Kevin Durant's Time to Shine is Now vs Nuggets

As the Phoenix Suns are set to take on the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, the pressure on Kevin Durant continues to build.

There is certainly pressure for the Phoenix Suns to perform and defeat the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the NBA playoffs. Most of the pressure goes on the shoulders of Kevin Durant, who was traded to the Suns back in February to essentially be the piece that ultimately takes Phoenix over the hump.

In the past Durant has received some criticism over his ability to be the clear leader on a championship team. Despite the tremendous talent that Phoenix already has including Devin Booker, the team is depending on Durant to use his championship pedigree and superstar abilities to help lead them to a second NBA Finals appearance in three years. 

The debate on who is the best player in the NBA is still up in the air, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks being ousted in the first round. Nikola Jokic is a two-time MVP, so this series is a perfect time for Durant to prove to the rest of the world that he is the undisputed best player on the planet.

Durant is known to be an elite scorer but feels that he has impacted the Suns in a variety of ways through his short stint in the Valley thus far.

"I feel like I've been involved and impacted games since I've been here. I might score every time down or create something every time down, but I think I've been impactful," Durant said via the Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin.

The Nuggets are also the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference - so for Durant and the Suns to beat them in this series would speak volumes and send a strong message to the rest of the league.

A loss could temporarily tarnish his legacy, but a series victory could be exactly what the Suns need to gain confidence and win the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the first time in franchise history.