Kevin Durant Has Already Made The Best Block Of The NBA Play-In Tournament In The First Quarter

Nathaniel S. Butler. Getty Images.

What did Lauri Markkanen ever do to you, Kevin Durant?!?!

Just before this, KD made his first field goal attempt of the game, as he let his Nets teammates get in on the act of coming hard at the Cavs early on. Then, fresh out of a timeout, he blindsided Markkanen, which led to an Andre Drummond slam at the other end.

Especially without Jarrett Allen, we pretty much know Cleveland is overmatched in this one. Durant just isn't fair, and whatever Vengeance Factor Caris LeVert is playing with is offset by Kyrie Irving facing the team that originally drafted him No. 1 overall.

I think it's safe to say KD was taking out some FRUSTRATION on the Cavs. Like, there's no way in hell Brooklyn should be in the play-in game, but they did this to themselves to some degree. Putting together the explosive personality cocktail of Durant, Irving and James Harden was an ill-fated choice. Kyrie wasn't allowed to play at home for a long time. KD missed a ton of games due to injury. Harden eventually got traded, which was best for everyone involved. Just a complete and utter mess of a season.

AND YET. We all know KD has a real case as the best player on the planet when he's healthy. At the very least, he's the most multifaceted, unstoppable scorer in the sport. Now, it's playoff time, and he's locked in on both ends of the floor. If this keeps up, the Nets will NOT be a fun team for anyone in the East to go up against. Many assume they'll win tonight and face Boston in the opening round, which should be one of the better first-round series in recent memory.