For all of the success Kevin Durant has had in his career, one milestone has thus far eluded him: a 60-point game.
Durant set a career high in points in a game Saturday with 55. But in an era where a handful of other players are putting up 50-plus, it’s almost a little surprising that someone like Durant who has the ability to completely take over a game hasn’t posted 60 or more yet.
During a crossover episode of “The ETCs with Kevin Durant” and JJ Redick’s “Old Man and the Three” podcasts, Durant explained why he’s never posted that big of a number.
“A lot of people ask why I don’t get 60-, 70-point games,” Durant said. “The way I break it down to people is when I watch these dudes get 60 or 70, the adjustments don’t change from the opposing coach. If I come off a pick-and-roll and you’re on the drop on the first play of the game and I swish the shot, you’re probably going to make an adjustment. So I can’t come off and get free looks anymore off the pick-and-roll. If I come off a wide-open pin down, what do you think your coach is going to say if I make a three in the first quarter? Make an adjustment.
“It takes a lot for somebody to score big – 15 to 16 free throws, wide open 3-pointers, I’m not getting those looks. Shooting over two people, it’s hard to get 60 points, 50 points shooting over two people. So I’ve got to play with adjustments from the opposing coach in-game. He doesn’t wait until after the game to say ‘Damn, we should’ve trapped KD right there, we gave him 60.' Nah, they make adjustments on me.”
Now, while there’s probably some legitimacy to what Durant is saying, most likely every coach in the NBA would push back on that assessment. Because, in theory, they would be making adjustments on any player who is starting to carve them up.
Maybe someone like Saddiq Bey has more leash and has to be hot for longer than Durant for opposing teams to really start directing all their attention to him. Either way, coaches might take issue with the notion that teams make adjustments on Durant that they don't for other high-scoring players -- even if there might be some truth to it.
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