Kevin Durant Makes Case for Inclusion in NBA GOAT Conversation Despite Controversial Move to Warriors

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant believes he deserves consideration in the NBA’s greatest of all-time (GOAT) conversation, often dominated by legends like Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Durant attributes the skepticism about his GOAT status to his controversial move to the Golden State Warriors in 2016.

In an interview with The Arizona Republic, Durant expressed confidence in his GOAT candidacy and posed the question, “Why shouldn’t I be in that?” He acknowledged that his decision to join the Warriors remains a point of contention but emphasized his extensive accomplishments in the league.

Durant, set to turn 36 in September, is undeniably a future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. During his time with the Warriors, he secured two consecutive NBA championships (2017, 2018) and earned two Finals MVP awards. Additionally, he won a regular-season MVP award in the 2013-14 season.

The 7-foot forward, a 13-time NBA All-Star, holds three Olympic gold medals (2012, 2016, and 2020) and is the leading scorer in Team USA’s men’s Olympic basketball history.

Durant’s move to the Warriors triggered widespread debate, with some critics suggesting he took the “easy way out” by joining a team with established stars like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Despite the championships and individual accolades, the move has been a subject of jokes and criticism, notably from figures like Peyton Manning, Shaquille O’Neal, and Charles Barkley.

In terms of championships, Durant falls behind players like Michael Jordan (six championships), LeBron James (five titles), Bill Russell (11 titles), Kobe Bryant (five championships), and even his former teammate Stephen Curry (four championships).

Durant’s tenure with the Warriors almost resulted in a three-peat championship run before an Achilles injury in the 2019 Finals. He subsequently joined the Brooklyn Nets but later requested a trade to the Phoenix Suns in June 2022.

In the current NBA season with the Suns, Durant is delivering an MVP-caliber performance, averaging 28.9 points on 53.2 percent shooting. Despite the controversy surrounding his career decisions, Durant remains determined to be recognized among the NBA’s all-time greats.