Steph Curry joined the 15,000-point club and KD knocked Larry Bird down a notch on his rise up the NBA scoring ranks.
If Kevin Durant decides to leave Golden State during free agency this summer, he’s leaving basketball heaven. That’s just facts. While that drama plays out, we must truly appreciate the greatness that he and Steph Curry bring to the court on a nightly basis.
Both are 30 years old. Durant’s in his 12th season. Curry is in his 10th year. Together, they’ve been virtually unbeatable. Individually, they both conquered all-time milestones on Monday night.
Durant passed Larry Legend for 33rd-place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
“He passed it off the backboard to himself!” @KDTrey5 passed Larry Bird (21,791) for 33rd most points in @NBA history. #NBAVault pic.twitter.com/ugFuirh515
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) December 18, 2018
Durant finished the game with 21,806 career points. Gary Payton is next up with 21,813. That’s immortal ground KD is walking on, some hallowed soil that some folks still don’t think he fully deserves to immersed in.
As KD passes Larry Legend on the all-time points list, @JalenRose explains why he would rather play on a team with Larry Bird than Kevin Durant. https://t.co/HuZU9GXZn9 via @GetUpESPN
— Ray Necci (@raymanjr) December 18, 2018
Durant has won two chips, four scoring titles, a league and Finals MVP award. He’s made significant contributions to redefining the role and widening the potential of the NBA 7-footer.
Guys who are 6-10 and possess guard skills can be found in abundance. None are as potent as Durantula. His incomparable and unique offensive game has influenced the culture.
When we speak of players who have influenced the game and transcended the court, Steph Curry takes a backseat to no one.
While Durant was stepping on legends, Curry continued to build his own by reaching the 15,000-point plateau on a 3-pointer versus the Grizzlies.
Steph Curry hits 15,000 career points the only way he knows how. 💦#DubNation | #PlayersOnly pic.twitter.com/1VLO0p8FlX
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 18, 2018
The mad bomber’s three-point proficiency has shifted the way the game is played, from the grass roots and playground levels up to the NBA.
Outside shooting and long-range bombing off the dribble, or even off the back foot fading away, is commonplace thanks to Steph. He changed the game with an unprecedented nightly shooting display en route two winning back-to-back MVPs.
Curry reached 15,000 career points faster than any Warrior except Wilt Chamberlain
It’s scary to think that they may actually be passing their prime. When all-time records start falling, that means a player has been in the league a while.
You also see both players ramping up their entrepreneurial and philanthropic efforts to restore underserved communities. They are setting up retirement empires, built on a commitment to others to a large extent.
For now, both players are at their pro peaks and gunning for a third-straight NBA championship together as they cement themselves on the Mount Rushmore of one of the greatest 1-2 punches in NBA history.
