Kevin Durant’s Scoring Legacy: Nearing 30,000 Points and Still Dominant
Kevin Durant’s Instagram handle, @easymoneysniper, isn’t just a cool nickname—it’s a perfect description of how he plays. Scoring comes naturally to him, almost like second nature. He makes it look effortless, whether he’s pulling up from deep, gliding to the rim, or hitting fadeaways over defenders who don’t stand a chance.
Now, in his 18th NBA season, at 36 years old, Durant is about to hit another historic milestone—30,000 career points. Heading into Friday’s game against the Golden State Warriors, he’s just 94 points away from joining an exclusive club that includes LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Michael Jordan.
He’s been doing this for nearly two decades, and the crazy part? He hasn’t slowed down. Durant is still averaging 27.1 points per game, right in line with his career average—which ranks sixth all-time. That level of consistency is unheard of, and only LeBron (20 seasons with 25+ PPG) has done it more times than Durant (16 seasons).
So, what makes Durant so special? How has he stayed this dominant for so long? Let’s break it down.
From Skinny Kid to Scoring Machine (Seattle & OKC: 2007-2016)
When the Seattle SuperSonics drafted Durant in 2007, he was just a skinny teenager with unlimited potential. He won Rookie of the Year, but few could have predicted that he’d become one of the most unstoppable scorers in history.
Once the franchise moved to Oklahoma City, Durant took off. Teaming up with Russell Westbrook and James Harden, he turned the Thunder into title contenders. By his third season, he was already leading the NBA in scoring (30.1 PPG) and won four scoring titles in five years.
His MVP season in 2013-14 was legendary. He averaged 32 points per game, shot efficiently from everywhere, and delivered one of the most famous MVP speeches ever (“Mom, you the real MVP”). At just 25 years old, he had already done more than most players do in their entire careers.
But despite reaching the NBA Finals in 2012, the Thunder never won a championship. Injuries, Harden’s trade, and the rise of the Golden State Warriors kept OKC from breaking through. In 2016, Durant made the biggest decision of his career—he left Oklahoma City to join the Warriors.
What His OKC Teammates Said:
- Nick Collison: “He moved like a guard but was 7 feet tall. No one had ever played like that before.”
- Jeff Green: “You can’t block his shot. He stops and shoots so smoothly.”
- James Harden: “He gets you leaning, then boom—he’s already at the rim or rising up over you.”
The Golden State Years: Winning Titles & Silencing Doubters (2016-2019)
When Durant joined the Warriors, fans and analysts lost their minds. Many called it the weakest move in NBA history, but from a basketball standpoint, it was a perfect match.
Playing alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Durant didn’t have to carry the offense by himself. Instead, he became even more efficient, focusing on big moments instead of just piling up stats.
And the results? Two straight championships. Two Finals MVPs. Pure dominance.
In 2017, Durant averaged 35.2 PPG in the Finals against LeBron’s Cavs. The next year, he dropped 28.8 PPG in another Finals win. He made the biggest shots in both series, including the iconic dagger three over LeBron in back-to-back years.
But things fell apart in 2019. Durant injured his calf in the playoffs, then tore his Achilles in Game 5 of the Finals against the Raptors. Just like that, his Warriors run was over. That summer, he left for Brooklyn.
What His Warriors Teammates Said:
- Stephen Curry: “He can score from anywhere, against anyone. He’s unguardable.”
- Draymond Green: “There’s no such thing as a bad shot for KD.”
- Klay Thompson: “His midrange jumper? The best I’ve ever seen.”
Source: Kevin Durant nears 30,000 points: NBA players on what makes him an elite scorer
Brooklyn: What Could Have Been (2019-2023)
Durant went to Brooklyn to team up with Kyrie Irving (and later, James Harden), forming what should have been one of the best superteams ever. But injuries, drama, and bad luck kept them from ever reaching their full potential.
Durant still dominated, averaging 29 PPG, and had some insane playoff performances—including a 48-point Game 7 vs. Milwaukee in 2021, where his foot was inches away from a series-winning three-pointer. Instead, the shot sent the game to overtime, and the Nets lost.
After that, everything fell apart. Harden forced his way out, then Kyrie did the same. Eventually, the Nets traded Durant too, ending the superteam experiment.
What His Nets Teammates Said:
- Kyrie Irving: “He’s an offensive scientist.”
- Spencer Dinwiddie: “We’ll never see another 7-footer with his skillset.”

Phoenix Suns: The Final Chapter? (2023-Present)
Now with the Phoenix Suns, Durant is paired with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. He’s still putting up elite numbers, but the team hasn’t quite figured it out yet. The front office is scrambling to make moves, trying to give Durant the supporting cast he needs for another title run.
At 36 years old, Durant hasn’t slowed down. He’s still one of the best in the league, still torching defenders, still making it all look so easy.
As he nears 30,000 points, one question remains: Is this his last chance at a championship?
What His Suns Teammates Said:
- Devin Booker: “Everyone tries to copy him, but no one can.”
- Bradley Beal: “If you press up on him, he blows by you. If you back off, he shoots over you. It’s impossible.”
The Verdict: Is KD the Best Scorer Ever?
There have been many great scorers in NBA history—Jordan, Kobe, LeBron, Kareem, Wilt—but no one does it quite like Kevin Durant.
He’s a 7-footer with guard skills. He scores from anywhere. He’s efficient. He’s been elite for nearly two decades.
So, is he the greatest scorer of all time?
Maybe that debate never gets settled. But one thing is clear: Kevin Durant is a once-in-a-lifetime offensive machine. And we might never see another like him again.
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