Warriors want Kevin Durant to play more like a big this season

When Kevin Durant was still playing with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he rarely had to play the 4 position because the team played big. As well, OKC had Steven Adams, Serge Ibaka, Nick Collision, and more recently Enes Kanter handling the frontcourt. But now that he is with the Golden State Warriors, a team that plays a lot of small ball, Durant has to learn how to play the power forward position.

Head Coach Steve Kerr told Mercury News that the former MVP has to defend the paint and fight for rebounds more.

“He’s playing more four and playing in smaller lineups – Oklahoma City generally stayed pretty big when Kevin was there — which changes his responsibility,” said Kerr. “We need him in there rebounding, boxing out, covering up the paint and penetration, so it’s a little different vibe for him.”

Kerr said that Durant is adjusting pretty well to the new responsibilities and playing style, but is “inconsistent” at times. He said that when Durant is focused, he is “blocking shots and rebounding.” However, there are times when he forgets that he is playing power forward and drifts “out of the paint a little bit.”

All in all, Kerr believes that this is just “part of the learning process.”

In six games this season, the 7-time All-Star is averaging 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.3 steals.