The Phoenix Suns and the rest of the NBA are off today due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday. The day provides an opportunity for everyone to take a step back and reflect. It’s a time to be thankful as you and your family sit down to a delicious midday dinner surrounded by family and friends, eating more than you should.

Personal growth occurs through self-reflection, and today is a scheduled day to do just that: grow. Both personally and in terms of jean sizes.

If you’re seeking for reasons to be thankful, I’ve got one for you. You probably don’t need to be reminded of this, but because I’m still reeling from the loss of Marquese Chriss in the starting lineup, I’ll say it again: Be thankful for Kevin Durant as a Phoenix Suns player.

Regular readers of Bright Side of the Sun will know that I am a big fan of Durant. Are you a fanboy? Maybe. Are you impressed with his performance? Definitely. I’m in love with him wearing purple and orange. My non-Suns favorite player fandom spans numerous decades, beginning with Michael Jordan and progressing to Allen Inverson and Kevin Durant. I admire ferocity and competence, as well as shotmaking and style.

Durant has been my favorite NBA player for almost a decade, and the fact that the Phoenix Suns went out and signed him has me smiling like I’ve had the third glass of Jameson after a big Thanksgiving meal.

And what about the KD sneaker game? Elite.

What he can do on the court, along with his demeanor off the court, is unique and wonderful, and we must respect it. Every single night. It’ll be gone before you know it, so relish every piece like your mom’s cheese cauliflower on Thanksgiving.

So far this season, what has impressed me is that he is performing at an all-NBA level despite being 35 years old. He is averaging 31.4 points per game in 15 games this season. He’s only ever scored more than that in a season once, in 2013-14, when he topped the league in scoring with 32.0 points. At age 25. This season, his shooting splits are a whopping 53.3/52.2/89.1.

But it’s not all about the numbers. Durant’s lethality stems from the intangibles he possesses. When the opposition squad begins to build momentum, Kevin Durant casually hits a 17-foot jump jumper. The equilibrium has been restored. If a teammate is in the zone and needs to keep his hot hand going, Durant will purposely send the ball to him in order to fan his fires. That is the highest level of leadership and teamwork.

And. He. Is. Playing. Here!

Kevin Durant has already begun to accumulate achievements while wearing a Suns jersey. He recently overtook Elgin Baylor for 11th all-time in NBA scoring and is now at XX, XXXX. He accomplished this in his 1,000th game.

Perform the calculation. In his 16-year career, he has averaged 27.3 points per game. The record for points per game in a season by an eligible Phoenix Sun is 27.2. Durant has been averaging that throughout his career.

It is quite uncommon to have a player that is an automatic bucket. We’ve seen Devin Booker’s scoring talent and how difficult such buckets can be. It is not intended for Kevin Durant. His approach to the game and attention to detail, combined with his basketball IQ and silky smooth scoring ability, make him one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.

And he’s a member of the Phoenix Suns. And he’s an outstanding player for the Phoenix Suns. This isn’t Shaq toward the twilight of his career; this is Kevin Durant in his peak.

“For Kevin Durant,” I respond as we walk around the table and folks ask what we’re thankful for. Don’t think I won’t do it.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the United States of America. I hope your day is as wonderful as you are. Happy fourth Thursday in November to those living outside of the United States.