Coming on Sept. 29, typically near the exact day of the official open of training camp, it serves as a useful checkpoint, both professionally and personally. And as he enters another season and celebrates another birthday, there's plenty to look back on and plenty to look forward to.

2007-08 Rookie of the Year: Seems like forever ago and largely insignificant these days. But this was Durant's first major professional feat, and it set the table for all that he's done ever since.

50-40-90 Club: Durant in 2012-13 became the sixth and youngest player in NBA history to shoot at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from the 3-point line and 90 percent from the foul line. In his sixth season, he proved once and for all he was much more than just a volume shooter.

Three-time scoring champ: At 21 years and 197 days, Durant became the youngest player in NBA history to win the scoring title in 2009-10. He then went on to do it two more times, enhancing his legacy as one of the greatest scorers ever.

Retired jersey at Texas: Despite playing only one season of college ball, Durant was honored with his No. 35 jersey being retired. Really, the University of Texas had no choice. Durant assembled one of the greatest single seasons in college basketball history. He was the first freshman to be named national player of the year after averaging 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.9 blocked shots.