Suns superstar Kevin Durant is already a 2x NBA champion, but those titles with the Warriors don’t hold much weight in the eyes of many fans, critics, and former players. But if he is able to win another title as the undisputed best player on his team, Shaquille O’Neal says it will be enough to vault him into the same tier as LeBron James and Michael Jordan.
“I think he has his own special category, like me,” said O’Neal. “But I am one or two of the most dominant players ever. So he’s one of two of the most prolific dominant scorers ever. You lose to Golden State then you go join them, I think that tarnishes it. Now, if he can win one where he’s the bus driver, I think we would definitely have to put him in that conversation.”
Being in the GOAT conversation is a very special kind of status and has only ever been afforded to a handful of legends, such as Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LeBron James, and (of course) Michael Jordan. And while Durant’s place among the all-time greats is still debated, Durant himself believes he’s already done enough to join the conversation.
Kevin Durant Says He Belongs In The Debate
When asked about his place in the greatest player ever conversation, Durant pointed to his resume and simply asked “what haven’t I done.” Of course, as a 2x Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 13x All-Star, and 10-scoring leader, Durant isn’t wrong when he says he’s he’s one of the best. Even so, there is one thing missing from his resume that holds him back from reaching the top of the all-time pyramid. To date, he hasn’t won the title as the “bus driver” for his team.
The phrase, which was coined by Charles Barkley, uses Durant’s decision to join the Warriors against him. By joining a 73-win team, and coming into an already-established situation, Durant tarnished his legacy and destroyed his reputation as one of the league’s most likable players. To this day, those titles don’t carry as much weight as other ones, and Durant’s inability to win one on his own continues to be the greatest mark of his career.
Can Suns Win A Championship?
Since coming to Phoenix in 2023, Durant has been chasing any opportunity to win. Alongside Devin Booker, he was able to lead the Suns to the second round of the postseason before being bounced by Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and the Denver Nuggets. Coming into this season, the Suns doubled down even further on their ambitions by trading their future for Bradley Beal and acquiring some mid-level veterans to fill out the roster.
So far, the results have been mixed. On one hand, the Suns are in the top six in the West despite injuries and a constantly changing lineup. At 27-20, they are on track for 47 wins this season and still have plenty of room to improve. But behind the efforts of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the Suns stand a chance against anyone and cannot be underestimated in the West.
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