Kevin Durant believes he should be in NBA GOAT conversation

[GOATcards]

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/k...-i-be-in-that/

The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin asked Durant why he isn't widely involved in the greatest of all time conversation, and he suggested that there's only one thing keeping him out of it.

"Because I went to the Warriors," Durant told Rankin. "Why shouldn't I be in that? That's the question you should ask. Why not? What haven't I done?"

[Ericc5Bears]

Your GOAT argument dies when your team replaces you with Andrew Wiggins and then immediately wins a title the first year they're back to full health.

[fabiani12333]

No, if Durant hadn't gone to the Warriors, he very well could be without a title and Finals MVP.

Curry was able to win a title and finals MVP in his absence. He wanted to do it without the Warriors, so he should go do it. He almost got back to the finals with the Nets, but the tip of his foot was on the line.

Those in the best of all time conversation have won a combination of several titles and MVPs -- Russell (11 and 5), MJ (6 and 5), LeBron (4 and 4), Kareem (6 and 6), Magic (5 and 3), Bird (3 and 3), Chamberlain (2 and 4), Duncan (5 and 2), Curry (4 and 2), Shaq (4 and 1) and Kobe (5 and 1).

Durant has 1 MVP and 2 titles with the Warriors -- hell of a career, but not in the elite tier yet.

[ninjacookies]

Goatse. (if you know, you knew)


His general post-retirement perception will be interesting. We all know he's uber talented and one of the greatest pure offensive scorers of all-time. But snotty attitude, standoffish, and won his only 2 titles with a 'stacked' GS squad (even though he was the best player in the Finals).

[GOLDPRIZM]

Durant joined a Warriors team that were already champions before him and again right after he left, if you replace Durant and his 25-30 million dollar contract with a good role player or two (like Wiggins), the Warriors still win those titles, just maybe not as easily as they did.

Durant is great but FAR from a GOAT

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by GOLDPRIZM

Durant joined a Warriors team that were already champions before him and again right after he left, if you replace Durant and his 25-30 million dollar contract with a good role player or two (like Wiggins), the Warriors still win those titles, just maybe not as easily as they did.

Durant is great but FAR from a GOAT

I don't know about that -- the Rockets nearly knocked them off in the conference finals in Durant's second title season.

[Nomad]

All I know is, Pacers spent half their postgame press conference talking about guarding D.

Carlisle, Siakem, and Nesmith gave him props.

[rawkstar2k]

Talent and skill wise, 100% goat conversation. Accolades, no.


And who cares if he joined the Warriors. Let’s not pretend the goats didn’t have stacked teams, whether built organically or not. How many titles would KD have if he stayed on the Warriors? They would have won a third straight if he didn’t get hurt. But he got hurt and they lost because they were trying to rush him back because they needed him.

You can’t objectively say he’s not one of the greatest to ever play the game.

[cardsin47]

Never ceases to amaze me when out of 8 billion on earth, the only one that thinks you’re the GOAT is you….

[Asian62150]

What does GOAT even mean these days? Top 5? Top 10?

Durant never carried a team to the chip like the other greats have.

Yes, he was the best player on a championship team, but that Warriors team didn't need carrying.

If you're talking GOAT, he gets (rightfully) knocked for running away from a challenge. He robbed us of a Thunder-Warriors rivalry. But he's still an amazing scorer. In terms of being able to put the ball in the hoop, he's probably a top 3-5.

All and all, that's pretty good. Nothing to hang you head about.

[Bcr]

I don't think KD knows what GOAT stands for.

[hermanotarjeta]

Durant doesn’t realize he’s in the same category as Bron.

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by Asian62150

What does GOAT even mean these days? Top 5? Top 10?

Durant never carried a team to the chip like the other greats have.

Yes, he was the best player on a championship team, but that Warriors team didn't need carrying.

If you're talking GOAT, he gets (rightfully) knocked for running away from a challenge. He robbed us of a Thunder-Warriors rivalry. But he's still an amazing scorer. In terms of being able to put the ball in the hoop, he's probably a top 3-5.

All and all, that's pretty good. Nothing to hang you head about.

Well said.

These days a GOAT means in the conversation. KD really isn't in there.

GOAT pure shooter/scorer? Sure.

I don't even see him on a Dirk level. Who carried a franchise forever. KD had the most scared eyes.I've ever seen when he realised his team was about to squander a 3-1 lead. Westbrook didn't have those.scared eyes.

His insecurity makes him a fair ways off GOAT level.

Leaving OKC was one thing. A lot of stars do that (OKC trading Harden and not going over the cap showed they weren't a top level franchise). But Leaving GS was a really dumb move. Oh man. Not many could argue if he had 4 or 5 titles.

[cms11]

Originally Posted by Ericc5Bears

Your GOAT argument dies when your team replaces you with Andrew Wiggins and then immediately wins a title the first year they're back to full health.

Durant is Karl Malone if he had signed with the Bulls.

[gomiamigo]

Durant is not the GOAT but one of the Goats as we commonly speak about them these days.

Just as one can say 'maybe he wouldn't have a title and 2 Finals MVPs' you can also say 'the Warriors couldn't beat a healthy Cavs team' so they all ran out to the Hamptons and begged KD to join them. You can't assume those two titles without KD, anymore than you can say KD would have won with Russ and an improved Harden if they all stayed in OKC.

Wilt is the true GOAT. Then MJ for those who don't believe the NBA existed before the 80s. Then a dropoff. So no, KD is not on that level.

# of titles doesn't make you the GOAT [Bob Horry] any more than having a more popular off-court reputation does. Only on-court performance counts.

[rifleman69]

R Kelly believed he could fly. We all have dreams.

[cms11]

Originally Posted by gomiamigo

Durant is not the GOAT but one of the Goats as we commonly speak about them these days.

Just as one can say 'maybe he wouldn't have a title and 2 Finals MVPs' you can also say 'the Warriors couldn't beat a healthy Cavs team' so they all ran out to the Hamptons and begged KD to join them. You can't assume those two titles without KD, anymore than you can say KD would have won with Russ and an improved Harden if they all stayed in OKC.

Wilt is the true GOAT. Then MJ for those who don't believe the NBA existed before the 80s. Then a dropoff. So no, KD is not on that level.

# of titles doesn't make you the GOAT [Bob Horry] any more than having a more popular off-court reputation does. Only on-court performance counts.

Wilt was easily the GOAT of his era - no one comes close to him averaging 40 points and 25 rebounds a game over his first 9 seasons.

[DontToewsMeBro]

KD is a great player but GOAT? Is he even in the top 25 all time?

[asujbl]

Kevin Durant can wish in one hand and crap in the other… and see which gets filled up first

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by DontToewsMeBro

KD is a great player but GOAT? Is he even in the top 25 all time?

Yes. Yes he is

That’s why he’s delusional

[cardia10]

He may sneak into the top 25 barely, but the GOAT is not even in question. When you have to bring it up yourself, you aren't it. I mean, he was replaced by Andrew Wiggins....not goat material.

[pac213up]

Absolute elite scorer but not dominant in other areas to be in the GOAT conversation. Had a couple good defensive years but could have been elite on that side. And a very average facilitator.

[yiguiri2002]

I'm not a KD fan and he's crazy to think he's in the GOAT conversation but people are as crazy to not see him as a Top 25 player.

[JRX]

Greatest bus rider of all time.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

I'm not a KD fan and he's crazy to think he's in the GOAT conversation but people are as crazy to not see him as a Top 25 player.

This is accurate