Kobe Bryant Once Brought Kevin Durant Down to Earth at Thunder: “You Can Have This Game, But You Can’t Sit at My Table”

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant is unquestionably one of the best players in the NBA. A powerhouse in his own right, he has been a mainstay in the league for well over a decade. Along the way, he came up against the best in the sport, including Lakers icon Kobe Bryant. Although KD was a beast at Oklahoma, the 33-year-old recently admitted to how Kobe once brought him back down to earth.

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A Golden State Warriors legend, Kevin Durant is a 2-time NBA winner. Along with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and others, he build an unthinkable era in the mid 2010s. However, he is not comparable to the great Kobe, at least in terms of titles. The Mamba was an elusive personality that the NBA lacked, with the mentality of a maestro. And while KD has spoken about his amicable relationship with the late legend many-a-time, there was a fair share of trash talking along the way.

Kevin Durant recalls how Kobe Bryant once took a jibe at him

During his time at OKC, Durant failed to win a ring. However, his stint there was instrumental in shaping his future career. Only due to his impressive performances there, did he attract the eyes of Steve Kerr and co. But once, the 11-time All-star was taunted by Kobe during a Lakers vs Thunder game. In a recent interview, Durant retold his story of coming up against the 18-time All-star.

On that particular occasion, Durant got the better of his counterpart. The OKC edged out LA, but it was Kobe who had the last laugh. Asked recently if he had faced any moments of trash talking from the 5-time NBA champion, Kevin said, “Yeah it was the day before the All-star break and we were beating them pretty good at OKC. And, and, you can basically say [Kobe said] you can have this game, but you can’t sit at my table.”

Rest assured, Kobe knew how to get into the minds of fellow players. Why else would so many of them recall memorable tales even many years later? That’s what made him one of the greatest in the sport’s history.

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