Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook
Kevin Durant rarely avoids the spotlight, and his latest podcast appearance added another headline to his résumé. The Houston Rockets star joined Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson and faced a direct question: Who is the best player he has ever played with?
Durant did not hesitate. He refused to separate two former teammates.
“It’s a tie between Steph and Russ. With Russ I never ever feared that he was gon lose a matchup. That’s one thing I never worried about,” Durant said. “As a leader of a team, you worry about so much coming into a game… Just knowing I can have that ease coming into the game from the point guard just made my life easier. And I felt that same way about Steph.”
The answer immediately circulated across social media. Durant has shared the floor with All-Stars, MVPs and champions, yet he narrowed the conversation to Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry. His reasoning centered on trust and competitive certainty.
Westbrook, Curry and the Weight of Context
Durant’s partnership with Westbrook on the Oklahoma City Thunder defined the early arc of his career. The pairing drove Oklahoma City into deep postseason runs and established them as one of the league’s most explosive duos. Durant emphasized that he never entered a game concerned about Westbrook’s matchup. That confidence allowed him to focus entirely on scoring and preparation.
Years later, Durant joined Curry and the Golden State Warriors. The move reshaped the NBA landscape and produced championships in 2017 and 2018. Durant said the same level of comfort existed with Curry. Both guards controlled tempo, commanded defensive attention and eliminated doubt late in games.
The timing of Durant’s comments also matters. Recent online chatter around the so-called “KDFiles,” appeared critical of Westbrook during their Thunder years. One alleged remark even trended, reviving a debate about their past dynamic. Durant’s latest statement undercuts that narrative. He highlighted Westbrook’s fearlessness rather than tension, reinforcing that on-court trust defined their partnership.
Rockets’ Late Collapse Underscores His Point
Durant’s reflection arrived after a frustrating loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Houston led by 16 entering the fourth quarter before falling 108-106.
Durant finished with 30 points, while Jabari Smith Jr. added 21 and Alperen Sengun scored 16. The Rockets had won five straight before the defeat. Yet the offense stalled in the final frame. Houston slowed the pace, drained the shot clock and forced late attempts.
“We sit there and wait, wait, wait and then boom, you’re playing against the late clock,” Durant said, per Houston Chronicle. “You put yourself in tough positions.”
He shot 2 for 7 down the stretch and committed three turnovers, including a lost dribble and a charge. The Knicks capitalized on the stagnation and erased the deficit.
When Durant shared the floor with prime versions of Westbrook or Curry, leads like that often felt secure. Both guards dictated pace and forced defenses into uncomfortable decisions.
Durant did not frame his answer as nostalgia. He answered plainly. When asked to name the best player he has ever played with, he chose two point guards who removed fear from the equation. For Durant, that level of certainty stands above everything else.