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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Kevin Durant is undoubtedly one of the NBA’s elite scorers. With a near 7-foot stature, point guard agility, and sniper-like shooting, he has often been lauded as the purest scorer in the league. Despite his arsenal, Durant finds himself conspicuously absent from the various GOAT debates. Interestingly, the same was a major reason Durant made a pivotal move to join a packed Golden State Warriors – in the hunt for a championship. The moment Durant signed with the Warriors, analysts and fans swiftly anointed the team as the potential champions.

Durant’s addition immediately transformed the Warriors into an indomitable force. However, when it comes to KD’s legacy, it casts a shadow in the eyes of many fans. Now, years later, the stain on his reputation continues to be a topic of fervent discussion. However, this time, KD chose to fire back.

Kevin Durant turns things up against fans

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Recently, Kevin Durant questioned the lack of his name in GOAT debates, asserting that he has met every criterion to be a contender. However, a fan attempted to flip the narrative by citing Durant’s move to form a super-team with the roster led by Stephen Curry. In response, KD sarcastically fired back at the fan, stating, “Thought yall loved irrational confidence 🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️ cry.”

Kevin Durant had a three-season stint with the Warriors, resulting in three trips to the NBA Finals and two championship rings. Furthermore, speculations abound that had Durant not faced injuries, the Warriors might have achieved a three-peat.

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Throughout his tenure with the Warriors, Durant averaged 25.8 points, 5.4 assists, 7.1 rebounds, and nearly 1.2 blocks per game. Through his widespread contributions throughout his 208 games with the Dubs, Durant left a lasting impact on the franchise.

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Durant had a significant impact on the Warriors

Kevin Durant played a pivotal role in elevating the Warriors to the status of the most successful franchise of the last decade. His contributions were well acknowledged by two Finals MVP trophies. Despite this, Durant has faced criticism from fans who argue that he capitalized on the Warriors’ already soaring success, joining them after their record-setting season.

However, delving into the numbers reveals the monumental impact Durant had on the team. In their third season with Durant, the Warriors boasted an offensive rating of 124.8 when he was on the court. Contrastingly, in Durant’s absence, that rating plummeted to 110.2.

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While some might perceive this as a marginal difference, the Warriors’ net rating without KD was similar to being 28th in the league, whereas they consistently ranked in the top 5 with Durant in the lineup. These statistics underscore Durant’s indispensable influence on the team’s performance.