Kevin Durant entered the league in 2007 with a lot of fanfare and hype. Not too long after his debut in the NBA, Nike gave KD his own sneaker. Learn about the Nike Zoom KD 1 below.
KD 1
The KD 1 was a lightweight and well cushioned shoe. The shoe was designed to fit the quick and explosive game of Durant. The shoe had a Nike Zoom unit and a lightweight injection phylon midsole for cushioning. The KD 1 would debut in 2008. Durant would play his rookie season in Seattle before the Supersonics would become the Thunder and move to Oklahoma City. The KD 1 was designed by Leo Chang. The KD series has always focused on storytelling with its color ways, and that started with the Nike KD 1. The KD line is one of Nike’s most successful sneaker lines, and it all started here with the KD 1.
Pro Career
KD would be selected by the now defunct Seattle Supersonics with the second pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. His rookie season, and sole season in Seattle, was impressive. He proved to the basketball world that he was a star. He easily brought home the NBA Rookie of the Year award and gave Sonics fans hope for the future.
The hope KD provided Sonics fans was unfortunately short lived. The Seattle Supersonics franchise left Seattle, right after his rookie season, due to disputes with the city over a new stadium to play in. The Sonics, along with their young superstar Durant, would relocate to Oklahoma City and become the Thunder.
KD became a superstar in Oklahoma City. He was a multiple time all-star and brought home an MVP Trophy in 2014. Personal success was achieved by KD as a member of the Thunder. Unfortunately, the Oklahoma City Thunder could not bring home a Championship Trophy while KD was a member of the squad.
Warrior
In 2016, Durant made the biggest decision of his career. When KD decided to join the Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2016 the sports world went mad. Many were excited to see the all-star join the powerhouse team. Many others were critical of the decision. The Warriors already won a title before KD joined, and the Golden State squad that he joined, just eliminated KD and his OKC team from the playoffs just a few months prior.
Despite the criticism, KD’s time in Golden State was stellar. He would lead the Golden State Warriors to back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. He also won Finals MVP in both Championship runs. KD only spent three seasons in Golden State, but those three seasons are arguably the best of his career.
- Adam C. Better
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