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Regardless of an early playoff exit final 12 months, Kevin Durant nonetheless proved to everybody that he makes a case to be one of the best participant on the planet. After lacking a complete season as a consequence of a torn achilles’ tendon harm, he displayed among the best harm comebacks in historical past.
Sadly with accidents hitting the Nets, KD couldn’t do all of it towards a decided Bucks squad. Nonetheless at a person degree, KD was subsequent to unstoppable.
With the upcoming season looming close to, Kevin Durant and the Nets look to be as formidable as ever. Nonetheless, given KD’s greatness, opposing groups might be making an attempt to cease him as a part of their gameplan. Realistically, it’s virtually inconceivable to cease him. Nonetheless, slowing him down would be the key. For this piece, let’s check out 5 gamers who can restrict Kevin Durant.
Kevin Durant Stoppers
Particular Point out
On condition that he might be lacking most, if not, the whole season subsequent 12 months as a consequence of a torn ACL, Kawhi Leonard might be on the particular point out of this record. Kawhi is among the greatest defenders you may throw at KD as a consequence of his wingspan and skill to lockdown elite wings. However together with his harm, we’d not see Kawhi go towards the Slim Reaper till the Finals, if their groups make it there.
PJ Tucker
Though lots of people anticipated Giannis Antetokounmpo to defend KD within the playoffs, that wouldn’t be the case. As a substitute of the Bucks’ eventual Finals MVP, it was PJ Tucker who was tasked to decelerate KD.
Generally known as a pesky defender within the league, Tucker did simply sufficient to make life tough for KD. Though Durant nonetheless went off in that sequence, Tucker’s protection made him work for his factors. In response to NBA.com, Kevin Durant solely managed to shoot 45.5% general and 30.7% from rainbow nation with Tucker guarding him. Moreover, the Bucks defender compelled KD into 11 turnovers after they had been matched up all through the sequence.
Kevin Durant and PJ Tucker acquired proper into one another’s faces. pic.twitter.com/wB4IvtAUxv
— ESPN (@espn) June 11, 2021
With Tucker’s phenomenal protection on Durant, the Bucks turned up their physicality. Due to this, the Bucks had been capable of pull-off an upset sequence win over the closely favored Nets in seven video games.
Though Tucker is not with the Bucks, after signing with the Warmth, one other conflict with KD subsequent 12 months might nonetheless be on the horizon. With the Warmth and the Nets seeking to be one of the best crew out of the East, Tucker will attempt to make basketball tough for Kevin Durant as soon as once more.
Matisse Thybulle
When it got here to Sixers’ protection final 12 months, individuals typically speak about Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid. Nonetheless, Matisse Thybulle emerged as among the best perimeter defenders within the league as we speak. Regardless of taking part in solely restricted minutes, Thybulle averaged 1.6 steals and 0.5 rejections per recreation. In actual fact, he achieved a uncommon feat by making the All-Defensive Second Workforce to make historical past.
Matisse Thybulle is the twenty sixth participant in NBA historical past to make an All-Defensive crew inside his first two seasons.
Thybulle averaged a career-high 1.6 steals and a career-high 1.1 blocks per recreation this season in simply 20 minutes per recreation (!). pic.twitter.com/GSMeBiuytj
— Lauren Rosen (@LaurenMRosen) June 14, 2021
Though Thybulle has but to cross paths with KD within the NBA, the Australian guard confirmed us a preview earlier this 12 months. Thybulle blocked KD’s signature fadeaway shot in an exhibition recreation for the Tokyo Olympics, which noticed Australia pull-off the 91-83 upset towards Workforce USA.
Matisse Thybulle blocks KD!
vs USA:
12 PTS, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 71% FGvs ARGENTINA:
15 PTS, 4 STL, 3 BLK, 3/3 3PTpic.twitter.com/zmL7C95lY5— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 13, 2021
With Ben Simmons burning bridges with Philadelphia, Thybulle has turn out to be the subsequent greatest perimeter defender for the Sixers. And with the Sixers in all probability crossing paths with the Nets, Thybulle might be your greatest guess to throw at Kevin Durant.
