Should Kevin Durant be in the GOAT conversation?

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[@NZZN666]

The simple answer is no. And the complex answer is....no.

[@letsboogie4408]

😂😅 exactly

[@Mahilo]

Dam😂

[@SPORTS_FITNESS_LIFE_HIPHOP]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@tjones8778]

Bro😂😂😂😂

[@sarailustre8131]

for you no but not for me !! He’s 🐐

[@michaelsherron5750]

Not a GOAT, but one of the most talented to play the game. Period.

[@pogbaproductions7219]

I think thee most talented, not a GOAT but a snake indeed.

[@ojoj5194]

@@pogbaproductions7219 U R LOSER, y'all kd haters are hilarious! probably can't go to bed without crying yourselves to sleep. 😂😂😂

[@perryfreeman1834]

I agree

[@Chosen1Crown]

Exactly

[@user-sw1fz9vc6r]

Lmao that don't mean shit

[@Cawshe]

“without the warriors, he would have been remembered as taller Carmelo Anthony ”

[@MrEOM41]

Nawww Melo ain’t on KD level and KD went to the finals very early

[@sergiodangelo3175]

Well said...though I love kd

[@s7654r]

He is the GOAT of bus riders

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

Kd is the greatest small forward all time 🐐

[@ChannelTwentyTwo]

@@JuwanTaylor-jz5zrthat’s lebron 🤣🤣

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

@@ChannelTwentyTwo kd and bird better than bron

[@ChannelTwentyTwo]

@@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr in no world is that true

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

@@ChannelTwentyTwo kd n bird better than LeBron big facts

[@Someone_VIP]

KD is 💯 an all time great player. Zero percent he is even considered in the goat convo.

[@baldeagle4710]

KD is the goat of running away from the grind when it gets tough

[@stylzk1830]

@@brooksorlando4510lebron hasn’t been better than Kd since Kd won his mvp…

[@yeahohh8139]

@@baldeagle4710 yeah he beat lebron 2x

[@yeahohh8139]

@@brooksorlando4510 but he beats lebron 2x in the finals

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

​@@brooksorlando4510kd destroyed LeBron back to back finals. Kd better than LeBron fasho 💯

[@1O1O11]

Golden State won the title before KD and then won a title after KD. That title after KD really puts things into perspective.

[@smoothsavage2870]

That title after KD really just lacks context and people continue refusing to add it. The Warriors beat a Cavs team that was injured in 2015. Nobody besides Warriors fans thought that they would've won if Lebron's teammates were healthy. Lebron comes back in 2016 with just Kyrie healthy after game 2 in the finals and beats them, proving the doubters right. Then the Warriors recruit KD to ensure they beat the Cavs in the finals. There was never any doubt that the Warriors could potentially win without KD. The doubt came in regards to if they could win a ring by getting through Lebron. They just lost to him last postseason and they are 1-2 against Lebron in a 7 game series without KD. Them beating the Celtics doesnt put anything into perspective. They have to go back and beat Lebron's Cavs in 2017 and 2018 without KD to do that.

[@damianpriest196]

@@smoothsavage2870LeBron has never won anything without a top 75 player in nba history. It’s okay for LeBron to stack the deck but others can’t foh. 4-6. And 1-3 vs Steph in the finals. Cry about it.

[@jvtopflight796]

GS needed him to Beat Brons Cavs.. That's who GS couldn't beat HEALTHY

[@ItsMeStrider]

@@smoothsavage2870 except 2016 steph was hurt since game 1 vs rockets, then draymond suspension and bogut injury, if you wanna talk about a team being "100%" for the win to count then neither the cavs or the warriros wins count lmao

[@vintagemonte]

No KD = No dynasty

[@TheGamer2323]

''what haven't I done'' lead a team of your own to a championship 😆

[@penkima4923]

That might take LeBron out of the GoaT-convo, so tall words.

[@baldeagle4710]

Even kawhi is ahead of Kd. Kd been in the goat convo is a joke

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

Kd is the goat 🐐

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

​@@baldeagle4710kd better than LeBron and kawhi

[@blazingace1699]

​@@penkima4923Didn’t Lebron lead the Cavs and then the Lakers?

[@KevinPayton-fq8gd]

I love watching KD play. He's had a great career up to this point but he's not in the conversation. He's a top-15 to 20 player in my opinion.

[@user-nv2mr6nn7c]

If he can get a ring in Phoenix he will forever be loved in Phoenix.

[@ash80510]

It' ain't happening

[@gitworldyoungworld1127]

@@ash80510u not happy

[@ash80510]

@gitworldyoungworld1127 What? I don't dislike them. I just don't see Phoenix winning a title.

[@AnnieB8844]

And still not in the convo.

[@NathanStLouis-fz1lc]

So is Dan Marle

[@jonesvaughn8946]

KD is a phenomenal player in all but I've never once thought of him as being the greatest player in NBA history or even in the conversation of being the best player in NBA history.

[@SDesWriter]

Not even best player of his generation. He's a better defender, but Luka has better numbers in every other category (in just his 6th season).

[@robi5192]

I think maybe only him and moms!

[@Dayxh8]

@@SDesWriterDurant is better than Luka .

[@vintagemonte]

⁠@@SDesWriterYou think KD and Luka are in the same generation?? KD been balling since 2007 and you really can’t tell 😂 That’s that Kareem type longevity

[@dasher920]

@@SDesWriter he’s not a good defender

[@showdonz]

KD is the only player I've ever seen put himself into a goat purgatory, too offensively gifted to not be considered but also took the easy way out lol, the actual ring he needs is the hardest one to get.

[@CodeFatherX]

The mere conversation is insulting

[@bjorn804]

Trying to slither his way into the GOAT debate just like he did with his rings

[@brianjackson8668]

😢

[@bme4449]

Like he did them 35 points a game he averaged in the finals too right lol?

