Former Warriors forward Matt Barnes supports Steve Kerr regarding his statement on Kevin Durant being more gifted than Michael Jordan.
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Over the years in the NBA, players have been compared with each other. It happens all the time in a league where every season a new hero is born.
Recently Golden State Warriors’ chief coach Steve Kerr came up with a bold comparison. He claimed Brooklyn Nets’ talisman Kevin Durant to be more gifted than the GOAT Michael Jordan. The statement was surprising to many people but none reciprocated.
A lot of things may have forced Kerr to come with such a statement but hardly anyone argued. Durantula this season was exceptional for the Nets averaging a career-high 34.3 points in the playoffs. He was pivotal to their progress to the Eastern Conference semifinals in this postseason.
He dropped a magical 48 points in Game 7 despite their loss against the Bucks. With Kyrie Irving, James Harden injured and not at their best, Durant stood up and led the Nets.
Apart from his exceptional scoring, he also mustered 9.3 rebounds per game in this postseason. This proves his work ethic and commitment to his franchise.
“Steve Kerr merely said Kevin Durant is more gifted, not better than Michael Jordan”: Matt Barnes
KD also shares a good bond with Steve Kerr from their time at the Golde State Warriors. It was a glorious patch in KD’s career where he got to play with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and many more stars.
He won two consecutive titles in 2017 and 2018 and was pivotal in both wins. KD won back to Finals MVP for a Warriors side which was already stacked with talent. Hence his time with the Warriors was his best and since then Kerr and KD have shared a great rapport.
Steve Kerr says Kevin Durant @KDTrey5 is more gifted than Michael Jordan pic.twitter.com/O7kJw8yBEd
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) June 23, 2021
Former NBA star Matt Barnes has echoed the words of Steve Kerr regarding the KD statement as per TMZ Sports. The NBA journeyman said:
“He didn’t say he was a better player. He just said more gifted… if you think about it, Kevin Durant is 7-foot and he can basically do everything you want your point guard to do.”
The former Golden State Warriors forward is apt with his explanation. While Michael Jordan still can be the better player in the history of the NBA, KD does have some special skills.
His versatility is his biggest strength as a forward. The statement holds some weight as it comes from Kerr, who has coached KD and played with MJ during his Chicago Bulls days. He has seen both the players at their prime and has made the comments accordingly.