Kevin Durant found it challenging to integrate seamlessly with Booker and Beal. The dynamic between the three superstars lacked the fluidity necessary for a cohesive offensive strategy.
The clash in playing styles among Durant, Booker, and Beal hinders their ability to function as a cohesive unit. While each player excelled individually, their strengths did not always complement each other on the court. This lack of synchronization often led to disjointed offensive plays and missed opportunities.
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The Athletic’s Shams Charania is reporting that Kevin Durant was not comfortable with his role in the Suns’ offense alongside Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
“Sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic that Durant never felt comfortable with his role in Phoenix’s offense alongside Booker and Beal this season,” Charania wrote. “Those sources said Durant had persistent issues with the offense, feeling that he was being relegated to the corner far too often and not having the proper designs to play to his strengths as the offense was built around pick-and-rolls.”
The report also states that Durant’s teammates and some individuals close to the organization felt that he needed to voice his concerns strongly to head coach Frank Vogel. While the 35-year-old should have ideally done that, he has never been that type of a character, so I am not surprised that he didn’t.
With Booker and Beal dominating the ball in an offense that revolved around pick-and-rolls, Durant was indeed just relegated to being in the corner a fair few times. When he wasn’t in the corner and had the ball in his hands, the 14-time All-Star almost always used to iso and shoot a difficult shot with a defender all over him.
In the regular season, Durant averaged 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. He also shot 52.3% from the field and 41.3% from beyond the arc. It is incredible that he can put up those numbers while not being too pleased with the offense, but it isn’t a good look for Durant that this report came out right after the Suns got swept.
This very much is being viewed as the blame being deflected elsewhere for the team being blown away by the Timberwolves. Durant was probably the best player for the Suns in the series, as he averaged 26.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. He wasn’t at his best, though, and Anthony Edwards did outplay him to lead the Timberwolves into the Western Conference Semifinals.
The whirlwind of challenges faced by Kevin Durant in Phoenix, from struggling to find his place alongside Booker and Beal to the rollercoaster of fan and media reactions, has been quite the ride. The chemistry experiments, role dilemmas, and team dynamics have painted a vivid picture of the trials and tribulations faced by this star-studded trio.
Flip to the next page for fans’ reactions on X…