Ben Simmons
Talking of Ben Simmons, though he had arguably the worst postseason-run of his profession, Simmons remains to be an elite defender. Whereas his hesitancy to attain and free-throw taking pictures are questionable, Simmons’ protection has been.
The Australian star averaged 1.6 steals and 0.6 blocks per outing. Simmons additionally managed to make life depressing for opposing stars like Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. Moreover, he was additionally named to All-Defensive First Workforce final season.
STATEMENT recreation from Ben Simmons going towards James Harden: pic.twitter.com/0zsvcW3Fns
— NBC Sports activities Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 7, 2021
Though Simmons didn’t play towards Kevin Durant final season, he believes he can matchup effectively with the Slim Reaper.
In an interview with GQ, Simmons stated “I used to be supposed to protect [Kevin Durant]. We match up effectively size-wise. KD’s out. The subsequent particular person I’m guarding is Kyrie [Irving]. Like who’s doing that? It’s not many gamers who’re doing that. And to be doing it at a excessive degree like that? I don’t suppose there’s anyone else actually doing that…”
Whereas Simmons’ protection is unquestionable, it’s nonetheless unknown for which crew he’ll swimsuit up for within the upcoming season. Regardless of Simmons being a possible thorn to KD as opponents, Durant reportedly blocked a potential Irving-Simmons trade that may’ve landed the latter in Brooklyn. However however, if Simmons doesn’t find yourself in Brooklyn, will probably be attention-grabbing to see whether or not or not Simmons’ elite protection can include the Slim Reaper.
Andre Iguodala
Andre Iguodala is among the greatest wing defenders within the league. The 2015 Finals MVP has made a dwelling out of essentially the most elite scorers within the league. From the likes of LeBron James, Damien Lillard, and Kevin Durant, Iggy’s protection has been instrumental within the current years’ postseason.
Earlier than Kevin Durant joined Iggy and the Warriors, Iggy has been an efficient defender towards the Slim Reaper. In Recreation Six of the 2016 Western Convention Finals, Iggy would restrict KD to only four points, on one of seven shootings in the fourth quarter. With KD locked down, the Thunder couldn’t shut out the Warriors regardless of having a 3-2 lead. KD and the Thunder would go on to lose that sequence in seven video games.
Though these two gamers have been teammates in Golden State, they are going to meet once more subsequent season on reverse sides. With Iguodala selecting to return to the Warriors, his veteran management and suffocating protection might be a menace to KD’s pursuit of a 3rd NBA title.
With Iggy’s protection and familiarity with KD, there’s no query that the previous Finals MVP is able to giving KD a depressing outing. In actual fact, Iggy revealed how he and Draymond Inexperienced pissed off KD in a Warriors observe.
In JJ Redick’s podcast, Iggy stated “Me and Draymond are rivals. Like we’re making an attempt to win and the one method we’re going to win is that if we double crew KD. KD was so mad. I’m like bro, do you not perceive what we’re making an attempt to inform you? You’re that good. You’ve acquired two guys who’re elite. All-time on protection and we now have to double crew you. Don’t be mad at us bro, such as you’re that good!”
LeBron James
On condition that LeBron James is a part of one of the best participant on the planet dialog, he’s additionally able to defending KD. These two gamers are arguably one of the best gamers of as we speak. If there’s anybody who can match up effectively with KD, it’d be LeBron James.
Whereas KD has established himself as a deadly scorer, LBJ however is an elite all-around participant. Though LBJ isn’t getting any youthful, he hasn’t proven any indicators of slowing down when wholesome. Defensively, LBJ nonetheless logged in 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks per recreation final 12 months.
LeBron on protection to safe the Lakers W 🔒 pic.twitter.com/NENwsDFeKG
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 11, 2021
LBJ and KD’s rivalry could be dated again since 2012. As everyone knows LBJ, who was with Miami, denied KD of a championship within the latter’s Finals debut with OKC. Nonetheless years later, KD would avenge that loss by defeating LBJ’s Cavaliers groups for 2 straight years in 2017 and 2018 whereas taking part in for the Warriors.
Quick ahead to as we speak, each of those gamers are main two groups who’re favorites to win a championship. But when there’s a participant who can match the star energy of Kevin Durant, LBJ is among the few gamers who can gradual him down.
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