Kevin Durant’s stint with the Phoenix Suns has been a disappointing one so far.
In his second full season with the franchise, the former MVP is averaging 26.9 PPG and 6.1 RPG on 52.9% shooting.
While these are incredible numbers for a player who is 36, the Suns have not been able to make the best of Kevin Durant‘s brilliance as they languish outside the top ten of the Western Conference.
Despite having the likes of KD, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the Suns have failed to put together good performances and have a 29-34 record.
The team’s performances have even led to Durant expressing frustration as he got into a heated argument with coach Mike Budenholzer during the recent game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The NBA media have expressed their disappointment about the Suns, with Skip Bayless pointing out a worrying sign he saw in Durant that has led to the team’s dismal run.
Skip Bayless had a successful career in TV, hosting one of the best sports shows alongside Shannon Sharpe before starting his own YouTube channel.
The 73-year-old released a video where he revealed Durant was approaching the business end of his basketball career. He suggests that even with a switch to a new team, KD may not have more left to give.
“The more I watch him at age 36, the more he looks mentally semi-retired to me.
“He’s participating in a documentary that is made on his life and times and it just feels to me he’s winding down his basketball and it’s reflecting in the Sun’s win-loss record,” said Bayless.
The team has a big task in hand if they are to get into the play-in spots as they are four games behind the Dallas Mavericks, who are the tenth seed.
However, Bayless believes, KD is on his last mental leg and this could mean the end of the Suns’ hopes of playoff success.
He added: “The Phoenix Suns just look like they are done to me because Kevin looks like he’s on his last mental leg, not his last physical leg, just mental leg.
“He’s not really into it the way he used to be into it when he went to Golden State, driven to win those two championships against LeBron, to win those two NBA Finals MVPs against LeBron.
“Now to me as gifted as he still is, Kevin’s just going through the motions and the Suns have set in the West.”
At 36, Durant is still one of the purest scorers in the league and demands the respect of the other players in the NBA.
While he is still playing at an elite level, his career is approaching its twilight years. Despite his age, Durant is still one of the most touted players in the league.
The two-time NBA champion recently appeared on ‘The Draymond Green show with Baron Davis’ and shared how he wanted to bow out of the league.
He said: “I can’t predict the future, but like I said, I just want to be healthy and make that choice of my own.
“Be able to leave the game, the way I want to leave it.
“I just want to be respected as one of the guys that can pour back into the younger generation of players, but still hoop on that level with them too though.
“Like compete on that level with them too, that’s how I want my career to end.
“I wanna still be nice.”
KD is still certainly an All-Star level player and can play the game at an elite level.
At 36, there are doubts about how long he has left, but it is clear how many ever they are, he is going to be special till he decides to walk out of the game.
