Kevin Durant Names Steph Curry and Russell Westbrook as the Best Players He’s Ever Played With: “I Never Feared They Would Lose a Matchup”
Kevin Durant rarely avoids the spotlight, and his latest podcast appearance added another headline to his résumé. The Houston Rockets star joined Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on their show and faced a direct question: Who is the best player he has ever played with?
Durant did not hesitate. He refused to separate two former teammates.
“It’s a tie between Steph and Russ,” Durant said. “With Russ I never ever feared that he was gon lose a matchup. That’s one thing I never worried about. As a leader of a team, you worry about so much coming into a game… Just knowing I can have that ease coming into the game from the point guard just made my life easier. And I felt that same way about Steph.”
The answer spread instantly across social media. Durant has shared the floor with All-Stars, MVPs, and champions throughout his career, yet he narrowed it down to Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry. His reasoning centered on trust, competitive certainty, and the peace of mind that came from knowing his point guard would win their individual battle every night.
Westbrook, Curry, and the Weight of Context
Durant’s partnership with Westbrook on the Oklahoma City Thunder defined the early arc of his career. The pairing drove OKC into deep postseason runs and established them as one of the league’s most explosive duos. Durant emphasized that he never entered a game concerned about Westbrook’s matchup. That confidence allowed him to focus entirely on his own scoring and preparation.
Years later, Durant joined Curry and the Golden State Warriors. The move reshaped the NBA landscape and produced championships in 2017 and 2018. Durant said the same level of comfort existed with Curry. Both guards controlled tempo, commanded defensive attention, and eliminated doubt late in games.
The timing of Durant’s comments is also notable. Recent online chatter around the so-called “KDFiles” (alleged burner account posts) appeared critical of Westbrook during their Thunder years. One alleged remark even trended, reviving debate about their past dynamic. Durant’s latest statement undercuts that narrative entirely — he highlighted Westbrook’s fearlessness rather than any tension, reinforcing that on-court trust defined their partnership.
Rockets’ Late Collapse vs. Knicks Underscores His Point
Durant’s reflection came after a frustrating 108–106 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Houston led by 16 entering the fourth quarter before collapsing.
Durant finished with 30 points, while Jabari Smith Jr. added 21 and Alperen Şengün scored 16. The Rockets had won five straight before the defeat. Yet the offense stalled in the final frame — slowing the pace, draining the shot clock, and forcing late attempts.
“We sit there and wait, wait, wait and then boom, you’re playing against the late clock,” Durant said, per Houston Chronicle. “You put yourself in tough positions.”
He shot 2-for-7 down the stretch and committed three turnovers (including a lost dribble and a charge). The Knicks capitalized on the stagnation and erased the deficit.
When Durant shared the floor with prime versions of Westbrook or Curry, leads like that often felt secure. Both guards dictated pace and forced defenses into uncomfortable decisions.
Durant’s Answer Wasn’t Nostalgia — It Was Plain Truth
He didn’t frame his answer as nostalgia. He answered plainly. When asked to name the best player he’s ever played with, he chose two point guards who removed fear from the equation. For Durant, that level of certainty stands above everything else.
Rockets fans: Do you agree with KD’s pick of Steph and Russ? Or do you think there’s someone else (Kyrie, Harden, etc.) who deserves mention? Comment your thoughts below and share if you’re loving this version of Durant still dropping truth bombs at 37!