The world of basketball has been abuzz with the latest news featuring Kevin Durant, one of the league’s most illustrious talents, comfortably etching his name into the pantheon of NBA greats. Durant, currently playing for the Phoenix Suns, has become just the eighth player in NBA history to surpass the astonishing 30,000 career points mark. This milestone was reached in a recent game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Footprint Center, where Durant concluded his performance with a stellar stat line of 34 points, three rebounds, and three assists, despite his team’s 119-112 setback.
Durant’s age defies the fleeting nature of athletic prowess, as even at 36, he continues to build on a career that seems to be sculpted with the precision of a Michelangelo piece. It’s been 17 seasons of emphatic dunks, unblockable shots, and precision-like scoring. Yet, Durant is far from an empty scorebook, saving a chapter for not only NBA enthusiasts but also for trading card aficionados. In homage to his achievement, Topps Now has decided to pay tribute with a special edition trading card. This card immortalizes not just tremendous numbers on a stat sheet, but a public reverence for a player whose name has graced our screens since he was just a young prospect.
Topps Now has unveiled a card portraying Durant in his more accustomed regal basketball attire. Decked out in colors and numbers that scream Phoenix Suns’ prowess – orange, black, and purple – Durant sports an unlicensed ‘35’ jersey, reminiscent of his Oklahoma City Thunder days. As you hold this card, it captures not just Durant’s historic scoring moment but also a piece of NBA history that its beholder will cherish forever.
The base version of this card might appear humble with a price tag of $11.99, but don’t let its modest packaging fool you. There are hidden gems beneath the surface for those lucky enough to stumble across them. For collectors, the thrill lies in hunting the elusive rare parallel variations, each casting an additional narrative, such as the Green /99 and the Blue /75, climbing up the rarity ladder to the coveted SuperFractor 1/1. But for those who crave more than ink on card stock, hidden auto-relics come into play. Picture this: Video feeds showing your very own part of Durant’s game-worn shorts embedded in the card, wrapped affectionately in serial numbers as personal as a handwritten message — from /10 to an engaging 1/1 SuperFractor autographed relic.
Joining this elite circle of NBA juggernauts is no casual feat. The likes of LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant are among the stars that have previously spearheaded this celestial arena of the 30,000 Point Club. Durant now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with these legends, and as surreal as it sounds, his score tally reads as follows:
– LeBron James – 41,623 (and counting)
– Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 38,387
– Karl Malone – 36,928
– Kobe Bryant – 33,643
– Michael Jordan – 32,292
– Dirk Nowitzki – 31,560
– Wilt Chamberlain – 31,419
– Kevin Durant – 30,008 (and counting)
Durant’s journey to 30,000 career points came at a rapid pace, taking just 1,101 games to achieve this feat. An impressive track record in line with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with only Wilt Chamberlain (in 941 games) and Michael Jordan (in 960 games) reaching their milestones with a quicker pace.
Reflecting on this moment, Durant conveyed his humble gratitude to NBA.com, “It’s a true honor to be in the same category as those players who helped shape the game and pushed the game forward.” It’s an epitome of humility from a man whose on-court ferocity knows no bounds.
The historic point was netted in the second half against the Grizzlies through a free throw. After being fouled by Brandon Clarke, Durant, with the precision of a seasoned maestro, sank the bucket that led him into the timeless conversation of basketball lore.
Durant continues to defy the constraints of grace and time, yet for those who know the resilience and skill housed within his towering physique, the biggest question remains – how far up this illustrious scoring list could he climb? The echoes of basketball courts across America will serve as Hollywood-style chronicles, reminiscing the enduring legend of Kevin Durant and his ongoing odyssey amongst the legends.
