Not Durant: Former Boston Celtics champion in 2008 revels his surprising pick of the best NBA

Over the years, Kevin Durant has cemented his reputation as the NBA’s most prolific scorers, according to some fans and analysts. They still consider that he holds that title, as evidenced by his impressive 26.6 points per game average with the Phoenix Suns at 36 years old. His remarkable efficiency and athleticism remain challenging benchmarks for others to reach. However, a former NBA champion with the 2008 Boston Celtics suggests that another player might surpass Durant in terms of scoring prowess.

“He’s (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) the best perimeter player in basketball…He’s knocking at the door of being the best player in basketball. He’s efficient like (Michael) Jordan. He’s relentless like Kobe Bryant. When it comes down to how he attacks and how efficient he is — especially from the mid-range… He’s dethroned Kevin Durant, in my opinion, right now as the best scorer in the league. He has zero flaws,” Kendrick Perkins said, via ESPN.

Perkins’ take might spark debate, but Gilgeous-Alexander has made a strong case. The Thunder star is averaging 32.7 points per game this season and continues to deliver in high-pressure moments. In Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Pacers, he led all scorers with 35 points, helping Oklahoma City stay competitive in the series.

That said, Durant remains far from fading into the background. Phoenix’s inconsistent roster has not stopped him from delivering elite performances, leading the Suns on the scoring side, showing no signs of slowing down. With 30,571 career points, he now ranks eighth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. He has passed legends like Shaquille O’Neal and Carmelo Anthony.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrating.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes history in the 2025 NBA Finals with rare feat last seen in 1962

Many fans questioned whether Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could maintain his impressive form during the 2025 NBA Finals. This doubt grew as he took on a more creative and defensive role in some games. Those shifts made fans wonder if his scoring would hold up. However, he responded with a dominant performance. He averaged 32.8 points per game against the Pacers, marking the highest scoring average of any series in his playoff career.

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Moreover, he reached a milestone not seen since 1962. According to Stathead, Shai became the first player in 63 years to score 35 points or more in a Finals game without recording an assist. The last to do it was Jerry West with the Los Angeles Lakers. That performance strengthened his case for Finals MVP. It also capped what has been the best season of his NBA career.