Kevin Durant Doesn't Seem To Understand Why He Isn't In The GOAT Conversation

Kevork Djansezian. Getty Images.

When you think of the GOAT in the NBA, which names come to mind? MJ? LeBron? Kareem? Magic or Larry? It's a debate that will never die and frankly is pretty useless to have if you ask me. Old heads will almost always choose MJ. The new generation will almost always choose LeBron. Celts fans will say Bald Derrick White. A name you don't often hear is Kevin Durant, and it sounds like he's a little confused as to why he's still not being included in these decisions

I may be one of the only people on the planet who does not give a shit that Durant went to GS. Sure it was a tough look considering what took place the year before, but it was not the first time we've seen a player create a superteam while looking for their first title. I never really understood why almost everyone is cool with what LeBron built in MIA but had a problem with Durant forming his own version of the superteam, it's the same shit. I don't really see a difference just because the Warriors knocked out the Thunder. Both guys made a conscious choice to form a superteam. So why do LeBron's rings count, and KD's don't? Last time I checked Durant still had to execute in those title runs, and he was as dominant as any player we've seen once he got back to that stage.

But in this world of extremes, that GS move will forever be held against KD, probably until he wins another ring. At the same time, if PHX suddenly turns things around and wins, I'm sure people will just say Durant needed another superteam in order to do it.

For me, Durant not being in the GOAT discussion doesn't really have anything to do with that GS decision. The legitimate list for GOAT is pretty short for a reason, it's very, very hard to do. Now, if you want to say Durant is one of the greatest offensive talents the league has ever seen? Absolutely. He's 12th all time in points with 27,913 (and counting). He's a member of the Top 75 team, something they don't exactly give out to everyone. 13x All Star, 4x scoring champ, 10x All NBA, MVP, 2x Finals MVP etc. He's absolutely one of the most decorated players not only of his era, but ever.

But to be considered the GOAT? You need more than all that plus 2 titles. LeBron isn't considered the GOAT just because of his titles in my opinion. He's the all time leader in points, 4th (and counting) in assists, 9th all time in steals, and 33rd all time in rebounds. He leads the NBA all time in playoff wins. His longevity and production are unlike anything we've ever seen.

Jordan is considered the GOAT because he's 6-0 in the Finals and one of the best scorers and defenders in NBA history with the production to match. 

So while the easy answer is "KD went to GS", in reality, it's more the fact that as incredible as his career has been, the GOAT tier is something different. Regular season wins, playoff wins, overall stats, rings, MVPs, it all factors in. There's nothing wrong with being one of the 10-15 greatest players we've ever seen, and arguably the best pure scorer we've ever seen. But at some point, we can't just keep throwing every legendary player into the GOAT conversation, you have to draw the line somewhere.

Where I think this discourse goes too far is how people try and frame things as if KD stinks or is only a superteam merchant. Again, every single champion we've seen had elite help. I do think people make WAY too big a deal about the GS move, mostly because you don't see those same people discredit Steph's ring total. Maybe that's because he won another one post-Durant, but let's not pretend like he didn't have star help on that team too. 

Again, there's no shame in being one of the 10-15 best players to ever play in the NBA. 99.9% of players would take that career without thinking twice, even with all the drama that's come with KD's career. But it's not exactly crazy that when people talk GOAT, his name tends to not get brought up. Offense? Absolutely. All around GOAT? Not quite.