“Durentulla” Kevin Durant Breaks Silence After Surpassing Shaquille O’Neal In NBA’s Elite List

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant has been delivering a commendable performance in the persisting NBA season. During the 62 games he has participated in, the player has managed to secure an average of 27.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists to his name. Thanks to his current effort, and the effort displayed by him during the previous 13 years, Durant has now added a new record to his name. During the recent matchup between the Suns and the 76ers, the player scored 22 points to bring his all-time points total to 28,610. This allowed him to surpass Shaquille O’Neal’s 28,596 and emerge as the 8 player on the NBA’s All-Time Scorers elite list.

In the aftermath of the game, Kevin Durant provided his reaction upon achieving this feat. He expressed his feelings by stating “I’m just grateful to be in a category with some of the greats. I know what Shaq meant to the game of basketball, so to be up there with him is a major honor”.

Shaquille O’Neal himself sent his flowers to Kevin Durant by highlighting the feat on his ‘NBA on TNT’ show. The former player even went on to dub the player as “Durrentula”. While Shaq confessed that he was happy for Durant, he also warned that the latter still has a long way to go.

“You know it doesn’t stop here” said Shaq. “I probably see you at……..see if you can get to number one”.

Shaquille O’Neal is not the only individual who Kevin Durant has passed this season. The Suns player has also been successful in leaving behind Hakeem Olajuwon, Elvin Hayes, Moses Malone and Carmelo Anthony. While what he has acheived is impressive, Durant still has a long way to go if he wants to complete the challenge set by Shaq. However, his ability to surpass the record set by Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is a questionable one.

Kevin Durant long way from LeBron’s massive score

Before Kevin Durant had received his moment to shine, LeBron James had already reached the ultimate pinnacle. Back in November 2023, the Lakers star’s two decades worth effort had finally paid off, as he surpassed Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s 38,387 points to become the NBA’s All-Time Scorer. Ever since then, the player has continued to add to his already massive total. It wasn’t that long ago when he made history once again by crossing the 40,000 points mark. Even if LeBron was to retire by the end of this season, Durant would still have to make half of what he has already made till in order to surpass King James.

Currently 35 years of age, Kevin Durant has very less time remaining if he wishes to reach the pinnacle. If he played for only five more seasons, Durant would have to average 2,500 points in each of them. Given that the player only scored 1,366 and 1,643 points during the previous season, there is a good chance that this dream will continue to remain a dream only.

READ MORE: Does Gilbert Arenas’ Argument That the Media Killed Off Kevin Durant’s Legacy Hold Any Merit?