USA Today via Reuters
Nov 9, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 9, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Sports fans have long debated and argued over their Mount Rushmore selections for any sport. Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, Serena Williams, etc are many of the common names fans may select when picking their own list for their favorite sport. If fans had to put down similar catalysts in the NBA, there undoubtedly are plenty of legendary names to choose from. Recently, Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant listed out his personal edition of Mount Rushmore.
KD is widely considered among the best forwards to ever play the game. In a recent interview with Chris Henderson, Durant was asked to name his Mt. Rushmore of small forwards. The reporter included Durant as one of the faces. He asked Durant to name three other players who would join him.
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KD named LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Larry Bird as his counterparts.
Fans disagree with Kevin Durant on his Mt. Rushmore picks
Fans on social media slammed Kevin Durant for his recency bias. One fan tweeted, “Leaving out some old school legends. John Havlicek, Elgin Baylor, Dr. J”. Others made their own list that had a blend of NBA veterans and active players.
Here are some of the reactions from NBA Twitter:
Leaving out some old school legends. John Havlicek, Elgin Baylor, Dr. J.
— Blake (@sacramentoblake) November 11, 2022
Julius Erving over KaWheelChair sadly with all due respect
— Mark Jackson’s burner’s burner’s burner (@LeGoat23789799) November 11, 2022
KD was high cuz ain't no way Kawhi on that list Idc…Over Elgin Baylor??????? Hell nawwww
— Rocky Young (@RockyYoung) November 11, 2022
How did Kawhi sneak onto this list? Dude has less career points than Danilo Galinari and Tobias Harris. No way he should be over Pippen.
— owen rooney (@nbasportsfan30y) November 11, 2022
1.Lebron James 2.Larry Bird 3.Julius Erving 4. Kevin Durant 5.Scottie Pippen 6.Giannis Antentenkumpo 7.Rick Barry 8.Elgin Baylor 9.Kawhi Leonard 10.Dominique Wilkins.
— Hrvoje (@Hrvoje89319930) November 11, 2022
LMFAOOO where is Kobe????
— BEVERLEY FANATIC (@therealselena23) November 11, 2022
Sooo you just gonna skip over The Doc huh. Smh pic.twitter.com/Lxuczi1TbH
— Le$$ (@nothingless86) November 11, 2022
Kevin Durant has undoubtedly been one of the best small forwards of all time. Durant has four scoring titles to his name and has been averaging 30.8 points per game so far this season. Fans questioned and challenged him on his inclusion of Kawhi Leonard. The LA Clippers star has been notorious for missing games due to persistent health problems. Fans were unforgiving that KD didn’t name other players of previous decades.
KD’s poor choice of words
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This was not an isolated incident where fans have ripped apart Durant’s remarks.
Fans also questioned Durant’s comments on Kyrie Irving’s latest controversy. KD dismissed the whole incident as “unnecessary“. He felt that the organization could have kept its heads down and focused on basketball.
He later clarified on Twitter that he doesn’t “condone hate speech or anti-Semitism”.
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Watch This Story: Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade and Other Celebrities Left in Awe as LeBron James’ Sons Show They are Ready to Carry Forward His Legacy
Who makes the cut in your Mt. Rushmore of small forwards in the NBA? Drop your list in the comments section below.