[@brianjackson8668]

​@@bme4449he had the best team. What he do against Golden State in that series that forced him out of OKC and joined the warriors. Kinda choked and left 😅

[@bme4449]

@brianjackson8668 KD pushed Golden State to 7 games and barely didn't win. He also beat a 67 game winning spurs team. And also beat the Mavs. But because it's kd and he did something wrong it's a problem. That was also the excuse lebron got.

[@BijanStewart]

​@bme4449 You mean the same finals 2 years in a row where the opposing coach stated their main focus was Steph Curry?

[@francmittelo6731]

"Should Kevin Durant be in the GOAT conversation?" LOL

[@Die4sSMD]

You should ask the same question but about LeBron 🤡

[@Kobiyashi77]

@@Die4sSMD I think Stephen A answered that one within the last couple seconds but you didn't seem to watch the entire video... 🤡

[@kysaanhall3769]

@@Die4sSMD😂 if u think lebron should not be in the goat conversation then u are clueless and confused with hate

[@Die4sSMD]

@@kysaanhall3769 no you were confused with klutch sports paying off espn to trick y’all wit these narratives. THEY ALSO TALK ABOUT EVERY RECORD HE BREAKS AND SETS But never talked about him recently breaking the record for most missed fgs! More than kobe when all yall could say is that lebron is more efficient than kobe… but missed more shots which were all way easier than the shots kobe took. Dude misses wide open layups. D wade is better than dude. If it wasnt for lebron being scared of jj barea d wade would’ve won 2011 FMVP D WADE WAS THE REASON LEBRON COULD PASS THE CELTICS!!! Wade averaged 30ppg and they gave the credit to lebron. USE YOUR EYES NOT YOUR THROAT

[@josephle2381]

@@Die4sSMDLebron has a bigger argument than KD

[@persianprince4689]

💯 Steven a always providing the public with justice, thank you. -From a warriors fan, grew up in the Bay Area stopped rooting for the warriors when KD joined, KD and Russ were my favorite players at the time too

[@__8868]

Fake fan 😭😭😭 You gotta have low brain cells or you're just lying... Your hometown team wins rings, gets a better player and wins more rings and you stop rooting for them because the team got too good? Be fr...

[@noktin]

Not in the convo, but one of the greatest for sure. As for the comparison with Bron's decision, it would be more like if Bron joined the Celtics that beat him in 2009-10.

[@BasketballBuddies]

Imagine if he joined them in 08 😮‍💨

[@MCFoultier]

​@@BasketballBuddies it would still be better than kds move. Boston was never THAT dominant as gs was; they have the all time win record for crying out loud

[@BasketballBuddies]

@@MCFoultier you’re correct

[@CoolTy23]

HELL NO

[@LionAndALamb]

He's in the conversation as a scorer but not overall player.

[@SDesWriter]

He could argue top 3 SF in history. He might even be the best (depending on what LeBron is classified as), but that's a really competitive position.

[@josephcampbell3718]

@@SDesWriterHe’s not better than Bron or Bird he’s third at best when it comes to small forwards in history.

[@SDesWriter]

@@josephcampbell3718 I'm not making the argument that he is, I'm just saying that's what needs to happen before he can have any GOAT conversation. You can't be 2nd or 3rd at your position but claim to be the best ever. He's a better shooter and scorer than Bird (with a big advantage on ppg). But Bird hit more big shots, had much better rebounding numbers, and carried his team in the post season, so I agree.

[@josephcampbell3718]

@@SDesWriter I don’t know about him being a better shooter than bird but he’s definitely a better scorer and when it comes to to scoring he’s definitely in the top 5.

[@SDesWriter]

@@josephcampbell3718 You can look up the numbers. He has a higher shooting percentage from 2 and from 3. I'm not throwing shade at Bird, that was a different NBA. There were no shooting coaches teaching players to take their jump shot to the next level. In his era he was the best, unquestioned. In today's era he would have specialist coaches that would make him every bit as good as KD or Curry. But that's the problem with comparing eras. You have guys who had to teach themselves competing against guys who've had professional coaching since before they went through puberty.

[@masco2483]

He'll apologize to KD's mom in the morning 😂

[@AliciaBender-kt4lg]

😂

[@michaeljayrobjaya6616]

Stephen A. giving me chills. Facts!!!!

[@JohnnySack16]

Gay af

[@L4-295]

⏸️⏸️⏸️⏸️⏸️

[@A1KX100]

What do you mean by that??? 🤔📸⏸

[@lmka8949]

Those words coming from a dude 😂

[@caronexroberts4114]

I just got em

[@Heaveaway23]

1 mvp 2 rings is just not enough to be considered in the conversation, kareem has 6 mvps and 6 rings, and people have him 1-3 so maybe if kd gets 3 more mvps and a few more rings then maybe

[@SDesWriter]

Rings are bullshit. That's a team accomplishment, not an individual player. The only time it's relevant is if your team gets you there and then you dominate in the finals to win. But fucking Robert Horry has like 7 rings and I wouldn't put him in the top 100.

[@munchiesfrankenstein894]

​@@SDesWriter Rings aren't bullshit. They are a part of your resume and KD doesn't have the resume to stack up. You need at the very least three rings and a mvp to qualify imo. KD isn't even in the top 15 of all time

[@SDesWriter]

@@munchiesfrankenstein894 arbitrary number. Look up the list, there's a bunch of guys with rings and even MVPs that you wouldn't put in your top 10. Rings are absolutely bulshit because they don't tell you the level of competition you faced or if you carried your team or if you were just a bus rider

[@xavierb9061]

Who did kareem beat out for those mvps?

[@munchiesfrankenstein894]

@@SDesWriter That's why I said "a part" of ones resume and not the entire thing. KD neither has the accomplishments or stats to put him in the G.O.A.T. debate, hell Steph has a better argument then he does. Again he isn't even a top 10 player

[@kh23234]

KD in the goat conversation is like saying Russell Wilson in the goat conversation😭😭😭😭

[@smatte-loup]

Hell naa, KD running circles around that boy

[@charlesmartel6108]

Actually great analogy.

