The Rivalries of Kevin Durant: LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Beyond
Kevin Durant’s career has been defined not only by his immense talent but also by his rivalries with some of the NBA’s greatest players, particularly LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
His battles with LeBron date back to his early years with the Oklahoma City Thunder, culminating in their 2012 NBA Finals showdown, where Durant fell short against James' Miami Heat.
However, Durant later evened the score when he joined the Golden State Warriors, winning two championships in back-to-back Finals matchups against LeBron’s Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017 and 2018, earning Finals MVP honors both times.
Despite Durant’s dominance, debates still rage about who is the superior player, as LeBron’s longevity and all-around game continue to challenge Durant’s scoring prowess.
Durant’s decision to join Curry’s Warriors in 2016 created one of the most dominant teams in NBA history, but tensions arose over whose team it truly was.
While Durant shined in the playoffs, Curry remained the heart of the franchise, leading some to question Durant’s legacy outside of Golden State.
After Durant’s departure to Brooklyn and later Phoenix, speculation and debates continued, as fans wondered how his career would have unfolded had he stayed.
Beyond LeBron and Curry, Durant has also clashed with players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, and even former teammates like Russell Westbrook and Draymond Green, ensuring his career remains one of the most fascinating in NBA history.