Most NBA fans when debating about “GOAT – Greatest Player of All Time” ( as the best player of all time), they often mention the names LeBron James and Michael Jordan.
If there is a third player entering the debate, it is Kobe Bryant, owner of 5 NBA championship rings with a 20-year career spent entirely with the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, Kevin Durant also wants him to be in the GOAT debate, competing with Jordan and James to become the best player of all time.
“ Why wasn’t I present in those conversations? “, Kevin Durant shared via the Arizona Republic.
“ Instead of asking me who is the GOAT, people should ask why I can’t rub shoulders with the two top names (Michael Jordan and LeBron James – Reporter). Why can’t I be the best player of all time? Is there anything I haven’t achieved yet? ”
Despite being the one to ask the question, Durant then answered it himself. He wants to stand shoulder to shoulder with “the king” and “Mr. Air” in the GOAT debate, but knows that’s unlikely because of his time with the Warriors.
“Maybe because I came to Golden State, I was overlooked by everyone,” Durant added.
Until now, KD’s decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder after 8 years to join the Golden State Warriors is still criticized.
Stars changing shirt colors is no longer a new concept in the NBA, but Durant lost his image because he moved to the Warriors, the team that just defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2016 Western finals.
Golden State at that time was already quite strong with the framework of Stephen Curry, Klay, Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green. They even just broke the NBA record with 73 wins in the Regular Season.
Kevin Durant leaving the Thunder team to join the Warriors has dented his legacy in the eyes of fans.
Putting this story aside, Durant came to Golden State and immediately raised the level of this team even higher, reaching 3 NBA Finals series and winning the championship 2 years in a row.
If both Durant and Klay Thompson were not injured in the 2019 Finals series, the Warriors could have “three-peat” instead of losing 4-2 to the Toronto Raptors.
To date, Kevin Durant’s only two championship rings (including two NBA Finals MVP titles) were obtained with the “superteam” Golden State Warriors.
Meanwhile, LeBron James has 2 rings with the Miami Heat super squad similar to Durant at the Warriors, supported by Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen.
But later, “the king” solidified his legacy by winning the NBA championship with his hometown team Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. James’ fourth ring came in the “Orlando bubble” in 2020 in the jersey. Los Angeles Lakers traditional shoe club.
With the legendary Michael Jordan, he is the owner of 6 NBA championship titles and is considered by many to be the epitome of a top sports superstar.
“Mr. Air” still needs help from some teammates, including All-Stars like Scottie Pippen or Dennis Rodman, but this is not the same as joining the team that just beat him and is at the top of the NBA like Golden. State in 2016.
Personally, Kevin Durant can argue with the titles he has achieved, including 2 championship rings, 2 Finals MVPs, 1 MVP title, 4 times leading the entire NBA in scoring and 13 All-Star appearances, 10 once appeared on the All-NBA representative team.
But right now, it’s hard to put Durant on the same table as Michael Jordan and LeBron James or even the late legend Kobe Bryant.
