Kevin Durant Is The Most Improved Player In The NBA
by Sailor Ripley on Mar 27, 2026 2:16 PM CDT
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So sayeth Mike Prada at the mothership.
Unless the voters put too much weight into what transpired in the Oklahoma City Thunder's win over the Miami Heat on Sunday (which is entirely possible), Kevin Durant won't beat out LeBron James for the Most Valuable Player award. He shouldn't, really, because James' statistical dominance is so overwhelming.
Still, what Durant has done to raise his game is both stunning and subtle. Therefore, here's a proposal: why not name Durant the NBA's Most Improved Player?
And now it's a meme. Ball Don't Lie says:
Maybe he should win the Most Improved Player award, though. At the very least, perhaps he should stir a discussion about what that award really stands for.
I am actually looking forward to the playoffs. We've got Tjarks banging out an NBA playoff primer that you will be able to download to your Kindle or iPad. More on that later.
Be excellent to each other.
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It's a good thought
Durant’s game evolution reminds me a little of Olajuwon’s. Both came into the game incredible athletes and scorers and both made noticable improvement on their overall games during the offseason. Really glad to see Durant is not just content to be a deadly jump shooter/slasher, and is doing even more things to take advantage of his height.
Speaking of Olajuwon, I believe he worked with James during the offseason to help his inside/post-up game. I’ve been wondering why someone hasn’t enlisted his help in the last 10 years (or maybe they have and I’ve missed it). Would love to see him spend some time working with Durant.
by Horncasting on Mar 27, 2026 2:42 PM CDT reply actions
Hakeem has helped tons of guys every offseason
I think Howard as well was helped by him. It’s sort of become a thing in NBA circles.
by Wulaw Horn on Mar 27, 2026 3:27 PM CDT reply actions
You are right, totally missed this
Hakeem mentoring
Eight years have passed since Hakeem Olajuwon last dream-shaked his way off an NBA court. And though the two-time NBA champion and one-time MVP’s career is but a series of YouTube clips or NBA TV Hardwood Classics to much of the league’s current generation, his influence is quickly spreading via a growing network of stars who have made Olajuwon their own personal Yoda. Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, Emeka Okafor — all have called upon the 12-time All-Star in recent years to help refine their talents.
The tutoring is a bit underground for league circles
by Horncasting on Mar 27, 2026 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions
We really need ACE
To get us a Hakeem on Dagobah ’shop. Or Yoda in a Rockets jersey.
by Sailor Ripley on Mar 27, 2026 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Great piece
I watch a lot of Thunder games and he’s absolutely still growing as a player. All the greats did. Magic added a baby hook and a jump shot, Jordan developed the best small post-up game in the NBA, Hakeem had a new post move per season, Bird decided to become a 3 point shooter after eschewing the shot early in his career. All well into their careers. Maybe there’s some truth to the adage that your game is either getting better or worse - it never stays the same.
by Scipio Tex on Mar 27, 2026 4:07 PM CDT reply actions
Statistical dominance?
I’d say LeBron’s statistics are better, but certainly not overwhelming.
I know it doesn’t mean much and certainly doesn’t equate to whose real life stats are better but fantasy basketball actually says that KD is having the better year, although they are #1 and #2 and the difference is razor thin.
by hayzer13 on Mar 27, 2026 5:38 PM CDT reply actions
I think
LeBron is statistically beyond Durant. He’s equal or better in most every statistical category and a major distributor on the team. But…
the numbers are remarkably close.
by Nickel Rover on Mar 27, 2026 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Back on track
His 2010 season was quite a bit better than his 2011, I guess people caught up to his ways.
It’s worth noting that he was basically a C/F here at texas and frequently guarded by college 4’s and 5’s. Makes sense that it would take him a while to get used to punishing smaller defenders.
In 2012 he’s better than either of those previous seasons, and back into talk as one of the league’s 10 best players. His growth as a defender is really pleasing too, since you’d like a 6’10" dude to offer something on the boards and on D even if he’s already a scoring legend.
by Nickel Rover on Mar 27, 2026 11:17 PM CDT reply actions
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