[@baldeagle4710]

KD isn’t even top 10 man

[@russell9411]

@@charlesmartel6108no tf that is not a great analogy. Russell Wilson doesn’t have a mvp

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

​@@baldeagle4710kd is the goat 🐐

[@anthonyearle7641]

Stephen A killed this take damnnn!

[@Rixx432]

KD is great talent especially in Okc they had a solid team, Golden State KD was not to be messed with, he was super consistent and won alot of people money betting on the warriors to comeback 20 down 😅. The 2019 Finals injury against the Raptors was a sad day for Nba fans.

[@slebnation2035]

Phenomenal player; arguably the most talented offensive skill set ever, but him going to Golden State will always retract from him ever being mentioned in the GOAT discussion.

[@spiceislife]

As it should be... taking the easy road to a championship by joining the same team that beat you should automatically exclude you from any GOAT conversation

[@marcusb.1482]

@@spiceislife I think him going there and being the best player (finals mvps 2 years in a row) helps to cancel some of that out.

[@darthvader421]

@@marcusb.1482Not really, you think Jordan would’ve gone to the Piston’s after losing two straight conference finals? It’s a losing mentality doesn’t matter if KD was the best player on those teams, he doesn’t have the fire in him to prove he’s the best by beating the best. He’d rather make burner accounts and argue with kids on the internet.

[@BIGJERSEY908]

Offensive skill set is crazy. Scorer yes. Dude passing is so damn weak

[@114D]

Most talented offensive skill set ever? Are you insane? He has no footwork. He’s a just jump shooter with amazing length that makes it difficult to guard his shot. Basketball fans are the dumbest sand most toxic sports fans of all the sports.

[@CoolTy23]

I don’t have KD above: Jordan Lebron Kareem Magic Russell Wilt Kobe Duncan Bird Shaq Curry West Hakeem Zeke He’s more in the KG, Kawhi, Giannis and Jokic tier

[@user-pu4sd5lc4w]

good list Fully agree on it.

[@evenebrown7353]

Why does steven a and most of sports media only want to talk about kd on this subject? When he has a good game, score 40 pts, have a good defensive game it is crickets, but when someone ask him a question about goat status and he answers the question thecway he wants here comes steven a and I bet my bottom dollar that shannon, who never misses a opportunity to talk bad about kd will soon follow along with Broussard and nick. They will have whole shows beating him down all because he went to gs after spending 9 years in okc and leaving in free agency

[@Die4sSMD]

LeBron isn’t better then anyone on that list… he isn’t even top 100 if you use your eyes

[@All3cannons]

Spot on 👏🏽

[@kingsley3641]

Wade*

[@jaceygaither2581]

Not in terms of legacy, but in terms of actual basketball ability? He's gotta be in the conversation.

[@KrispyKleenex365]

GOAT convo: •MJ •Kareem •Wilt Legendary 3: •Kobe •Bird •Magic Top 10 : •BRussell •LeBron •Tim Duncan #10-15: •Hakeem •ShaQ •Steph Curry •KD •Oscar Robertson

[@SuperBlizzack]

The real 🐐's don't gotta ask to be in the conversation!!!

[@Die4sSMD]

*The real 🐐’s don’t gotta call themself the goat like your man crush did 🤡*

[@shateeksupremebeing7]

LeBron stay telling everyone he the goat, while the real goat ( Mike ) never said that…. Fall back

[@coreythomas3633]

​@@Die4sSMDREAL GOAT BEAT A 73 9 TEAM. CALL THEMSELVES THE GOAT AFTER DOING THAT

[@coreythomas3633]

​@@shateeksupremebeing7lebron is the GOAT. He has every right

[@Die4sSMD]

@@coreythomas3633 kyrie is the goat then. He literally won them Game 7 with his 40 pts and lebron was his sidekick passing him the ball every play. U don’t even watch basketball u just watch lebron sweat u weirdo

[@cwhynot100]

Lmao he doesn't keep the same energy for KD that he does for Kawhi.

[@RG-rb6om]

He is known Kawhi hater 😂

[@Marcus-xu7hn]

@@RG-rb6omi mean kd had more than a decade of work and accolades and came back from a career ending injury. Kawhi is here and there.

[@yunodespair2661]

Ever since Kd mom came on the show that one time 😂😂😂

[@lorddj9910]

@@Marcus-xu7hnAnd Kawhi still might be better and has the same amount of rings

[@cwhynot100]

@@Marcus-xu7hn dude since 2019 Kawhi has played more games then KD and hasn't requested trades or Swept like KD has

[@ympkilla]

KD is probably one of the greatest "what if" players. If he had a bit more luck he could have won 2 more rings easily. If Russ was capable of being a starting point guard on a championship team, he would have won 1 more at OKC. Current Suns could have also won if front office didn't blow everything on Beal. Basically, he made any team he joined automatically into championship contender.

[@futventurelab]

well said!!! "Fair or unfair"

[@--1644]

People are so quick to forget what happened in the Boston series in 2022

[@empoweredwithiggy]

What happened?

[@ameetsander9344]

He got locked up

[@Die4sSMD]

@@ameetsander9344 lebron got locked up by jj barea by himself! And kawhi owns him. Delonte west is his father as well. But do yall hold that against yall king? The whole Celtics, who had great defense, was all over him. Literally JJ Barea himself shut ur goat down

[@Bluecmu]

First, this conversation is about KD and not LeBron. Second, Giannis dropped over 30 points against that same defense and took that series past 5 games without Middleton while KD got swept in the 1st round. ​@@Die4sSMD

[@ameetsander9344]

@@Die4sSMDbro get off kd tip

[@King-zb2iv]

Kyrie was there when boston swept him i ain't trying to hear that excuse

[@ojoj5194]

yeah with drama, tell the all history bro

[@ed4l63]

Kyrie was hurt. End of discussion.

