The Phoenix Suns have hit a little purple patch late in the regular season, and it has given fans some hope that perhaps this campaign might not have the same disappointing end as we all believed it would for much of this season. Make no mistake, even making the playoffs from this position is going to be difficult.
Should that happen – and the Suns have moved back into the 10th spot in the Western Conference – then they have the talent to make it to the postseason proper. Actually winning a series – against the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder no less – seems like a much greater ask. Which is why fans should just enjoy this moment for what it is, and that is cheering on Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
Durant’s latest accolade highlights his greatness in Phoenix.
It might seem like a cop out to just enjoy these two stars when the season promised so much, but that’s where we’re at right now. Booker hasn’t had a more underwhelming season since… well perhaps ever, while Durant at 36-years-old isn’t able to single-handedly win games for his team like he used to. His latest achievement is cause for celebration though, as only he and LeBron James have done it.
That would be scoring 40 points or over against every other franchise in the league, which – when you really think about it – is absolutely outrageous. It’s one thing to go off against the Los Angeles Lakers on national television, or have a huge playoff performance versus a giant of the past such as the San Antonio Spurs.
He’s had his fair share of injuries – especially compared to James down through the years – which has given him even less of an opportunity to accomplish this feat. To put that into even more perspective, Durant is at 1,289 games total across regular season and playoffs, and counting.
To score 40 at least once against all 30 teams (don’t forget he’s put up that many against the Suns, Thunder, Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets while playing for other teams) means on average every 42.9 games he hung 40 on somebody. That’s an average of about twice per season, while again highlights the ridiculous scoring ability of Durant.
This has come at an interesting time as well, because the Suns should be reconsidering their stance on Durant. They appear to be open to moving him this summer, only he’s been the best thing about this team outside of some role players and young guys chipping in. When you have a scorer this pure – no matter the age – you think twice about moving on from that.
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