The GOAT debate never sleeps, and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas just added fresh fuel by suggesting that if Kevin Durant had played in the 1990s Bulls system, he would have matched Michael Jordan’s six championships.
Appearing on “Run It Back” with FanDuel, the two-time champion and Detroit Pistons legend was asked to compare Durant to Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Thomas didn’t hesitate to paint a vivid picture of how KD would have thrived in Phil Jackson’s famous triangle offense.
Kevin Durant and Isiah Thomas
“I said this to Kevin Durant and I’m gonna say this to all of you sitting on the panel,” Thomas began. “Hey, if you would have played back in our era and they put you in the triple post at the mid-post area and they took Michael Jordan out and you played with Pippen and you played with Kukoc and you got to run into the mid-post? Shoot.”
“Would he have won six championships? Absolutely,” Zeke added with conviction. “With Rodman and Pippen and Kukoc and BJ and Craig Hodges and all them around him and he get to post up in the mid-range and that ball is targeted to him every night and he’s getting up 25, 30 attempts? Yeah, he can do the same thing.”
The Triangle Offense as the Great Equalizer
Thomas pointed to the triangle offense — designed by Tex Winter and perfected by Phil Jackson — as the real engine behind the Bulls’ dynasty. The system was built to create efficient, high-percentage shots for elite mid-range scorers by putting them in the right spots at the right time.
Durant, widely regarded as one of the most versatile scorers in NBA history, would have been a perfect fit. His ability to score at all three levels with incredible efficiency makes him the modern player closest to the type of offensive weapon the triangle was designed to unleash.
Thomas went further, highlighting Durant’s remarkable shot efficiency compared to Jordan’s. He noted that KD has climbed to fifth on the all-time scoring list while taking nearly 2,200 fewer shots than Jordan needed to reach similar milestones.
“The most amazing thing about Kevin Durant is… How many shot attempts did Durant have compared to the shot attempts that Jordan had to break the record?” Thomas asked. “First of all, that’s gonna be our number one thing we’re taking away. Yeah, I don’t think he’s taking like over 16, 17 shots a night. Very rarely you see Durant taking 30 shots. He gets to, you know, on 17, 18 shots. That’s real.”
Context and the Endless Debate
Thomas’ comments come amid ongoing discussions about how different eras and systems affect player legacies. While Jordan’s six titles, six Finals MVPs, and unmatched competitive fire remain the gold standard for many, Thomas argues that the supporting cast and offensive system in Chicago played a massive role in that success.
Durant, now with the Houston Rockets, continues to put up elite scoring numbers with exceptional efficiency even at age 37. His ability to score without needing high volume separates him from many all-time greats and fuels the argument that he could have thrived in almost any system — including the triangle.
Whether Thomas’ hypothetical holds up is ultimately unprovable, but his respect for Durant’s scoring prowess and efficiency is clear. For a player who has often been criticized for “joining superteams,” Thomas is giving KD credit for what he does with the ball in his hands, regardless of era or supporting cast.
The GOAT conversation will never be settled, but Thomas’ take adds another respected voice to the side that believes Durant’s pure scoring ability and efficiency place him among the absolute best to ever play.
KD fans, how do you feel about Zeke’s comments? Would Durant have won six rings in the 90s Bulls system, or do Jordan’s championships and killer instinct still set him apart?
The debate continues — and it’s one of the most entertaining parts of NBA history.