NBA superstars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal lingered behind after a rigorous Tuesday afternoon team practice to take mid-range jump shots. After losing most of their roster in free agency, the Phoenix Suns still wanted to get some extra practice time in with their new Big Three before facing Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors on opening night on Tuesday.

Since his arrival in February, Durant has been instilling this mindset in his squad, which he brought with him from Brooklyn. At age 35 and in Year 16, the ‘Slim Reaper’ is motivated by the need to prove that he is still a top performer in his league. The thinness of his body and his icy attitude to scoring goals inspired the moniker. Some commentators have doubted Durant’s ability to maintain his once-prolific output as he has aged.

To paraphrase Durant: “I think I’m still the ‘Slim Reaper,'” I feel comfortable representing that moniker. It hasn’t changed my weight much, so no worries there. After practically a full season in the league, I can attest to the fact that it is quite physical. I am well-aware of the physical requirements for my success. I have to give it my all every game.

Two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant was moved to the Phoenix Suns from the Brooklyn Nets before the 2023 NBA trade deadline. He will be playing his first full season in the Valley. His 2023 regular season and postseason average for the Suns was 27.7 points per game.

To begin a new season, Durant is not the first to do it in a different arena. Now on his fourth NBA franchise, the future Hall of Famer is no stranger to the pressures of high expectations. Getting used to new teammates, even those with superstar potential, is nothing new for him, and neither is working extra hours outside of practice.

“Just try keeping it at the preparation,” Durant said. To do my bit, I need to get ready as best I can. Just focus on doing my work as well as I possibly can, and the rest will take care of itself.

Working with some of the top players in the world is always enjoyable. It’s a case of mutual refining. We have great expectations for one another. Post-package work is always welcome. We need as many consecutive days as possible.

The lesson of controlling expectations has been drilled into Durant’s head as his career has developed. He showed remarkable resilience throughout his career, from his days as a youthful prodigy to his present day as a seasoned veteran.

Durant has a formidable pedigree to Phoenix, having played in four NBA Finals and winning two rings. Both championships were won while playing for the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, whose teams during that time are widely considered to be among the best in NBA history. Most fans, oddsmakers, and commentators predicted that the Warriors would win the NBA Finals. Durant is not interested in engaging in a comparison game because to the disparity in environments.

“I try not to compare teams, man,” stated Durant. I don’t think any squad in league history can compare to the championship teams I’ve been a part of. Before the season begins, it is difficult for me to make comparisons between the teams.

The organization that picked him, the Oklahoma City Thunder, also gave him early opportunities to play with James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Before Durant and Harden reunited in 2021, he led another Big Three with Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn.

The Suns’ offense may be a handful for most NBA defenders now that Beal is a part of it. Together, Durant, Booker, and Beal make a dynamic scoring combination that will keep their opponents guessing.

In other words, “you can’t guard all of us at once,” as Durant put it. “Guys like Booker get a double-team every time. Because I, Bradley, always get a double team, I’m a pain in the rear. We just need to focus on playing solid, fundamental basketball.

Since there was so much roster upheaval throughout the winter, Durant has been concentrating on finding the proper blend of camaraderie and skill during practice.

The Suns fired Monty Williams in the offseason and hired Frank Vogel, who will coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season. Beal, a three-time All-Star, was acquired by Phoenix from the Washington Wizards in exchange for adored player Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, and future draft selections.

In a three-team transaction featuring Damian Lillard, the Phoenix Suns sent former No. 1 overall selection Deandre Ayton to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for center Jusuf Nurki and guard Grayson Allen. The reshaped squad is adjusting to a number of new players, not just Durant.

Now that Paul is gone, the club needs to find a new point guard or a method to replace one. Due to the abundance of capable ballhandlers around the roster, the club has occasionally relied on a “point guard by committee” strategy.

With regards to the offense, “I feel like things are flowing very well,” Allen said. It’s been fantastic having a rotating cast of point guards driving the pace. Having more than one man carrying it, or more than one guy in the corner or in separate lanes, is plenty. It’s been a really perilous time of change.