For decades, Michael Jordan’s name has been untouchable in record books. The Chicago Bulls legend was the gold standard. The benchmark. The player everyone else was compared to.
But on Sunday, Kevin Durant quietly added a line to his resume that Jordan never reached.
Durant was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the sixth time in his career. Combined with his six First Team selections, Durant now has 12 All-NBA honors — one more than Michael Jordan’s 11.
Let that sink in. Kevin Durant — at 37 years old, in his 17th NBA season, playing for his fifth franchise — has now been voted as one of the league’s best more times than the greatest player of all time.
It’s a remarkable achievement. It’s also a bittersweet one.
Let me break down what this record means, how Durant got here, and why the Rockets’ playoff failure casts a shadow over his historic season.
The Numbers: Durant’s 12th All-NBA Selection
Let me start with the milestone.
Kevin Durant’s All-NBA résumé:
6x First Team (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018)
6x Second Team (2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2026)
That’s 12 total selections. Michael Jordan had 11 (10 First Team, 1 Second Team).
Durant passed him. Not because he’s better than Jordan — that debate will rage forever. Because he’s been elite for longer. Because his longevity is unprecedented for a player of his size and skill.
The 2025-26 Season: Brilliance at 37
Let me remind you what Durant did this season.
At 37 years old, in his 17th NBA season, Durant played 78 games — the most since his final year with the Warriors in 2018-19.
He averaged:
26.0 points per game
5.5 rebounds
4.8 assists
52% shooting from the field
41.3% shooting from three
Those are not “good for an old guy” numbers. Those are All-NBA numbers. Those are “best player on most teams” numbers.
He was second in the NBA in total minutes played. He was an iron man at an age when most players are retired or role players.
The All-NBA selection was deserved.
The Jordan Comparison: What It Means
Let me address the elephant in the room.
Does having more All-NBA selections than Michael Jordan make Kevin Durant a greater player? No. Jordan has six championships, five MVPs, and a competitive fire that is the stuff of legend.
But it does say something about Durant’s longevity. Jordan’s career was interrupted by retirement. He played 15 seasons (excluding his Washington years). Durant is in his 17th season and still going.
Durant has stayed elite for longer. That’s not nothing.
The Playoff Failure: A Bitter Aftertaste
Let me talk about the shadow over this achievement.
The Rockets were eliminated in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers were missing Luka Dončić for the entire series. They were missing Austin Reaves for most of the series.
The Rockets had home-court advantage. They had Kevin Durant.
But Durant got hurt. A left ankle bone bruise and a bruised right knee tendon. He played in only one playoff game.
The Rockets lost that game. They lost the series 4-2.
Durant’s individual brilliance during the regular season meant nothing in the playoffs because he couldn’t stay on the court.
That’s the pattern. That’s the frustration.
The Udoka Factor: A Coach’s Nightmare
Let me talk about Ime Udoka’s perspective.
Udoka coached Durant for one season in Houston. He saw the brilliance. He also saw the fragility.
Durant was available for 78 regular-season games. He was an iron man. Then, at the worst possible time, his body betrayed him.
Udoka could only use his star veteran once in the playoffs. The Rockets lost.
That’s not Durant’s fault. But it’s also not a championship formula.
The Legacy Question: Greatness vs. Availability
Let me zoom out.
Kevin Durant is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. He’s a two-time champion. A two-time Finals MVP. A 14-time All-Star. And now, a 12-time All-NBA selection.
But his playoff availability has been a recurring issue. He’s missed significant time in multiple postseasons. The Rockets’ first-round exit is just the latest example.
Greatness is about what you do on the court. But availability is about when you do it.
Durant’s regular-season brilliance is undeniable. But his legacy will always carry a “what if” — what if he could have stayed healthy for one more playoff run?
The Rockets’ Future: One More Year?
Let me look ahead.
Durant is under contract for one more season (plus a player option). He’ll be 38 years old.
The Rockets have a decision to make: run it back with Durant, or trade him and build around their young core.
Durant’s All-NBA selection proves he’s still elite. His playoff injury proves he’s still a risk.
There’s no easy answer.
The Silver Lining: A Record Worth Celebrating
Let me end on a positive note.
Passing Michael Jordan in any record is a monumental achievement. Jordan is the gold standard. The benchmark. The player everyone is compared to.
Durant now has more All-NBA selections than Jordan. That’s a testament to his longevity, his consistency, and his enduring greatness.
The playoff failure stings. But it doesn’t erase what Durant accomplished in the regular season.
He was brilliant at 37. He was an iron man. He was an All-NBA player.
That deserves recognition.
Final Verdict: Appreciate the Greatness
Here’s my honest take.
Kevin Durant just passed Michael Jordan in All-NBA selections. That’s a fact. It’s also a reminder of how incredible Durant’s career has been.
He’s not Jordan. He never will be. But he’s been elite for longer than almost anyone in NBA history.
The playoff failure is frustrating. The injuries are maddening. But the regular-season brilliance is undeniable.
Durant earned this All-NBA selection. He earned the right to be mentioned in the same breath as Jordan — even if just in this one statistical category.
One thing’s certain: Kevin Durant is still one of the best players in the world. And passing Michael Jordan in All-NBA selections is just the latest proof.