Ben DuBose

This is one of the greatest players in the history of the game, and that's not a shot at Shingun.

I just think sometimes it's easier to focus on the young guys with the Rockets because they're up and coming, and everybody wants a new narrative, a new toy to sort of push or celebrate.

But Kevin Durant, even at 37 years old, it's remarkable.

I mean, beyond just the shot making, think about the fitness to have his body in this shape to where he's playing, I think, top five in the NBA in minutes.

This is night two of a road back to back for him to have the fitness.

And this wasn't just a game in which he got hot, but gave it back defensively.

No, he competed defensively.

We saw him get into it with the Pistons all night long.

Just the physical conditioning that it takes, just a special, special player, and it's not a shot at any other player on the Rockets.

It's just a reminder that he is that level of player even now in year 19 at age 37.

And someone pointed out in the chat right now, after eight turnovers last night, tonight, zero.

Exactly, zero.

He was close to a couple, but the point is there was a clear focus, well, focus across the board, but starting with ball security.

And the craft and the,

touch that he's showing in the in-between areas he had at least two shots in the 12 to 15 foot range tonight that I was stunned when in the older men probably wouldn't have been close and you know I saw them when they left his hand I sort of recoiled and he nailed them he's made so much progress the free throws reflect this as well he hasn't come around as a three-point shooter but I think that's masked the fact that he has improved as an overall shooter relative to the last couple of years and since Thanksgiving he's been an all-star level player I've said it before I'll say it again he's

he is giving them that level of impact.

And I really thought an underrated talking point from that Philadelphia game, the Rockets took him out at the five-minute mark.

I think he needed a break, but they didn't get him in until 47 seconds left when it was a one- or two-point game.

And before that, they led by seven or eight.

I think they led by eight when they took him out with five minutes left.