Kevin Durant, now with the Houston Rockets, has drawn parallels between LeBron James' recent decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers and his own past moves that sparked widespread criticism. Speaking at a USA Basketball Foundation charity event in Southern California on Saturday, Durant was asked if he believes James and the 76ers are legitimate title contenders, and his response was emphatic.
"For sure," Durant responded incredulously. "You don't think so? Last time they put three 20-point scorers on a team, they said it was unfair, which was the team I was on. (The 76ers) have got four 25-point scorers on this team. So, hell yeah, I think they're going to be a contender. They're going to be a fun team to watch. It's going to be League Pass-worthy, TNT-worthy, man. I can't wait to see it."
Durant's comments come as James joins a 76ers squad that already features Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid, all of whom averaged at least 26.9 points per game last season, with Brown leading at 28.7. The addition of James, who averaged 20.9 points, creates a formidable quartet of scorers, not to mention rookie VJ Edgecombe, who chipped in 16.0 points per game.
Key Analysis
Durant's comparison is rooted in his own history. When he joined the Golden State Warriors in 2016, he brought his 28.2 points per game to a team that already had Stephen Curry (30.1) and Klay Thompson (22.1), leading to accusations of an unfair superteam. He later formed another trio with Kyrie Irving and James Harden in Brooklyn, where all three averaged over 24 points per game. In both cases, the teams were considered overwhelming favorites, and Durant acknowledges the similarities with Philadelphia's current roster.
James, at 41, is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after a playoff run where he averaged 23.2 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.2 rebounds against Houston, but the Lakers were swept by the Thunder in the next round. His interest in Philadelphia was reportedly sparked by the 76ers' trade for Brown, as first reported by The Athletic and confirmed by Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul. Durant expressed no criticism of James' move, saying, "Happy for him. It's a great decision for him to go to a team that got a good chance to win. Philly, a great fanbase, great market."
Durant also noted the broader impact of James' decision, saying, "It's great for the league. So many eyes that tuned into his decision; it was only going to help us as a league." The four-time MVP has stated his goal is to win a fifth championship, and Durant believes the 76ers are well-positioned to make that happen.
Originally reported by westhawaiitoday.