'Politics Play A Role' - Kevin Durant On Why He Has Never Made An All-Defensive Team

Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant has an incredible resume, but there is one notable accolade that he hasn't gotten in his career. Durant has never made an All-Defensive team in all these years, and he stated on X that politics has played a role in that.

"I feel like I could’ve made a few but there’s more than 10 great defenders In the league. Sometimes it’s just not enough space and some guys are more likeable than others. Politics play a role in all these awards. It’s more than hoop."

Durant is of the belief that the media hates him, so it's not a surprise that he believes that his not being likable enough is the reason. If that were true, though, then he wouldn't have all these accolades.

To go with two titles, Durant has won two Finals MVPs and one MVP. He has also made 15 All-Star and 11 All-NBA teams. The media members are the only ones who vote for MVP and the All-NBA teams, so it's not like he has always been snubbed.

The fact of the matter is that Durant has been a solid defender for most of his career, but never a great one. He was at his best defensively during his time with the Golden State Warriors and came closest to making the All-Defensive Second Team in one of those years.

Durant averaged 26.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game for the Warriors in 2017-18 and earned 31 points in the All-Defensive team race. Only Chris Paul (74), Paul George (69), and Giannis Antetokounmpo (43) earned more points than him among the players who missed out. 

As for who made the teams that year, Jrue Holiday, Victor Oladipo, Robert Covington, Anthony Davis, and Rudy Gobert were on the first team. The second team, meanwhile, had Dejounte Murray, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Al Horford, and Joel Embiid. 

Did Durant have a case to make it in over any of them, and the three others mentioned? It's debatable, and as he did finish ninth in DPOY voting in 2018, you might be able to make a good argument. 

For his career, Durant has put up 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. If we just look at the raw numbers, he has contributed well on the defensive end over the years, but it's not eye-popping as such. Could he have snuck into the team one year? Maybe, but there's no politics involved here.

With Durant now being 36 years old, it's safe to say he will be finishing his career without making an All-Defensive team. He is no longer the defender he once was, but is fortunately on a team now where he isn't going to be asked to defend much.

The Rockets were one of the best defensive teams in the NBA last season, with their 110.3 defensive rating ranking 5th. The likes of Amen Thompson and Dorian Finney-Smith will be taking on the tough defensive assignments, and Durant can just focus on what he does best, putting the ball in the basket.

Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game in 2024-25. He was very efficient as well, shooting 52.7% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc. A deadly scorer like him is exactly what the Rockets needed, and they are a true contender with him.