Kevin Durant after Suns’ Christmas win: NBA is here to stay, but ‘in a difficult phase’

PHOENIX – Late on Christmas Eve, at the end of a showcase NBA lineup, the Phoenix Suns took on the Denver Nuggets and made their first six 3-point attempts. When asked about it after a much-needed 110-100 win, Suns star Kevin Durant was ready.

“Yes, we know fans hate 3s, but we generated a lot of them (Wednesday night) just by getting into the paint and making shots,” he said.

In his 18th season, Durant isn’t missing much. He’s aware of the dialogue surrounding the NBA and knows that an evolving style that includes an analytics-driven emphasis on 3-point shooting could lead to declining interest and television ratings.

Sports Media Watch recently reported that viewership on ABC, ESPN and TNT was down 19 percent compared to last season. When asked last week about a new All-Star Game format, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James said the conversation goes beyond All-Star weekend and specifically mentioned the 3-point explosion.

This is important to Durant. Early in his career, when the Seattle SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City, he recognized what the NBA could do for a city and a state. Durant played for the Thunder for eight seasons and led them to the NBA Finals in 2012.

“I know how it changes lives and inspires and does a lot for people, so I take it seriously,” Durant said after dropping 27 points to beat the Nuggets. “I don’t know why people don’t want to see us play anymore. Why they don’t like the 3-point line. Or what the real problem is. I try to think about it and understand it because I love this game and I want it to continue.”

Under coach Mike Budenholzer, the Suns were determined to hit more threes in his first year in Phoenix early this season. Asked about it in October, Budenholzer, who won a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2020-21 season, said he liked the direction of the professional game. He expressed amazement at the athletic ability and shooting range of today’s players. For him, that’s the definition of entertainment – when a person is “kind of left in shock or awe by what others can do.” Budenholzer said he respects those who disagree, but he thinks this is a great time for basketball.

Budenholzer’s focus has pushed Phoenix to 11th in the league in 3-point attempts per game. The Suns are up an average of six percentage points compared to last season, when they played under previous coach Frank Vogel – from 32.6 to 38.6 – and are at the same rate of 38.2 percent as a year ago.

The problem: The 15-14 Suns didn’t do much, especially because of the injuries. This is a team still trying to find its way, if not better health. Durant and Bradley Beal missed time due to various issues. Star guard Devin Booker missed his third game on Wednesday with a groin problem.

Despite the poor television ratings, the atmosphere at the Footprint Center on Wednesday evening was electric. Two days after the Suns suffered their worst loss of the season against the Nuggets (16-12) in Denver, a sellout crowd of 17,071. The fans were festive from the start.

In the second half, they raised the energy to a higher level, and it had nothing to do with 3-point shots. (After getting their first six, the Suns made 5 of 30 the rest of the way.) Instead, it had to do with hustle. Midway through the third quarter, Beal blocked a layup by Christian Braun. Phoenix point guard Tyus Jones grabbed the rebound and shot forward to Jusuf Nurkić. The Phoenix big man then threw a lob that freshman Ryan Dunn hit into the goal.

You better watch out 👀 pic.twitter.com/kaWMtqXViN

– Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 26, 2024

Not much later, Durant failed on a third down. Reserve forward Josh Okogie fended off the offensive rebound, giving the Suns additional possession. Denver veteran Russell Westbrook stole the ball, but Okogie stole it back. He dove in. Fans roared.

NONSTOP HUSTLE 💥 pic.twitter.com/eHtJaKnJnn

– Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 26, 2024

That wasn’t an accident. After their defeat on Monday, the Suns spoke of maximum commitment. And how they couldn’t survive without them. “When key players in your lineup are out,” Durant said, “sometimes you have to change the identity of your team on the fly.”

“I can’t really communicate what Coach said … but we got it,” said Beal, who matched Durant with 27 points. “He challenged all of us as individuals and as a team to be better.”

Durant knows what it’s like at Christmas. Fans meet with the family. The NBA is on TV. There are hardly any distractions. It’s a great day for the league.

The 14-time All-Star said he noticed people blaming players for the declining ratings. Durant understands. Fans don’t see managers or CEOs as much. Players are visible. Plus, they make so much money that people think they should handle any criticism that comes their way.

“(But) it’s more than just one factor why this league is great,” Durant said. “It’s not just the players why it’s great. And it’s not just the players who are responsible for the viewer numbers not increasing. We all contribute to the league being what it is.”

He hopes the holiday enthusiasm continues.

“Hopefully (the fans) stay invested in the game, every player, every team, for the rest of the season,” Durant said. “Not just the playoffs or the finals. Games in January. I want the number of viewers to increase again. The league is not going anywhere, but we are in a difficult phase in this regard.”

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(Photo of Kevin Durant after Wednesday’s win: Barry Gossage / NBAE via Getty Images)