When it comes to the GOAT discussion of the NBA, we often hear names like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Michael Jordan. The latter two are the likely argued ones. Kevin Durant believes that his name should be in those GOAT conversations.

“Why shouldn’t I be in that? That’s the question you should ask,” he said, per Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “Why not? What haven’t I done?”

Durant certainly has a case to believe that his name should be in that conversation. The accolades speak for themselves. He’s done just about everything that the others have.

The decision to join the same Golden State Warriors that eliminated Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2016 Western Conference Finals impacts his legacy. Although, unfair to him, Durant recognized that.

“Because I went to the Warriors.”

The Warriors went on to make three straight NBA Championships, winning two with Durant and Stephen Curry leading the way. Had Durant and Klay Thompson not got injured, the Warriors may likely have completed the three-peat. Those two championships remain to be the only rings on Durant’s resume to date.

James won two of his NBA Championships on a super team of his own. After he had joined the Miami Heat, where he would join forces with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Notably, he similarly joined the Heat to Durant joining the Warriors. However, his name was elevated into the GOAT discussions after he returned to win a championship in Cleveland. Adding another with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Jordan has long been considered the GOAT of individual talent. Though, even he needed some help from players such as Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman.

Playing with those players isn’t quite the same as joining a team that won 73 games in the regular season. It may not be fair to Kevin Durant, but that’s the main reason that fans will never consider him part of the GOAT debate.

Do you think he deserves some recognition? Let us know.

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