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Feb 2, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Clippers small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket past Brooklyn Nets power forward Kevin Durant (7) and point guard Kyrie Irving (11) and shooting guard James Harden (13) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
via Imago
Feb 2, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Clippers small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket past Brooklyn Nets power forward Kevin Durant (7) and point guard Kyrie Irving (11) and shooting guard James Harden (13) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Durant is possibly one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. If there is any player that has elevated himself into the pantheon of all-time greats, it is KD. Another player that is building towards that notoriety is two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. While he does not have the same achievements on paper as others, he will be remembered as one of the best two-way players of this generation.
KD is already tipping Kawhi Leonard to one day be in the Naismith Hall of Fame while describing what his best effort at guarding Kawhi is.
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“He’s in control out there as an offensive player. You know, he’s a three-level scorer. You have to be ready for him to do anything out there. I try to close out, let him beat me and drive because he’s strong. But he can also shoot the three and the mid-range. It’s just trying to make it tough for him to shoot over my length. He’s a tough player, a hall of fame player. You just gotta make his shots tough.”
Kevin Durant: Admiring an opponent
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Kevin Durant is one of the more honest players in the NBA. He is always very blunt with his thoughts about the game and his opponents. The admiration for Kawhi speaks volumes about his achievements. While Kawhi doesn’t have the 10+ all-NBA teams on his resume like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and others, those achievements don’t do justice to Kawhi’s impact.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 20, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr. (22) in the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Kawhi won two Finals MVPs in iconic performances. He has generated the reputation of a winner and is rebuilding it this season after his LA Clippers collapsed in the 2020 playoffs. However, they are currently the top seed in the West and looking dominant.
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READ MORE: WATCH: Kevin Durant Makes Wizards’ Forward Dance While Showing Off His Incredible Dribbling Skills
Kevin Durant is sitting pretty in his big-three in Brooklyn. They just got a big win over Kawhi and the Clippers in what many have said could be an NBA Finals matchup. Let’s see when does this respect turn into competitive fire for these teams.
