United States forward Kevin Durant (7) in the men's basketball gold medal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Legendary NBA Defender Gets Honest About Guarding Kevin Durant

Originally posted on Memphis Grizzlies on SI
By Farbod Esnaashari | Last updated Aug 18, 2024 7:04 PM ET

Tony Allen may have never won Defensive Player of the Year, but very few players in modern NBA history have more respect as a defender than him. Legendary players like Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant have both called Allen the toughest defender they've ever encountered in their careers. That respect also goes both ways.

"He was the only one that wasn't crying for help."

Kobe says Tony Allen (by far) was the toughest defender for him. Respect. pic.twitter.com/q1FPdCT1wC
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 9, 2018

During a recent interview on the Chris Vernon Show, Tony Allen revealed just how difficult it was to guard Kevin Durant in his prime. In Allen's own words, there was no way of guarding Kevin Durant once he started backing you down for a turnaround jump shot.

"Once he turns his back and backs you down, the turnaround jump shot is there," Allen said. "You ain't blocking it. If you rise up, he's beating by about 7 or 8 inches on the pull-up. When he drives, he's definitely going to get the call because he's frail and if you too physical, it's like, 'Aite ref, this is my move, I get this freedom of space.' He was tough when the pick-and-roll came, because if you went under it's like a layup."

Many have considered Kevin Durant one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. His combination of size and skill makes him an unguarable cover to almost every one in the league. Most times, it's more about Kevin Durant having a bad game than it is about him actually being stopped. No one can tell you that better than Memphis Grizzlies legend Tony Allen.

This article first appeared on Memphis Grizzlies on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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