[@Die4sSMD]

And AD was there when lebron was swepped last year🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@khalilwilliams1818]

but lebron already won with ad

[@quentinjones6877]

​@trapking9539 boy you LeBron haters always gotta bring him up in topics that have nothing to do with him, the topic is about KD

[@iconvzion]

Danm stephen a smith hesthe friend i need i like this guy the way he talk is raw and so real thats my guy

[@baybossSKS]

Steven A spitting facts

[@rigobertoramos6218]

The thumbs down is for the topic, not on your professional SAS

[@LK.1207]

Well that makes no sense

[@FastBreak1999]

His move to the warriors was huge blow to the nba in a competitive manner. It would be like if the sixers blew a 3-1 to the Celtics in the eastern conference finals this year, and embiid joins the Celtics in free agency🤯

[@quentinjones6877]

Right

[@maxmx767]

Just like The Decision

[@edwinbrown2148]

@@maxmx767 u not making sense lol

[@maxmx767]

@@edwinbrown2148 Both were weak moves. Both were chasing rings Both took the easy path.

[@twizzy6760]

⁠@@edwinbrown2148still not making sense lol

[@dmix7673]

Well spoken 👏 👏👏

[@BTisBack]

The GOAT of riding Coattails

[@CoolTy23]

Top 20 players can’t be in the GOAT convo

[@noelvazquez750]

top 15

[@Lowkey_AFC]

He’s top 15

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

Kd is the goat 🐐

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

​@@Lowkey_AFCkd is top ten

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

​@@noelvazquez750kd is top ten

[@RapSensei]

Imagine if Lebron would have joined the 2010 Celtics after loosing to them 4-3 in 09. He would not be in the GOAT debate, but that's basically what KD did. That's the difference between the 2. Lebron joined a team that couldn't beat the Celtics either. KD said F it & just joined the other team.

[@only1adonis]

LOSING, not LOOSING. Elementary English. Zero excuses. Be better. Also, nice try. LeBron is only a few slots ahead of Kevin Durant. Neither of them is in GOAT conversation. The LeBron agenda is over. The propaganda is losing steam. Cut the BS. MJ, Kareem, Kobe, Magic, Wilt. Then Shaq, Duncan & Hakeem are right there with Bron, Bird, Russell- then many others. Bron isn’t top 5.

[@michaelkirschner6009]

​@@only1adonisIf you don't have LBJ top five then you don't know anything about basketball. Mike is the GOAT but Kobe is the closet to Mike.

[@yct2.0]

@@only1adoniskobe not top 10 buddy that's the real be agenda

[@RapSensei]

@@only1adonis Here's my argument for Lebron.. Who else has been this great for this long? It took 4 future Hall of Famers to beat him in 3 of his Finals losses.. He's been to the Finals 10 times, his level of competition has been the toughest. MJ beat an older sick Magic, Malone, Kemp & Dexler. All of which are great players, but not anywhere close to the level of competition that Lebron has had to face. 💯

[@RapSensei]

@@only1adonis I'll take my one misspelled word over your horrendous punctuation, but no, we're not talking about rings or just accolades alone. We're talking about the best "basketball" player ever & I'm taking 12' or 16' Lebron over anyone. 💯

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

Kd arguably the best small forward all time of course kd in goat conversation

[@robertjones2556]

Straight hypotheticals to defend KD with this subject. “I believe if this or that would’ve happened” hilarious.

[@brucelau2023]

not a GOAT seriously but definitely one of the most talented to play the game PERIOD.

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

Kd is the goat 🐐

[@ryukosukuno4473]

Snake and Goat are a different breed.

[@inyournargazz5337]

No goat in any sport has ever said, they beat me, let me go join them. Simple as that.

[@Wavybets]

Absolutely not he’s not a leader, and he joined a 73-9 team we will be saying the same thing when he’s in his 50s and 60s he will never be a goat. He was up 3-1 and couldn’t close

[@yofresh723]

💯

[@scottbabien4395]

Blah blah arent you sick of saying that yet

[@orvilleblake8798]

He needed them, and they needed him lol and steph lost a 3-1 lead in the same playoffs right after beating kd in a 3-1 comeback after the best season of all time lmao I don't consider him in the goat convo either but still lol lebron did the same thing to win 2 chips too but because he won after he doesn't get the hate everyone knew the heat were going to win once he went there no question

[@Chukkbukk]

He was recruited he was a free agent in the nba he made a business decision and got 2 rings out of it stop hating

[@bme4449]

So you'll be hating when you're 50

[@nonamespls3468]

those 2 rings with the Warriors are more of a curse a tqrnish to his legacy, Warriors won before and after he got there. Sometimes, it's not about the result, but how you did it. Sometimes I feel also Curry needs to be questioned how he let that trade happen, that is also a weak move froma superstar, choking a 3-1 lead in the finals and getting Durant during the summer. I would put Nowitzki over Durant, that Dallas ring is pure.

[@cyberft]

After Harrison Barnes choked the finals away, they needed a replacement. They found a complete upgrade in KD.

[@penkima4923]

@@cyberft Harrison Barnes scored 2 points less than his average in the finals. Steph Curry scored 8 points less than his average.

[@jbthetestgod]

@@penkima4923that’s why they lost because curry was the best on the warriors and kyrie was better than curry who was the second best on the cavaliers

[@SteveJones-gz3nd]

@@jbthetestgod Ky wasn’t better then Curry

[@cyberft]

@@penkima4923 dig deeper if you’re going to use stats. ou would see Harrison Barnes shot 35% from the field and 30% from 3. If you dig even deeper, you’ll see in the 3 games that GSW lost in a row he shot 15/20/50 and scored 5pts a game despite being left wide open. If you actually watched those games you would see that Cleveland just stopped guarding him to always double Steph.

[@Edgar-fs2wr]

KD needs to win a ring for phoenix , he’s def going down in history as one of the greats but he needs to step up a level as a leader to be in that “goat” conversation.

