Former Boston Celtics players Paul Pierce and Evan Turner pose for a photo during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at TD Garden.
Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant set the internet ablaze with his honest response to a question about comparing the dynasty of the Golden State Warriors to the current lineup of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Durant, who has never been afraid to share his opinion, said the 76ers are way better. He stressed that the core of LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey has more firepower than the foursome of him, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green during the Warriors' back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018.
“Klay Thompson, never an MVP candidate in nothing, 22 points per game. Draymond, 14 points per game, seven rebounds, six assists. Steph an MVP just like Joel was. I don’t get how the Warriors team is better on paper.”
Many zeroed in on Durant's harsh description of Thompson, who appeared to take issue with his former teammate and reacted on his Instagram Story. Among them was former NBA forward Evan Turner.
“‘Was never an MVP in anything' is a tad bit aggressive, LOL,” wrote Turner on X.
Fans quickly chimed in after Turner's take.
“He was the MVP of sending KD home in 2016,” said @Match3s_B.
“He minimized Klay to reach for his point. Like people would forget that Warriors team was proven already with 73 wins in a season,” added @swmplanningcpa.
“It definitely is crazy to say it like that, but I can see the other side of the coin where he's talking like that,” wrote @sosanolimitt.
“He does have a point kind of, but yeah, it definitely feels like he's selling prime Klay Thompson a little short, LMAO,” commented @AaronPKP.
“He's trying to make himself feel appreciated. Like a 73-win finals team needed that man,” stated @Datguy2high.
Turner, who retired in 2020, was often tasked with defending Thompson, so he knows exactly how great the sweet-shooting guard is.
Thompson was a four-time champion, a two-time All-NBA, and a five-time All-Star with the Warriors.
Green also talked about Durant's wild response on his podcast, disagreeing with it and noting that the two-time Finals MVP views the game quite differently.