MY ACCOUNT
The moment itself was hardly unique, but Kevin Durant had a hard time grasping what it represented.
With his first basket Wednesday, less than two minutes into the Brooklyn Nets’ 123-104 victory over the Boston Celtics, Durant moved past his childhood idol Allen Iverson and into 25th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Growing up in Washington, D.C., Durant watched as Iverson starred at Georgetown University before going on to a legendary NBA career.
The Hall of Famer Iverson scored 24,368 points in his 14-year career, and Durant now sits at 24,388, which was a bit much for the Nets star to process as he spoke to reporters after the game.
“It means the world,” Durant said. “I dedicated my life to this game at an early age … so I watched all these guys that I’m passing up [on the scoring list]. I wanted to be like them. I wanted to be in the NBA like them, and make an impact in the league like them.
“So Iverson, he was the pantheon for me. One of those guys that I emulated every time I went outside and played with my friends. It’s all surreal. I pictured I would be in the league, and had an idea … but to do it is pretty special.”
The 33-year-old Durant should be able to pass several more Hall of Famers on the list this season if he stays healthy. Next in line are Ray Allen (24,505) and another Georgetown icon, Patrick Ewing (24,815).
More immediately, Durant and the Nets just want to keep winning.
They have the best record in the Eastern Conference at 14-5 ahead of a visit from the NBA’s hottest team, the Phoenix Suns, on Saturday.
While the Nets’ only defeat in their last eight games came at home against the other Western Conference superpower, the Golden State Warriors, Durant said it is too early in the season to put too much stock in individual games.
“We gauge who we are every day,” Durant said. “We understand that these teams are coming in, and teams are playing well. But it is November. I mean, every team wants to round into shape in the middle of the season, as the playoffs are starting to come around.
“I’m not saying that we want to give away any games, but, win or lose, I don’t really think this is going to tell us that much about where we’re headed as a team, you know what I’m saying?
“But we obviously want to come out there and stick to our principles and keep getting better at that stuff. From the outside looking in, I understand the records and the narratives around games and stuff. But I don’t think this can tell us too much about what may happen down the line.”