[@Dialed-In777]

So well put from start to finish and he did it with respect ✊🏽 S.A Is a savage at what he does 💯

[@brandonspencer1599]

If K.D. somehow leads a Phoenix to a championship...I think he joins the G.O.A.T conversation because the only truth about him in Golden State...He was the best player on the Team

[@Jed-i]

When i think about KDs greatest i often juxtaposed it to that of CP3. KD is missing all of CPs intangibles CP is missing all of KDs physical attributes If they could combined into one player that person would automatically be in the GOAT convo.

[@penkima4923]

What intangibles is KD missing?

[@ianmbanda3196]

@@penkima4923 leadership

[@tonetone111222]

Dam good break down Stephen A.!

[@MrEOM41]

Legacy wise I can’t put him there however raw skills/ability he’s all time definitely will be 1st ballot hofer

[@deerich2391]

Let him cook 😂😂 kd act like he not aware of these facts

[@stingabee123]

No. He's not even close. Barely top 10.

[@NankoRi]

maybe top 15, top 10 definitely not

[@Roadrunner0077]

He not even the best player in his own era 😂

[@CoolTy23]

Top 20

[@Die4sSMD]

LeBron isn’t even top 100 (eye test wise) but he’s in the conversation… Kd owned him twice. If kd joining a team made that big of a impact its because he’s that good. He’s better than lebron made him fall in the finals and everything. Made him his personal female dog. But lebron is in the conversation but not him 🤡

[@NankoRi]

@@Die4sSMD u mentally challenged?

[@highrpmsdon2099]

Well said 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@AyyAreTee123]

That move to GSW after having the series ahead of them then losing to join them left him out the convo he should know that....

[@foundationsyth9825]

He SHOULD be in the GOAT conversation but hes robbed himself of that. He severely undermined his potential by joining teams he shouldnt have joined and never being able to win a championship when its HIS team

[@chan13153]

Basketball is a team sport. If the game was an individual sport then all that matters is raw talent. And raw talent wise KD would be in the discussion. His individual stats prove it. His scoring ability etc. However it's not. It's a team sport. KD as a leader is not even above average. He is simply a bad leader. Every time KD has been the bus driver he has failed. Not only has he failed but he would jump buses the second things gets hard. Thats not a good leader. And this is what he hasn't done. He hasn't been a good leader let alone a great leader.

[@frankstarling7788]

Nope, at best he’s in the top 20 of all time conversation

[@VornTheMatrix]

Man I had to subscribe after this speech

[@tiduschew2156]

Let's put it this way: the Warriors could carry Jordan Poole to a championship. That's how easy the Warriors made it for KD to win 2 rings.

[@cfwcheeze]

Impossible because he hasnt exactly "lead" a team to a championship. He's a top 15 player for sure in my opinion & has an argument as one of the 10 greatest shooters ever(which never gets talked about). One of the 5 greatest 3 level scorers ever. Hes 35 averaging 30 on near ANOTHER 50/40/90 season. His skill cant be denied. But hell no.

[@JeLifeCoach]

Amen

[@kumonphat9116]

mans said top 15 last year or 2 years statistically kd was top 10 do yo homework on that it been a couple of season sense then durant top 5 forsure

[@smoothsavage2870]

You dont even know what a leader does lol. Nobody that says "KD hasnt led a team" knows what leading a team actually is.

[@JMacTheFanatic]

he's led them with his play but not with leadership. kawhi won a chip without being the leader (Lowry was) but KD has never had a mature leader (except with warriors) and he isn't one himself. every champion team always needs at least one great leader in terms of personality besides the coach who can connect with the whole roster, has a great basketball IQ, and always displays maximum effort with no excuses@@smoothsavage2870

[@cfwcheeze]

@@smoothsavage2870 What Dirk did in 2011? Kawhi did in 19? What Giannis did in 2021? What steph did the following year? Just recent examples. He went to a team that already had its core of LEADERS And you saw Draymond tell him "WE DONT NEED YOU"(which was proven right because they won a ship without him. You just wanna argue.

[@wealthonmainstreet]

To be in the goat convo, probably gotta have at least 4 chips

[@SDesWriter]

So dumb. Who cares how many rings you have? Did you carry the team to get them or are you Robert Horry? For years people tried to con everyone that Russel deserved the spot because of 11, but there were only 8 freaking teams in the league and no free agency. Also there's the small matter of Wilt outperforming him on an EPIC scale in their head to head matchups but Russel's team still winning. He doesn't have the rebounding or assist numbers to qualify for the conversation, although he does have a claim to be one of the best shooters ever (3% higher than Curry along with 3ppg better).

[@coreythomas3633]

​​@@SDesWriterWILT CHOKE WHEN IT MATTER, THAT WHY BILL RUSSEL DOMINATED WILT. WILT HAD A 3 1 LEAD AND CHOKED TO BILL RUSSEL

[@wealthonmainstreet]

@@SDesWriter that has to be at least a part of the discussion because it's the sports biggest stage. And how you won your rings matter too. I was just speaking to that specific part bc to be the GOAT you must have to have won on the biggest stage and been the dominant factor

[@SDesWriter]

@@wealthonmainstreet Except Barkley is a top 15 or 20 player and he only made it to one and although he played great, he lost to Jordan. So you're going to tell me lesser power forwards are magically better than him because he played on crappy 76ers teams for years before he finally moved out to the Suns who had a good (but not great) team? It matters if you get there and you play like shit, but if you're the second best player on the court to MJ at his best, that's not a knock on your skills. That's why I hate using rings to compare a player's individual greatness. It CAN be a part of the conversation (especially if you dominate in playoff games), but it's a commentary on how lucky you were to play with great teams, not how great you were.

[@wealthonmainstreet]

@@SDesWriter you just proved my point though. He's a top 15-20 player. Not GOAT status though. Hes a phenomenal player. I don't think we take away anyone's greatest by saying they aren't in the goat convo, it's just that the goat convo can only have so many people in the discussion in general. Also he got beat by #1 in the finals.

