Kevin Durant’s trainer, Dash Lovell of ProActive Sports in Thousand Oaks, California, spoke with Mark Medina of RG about Durant’s offseason, his eighth-place ranking on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, and early impressions of his chemistry with the Houston Rockets.
Lovell said Durant focused heavily on his body this summer, working on handling double teams, staying strong and physical, and maintaining a high defensive level. “His focus is definitely on trying to take care of his body and watching a lot of basketball,” Lovell explained.
The day-to-day regimen included weight training, sand dune exercises like high knees and sprinting, and court work. “He’s the first dude in the gym,” Lovell said. “He really took it seriously like it was year one for him. He was really pushing himself.”
Durant’s preparation reflects his commitment to longevity. Lovell noted, “He’s getting up early. He’s going to bed early. He would be the first one there lifting on a weekend and then canceling anything that interfered with his work. He still put the game before everything else.”
This approach has helped Durant maintain elite production despite injuries. Even after missing the 2019-20 season with an Achilles injury, Durant climbed to eighth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Lovell said, “You would never think that he had gotten hurt. After injuries, he came back. Even at his age, he moves like he’s young.”
Durant also prioritized building chemistry with Rockets teammates Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. Lovell explained that he studied film to understand their tendencies and worked on handling double teams to maximize team effectiveness. Early impressions are promising. “They are able to hold each other accountable…They’re competing. But they’re comfortable with being open to each other,” Lovell said.
Lovell highlighted Durant’s adaptability under coach Ime Udoka, noting that his competitive nature aligns with Udoka’s tough, grind-focused style. Durant’s dedication to continuous learning is also a key factor in his sustained success. Lovell recalled summer pickup sessions with players like Evan Mobley, Chet Holmgren, Darius Garland, Trae Young, and Paul George. “It was like watching an All-Star game for free,” he said.
Durant’s early 2025-26 season statistics with Houston underline his effectiveness. In 19 games, he averages 25.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while logging 35.3 minutes. Sengun contributes 23.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per contest, while Thompson adds 17.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.
Lovell emphasized that Durant’s commitment to his body, preparation, and basketball IQ explains both his scoring achievements and his ability to maintain peak performance. “He’s definitely a great example for young guys, older guys, or anybody,” he said.
