles during the second quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s been a weird season for the Oklahoma City Thunder, one that has been more up-and-down than a year for the team has been in quite some time.

Superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have both had to miss significant time, and because of that, the Thunder struggled to get out of the gate and off to a strong start. Now they are trying to get themselves back in the playoff picture in the Western Conference, currently struggling to fend off the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans.

More from Oklahoma City Thunder

Despite the fact that the Thunder aren’t even in contention at this point, the team still managed to get both Durant and Westbrook into the 2015 NBA All-Star game, something that a lot of analysts and others around the league are having a hard time wrapping their heads around.

Now, I can understand both ends of the spectrum. With the both of them being selected despite missing a great amount of time on the court, that leaves a lot of other deserving players off of the All-Star team, including Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, who I wrote was the biggest All-Star snub of 2015.

With that being said, one cannot look to deny what Durant has accomplished on the court.

Westbrook’s All-Star case is a little easier to make because he hasn’t missed as much time as Durant, and has kept the team afloat when he has been on the floor. Some even still have Westbrook in the MVP conversation.

Durant has missed more games than he has played in, but when he is playing, he has still proved himself to be one of the biggest difference makers this league has to offer.

In the 22 games Durant has played, he is averaging 25.6 points per game on 51.9 percent shooting from the floor, which is remarkable given the number of jump shots Durant takes as opposed to shots closer to the rim. In fact, at least 66 percent of Durant’s shot attempts come from 10 feet and beyond, all the way out past the three-point line.

It is rare to find a forward that takes so many outside shots and doesn’t rely on getting to the basket for most of his points, let alone one that can convert on over half of those outside tries.

He has always been known as a scorer, but it is how Durant has evolved his game over time that has turned him into arguably the second-best player in the NBA today.

Over the years, Durant has added strength to his long and lanky frame, and it has paid off, helping him on the defensive end and on the glass, as he is averaging 6.7 rebounds per game.

His ability to grab defensive rebounds and take the ball coast-to-coast for an easy transition score is matched by very few in the league, something that makes him truly valuable to the Thunder because of his unique combination of size and guard skills.

Speaking of guard skills, Durant has also become an above-average passer of the basketball, averaging 4.1 assists per game this season, a small dip from the 5.5 assists per game last season. Durant has a great advantage passing the ball because of his height. He can see over the defense and make the right play, especially in transition.

Durant loves to give up the ball to the open man on the break, something that should not be forgotten because many players like to take the ball to the rack themselves and end up missing the shot or turning the ball over.

Yes, Durant has missed time on the court. However, there is no question that he is one of the best players this game has to offer, and has proven that he hasn’t fallen off one bit even though he’s missed time. Sure, some of his numbers are a little down from last season, but he is allowed to shake a little rust off, and it’s not like there is any major drop off in the numbers.

Durant deserves his All-Star status. There is no reason to keep one of the best players out of the game when he is healthy and ready to play.

*Statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference.

Next: 50 Greatest NBA Players Without a Championship

More from Hoops Habit

Home/Oklahoma City Thunder