The Houston Rockets recently addressed one of their biggest needs by acquiring a proven scorer to bolster their offense. In addition to his elite talent, Kevin Durant is well known for his outspoken opinions on the game of basketball. His most recent comments sparked controversy, particularly for referencing NBA legend Michael Jordan.
Appearing on the “Mind the Game” podcast hosted by LeBron James and Steve Nash, Durant weighed in on the commitment it takes to sustain an elite NBA career. “Some people say, ‘I wanna go play baseball. And then I wanna come back.’ Well, some people say, ‘I’mma go 22 straight,’” Durant said, referencing Jordan’s decision to briefly leave basketball in the prime of his career.
Unsurprisingly, Durant’s remark ignited debate among fans, especially those aligned with the long-standing LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan discussion. While the Rockets star received both support and criticism online, he didn’t back down. Instead, Durant continued to engage with fans on X (formerly Twitter), defending his stance and clarifying his intentions.
“You look at it as sneak dissin, but I just told the truth,” Durant wrote in response to one user. It’s not the first time the former MVP has clapped back at critics online, and this situation proved no different as he remained firm in his viewpoint.
11 Jun 1997: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls moves on the court during game five of the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bulls defeated the Jazz 90-88 .
Durant reaffirms Jordan as the GOAT
Despite the apparent criticism, Durant made it clear that he still holds Jordan in the highest regard. He insisted that pointing out Jordan’s sabbatical from NBA didn’t equate to a slight against his greatness. “Did I say he wasn’t [obsessed with basketball]?” Durant replied to one comment. “Some people need a break and that’s fine, some people don’t… MJ is a god.”
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In another post, Durant added: “MJ retired 3 times. It’s okay to call that out, my brother. I got a million dollars worth of MJ shoes in my house, hahaha. It’s okay—he retired 3 times and still the GOAT. I’mma applaud that, just like I’mma applaud playing 22 years at an elite level. I like basketball though—you love individuals more.”
Jordan’s storied career with the Chicago Bulls included two separate three-peats from 1991–93 and 1996–98. He famously retired in 1993 following the tragic death of his father and pursued a short-lived baseball career in the Chicago White Sox’s minor league system. Though his baseball stint wasn’t as successful, it remains one of the most memorable chapters in sports history.
