Kevin Durant on NBA Evolution: "We're at the Peak of Basketball"

NBA Trade Rumors: Kevin Durant on NBA Evolution: "We're at the Peak of Basketball"

The NBA has evolved significantly over the years, and Kevin Durant believes fans who criticize today’s game are missing out on its beauty.

Durant: "The Game is Always Evolving"

In an interview with The Athletic’s David Aldridge, Durant defended the state of the league, calling this season one of the best in NBA history:

"I think we’re at the peak of basketball, in my opinion. The game is always going to evolve into something different. There’s going to be players that change the mindset of how to win a basketball game.”

Durant also highlighted how dominant big men are making a resurgence:

"Now, you see the bigs are starting to come back around. The most dominant bigs are the guys you want to run an offense through and play off of. I just think the game is always evolving, and if you complain about it too much, then you’re not going to see the beauty of what’s going on.”

While some old-school fans and analysts have criticized the modern NBA—especially the emphasis on three-point shooting—Durant believes those critics fail to appreciate the game's natural growth.

Six Different Champions, Ultimate Parity

Durant also pointed out that six different teams have won championships since 2019, showcasing the league’s competitive balance:

2019 – Toronto Raptors
2020 – Los Angeles Lakers
2021 – Milwaukee Bucks
2022 – Golden State Warriors
2023 – Denver Nuggets
2024 – Boston Celtics

Durant was part of the last team to repeat when the Warriors won back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018.

Stephen Curry Agrees: "IQ Still Matters"

Stephen Curry, another generational talent, echoed Durant’s sentiments, emphasizing that the NBA still requires high basketball IQ:

"Sometimes, a narrative starts, and everybody feeds into it without actually having an informed perspective. If you’re not watching night to night, you can say, ‘Oh, yeah, this is different than my parents’ NBA.’ But the nuance of the game is still there. IQ still matters."

A Competitive Postseason Will Silence Critics

With the NBA Play-In Tournament tipping off on April 15, the league has a chance to prove the doubters wrong by delivering a thrilling postseason.

Durant and Curry’s message is clear: The NBA is evolving, not declining—fans just need to embrace it.