When discussing the greatest teammates of his storied NBA career, Kevin Durant did not follow the narrative many expected. Despite sharing the hardwood with some of the league’s biggest icons, including LeBron James, Durant’s answer took a different turn.
Appearing on a recent podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, the current Houston Rockets star was asked directly: who is the best player he has ever played with? His response was immediate — and decisive.
A tie between two MVPs
Durant refused to single out one name. Instead, he placed two former teammates at the very top of his list: Steph Curry and Russell Westbrook.
“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.” He further added
The statement quickly gained traction across social media platforms, sparking widespread discussion. Kevin Durant has played alongside All-Stars, MVPs, and championship-caliber talents throughout his career. Yet when asked to define the very best, he narrowed it down to trust, leadership, and competitive certainty.
Why Curry and Westbrook stand above the rest
Durant’s reasoning was rooted less in accolades and more in reliability under pressure. With Russell Westbrook, he emphasized fearlessness in individual matchups — a quality that allowed him to focus on his own responsibilities without hesitation. With Steph Curry, he described a similar sense of comfort and confidence at the point guard position.
Both stars represent distinct chapters of Durant’s career, but they share a common denominator: unwavering competitiveness. For a player of Kevin Durant’s caliber, that trust proved invaluable.
In leaving out other marquee names, including LeBron James, Durant underscored a personal metric for greatness — one built on on-court synergy rather than résumé alone.