The Timberwolves present the Suns with a formidable first-round opponent, but Stephen A. Smith believes Kevin Durant is more vulnerable than anybody else.

Smith remarked on First Take, “Well, if we’re going to talk about legacy with LeBron James, how come we can’t talk about legacy with Kevin Durant?” Kevin Durant seems to be a natural-born professional scorer in my opinion. He is among the best players in NBA history that we have ever seen.

“He has two championships and two MVP awards from the NBA Finals.” However, that was while playing with the Splash Brothers, the best shooting backcourt in basketball history. They needed him now to triumph, for without him, they could not have prevailed. And even with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson’s incredible performances, Kevin Durant remained without a doubt the best player on the Golden State Warriors.

Smith thinks that in order to preserve KD’s legacy, Durant and the Suns need to win these playoff games.

Here’s what it boils down to in the end…Since he left Golden State, he has never missed the second round. Before coming here, he had never won a title, Smith added. “He left Oklahoma City for Golden State following a 3-1 lead that they gave up, losing to the Golden State Warriors in a season in which they won 73 games and fell to LeBron James in the NBA Finals.

And about three weeks later, this man was a part of the squad that overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat him; naturally, this led to a lot of criticism directed at him, including from me. Without remorse, I might add.

Smith said, “If you get bounced out, how are we to look at him?” to encapsulate his argument. It won’t present a favorable image. Considering that, what have you done since splitting up with Steph Curry?

Durant hasn’t accomplished anything since departing Steph Curry and the Warriors, to Smith’s point.

It is his chance to show that he is capable of winning this series against the Timberwolves.

It won’t be simple, though, as the Wolves boast the league’s top defense and a strong lineup that includes Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, and Karl Anthony-Towns.

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