Kevin Durant is on the Houston Rockets, and they look like NBA championship contenders. Despite an opening night loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston showed they are a force by taking the game to double OT. KD had over 20 points on his debut, and it looks like just what the Rockets need.
It’s safe to say, too, that a championship is what Durant needs at this point in his career. He’s a two-time title winner and two-time Finals MVP, but many question the legitimacy of his rings with the Golden State Warriors. And despite the claims that he needs to win without Curry to prove himself, KD views it differently.
Advertisement
MORE: Former NBA champ says criticizing LeBron James has resulted in threatening phone calls
"I never looked at Steph [Curry] like Shaq and me as Kobe [Bryant]… I was a Finals MVP, averaging 35 a night. That makes no sense to me."
Kevin Durant says his Finals MVP proves he doesn’t need to win without Steph 👀
(via @SInow)pic.twitter.com/NQpGonCWjM
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 23, 2025
“If I went out there for the Warriors and I wasn’t Finals MVP like Kobe was with Shaq, and had moments where I averaged 30 a game or got seven, eight assists, or had 40 or hit big shots… then yeah. I would say yeah, because I’d need to prove I can do that on that level,” Durant said.
“I’ve done all that on that level, so I never looked at Steph like Shaq or me as Kobe. just felt that we were our own new thing. He proved he could play on that level, and I proved I could play on that level at the same time. That time with me in Golden State should be wrapped up and looked at as such.”
Advertisement
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Kevin Durant react against the LA Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
While Durant may feel like he has nothing to prove, most basketball fans wouldn’t agree. That Warriors core won two championships without him, while he is winless without them. Ultimately, legacy isn’t everything and KD will always be one of the greatest ever, but to say it doesn’t matter isn’t entirely true.
—Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead—
NFL:Predicting the winner for every NFL game in Week 8
Advertisement
FANTASY FOOTBALL:Thursday night football DFS picks and prop bets for Week 8
NBA:Wild details revealed from ‘rigged poker games’ run by Chauncey Billups, Damon Jones
MLB:Rogers Centre gets MLB World Series makeover as Blue Jays make long awaited return
SPORTS MEDIA:NFL announcer schedule & pairings for Week 8 of 2025 season
VIRAL:Pro poker players knew about former NBA star Chauncey Billups’ ‘rigged’ games for years