[@ianlumacad6672]

KD is my fav. player since his rookie year... and yeah! Stephen A Smith is 100% accurate about this😅 but even the haters recognized him as one of the GOAT scorers of all-time 😊... I never argue about Cupcake, Snake etc. issue coz it's true 😂 for me that's a compliment you know why? coz basketball fans see you as a cheat code 🤷‍♂️ then you join the 73-9 warriors haha.. that's why they're angry about your decision..but I'm rooting for you to win a ring in Suns ☀️

[@qceaz11]

Should Be In The G.O.A.T SCORER Conversation But That's It

[@victoriajohnson5461]

Extremely talented! He needed the Warriors and they needed him. They in my opinion created the most perfect team ever! It was magical!❤ You are great!

[@miamibitch305fl]

Warriors never needed Durant!

[@jamesgreen641]

They did not need kd

[@kevinrushing4021]

They can't never be the Most Perfect team Ever....they can only be the team with the most wins in a calendar year......that Didn't win the Championship!!!! Ask Jordan... It don't mean Doo Doo to win 72 n lose the Championship!!! Nuff said!!!

[@kevinrushing4021]

@@miamibitch305fl yes....if they was gonna beat the Cavs ..they needed DURANT...OR A DURANT TYPE PLAYER... and wasn't none In the NBA!!!!

[@joeymanny]

KD forcing his way out 3 times in his prime doesnt look good legacywise, and joining a team that beat you makes him worse. He personify Join them if you cant beat them

[@Christopher._M]

Forcing his way out? He didn't force his way out any time. He asked to be traded 2 times by the same team and the team traded him

[@joeymanny]

@@Christopher._M it sounds cool but the point is you team hop to the place you wanted to be and still underachieved, he is a great player but lack of leadership quality that he is just wants the easy way out. This generation just wanted the easiest way to win a chip thats why its not worth like it used to be

[@kumonphat9116]

look what u just said he had a prime for like 8 years straight (end of discussion)

[@joeymanny]

@@kumonphat9116 so?

[@smoothsavage2870]

I dont think you understand what "forcing his way out" means. If you're talking about James Harden, then sure. KD never did that. Even when he requested a trade, he never sat out or found ways to not play like Ben Simmons and James Harden. KD left 2 teams in FA and requested a trade from another. He never forced his way out.

[@AJ_773]

I wish y’all would stop forcing us to believe KD is in the same ilk as guys like Kobe, Jordan & LeBron. He is not that guy. He’s one of the most talented players to ever play, but that’s where it starts and stops.

[@CK-zh9zz]

From “the weakest move in nba history” to THIS question. 😂

[@mrmitchell4089]

If you have to ask..

[@treydelaney4870]

I think he's obviously a top 10 small foward of all time and a top 20 all time player. But right now that's as far as I'm willing to argue

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

Kd better than LeBron 💯. Yes kd in goat conversation

[@treydelaney4870]

@@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr KD is not better overall than LeBron in my opinion. Right now to me he is better but most of the past years LeBron was an overall better player on the floor. Is KD in the all time goat discussion? Absolutely NOT in my opinion. However, I think he is in the small forward goat conversation though. For the sake of argument I'd say he's top 5 at his position all time for me.

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

@@treydelaney4870 kd is the best sf ever. Kd better than LeBron 💯 it's facts. Kd is the goat 🐐🐐🐐🐐. Kd all time better than LeBron

[@treydelaney4870]

@@JuwanTaylor-jz5zrfirst of all the best sf ever is Larry bird. lets get that clear right off the rip. you think kd the best sf ever explain. not about bird cause kd never gonna get to bird level just explain lebron.

[@theronhuggins]

Top 20??? Sheesh who above him be Fr lol. He top 5 in my book all time

[@user-rn9co7jc4t]

KD is undisputed the greatest TALENT to ever play the game

[@Braselton21]

Greatest Scorer of all time conversation

[@craigsingleton2293]

KD has to understand we keep receipts no matter how you win he may be a champion but the way you win Matters period he join a stack deck.

[@jareljones3911]

So did Lebron

[@Dominique_Marie]

The league has improved since KD joined the Warriors. Franchises, teams, and players have stepped it up because they know having one good or even great player is not enough to win a championship. And, even when teams have more than one great player, it still takes work and the players have to gel. It's ridiculous to expect Kevin Durant to be an elite scorer and a behavioral specialist in order for him to be in "GOAT" contention. Nobody can "lead" Westbrook, Harden, and Kyrie. These three players have gotten some of the most negative media attention over the last few years because of how they conducted themselves or how people view how they've conducted themselves. They do what they want to do. They cannot be led or controlled.

[@TheDifferenceCHI]

And what about if he does win with Booker n Beal?

[@Dominique_Marie]

@@TheDifferenceCHI - if KD wins a championship with Booker n Beal, some will still have something negative to say about him, his greatness, and his legacy. People would have preferred for him to be the greatest player to ever play but never win a champion rather than have him go to GS and win the two championships.

[@Milehigh_]

No it hasn't the league got worst and became more unwatchable because of the predictable outcome

[@MrNashtyone]

Totally agree. After watching KD with my Phoenix team it is clear he's top 4 in this order Jordan Wilt Bird and then KD. Kobe never lead a team. He might have bitched a team but he never lead a team and he had to shoot 35 shots to get his 40 piece. He'll never be anything but a little bitch writing books about witchcraft. Illuminati pawn like LeBron both gifted multiple championships by the commissioner and his refs much the same as Shaq was as well as Duncan. Hakeem made traveling fashionable. And Magic and Kareem just weren't as good as Jordan Wilt Bird and KD although their championships were legit. So he may not be the greatest but top 4 is pretty damn good in my book. Also in case people want to go back to LeBron over KD. LeBron was and always has been the consummate choker. Would rather not drive the lane the last 5 minutes of a close game because he has to shoot free throws. Durants career free throw percentage is on par with Birds who Jordan and Wilt couldn't touch although they both were more dominant players.

