Kevin Durant has heard every argument about his place among the NBA’s all-time great scorers, but he’s not buying into the hype — and he’s pushing back against the label altogether.
After fans pointed out the fact that Durant hasn’t led his team in field goal attempts per game since 2018, the 2x Finals MVP fired back with a detailed defense of his game and why he doesn’t care about being called the “greatest scorer ever.”
“30k points on low field goal attempts. I’m a coach’s dream. Dime dropper, I mastered scoring at 24 years old, man,” replied Durant. “Give it a rest, I don’t care about being the best scorer ever. You are diminishing my all-time greatness by calling me that.”
When talking about the greatest scorers in NBA history, Durant is right up there with players like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Stephen Curry. With career averages of 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, Durant’s numbers are impressive, and they helped him win two championships during his 17-year career. He’s also a 4x scoring leader and eighth on the All-Time scoring list with 30,571 points (on 20,999 attempts).
As someone with no weaknesses offensively, Durant can score in a myriad of ways, whether it’s from beyond the arc, in the mid-range, or under the rim. At 6’11” and 240 pounds, Durant is adept at creating space and using his long wingspan to shoot over defenders. While he’s taken fewer shots in recent years, Durant is still impossible to guard and is expected to continue his streak of active seasons with 20+ points per game.
Still, if you ask the former MVP himself, he’ll tell you that he’s much more than just a “scorer.” As he explained on X, Durant sees himself as a true two-way superstar who helps his team in more ways than one. His natural height and attention to detail make him a solid rebounder for his position, while his length and mobility make him an elite and effective defender. In fact, during his second season with the Warriors, he finished ninth on the Defensive Player of the Year ballot.
In the end, Durant’s legacy is about more than scoring. Through his well-rounded game, he’s achieved long-term success in the NBA and has managed to keep his game at an elite level at 36 years old.
Next season, his first with the Houston Rockets, he’ll have an opportunity to further enhance his legacy by leading the franchise where they haven’t been since 1995. After failures in Brooklyn and Phoenix, the fans will be watching his every move, but he’s ready to answer the call by delivering another All-Star season.
For Durant, the “greatest scorer” tag may sound like a compliment, but it also risks putting him in a box. His career has been defined not just by buckets but by adaptability, efficiency, and a relentless pursuit of winning in multiple environments. As he begins his next chapter in Houston, he’s out to remind everyone that his greatness can’t be summed up in a single word and that his game still speaks for itself.
