NEW ORLEANS — A decade into his Hall of Fame career, Kevin Durant owns a laundry list of accolades: Rookie of the Year, MVP, eight-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA first-team selection, two-time USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.
Missing from his resume is membership on an All-Defensive team. In the Warriors’ 128-120 win Friday night over the Pelicans at Smoothie King Center, Durant reinforced why he could warrant serious consideration for that honor this season.
Against a team that relies on its paint production, he swatted a career-high seven shots. It was a necessary development on a night Golden State largely lacked its typical defensive vigor.