How Tall Is Kevin Durant Actually

Unveiling The Mystery Surrounding Kevin Durant’s Height

Kevin Durant, one of the NBA’s golden stars, is as popular for his exceptional play on the court as he is for the mystery surrounding his actual height. Known initially in the NBA circles to be 6’9″, an anomalous height for a player with such versatile skills and playing style, there has been quite a lot of debate over ‘How Tall Is Kevin Durant Actually’.

Early NBA Records Vs. Real-Time Observations

When Durant was initially drafted into the NBA in 2007, he was listed as 6’9″. This was largely attributed to his preference for playing as a small forward rather than a taller power forward. Interestingly, Durant’s incredible wingspan, recorded at a remarkable 7’5″, seemed to contradict his stated height.

As Durant’s career progressed, fans and experts alike started questioning the validity of this original recorded height. The reason being, when Durant stood next to teammates and other players who were known to be around 6’10” or 6’11”, he seemed to either match or even marginally surpass their height. This inconsistency sparked debates and discussions on Durant’s actual height.

The arguments around Durant’s height got a new angle when former Warrior’s coach, Don Nelson inadvertently referred to Durant as a “legit 7 footer” in a press conference. This added considerable fuel to the existing speculations about Durant’s height being significantly more than the officially stated 6’9″.

Despite the glaring discrepancies between Durant’s listed height and real-time observations of his stature, the NBA maintained his official height as 6’9″ until as recently as the 2019-2020 season.

Height Misrepresentation in the NBA

The issue of height misrepresentation in the NBA is nothing new. Many players have been suggested to have either understated or overstated their heights in the past. A significant reason for this is usually linked to the players’ preferred positions and the physical expectations associated with different roles on the court.

In Durant’s case, it was implied that he preferred his height to be understated so as to be seen primarily as a small forward, a position that allowed him to leverage his unrivaled scoring and shooting abilities to their fullest.

Height misrepresentation has however significantly reduced in recent times due to the NBA’s policy change prior to the 2019-2020 season that requires teams to certify a player’s height along with verification from the team physician.

The Confession: Revealing his True Stature

Digging into the question, ‘How Tall Is Kevin Durant Actually’, Durant eventually cleared the air about his height during an interview with Bob Fitzgerald on KNBR radio in 2016. He responded, “I’m a legit 7-footer. I’m 6’9″ in shoes,” which greatly clarified the inconsistencies that had long puzzled fans and experts.

Durant’s Height: A Game Changer?

Durant’s legitimate 7-foot stature, when coupled with his skills, becomes a significant advantage for him. His height gives him the power to play effectively in the post, while his shooting skills allow him to utilize the perimeter. This combination makes him a nightmare matchup for virtually any opposing player.

On defense, Durant utilizes his towering height and exceptional wingspan to disrupt shots and make significant contributions to the team’s defense. With his height officially revised to 6’10” in the NBA database, there’s no question that Kevin Durant’s stature has played a key role in his impressive and versatile gameplay.

Embracing and Thriving in the Height Advantage

While Durant initially sought to downplay his actual height, he has now come to embrace it, proving that height can indeed be a great advantage when coupled with skill. Durant’s playstyle has frequently reflected the versatile skillset of a guard, yet his true height allows him to compete effectively with the tallest players in the league.

His dominance on the court is unrivaled, with an ability to shoot over most defenders effortlessly. Untethered by traditional position expectations, Durant indeed epitomizes the modern notion of a position-less basketball player, seamlessly adapting to any role on the court.

This dual advantage has played a key role in propelling Durant to the legendary status he continues to enjoy in the world of basketball. Today, he is not only a celebrated player but also a testament to the fact that height and skill can indeed go hand in hand to create a phenomenal athlete.

Clearly, ‘How Tall Is Kevin Durant Actually’, is more than a simple question of factual accuracy. It unravels the intriguing story of how Durant turned his true stature into a defining advantage, highlighting the strategic nuances of the game and the unique journey of one of its brightest stars.

Kevin Durant’s Actual Height

Kevin Durant, one of the most iconic figures in the world of basketball, stands quite tall. Despite the official NBA records stating Durant’s height as 6’9″, the reality seems to contrast slightly. Durant, himself, has repeatedly maintained that he measures up to 6’10” in his basketball shoes. Yet, many believe this might be a modest estimation.

Photographic evidence where Durant stands next to his contemporaries, most of whom have verifiable heights, suggests otherwise. An instance that clearly reflects this discrepancy is when Durant is seen standing next to DeMarcus Cousins, officially listed as 6’10”. Durant appears visibly taller. Considering these evidences and Durant’s declaration of being 6’10” in shoes, it can be reasonably inferred that Durant’s actual height sans shoes might be close to 6’11”.