Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is certain to become a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame when his career is all said and done. Since joining the league in 2007, Durant has become one of the NBA’s greatest and most prolific offensive players in history. In his career up to this point, Durant has won two championships, one MVP award, and four scoring championships among many other accolades. For a while, Durant was one of the most feared players in the league. Although he is still a monster on the court, Durant is acknowledging that a new era is approaching, if not already here. On Wednesday, Durant said he believes Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum can be the next face of the NBA:
“I’ve been in this league a long time now and I know when it’s a passing of the guard,” Durant said after Wednesday’s practice at Emerson College. “I know when the young dudes are going to come in and do the same thing the older guys are doing. He’s one of those guys that’s likely going to control the league for the next 10, 12 years and be a staple in our game and the history of our game.”
“I’ve been in this league a long time now and I know when it’s a passing of the guard. I know when the young dudes are going to come in and do the same thing the older guys are doing.”
Kevin Durant on facing Jayson Tatum as #Suns take on #Celtics Thursday at TD Garden in Boston. pic.twitter.com/lI2BFmFiPb
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 13, 2024
The Phoenix Suns forward also spoke on Tatum’s MVP candidacy and what makes him stand out:
“His consistency all year,” said Durant, who won the award a decade ago in the 2013-14 season. “Putting up a high number of points. Stats matter when it comes to MVP. His team is winning games, most importantly, by a landslide. The record factors into it. He’s had MVP caliber seasons the last few years, too. So, it’s just a matter of your narrative at this point.”
Kevin Durant Has High Praise for Popular MVP Candidate
Jayson Tatum This Season
This season, Tatum is averaging 27 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. Furthermore, due to Tatum’s contributions on both sides of the ball, the 51-14 Boston Celtics have the NBA’s best record. At this rate, they are practically guaranteed homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. Currently, the Celtics (+220) are the favorites to win the NBA title this season. Although he is unlikely to win his first MVP award this season, the 26-year-old has a case due to his team’s success.
A few weeks ago, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green talked about Tatum’s MVP candidacy. Green believes Tatum will need a championship before the league gives him the award:
“Clearly the goalposts have shifted dramatically, because in this guy’s case, he’s fifth? And [the Celtics] have a 7.5-game lead in the conference? The goalposts have moved on Jayson Tatum,” Green reiterated. “I know what JT has to do. JT will not be taken seriously for MVP until he wins a championship, and it just hasn’t been that way for everybody else, I must say.”
Is Kevin Durant Right About Jayson Tatum?
Tatum is one of the NBA’s brightest stars and has shown that potential since joining the league in 2017. He and the Celtics have been successful for many years now. It is not a stretch to imagine Tatum as the next face of the league. However, Tatum does have intense competition with many other budding stars in the league.
