Kevin Durant says he’s “mastered the game” in the all-time rankings debate

For Houston Rockets All-Star Kevin Duranteverything changed after winning his first championship, including his perspective on his legacy — which he hopes to add to in his remaining years. Longevity, relevance and championships are still important. ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins called Durant the best scorer of all timewhich is the kind of standard Kevin alludes to when he mentions Hall of Famers like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

At this point in his career, Durant, a 15-time All-Star and four-time champion with two titles, in the midst of his 18th season, is about adding to his legacyhe said, alongside Fred VanVleet, per Unguarded.

“I feel like I’ve mastered the game and that should be the only goal for any player,” Durant said. “I don’t give a *** about Magic Johnson or Larry Bird, what they did compared to me. The standard they set, I want to reach that. In terms of longevity, relevance, impact on the game, impact on the city. Championships, I want that too.”

Durant reveals his mindset changed after winning his first championship with the Golden State Warriors.

“When we won the first one, and I realized none of that shit matters. Like, why am I comparing myself to another man? I should be playing against myself,” Durant said. “In my life in general, I don’t compare myself to any human being in anything I do.”

Durant and the Rockets suffered their second loss in five games in a 128-125 loss to the Nuggets on Monday.

Jason Kidd on Kevin Durant’s size before Rockets game

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd talked about Kevin Durant’s greatness before the Rockets’ 122-109 loss after Durant reached the 31,000-point career milestone. Kidd, who faced KD during his Hall of Fame playing career, says his passion for the sport is what resonates with him the most.

“He loves to play basketball,” Kidd said of Durant. “You start with love and wanting to be great, and KD is the blueprint for that. … He knows how to score, he can put it on the floor, he can shoot over you. Just realizing he’s perfected his craft.”

“He came into this league as a scorer and every year he gets better.”

The Rockets will face the New Orleans Pelicans on the road on Thursday.