Kevin Durant is absolutely doubling down on what some are calling Golden State Warriors ‘slander,’ and his latest comments are setting the NBA world ablaze. Just weeks after he claimed the 2026 Philadelphia 76ers were more talented ‘on paper’ than his championship Warriors squads, KD just went even further.
Durant Cites ‘Names’ When Ranking His Nets
In a recent interview at the Boardroom, when asked to name the best team he ever played for ‘on paper,’ Durant didn’t hesitate. He initially went with the Brooklyn Nets, citing an insane amount of talent and accomplishments. Think about the roster: Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, Paul Millsap, and Patty Miles were all on that squad. Durant said it directly, “We had the names on that team.” That’s a lineup stacked with absolute studs, many of whom already had impressive careers and accolades firmly established.
Warriors Vs. Nets: It All Comes Down To Accolades
So, why not the Golden State Warriors, the team he won rings with? KD knows what everyone’s thinking. He admitted, “I know people are going to say, ‘the Warriors, you had Steph and Klay.’” But his explanation reveals a pretty wild take on that dynasty’s formation. He pointed out that while Steph Curry was an MVP back then, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green hadn’t racked up all their eventual accolades yet. They were, in his words, “one-time All-Stars” at that specific moment. The Nets players he mentioned? Many of them had “already completed their careers, damn near, and got all of their accolades on top of me, James and Kyrie.” When you’re just putting “accolades on the table,” as he put it, the Nets team truly stands out in his mind.
Legacy Talk: What Does This Mean For KD?
This whole debate has the basketball world buzzing about Durant’s incredible legacy. Kyle Kuzma chimed in, stating KD’s legacy is “upmost respected amongst his peers and that my friend is truly the only thing that matters.” Kuzma even highlighted how “fans and players see the game differently,” but both views are valid. It’s fascinating to get that perspective from inside the league. And just to show how much talent was on that Nets squad, James Harden’s career earnings are now projected to hit a massive $511 million, making him only the fourth player in NBA history to eclipse the half-billion dollar mark. Even Chet Holmgren, when asked about his all-time dream starting five, included “OKC Kevin Durant” alongside legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. It seems players definitely still respect KD’s game, no matter which team he’s dissecting.
So, the conversation continues to sizzle. Durant’s candid comments definitely shake up the narrative around those Golden State teams and shine a bright light on just how loaded that Brooklyn Nets roster was, at least ‘on paper.’ The basketball world will be talking about this one for a long, long time.
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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