Now that Kevin Durant is a NBA champion, there’s very little he hasn’t accomplished in his nine-year career. The eight-time All-Star was the 2007-08 Rookie of the Year, 2013-14 MVP, and led the NBA in scoring from 2010-2014.
And with the Warriors looking well-suited to defend their championship and the odds of Durant winning his second championship with Golden State this summer, why not repeat another of his impressive accomplishments?
“Yeah,” Durant said after Saturday’s game when asked if reaching the 50-40-90 club again is a significant goal this season. “The name of the game is efficiency for me.”
In 2012-13, Durant became the eighth player in NBA history to shoot at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent at three-point range, and 90 percent from the foul line in the same season. Two years later, Steph Curry joined Durant–along with Steve Nash, Reggie Miller, Dirk Nowitzki, and Jose Calderon–in this prestigious club. Only Nash recorded multiple 50-40-90 seasons; doing so in 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
Coming into Monday night’s game against the Orlando Magic, Durant is within striking distance of his goal. Through the first 12 games of the season, Durant owns a 62 percent from the field, and a 46 three-point field goal percentage, but he’s only made 53 free throws in 61 attempts, putting him at 86 percent for free throws.
“I don’t pay attention to the numbers, but he’s pretty awesome,” Steve Kerr said. “It’s a possibility.”
For more on Durant’s pursuit of a 50-40-90 season, check out the Planet Dubs podcast below.