A key moment in Kevin Durant's career taught him to be smarter with work

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Kevin Durant loves playing basketball.

No, but seriously. He simply loves playing the game and talks about it all the time.

So is it hard for him to ever take it easy and get off his feet?

"When I broke my foot I learned how to kinda... I wouldn't say 'pace myself,' but just be smarter with the work and not overdoing it, especially as I get older," Durant told reporters after practice on Thursday. "But my trainers and coaches, we just have a good dialogue on what needs to be done in order for me to become a better player every day."

[RELATED: Kevin Durant fondly remembers SuperSonics, sympathizes with Seattle fans]

Durant broke his foot in October 2014 and didn't make his season debut until Dec. 2.

Ultimately, Durant was ruled out for the rest of the season in late March and underwent a third surgery on his right foot.

He turned 30 years old last Saturday and is about to start his 12th season in the NBA.

He has amassed 28,603 regular season minutees and an additional 5,156 playoff minutes.

Over the last 11 years, what has he learned about taking care of his body?

"Just working with the trainers and trusting that they have my best interest at heart," Durant said on Thursday. "And working with my player development coach every day. Just knowing my routine and finding my routine -- still tweaking it here and there as I go.

"But just finding a routine, I think that's the key part about being a professional."

Drew Shiller is the co-host of Warriors Outsiders. Follow him on Twitter @DrewShiller

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