Listen, we all know the GOAT debate is basically a bar fight waiting to happen, but a recent dive by HoopsHype into what current and former NBA players actually think is dropping some wild numbers, and guess what? Kevin Durant, one of the baddest hoopers alive, only pulled in *two* votes in their survey of 112 pros. Yeah, you read that right.
The GOAT Race Isn’t Even Close For Most Pros
So, HoopsHype did the legwork, right? They tracked responses from former and active NBA players over the last four years, hitting up social media, podcasts, everything. They tallied 112 answers, and if you thought it would be a toss-up between the usual suspects, you were kinda right. LeBron James led the pack with 49 votes, clocking in at 43.8%. Right on his heels was Michael Jordan, racking up 46 votes for a solid 41.1%. Seriously, these two are neck and neck, proving that for the vast majority of pros, it’s a two-man show at the absolute top.
Sure, a few other legends got shoutouts. Kobe Bryant grabbed five votes, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar pulled in three. Those guys showed up strong among the non-MJ/LeBron crew, which is awesome to see that level of respect. But after that? The pie slices get minuscule, and that’s where things get kinda mind-boggling when you look at certain names.
Durant’s Resume Is Just Bonkers, So What Gives?
Here’s the kicker: Kevin Durant, with all his insane talent and a career that screams ‘legend,’ only snagged two votes. That’s a measly 1.8% of the total. Stephen Curry, another generational talent, also got two votes. I mean, two votes! For a guy who everyone agrees is absolutely, without a doubt, one of the ten greatest NBA players ever. People don’t put him in the GOAT conversation, but Top 10? Absolutely. What gives when pros are weighing in on who the GOAT is?
Just take a second to scroll through his trophy case, it’s ridiculous: one-time MVP winner, two NBA championships, a staggering 16 All-Star selections, 12 times named All-NBA, and four scoring titles. Four! He’s 37 years old and still dropping an efficient 26 points per game this past season. He’s still one of the game’s top scorers. It’s a no-brainer he’s heading to the Hall of Fame. Yeah, he spent his first nine seasons co-starring with Russell Westbrook on those wild 2010s Thunder teams, even hitting an NBA Finals and four Western Conference Finals. That departure might still sting folks in OKC a decade later, but you can’t deny the Thunder saw half an epic career unfold. The man’s a certified icon, yet barely a whisper in the GOAT debate from his peers? That just doesn’t add up.
So, while Jordan and James will always dominate the top spots, it’s eye-opening to see how little love a player like Durant gets in *that specific* conversation. Maybe it’s because the GOAT debate is so subjective, but when a player with that kind of hardware and impact is getting just two votes, it makes you wonder what more he could’ve done. You gotta respect the grind, and Durant’s legend is still growing. The debate isn’t going anywhere, but his spot among the all-time greats is solidified, even if the GOAT crown is still way out of reach according to these votes.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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