Just a day ago, seemingly every basketball fan and analyst from media outlets were questioning Kevin Durant’s greatness. Some even proclaimed that Durant had yet to have a signature game in his career that puts him in the conversation with players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan.
With the Brooklyn Nets championship hopes fading due to injuries, Durant stepped up in a huge way to take the 3-2 series lead over Giannis and the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.
The Nets were without Kyrie Irving, who had hurt his ankle in game four, and they were essentially without James Harden who tried to push through his hamstring injury. Harden’s leg was wrapped like a Christmas present, and his shooting stroke was anywhere but in Brooklyn as he shot 1-of-10 scoring just five points.
Durant had everyone in the world’s attention with his performance on Tuesday where he scored 49 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists. After having a couple off games with the absences of Harden and Kyrie, that saw Durant shooting 37% from the field, Milwaukee’s P.J. Tucker was seemingly deemed the “Durant Stopper.”
The Bucks had no answer, and Giannis Antetokounmpo who many thought would surpass Durant and LeBron James as the best in the world, expressed himself after the game that Durant is the best player in the world right now.
"He's the best player in the world right now."
Giannis after Kevin Durant’s Game 5 performance. pic.twitter.com/zXP0BF4YA7
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 16, 2021
Not only did Durant step up his scoring by shooting close to 70% from the field, he did everything the Nets needed in order to push them past the Bucks. This included breaking history as he became the first player to have at least 45 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a playoff game. He also played the entire 48 minutes of the game for just the third time in his career.
KEVIN DURANT ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?! pic.twitter.com/ddoUtbxPNm
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 16, 2021
Durant was unstoppable and he also received a great performance from Jeff Green who added 27 points off the bench after he hit seven threes.
It was a performance so amazing that all Nets head coach Steve Nash could do after the game was give Durant a huge hug.
Get someone that hugs you like Steve Nash hugs Kevin Durant. #NetsLevel pic.twitter.com/7U75miEpcv
— Reggie Wade (@ReggieWade) June 16, 2021
Durant has often been the guy that was just born at the wrong time, because he and LeBron’s careers intersected at an inopportune time that saw LeBron in his prime.
With LeBron showing that he is actually human and slowing down, Durant’s performance last night might have just been the passing of the torch. Prior to last night’s game, there was yet to be a “Durant game,” but his 49 points and a huge win when his team was depleted by injuries is just a sign of Durant taking the title while chasing a title.
After game four, Durant and the Nets’ season was in jeopardy, and if the team does anything less than win it all they will be crucified. The Nets had lost what many considered to be a guaranteed spot in the NBA Finals and were showing signs of being exposed.
Now, the Nets have the upper hand in the series and Durant has the basketball world in his hands.
