Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, currently representing Team USA in the Olympics, hasn’t shied away from social media during his downtime.
Just recently, Durant fired back at former Pro Bowl wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Keyshawn Johnson for his comments about Paul Pierce.
Johnson, on a recent episode of “Undisputed,” claimed, “If I put Paul Pierce on the Golden State Warriors with Klay Thompson and Draymond Green and Steph Curry, you don’t think he could do the same sh*t?”
Needless to say, Durant took this as a shot at his contributions to the Warriors dynasty.
Durant, who has faced criticism for joining a powerhouse Warriors team in 2016, helped lead the team to three consecutive NBA Finals, winning two championships and earning the NBA Finals MVP title twice.
His decision to join the Warriors has been a point of great contention. It’s one of the prime examples of an elite player hoping on the “easy train.”
Fair or not, many fans will always hold that decision against Durant.
In a sharp response to Johnson’s hypothetical, Durant fired back on X.
“If the (Jets) would’ve took Jonathan Ogden, Marvin Harrison, (Ray Lewis) or Eddie George number one they would’ve been better off. … I hate hypotheticals,” he posted.
This pointed remark references the New York Jets choosing Johnson as the No. 1 pick in the 1996 NFL Draft, overlooking future Hall of Famers like Jonathan Ogden, Marvin Harrison, and Ray Lewis.
Johnson’s argument suggested that Pierce could have matched Durant’s impact on the Warriors, implying the team would have been just as successful with Pierce.
While Pierce, a first-ballot Hall of Famer and a member of both the Top 50 and Top 75 teams, would have undoubtedly been a valuable addition to the Warriors, the notion that he could replicate Durant’s influence is questionable.
Having said that, Pierce is one of the most underrated players of his era … Everyone knows he was great – but many don’t realize just how great he truly was.
Statistically, Durant’s scoring efficiency and versatility distinguish him from Pierce. KD’s career average of 27.3 points per game eclipses Pierce’s 19.7, making him a more prolific scorer.
Though the Warriors might still have won championships with Pierce, Durant’s unique contributions were critical, particularly during the 2019 playoffs when his absence was felt in the Finals against the Kawhi Leonard-led Toronto Raptors.
Durant’s stats from last season underscore his elite status in the NBA. Averaging 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game, while shooting 52.3% from the field and 41.3% from three-point range, he remains a top player in the league.
Having said that, he remains an easy target for critics due to his constant bouncing around the league and perceived lack of leadership.
What’s your take on Johnson’s comments? … Are you on his side or Durant’s???