[@baldeagle4710]

The eastern conference was suuuuper weak from 2015-2018

[@timothythomas5804]

Don't matter if team stack or not whenever it's 3 superstars on team gone be elite

[@kh23234]

"What haven't I done"....Win without Steph..beat lebron without Steph lmao should I carry on

[@bjrowland25]

He hasn’t even beaten Steph

[@penkima4923]

@@bjrowland25 KD was the better player on the Warriors team.

[@johnwilson8218]

@@penkima4923 he still couldn’t beat Steph head to head in the playoffs

[@penkima4923]

@@johnwilson8218 KD didn't play Steph head to head. Steph can't play defense, so he doesn't play anyone head to head. Iggy was the best player on the team, and he defended KD.

[@johnwilson8218]

@@penkima4923 That’s a bold face lie. Steph Curry can play defense, he’s neutral at best on that end. Andre Iguodala was not the best player in that Western Conference Finals Series in that 3-1 comeback against OKC it was Steph Curry followed by Klay Thompson.

[@kh23234]

Blowing a 3-1 Durant really should thank Curry not just for two rings but blowing a 3-1 finals lead bc if not happened we will only talk KD choking

[@SDesWriter]

Isn't KD the MVP of those 2 championships?

Lmao bro look at the finals go watch the games . Ty Lue told yall the game plan was to stop curry bro. How you the goat but your pg who yall say only got one true skill gets doubled and triple team before you lmao. Yeah that's a goat right there

[@jvtopflight796]

Ty Lue didn't state he believed Bron could guard KD 1v1 until KD bust Bron a$s on National TV in the Finals.. That's on Ty Lue

[@jareljones3911]

@@jvtopflight796knocked his crown off twice back to back years basically showed the world the emperor has no clothes

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

Durant is the best small forward ever 🐐

[@Livingweapon5]

Thank You Stephen A Smith ‼️

[@user-im8ht1wl3u]

Stephen is exactly right.

[@hailgerald2060]

he was so nice at first

[@reggiefurlow1]

His rings count like those years when the players go on strike

[@jareljones3911]

Lebron’s first ring came when the players when on strike and his last one came during Covid

[@spacecadetsuniverse483]

Kd wasn't better than Stephen on those teams. Steph account for more offensively. And the warriors were under .500 without curry an with durant. Above .500 when curry an no kd

[@ACArguson]

💯 percent agree with Stephen A.

[@eli2fly121]

First time i completely agree wit SAS in a decade 💯

[@bcharlz2513]

KD should not be in the convo for all the reasons SA highlighted. However, we really need to establish a clear definition of what constitutes the GOAT in sports, as the criteria seem to fluctuate based on the sport and personal preferences. The debate often revolves around the number of championships won versus losses. Take Mayweather, undefeated in his career, yet some detract from his achievements by questioning the caliber of his opponents, while others laud Ali despite his five losses. In football, Brady is often hailed as the GOAT for his seven Super Bowl victories, despite three losses, compared to Montana's pristine record of four wins. In basketball, Jordan's six championships without a defeat are frequently highlighted, but then there's Kareem, who also has six titles, an equal number of MVPs, and the 2nd most points in NBA history, with only one three-pointer in his career. Then there's Bill Russell with his 11 rings, though some downplay his achievements due to the era and the nature of his competition. So, the question remains: what consistent criteria can we use to truly determine the GOAT across different sports? Or just do as Jordan said himself, don't judge athletes across eras cause they never will get to play against one another. But ALWAYS good barbershop talk though.

[@SDesWriter]

You compare by position. And ring talk is nonsense. If you spend your career on mediocre teams or in a really competitive conference (unlike LeBron), you might never make a final, let alone win one.....but still be the best at your position ever. Without Kobe, Shaq doesn't win in LA. No matter how dominant, he's only getting 30-35pts so his team has to get more than triple his total (plus play defense) to win. The only exception is when your TEAM gets you to a finals appearance and you step up your game to dominate and carry them (like Jordan did 6 times....or what Joker did last year). So first you have to determine how he stacks up against small forwards (and if LeBron is counted as a SF). Once that's determined, you can talk about his career accomplishments. But his 2 championships (after running to a highly competitive playoff team), doesn't impress me at all, nor do I hold it against him.

[@coreythomas3633]

​@@SDesWriterMJ OVVERATED. CLYDE DREXLER BLAZERS,CHARLES BARKLEY SUNS,GARY PAYTON SONICS,UTAH JAZZ,AND A OLD MAGIC JONHSON. IS NOT BETTER THAN 73-9 GSW PLUS KD. NOT BETTER THAN 2007,2013,2014 SPURS. 2011 MAVS SWEPT KOBE COMING OFF BACK2BACK FINALS. MJ 6 0 IS OVVERATED 😂

[@coreythomas3633]

​@@SDesWriterMJ doesn't have the most rings. He not the greatest defender not the greatest SCORER not the greatest shooter(steph curry is). Like robery horry and john HALVACK 7-0 and 8-0. Bill Russel won 11 championship in 13 year's. 😂 not 6 in 15 year's. So how is MJ the goat exactly.).....

[@coreythomas3633]

​@@SDesWriterMJ 6-0 IS OVERRATED IT NOT A INDIVIDUAL SPORT IT A TEAMSPORT. MJ had the better head coach and team. Had to QUIT TWICE because he couldn't get pass the first round. WITHOUT SCOTTIE OR PHILL JACKSON. phill Jackson won 5 CHIPS WITHOUT MJ. Mj QUITE because he couldn't win without Scottie and phill. OVVERATED 6-0 FINALS RECORD A WEAK ARGUMENT. None of those TEAMS MJ FACE. was better than dynasty spurs and dynasty warrior. MAVS SWEPT KOBE COMING OFF A CHIP,beat OKC kd thunder and a good Portland team. Stop it,LEBRON THE GOAT.

