“Having LeBron James as a competitor has kept me on my toes”: When Kevin Durant gave the Lakers star his props in a great interview with Nas and Bill Simmons

Kevin Durant has always recognized how the presence of LeBron James in the NBA keeps him focused on building his craft.

Kevin Durant and LeBron James have been the top 2 players in the world for a decade now. You can shoehorn Kawhi Leonard and Steph Curry into this conversation, but neither of these 2 have been consistent at that level like KD and LeBron.

Given that both of them are listed as small forwards and both are physical mismatches for players who guard them, it’s always been a fascinating contrast in styles between a prime LeBron and a prime KD.

Also Read: ‘Kevin Durant wears shoes one size bigger for NBA games’: Nets star could have led Brooklyn to the ECF if not for bigger shoes

There’s a school of thought in basketball that values physical, aggressive play typified by LeBron at his peak more. The polar opposite to that would be the crowd that places more importance on ‘pure basketball skill’ like handles and shooting.

Basketball fans will continue to disagree on which approach is more important till the end of time. But what they’ll always acknowledge is that both LeBron James and Kevin Durant are cheat codes.

Kevin Durant gives LeBron James his props on Bill Simmons interview as Nas watches on

One of the greatest crossover interviews I’ve ever seen was Nas and Kevin Durant appearing on Bill Simmons’ platform together. The Celtics fan has always been an interviewer par excellence, but this segment is truly one of a kind.

Bill Simmons posed this great speed round question to Durant on the tell-all interview:

“Does it help to have LeBron ahead of you? It’s like this carrot that’s being waved ahead of you. You know LeBron is getting up at 6 o’clock and working out in his $2 million gym for 3 hours and then he’s going to drink some weird juice and he’s gonna work out again. Do you need that?”

KD was categorically straightforward while replying to this excellent question:

“Yeah. You need someone that’s always sharpening you and keeping you on your toes, and he’s been that for a while for me. See all that he’s done in the league and having an opportunity to play against him for all the marbles in 2012.”

“That just took my respect for him to another level, but competitor-wise, it makes it even more fun to play against him.”

Also Read: “Ben Simmons missed more free throws these playoffs than Steve Nash in his career”: Ghastly stat about Sixers guard goes viral on NBA Twitter

Simmons made sure to give Nas his shine too, noting how the hip-hop legend’s rivalry with Jay-Z was of a similar nature. The Illmatiic rapper was also completely in agreement.