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As LeBron James further builds up on his all-time-great-level legacy, Kevin Durant is starting to carve his niche among the NBA's bests ever. That started with the Golden State Warriors' conquest over the Cleveland Cavaliers in last season's Finals — a series win that was perfectly symbolized by Durant's dagger 3-pointer over James in Game 3.
Kevin Durant followed up on that shot during a November article from GQ, saying that it felt akin to a passing of the torch. However, with the way LeBron James has been leading the Cavs lately, it's safe to assume that four-time MVP isn't giving away the proverbial torch that easy.
In a recent article by Mark Medina for The Mercury News, the Warriors superstar clarified his past comment, saying that it was taken out of context.
“I saw a lot of people took that out of context: What I’m saying is when somebody passes the torch, they’re letting you in the room,” Durant said. “You got LeBron. You got [Dwyane Wade]. You got [Carmelo Anthony]. You got Paul Pierce. You got Larry Bird. You got Dr. J all in a room. It’s my turn to be in there with them and enjoy being one of the best players in the world. It wasn’t the fact that I took it from LeBron and he’s gone now. Obviously he’s still around.”
So, given what Kevin Durant had said, a better interpretation on what that dagger 3-pointer in the Finals meant is LeBron James giving him the key to enter their elite club of NBA greats.
“Accolades and accomplishments and legacy and all that stuff and how they mean to people, I can’t talk on that,” Durant said. “But as far as basketball skills are concerned? I’m on the same level. I feel like that moment was [LeBron] saying, ‘Welcome.’”
