Kevin Durant and Steve Nash revealed big issues with small guards in modern NBA games

The NBA has seen a dramatic shift in how teams value certain skill sets, and the modern game may be pushing small guards toward the margins. In a candid discussion on the Mind the Game podcast, Kevin Durant and Hall of Famer Steve Nash discussed the challenges that undersized guards face in today's positionless, switch-heavy league. With playoff success depending more and more on defensive versatility, even talented scorers under 6'2" are struggling to stay impactful on the floor.Kevin Durant, now with the Houston Rockets, didn’t hold back when speaking on how the league is evolving. “I don't know if the 6'2 and under guard is at a premium no more as a starter,” he said. “Maybe as a backup.” His comments reflect a growing sentiment among players and analysts. In today’s scenario, the game is too focused on size and defense for smaller guards to thrive without exceptional tools.Steve Nash agreed but pointed out that only certain body types and playing styles now make the cut. “It’s that either Donovan Mitchell, Jrue Holiday 6'3, Lou Dort,” Nash said. “Or it’s, nah, you got to be (bigger).”Durant expanded on that thought with a harsh truth. “You can't get picked on on defense,” he said. “That's the thing. Because we're playing such a pick on game that they will literally — if you can't guard — they will bring you up every play. If you're 6'0, 6'1 and you're not a bulldog like Davion Mitchell, Jrue Holiday on the defensive side or you're not an offensive flat out savant like Kyrie (Irving) where you can score on dudes that's 7'0 easily in ISO, then I just can't see it.”Their conversation shifted to Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, a skilled offensive player who was often targeted on defense during the postseason. Nash praised Garland’s game, saying, “He's an amazing basketball player. We don't talk about him as this amazing (player) because of the era. If he played in any other era, I think his value would be through the roof. He's that skilled. He's water bug. He's got every shot. He can playmake, but it’s an era where you also have to help that dude out defensively all the time.”Durant agreed with Nash’s points but added, “If you want a chance to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, you are going at Darius Garland most the time on the defensive side. That’s not saying he's going to get scored on every time. He's just small.”Also Read: NBA analyst drops bombshell comments on LeBron James and Luka Doncic chemistry: “This is Luka’s team now”Durant used Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, a 6'10" offensive mismatch, as an example of the type of players that exploit smaller defenders. Still, he credited Cleveland’s system for trying to cover for Garland’s physical limitations.