NBA fans are making an interesting assumption by claiming that Kevin Durant is trying to avoid Kawhi Leonard. As the basketball community should be well aware, both Kawhi and KD are two of the biggest stars in the NBA and have dominated the league over the past several years.
At the moment, Kawhi is playing for the Los Angeles Clippers while Durant is now a part of the Phoenix Suns. Both of these teams faced off in the first round of the playoffs last season with the Suns emerging victorious.
Although this might lead some fans to believe that Durant holds the upper hand, his latest injury report ahead of the Suns’ game against the Clippers has fans convinced that KD is avoiding Kawhi. Since this is certainly a very interesting accusation to make, a closer look is required.
Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard’s stats when facing each other
It could be considered borderline offensive to Durant with fans claiming that he is scared of Kawhi Leonard, “Bum is ducking the smoke, he got PTSD from Kawhi in last playoffs.” Especially if this accusation is based on a single play that did not change the outcome of the series.
Bum is ducking the smoke, he got PTSD from Kawhi in last playoffs pic.twitter.com/Y7P3ic2Dm6 https://t.co/6AFaXCwLkk
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) January 3, 2024
Since Durant is reported as likely to miss his upcoming game against the Clippers due to a hamstring injury, that has led fans to believe that he fears a matchup with Leonard. However, a closer look at their stats when facing each other paints a slightly different picture.
In their 14 regular season matchups so far, KD has averaged 27.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists against Kawhi. On the other hand, Leonard has averaged 20.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.8 steals. Based on their statistics, it is clear that Durant has been the better scorer throughout their matchups over the years.
However, Leonard averaging 2.8 steals against KD also means that the Klaw is better suited to guard the Slim Reaper when compared to the majority of players in the league. That proves he is certainly the better defensive player.
Kawhi got ptsd from kd so he only played 2 playoff games💔
— durantmuse (@kdmidrange) January 3, 2024
Fans should wonder if KD dealing with an injury is proof that he is avoiding Kawhi. After all, the same logic could work both ways since Leonard was injured and missed the majority of their playoff series last season. The same fans who claim that Durant is scared now might not be willing to accept that Kawhi was scared at the time.