Medical experts are optimistic about Kevin Durant‘s chances to bounce back from his torn Achilles tendon, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. The Nets‘ star forward hasn’t played since suffering the injury in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals, but he showed some signs of progress in workouts before before the hiatus.
Durant will be in the second season of a four-year, $164MM contract with Brooklyn, and the franchise is hoping that he and Kyrie Irving will turn it into an instant contender. Durant was only 30 when the injury occurred and turned 32 last month, so that gives him an advantage over players such as Patrick Ewing, Isiah Thomas and Kobe Bryant, who had similar injuries later in their careers.
“That’s better for him, so I don’t see anything holding him back,” said Dr. Laith Jazrawi, chief of the division of sports medicine at NYU Langone Sports Health. “The only thing is he hasn’t played for a year-and-a-half, so it’ll take time to get back into the rhythm. Some people are going to say ‘Oh, it’s because he had his Achilles (injury).’ That’s not true. It’s that when anyone doesn’t play for a year-and-a-half, it’s just going to take time to get back into the flow. But he should do fine.”
Durant said his love for the game has increased as he tries to work his way back. He recently appeared on the Stewie’s World podcast with Breanna Stewart of the WNBA, who was able to overcome a torn Achilles and return to stardom.
“I just appreciate being in the gym. I appreciate the workouts and the one-on-one sessions and just being in there with the other guys, just the whole routine,” Durant said. “I just have a newfound evolved level of joy for it.”
There’s more from New York City this morning:
- To help gauge the value of Joe Harris‘ next contract, Alex Schiffer of the Athletic looks at recent deals signed by sharpshooters throughout the league. He notes that Harris will be in a similar situation as J.J. Redick, Danny Green, Otto Porter, Davis Bertans and Joe Ingles.
- Trading for Pacers guard Victor Oladipo is the bold move the Knicks need to jump-start their rebuilding process, contends Mike Vaccaro of The New York Post. At 28, Oladipo is much younger than Chris Paul, another rumored target, giving New York a player to build its future around.
- ESPN writers examine the best and worst cases for the Knicks and the other seven teams that haven’t played a game since March. The piece states that New York needs to find a point guard and hope its young players continue to develop.
I tore my Achilles. Obviously, I won’t compare my injury to his and a peak professional athlete at that. I think the biggest issue or hurdle for Durant is psychological. He needs to be completely confident that when he needs to explode off the floor his Achilles is strong enough to not re-injure it. Tough injury for any athlete but especially for a hoops player that needs powerful explosion off the floor.
KD about to start that 3/54 he signed last year.
Those highlights of KD breaking to the basket and soaring. Nope, gone. He’s a shooter from here on out. Old Dirk’s game is what I predict. Fadeaway 2s, 3s over smaller defenders.
That’s still a pretty good player though. Hoping for as close to 100% for him though tempering expectations.
It’s just really amazing how people think Durant and his max salary is going to come back and lead the Nets to be one of the top teams in the East, but John Wall and his max salary is going to cripple the Wizards and be a shell of his former self. I understand they are different players, but they aren’t THAT different. I dunno, I guess I am just sick of all the Wall bashing. while KD gets off scot-free.
Wall game heavily relying on his athletics and speed. He is a bad three point shooter and mid range shooter. Durant if his athletics goes down from injury still has a great mid range game and is a good three point shooter .
Wall depends on his quickness. KD more on his shot. ButI get your point. They both will have to adjust. Players today comeback better. Still Wall cause of his position and injury. Has a longer rd back. I hope he’s good. Nets have more talent and as a team are expected to do well. If I was Wizards I would move Beal now. Sell high and redo this team with Wall. He has a lot to prove. So he can lead a talented young team. (Cause they will get a lot back in Beal trade). Back into playoffs and top of East. The right trade and they are back in thick of it in 2-3 yrs. Then his contract can be moved. Or you can sign a good FA. The ninth pick and trade if Beal. Can really change this team. Hachimura is a great talent. Bertans is 28.
I understand people’s beliefs about his game, but all the bashing just bugs me because it has all happened as soon as his contract was signed. I think people were bashing him even before the injury just because of the salary. If people want to analyze why his production fell off a cliff AFTER he fails to maintain his previous game, that acceptable. But to assume it is going to happen without even giving the guy a chance to be on the court is 100% unfair. Just as it would be with Durant or anyone else.
Oladipo is not worth a max contract. He could play with RJ. But you have to wait and see if he is healthy. Don’t really buy into this. I would rather stay on point with rebuild. See who is available FA next yr. We got three picks plus young talent here. You see where this goes and make moves based on the yr. We can still make trades next yr. I would like to sign Woods at 10 mill. Or make a trade with expiring contracts (Portis, Ellington, Payton, Randle, Taj) All have one yr left total 48 million. Harris, Horford, Westbrook any one at fair or cheap value I take. If Horford then we don’t sign Woods. There are moves out there. Where we don’t take a chance on an injury.
I would rather the Knicks get Holiday rather than Oladipo.