If Not Himself, Who Does Kevin Durant Play as in NBA 2K?

Kevin Durant loves playing the NBA 2K video game. He visited ‘The Tonight Show’ in 2014 where host Jimmy Fallon spoke to him about being on the cover of NBA 2K15. He asked him if he was any good at the game. Durant replied that after so many years he has to be pretty good. Fallon probed further, asking the then Oklahoma City Thunder player if he plays as himself.

Initially, the player said it was arrogant to play as himself, but seemed unable to look at Fallon straight in the eye. However, the host was put off, as he asked Durant outright: Who do you play as? 

Kevin Durant plays NBA 2K as Lebron James

He said, “anybody,” before sheepishly admitting LeBron. Fallon’s reaction to the major revelation was anybody’s guess. Moreover, NBA fans all over would have been uproarious or shocked at the news. 

It proves to be quite a throwback. Today, fans will be quick to point out that Durant is, despite his experience, not good in the game. The top-seeded Brooklyn Nets star was eliminated from the NBA 2K Players Tournament by sixteenth seed Derrick Jones. Jr of the Miami Heat. Durant played as the LA Clippers and Jones played as the Milwaukee Bucks.

Last month Durant tweeted, “the transition defense on 2k is the most frustrating thing in my life at the moment.” The tweet came before NBA action was suspended. In the ensuing days, Durant was revealed as one of 4 Brooklyn Nets players to have contracted the Coronavirus. He has since recovered. 

There is no announcement over an official resumption date for the NBA. Speculation emerged over a quarantining and conclusion of the season in Las Vegas. Rockets’ player Austin Rivers hinted at the same on his Instagram Live session a few days ago.

Until then, however, the NBA stars can only work in staying fit, keeping safe and taking to video games to satisfy their urge to play. Durant may have been wishing he chose LeBron’s LA Lakers for the game, as he may just have been able to feature in Tuesday’s quarterfinals.