KEVIN DURANT NOW CLAIMS MICHAEL JORDAN IS THE GOAT AFTER SAYING IT WAS LEBRON JAMES

On July 10, 2025, Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant set the basketball world ablaze by declaring Michael Jordan the greatest of all time (GOAT) during an interview at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, a surprising shift from his earlier endorsement of LeBron James. The comment, reported by ESPN and Bleacher Report, came in response to renewed criticism from former NBA player Kwame Brown, who had blasted Durant and James for perceived disrespect toward Jordan on their Mind the Game podcast. Durant’s pivot to crowning Jordan, made in the presence of media and fans, has reignited the perennial GOAT debate, drawing reactions from players, analysts, and social media, while raising questions about Durant’s motivations and the ongoing comparison between Jordan and James.

Durant’s Statement and Context

During a courtside interview at the Thomas & Mack Center, Durant was asked about the GOAT debate following Brown’s viral YouTube video, which criticized Durant’s earlier remark about Jordan’s three retirements and James’ laughter during a Mind the Game episode. “Look, I gotta set the record straight,” Durant said. “Michael Jordan is the GOAT. Six rings, never lost a Finals, changed the game with his mentality, his swagger, his dominance. LeBron’s my guy, he’s incredible, but MJ’s the standard. That’s who I grew up watching, and that’s who set the bar.” The statement, captured by ESPN and shared widely on X by users like @NBAonESPN and @ClutchPoints, marked a stark reversal from Durant’s July 9 podcast, where he praised James’ 22-year longevity and four championships as unmatched.

The timing of Durant’s comments aligns with heightened scrutiny of James’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers, following Shams Charania’s July 10 report that James could leave within two months due to the team’s youth-focused roster moves. Durant’s shift may reflect an attempt to diffuse tensions sparked by Brown’s accusations, which labeled his and James’ podcast remarks as “ignorant” and disrespectful to Jordan’s legacy, particularly given Jordan’s two three-peats and personal challenges, including his father’s 1993 murder.

Kwame Brown’s Influence and Backlash

Kwame Brown, a former teammate of Jordan’s with the Washington Wizards, played a pivotal role in prompting Durant’s reversal. In his July 10 YouTube video, Brown passionately defended Jordan, saying, “Kevin Durant, that statement about MJ retiring three times was ignorant. LeBron, why you chuckling? Jordan won three in a row, twice, and dealt with real tragedy. Y’all ain’t touched that.” The video, amplified by posts from @Thetruth8240 and @DSRAVEN222, garnered millions of views and put pressure on Durant to address the controversy.

Brown’s critique, reported by EssentiallySports and Sports Illustrated, resonated with Jordan loyalists who view James’ 4-6 Finals record as inferior to Jordan’s perfect 6-0 mark. Durant’s initial defense on X, where he wrote, “MJ retired 3 times and still the GOAT. Ima applaud that just like Ima applaud playing 22 years at an ELITE level,” suggested he respected both players. However, his Las Vegas statement fully embraced Jordan, possibly to quell the backlash and align with fans who see Jordan as untouchable.

The GOAT Debate and Public Reaction

Durant’s declaration has reinvigorated the GOAT debate, which often pits Jordan’s six championships, five MVPs, and cultural impact against James’ longevity, versatility, and all-time scoring record. Durant’s shift drew mixed reactions. On X, fans like @LakersLead celebrated, posting, “KD finally gets it! MJ is the GOAT, no debate,” while others, like @BronGotGame, accused him of “flip-flopping” to avoid criticism. Media outlets were quick to weigh in: The Athletic called Durant’s reversal a “nod to the old school,” while Yahoo Sports suggested it reflects the pressure of public opinion in an era where social media amplifies every comment.

Former players also chimed in. Charles Barkley, on TNT’s Inside the NBA, praised Durant’s stance, saying, “KD’s right. MJ’s the guy we all wanted to be. LeBron’s great, but Jordan was different.” Conversely, Draymond Green, who appeared on Durant’s podcast, defended James on X, writing, “LeBron’s still doing it at 40. Respect MJ, but don’t sleep on Bron.” The polarized responses underscore the emotional stakes of the debate, with Jordan’s 1990s dominance clashing against James’ modern-era versatility.

Durant’s Motivations and Team USA Context

Durant’s decision to crown Jordan may stem from multiple factors. His presence alongside Jordan’s former Bulls teammate Scottie Pippen at the Summer League game, watching Duke’s Cooper Flagg, may have influenced his comments, as Pippen nodded approvingly during the interview. Additionally, Durant’s role as a Team USA leader for the 2025 FIBA World Cup, where he’s joined by James and Anthony Davis, suggests a desire to maintain harmony among peers. His earlier praise for James during their 2024 Olympic gold-medal run in Paris indicates respect for both players, but the public backlash from Brown likely pushed him to clarify his stance.

The timing also aligns with Durant’s own career narrative. At 36, with two championships and a 2014 MVP award, Durant is often left out of the GOAT conversation but wields significant influence in shaping it. His comments may reflect a strategic move to align with the majority fanbase that reveres Jordan, especially as he navigates his own legacy with the Suns, who are coming off a 48-win season and a first-round playoff exit.

Broader Implications

Durant’s reversal highlights the GOAT debate’s enduring power to captivate basketball fans and expose generational divides. Jordan’s mystique, built on a perfect Finals record and global brand, remains a benchmark, while James’ longevity—22 seasons, 41,641 career points, and counting—challenges traditional metrics of greatness. Durant’s shift also underscores the influence of figures like Kwame Brown, whose outspoken defense of Jordan resonates with fans who view the 1990s as the NBA’s golden era.

For the Lakers, James’ uncertain future adds context to Durant’s comments. If James departs, as Charania suggests, the GOAT debate could intensify, with his legacy evaluated against Jordan’s without the added variable of ongoing play. Meanwhile, Durant’s Suns, bolstered by Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, aim to compete in a stacked Western Conference, making his off-court opinions a sideshow to his on-court goals.

Conclusion

Kevin Durant’s declaration of Michael Jordan as the GOAT on July 10, 2025, marks a dramatic pivot from his earlier support for LeBron James, driven by backlash from Kwame Brown and the weight of public sentiment. The statement, made amid the NBA Summer League’s spotlight, has reignited the GOAT debate, pitting Jordan’s untouchable legacy against James’ unprecedented longevity. As reactions pour in from fans, players, and media, Durant’s comments reflect the complexities of navigating basketball’s most divisive conversation. Whether a genuine change of heart or a response to criticism, Durant’s endorsement of Jordan ensures that the GOAT debate will continue to dominate discourse, with no clear resolution in sight.