A new chapter begins for veteran star Kevin Durant, who joins the Houston Rockets ahead of the upcoming NBA season. Widely regarded as one of the best players in league history and firmly in the top three of his generation, Durant has been compared to countless legends over the years. This time, he drew his own line of comparison — with none other than Michael Jordan.
On his X account (formerly Twitter), Durant sparred with NBA fans and trolls, including one who objected to a list ranking him ahead of Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan as a pure shot creator. The debate itself was not new, but Durant’s own response gave it new weight.
“Mike would tell u ima 3 level scorer,” Durant fired back. He also admitted, “MJ is one of one. Rare air that can’t be touched, but I’ve made those same shots for over a decade lol.”
When a fan countered by posting a montage of Jordan’s most iconic layups, Durant quickly spotted the tactic. “See now you’re changing the topic. I see what u did there lol,” he replied, keeping the exchange light while making his point.
So how much truth is there in Durant’s words? For many, he remains one of the greatest scorers the game has ever seen, armed with arguments in his favor. As Durant himself noted, Jordan was unique and untouchable in his era, but it’s hard to overlook Durant’s dominance in midrange shooting and his unmatched arsenal of scoring options.
Durant now faces a new challenge in Houston. The Rockets were one of the league’s surprise stories last season, winning over fans with their style of play. But as the postseason approached, many wondered whether their lack of a true go-to scorer would eventually catch up with them.
That fear became reality in the first round against the Golden State Warriors, when guard Jalen Green struggled to deliver as the lead option. Green was later included in the package that brought Durant to Houston this summer, a move that reshaped the Rockets’ trajectory.
With Durant now in the lineup, the Rockets have addressed their biggest weakness by adding one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history. Even in the later stages of his career, Durant continues to perform at an elite level, bringing both experience and firepower. He is the kind of player every team would love to have, and Houston believes he can elevate them into contention.