NBA Player Power Rankings: 2017 All-Star Weekend Edition

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Feb 11, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) fights for position with Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson (21) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors

Position: Small Forward
Age: 28 (9/29/1988)
Experience: 10th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .539/.374/.876
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.1 MPG, 25.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.7 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 1.9 3PM

It would be difficult to argue that any one member of the Golden State Warriors is the Most Valuable Player in the NBA. Golden State won 73 games in 2015-16, 67 games and the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2014-15, and added 2014 MVP Kevin Durant this past offseason.

If any individual player on the Warriors deserves that distinction, however, it’s four-time scoring champion and borderline elite defender Kevin Durant.

When Durant signed with the Warriors, the rational expectation was that he would score with relative ease. He’s surrounded by three players who were named All-NBA in 2016 and thus draws less double teams than he did in Oklahoma City.

With the pressure alleviated, Durant has increased his already unfathomable efficiency to the point that he’s shooting the same percentage from the field as LeBron James.

The most significant development in Durant’s game has been on the defensive end of the floor. Building on what he started during the 2015-16 season, Durant has committed to defending multiple positions at a high level.

Stephen Curry may provide more explosive scoring performances, but Durant is the epitome of superstar-caliber consistency on both ends of the floor.