Kevin Durant has faith in the LA Clippers edging the Los Angeles Lakers for the top spot in the Western Conference, now that he's made his move to the East to join the Brooklyn Nets. The two-time Finals MVP appeared on EBRO In The Morning on Hot97 FM, giving the Clips the ultimate vote of confidence.

“The Clippers,” said the injured Nets star, nodding when asked if he'd pick them over the Lakers in a loaded West. “I like the Clippers right now. I'm only looking at it on paper, they got more talent on the team — but you never know throughout the season.”

Durant objected that Kawhi Leonard is one of the reasons why he's picking the Clippers over the Lakers, as he has a well-engrained respect for him as a defender:

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“He got the longest paragraph on the scouting report,” Kevin Durant said of Leonard. “You can't pull out your whole array of move on him. I can, but the averaged player?… It's still tough for me to pull out all my s**t against Kawhi.”

The Clippers don't have one, but three All-NBA defenders in their lineup in Patrick Beverley, Paul George, and Leonard — making them a formidable defensive lineup that will give any team its share of headaches scoring the ball.

Durant had his only 50-point game of the regular season against the Raptors, hanging 51 points on Leonard, but needing 31 shots to do it. The two only met for mere minutes during the NBA Finals, given that Durant left with his torn Achilles after only 12 minutes of action. Yet the two superstars have met plenty of times before, which is why Durant gives the Clippers the upper edge in this battle for the Western Conference.