[@SDesWriter]

@@coreythomas3633 I'm guessing you capitalize so much because you don't know how to actually write like an adult. Jordan with 6 finals MVPs isn't overrated, chowderhead. LeFlop wasn't even the best player on his team for 2 of those championships that he actually won. His ppg average is 3 behind Jordan, and if we're going to go by his scoring/rebounding/assist stats (slightly better than MJ), then you're admitting Luka is actually the GOAT (since his numbers are way better than James at any point in his career.

[@alexanderdumas-]

They swapped him with Jordan Poole and ran it back so I don’t care what he did on GS. He’s always been the cherry on top of a championship sundae he didn’t help build he just wanted to join. Plus he just wanted to “hoop,” he’s not a leader of men like the goats were. Jordan Lebron and Steph didn’t join a champion and become a goat by association they built it and lead it. I can’t believe this man took the easy road to greatness while they 4 on 1’d Lebron one year and he really thinks that puts him in the goat conversation 😂😂😂😂PATHETIC

[@TeamDaemon1980]

Right now, I’m thinking if I should get a Christian McCaffery #23 SF jersey? I just got myself a blue Kawhi swingman jersey. Only $40. The girl who sold it to me was originally selling it for $100 on OfferUp but she was cool with my $40 offer. It’s legit. And it looks brand new. Props to Kawhi. He’s committed to my Clippers. He didn’t want his extension to be a distraction and took $8M less to help re-sign both PG and Harden. Greatest Clipper ever for doing that for us. If only he can finally stay healthy for the *entire* playoffs this time. Going back to Run CMC, I think he’s the key 🔑 to my Niners at upsetting the Ravens while everyone is focused on the two QBs. I think back to Kyle’s dad. It wasn’t John who won them that first chip. It was all Terrell. And these Niners are famous for their creative run game. CMC’s number is great too. It’s the GOAT number and it ain’t LeBron. Wearing #23 while the Niners can be champions for 2023. Christian isn’t very big at only 5’11 but he can explode and hops over tackles. We didn’t have him when we lost to KC and LA 2-4 years ago. That CMC trade makes up for our Trey Lance screw job. I haven’t worn a Niners jersey since my Jerry Rice Starter one. That one lasted me nearly 13 years (Feb 1999-Nov 2011). I actually prefer wearing NFL jerseys over NBA ones because it’s like wearing a comfortable mesh/polyester shirt. Some Black lady this morning was decked out wearing a Niners jacket while shopping for groceries and she looked drip. I wonder what Joel Embiid’s GameScore is going to be for his 70-point game? MJ’s 69 is the highest ever for GameScore beating Kobe’s 81. What will be Embiid’s? One point higher than MJ’s, same exact rebounds at 18, and then one less assist while not missing any FTs. You can find GameScore on Basketball References. Parlay Niners wins SB Celtics or Sixers wins East Nuggets or Clippers wins West Chiefs are going to upset Baltimore this weekend. Lamar will gag again. Then my Niners will avenge KC from what happened 4 years ago. No Porn Star Jimmy excuses this time around. No interceptions in the first quarter. I want us to beat KC by 42, double than when they beat us. Run CMC will be the SB MVP. I watch and talk more about the NBA but I prefer to wear more NFL gear. I only wore the Kawhi jersey for 2 hours. I already stored it in a ziplock while inside a backpack. I’ll wear it if we win a chip or when I’m headed to Intuit Dome later this year. I’ll likely wear my Niners gear more since I enjoy wearing NFL jerseys.

[@frodo1533]

If he never left golden state and won 6 then he would 100% be in the conversation

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

Kd still in goat conversation right now

[@Canarsie1]

It’s really sad that he never gets mentioned, he can do everything like stretch the floor and is a great free throw shooter despite Lebron, but no matter what he does people would always hold him joining warriors over his head.

[@jicalzad]

Don’t forget that GSW also won a championship BEFORE Durant got there and AFTER he left

[@chanceberg832]

Everyone can Keep putting KD down.But, in Phoenix We Love Him

[@riosogoated]

“What haven’t I done” ummm… Win without Steph (win on your own)

[@Die4sSMD]

He beat your king single handedly twice in a row (2 nba finals back to back)

[@timh9220]

@trapking9539 LeBron was 17W-4L against KD's teams before KD joined the 73 win team he had down 3-1

[@lorddj9910]

@@Die4sSMDSinglehandedly? Just like how he beat Boston and the Bucks singlehandedly? Oh wait…

[@YungBZ]

Nobody wins alone Lebron had 3 super teams

[@wadehill6029]

Its not like he's going out there saying "I'M THE GOAT" like someone else. Reporter asked him a question he answered, I think every great player should be ok with their greatness.

[@godnotavailable2094]

Not in the GOAT convo, but I'll say that he's the only player in league history who I would honestly call a 6'10 shooting guard. KG and Dirk bordered on it, but neither of them could score and move like Durant.

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

Durant is the goat 🐐

[@smokesmitty1]

It was suspense in gsw dude even sealed it with a Achilles tear

[@connerthegreat1162]

He’s definitely in my GOAT conversation, he’s my favorite player of all time. We’ve never seen a scorer like him before

[@jordansingh2388]

Me too

[@LukeCIMINO]

no hes not , and yes we have, jordan kobe harden hell even giannis. My God

[@connerthegreat1162]

@@LukeCIMINO Jordan, Kobe, and Harden are not 7 footers that can shoot over any player on the court and can dribble to create their own shots. You can’t compare Giannis to Kd becuz he can’t shoot the ball into the ocean

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

@@connerthegreat1162 I have trouble putting someone in the GOAT conversation when they're an exceptional scorer but perhaps an average defender.

[@Black_God35]

He is our Goat and we know it so it really doesn’t matter what the haters say

[@mamadydia5895]

Kd is my Goat Idgf what other said