In a resurfaced 2013 interview, Michael Jordan unexpectedly named Kevin Durant when asked to choose between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, sparking fresh debate among basketball fans. This revelation, combined with recent remarks involving Durant, Jordan, LeBron, and Bryant, reignites discussions on their legacies and the ongoing comparisons within the NBA community.
Kevin Durant recently drew criticism after making a lighthearted jab at Michael Jordan while praising LeBron James for his longevity. The backlash on social media pushed Durant to clarify he holds Jordan in high regard, even mentioning spending $1 million on Jordan’s sneakers as a sign of respect. Shortly after, a fan-compiled video emerged on Instagram featuring Jordan’s 2013 interview with Ahmad Rashad, where Jordan gave his candid thoughts about Durant alongside comments from Kobe Bryant about guarding him.
Michael Jordan’s Unexpected Choice Among NBA Greats
During the conversation with Ahmad Rashad, Jordan was asked to pick between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Jordan hesitated and avoided a direct answer at first, before playfully stating, “Well, I’d say… Kevin Durant,” signaling that he viewed Durant as part of the elite discussion. This moment has since been highlighted as a surprising endorsement of Durant’s place in the conversation about the greatest players.
The video then shifts to Kobe Bryant’s insights from a 2018 appearance on ‘The Corp With A-Rod and Big Cat,’ in which Bryant reflected on Durant as the toughest opponent he faced:
Kevin Durant, that was the one I had to retire without having been able to figure out what it is that he— how I can stop him.
—Kobe Bryant
Durant’s Own Confidence Amidst Criticism
The fan-made video also features Kevin Durant recalling his on-court trash talk with Patrick Beverley during a Golden State Warriors game, reflecting his own competitive mindset:
Back and forth with Patrick Beverley, I’m Kevin Durant, you know who I am. Y’all know who I am.
—Kevin Durant
Despite the video’s intention to celebrate Durant, the clip received mixed reactions. Fans pointed out that Jordan eventually corrected himself in the original interview, naming LeBron James as more dominant and Kobe Bryant as a better winner, which diluted the apparent endorsement of Durant.
Social media users criticized the video for selectively editing Jordan’s words and questioned Durant’s standing compared to James and Bryant. Some of the pointed comments included:
They cut the scenes. MJ was just playing, he was going to take LBJ or Kobe anyway over KD. He can’t win nothing without Steph [Curry]
—Anonymous fan
He was clearly joking because he didn’t want to choose between them. Jeez the internet is dumb.
—Anonymous fan
Unlimited skill but can’t win a chip by himself. The definition of good for no reason lol
—Anonymous fan
People are gonna feed into this knowing he said something different.
—Anonymous fan
The Boston Celtics made this man look pedestrian in the playoffs.
—Anonymous fan
Comparing Careers: Durant, James, and Bryant
Statistically, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant outperform Kevin Durant in most categories except scoring averages. James, with a longer career spanning 22 seasons, has amassed more total points, while Durant’s average points per game slightly edge James’s—with 27.2 and 27.0 respectively over their careers. Should Durant continue playing as long as James has, there is potential for him to surpass James’s cumulative scoring records, though maintaining consistency over such a period remains uncertain.
At 36, Durant is only four years younger than the 40-year-old James but began his NBA career two years later. James is expected to play at least one more season, raising questions about whether Durant can extend his career long enough to challenge James’s milestones.
LeBron James Addresses the NBA’s Generational Shift
LeBron James has recently voiced opinions about the evolution of basketball, explicitly critiquing the old-school mentality of past NBA players. His remarks suggest a desire to move on from the 1990s era and emphasize the changing nature of the game and its athletes. This outlook aligns with ongoing conversations about how current stars like Durant, James himself, and Bryant fit into the sport’s broader history and future.