Kevin Durant, an 18-year NBA veteran, recently acknowledged Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry as the best teammates he has played alongside, highlighting the comfort and trust he experienced with both. Over his extensive career, Durant has shared the court with numerous star players, including James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Devin Booker, but has captured championships only alongside Curry.
Selected as the second overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, later relocated as the Oklahoma City Thunder, Durant quickly established himself as one of basketball’s premier scorers. After Westbrook joined the Thunder in 2008, the pair formed a formidable offensive tandem, contributing to the Thunder’s inaugural trip to the NBA Finals in 2012, where they were defeated by LeBron James and the Miami Heat in five games.
Spanning eight seasons as teammates, Durant and Westbrook became one of the league’s most dynamic duos before Durant transitioned to play alongside Curry with the Golden State Warriors in 2016. Though initially met with criticism, Durant’s three years with the Warriors marked the peak of his career achievements, including two NBA titles and back-to-back Finals MVP honors in 2017 and 2018. The Warriors reached the 2019 Finals again, but Durant was sidelined by injury, and Golden State ultimately lost to the Toronto Raptors in six games.
During a conversation with former players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Durant revealed his appreciation for both Westbrook and Curry as the best teammates he’s had.
“It’s a tie between Steph and Russ. With Russ I never ever feared that he was gon lose a matchup. That’s one thing I never worried about. Having that comfort from the point guard just made my life easier and I felt the same way with Steph,”
Durant shared.
Continued High-Level Performance Amid Team Transitions
Since departing the Warriors in 2019, Durant has experienced several team changes, moving to three different franchises and most recently joining the Houston Rockets this offseason. Despite the frequent moves sparking debate about his pursuit of championships, Durant continues to perform at an elite level. Now in his 18th NBA season, the forward averages 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists over 52 games this season.
Engaging online with fans, Durant humorously implied he plans to continue his career, chanting “One more year.” His focus on maintaining excellence on the court contradicts the notion that his career is winding down.
“I got paid $2 million for 2 hours of work… what am I gonna say, no?”
– Kevin Durant on his CeraVe ad
NBA Analyst Suggests Durant Should Address ‘Burner’ Account Controversy Independently
Off the court, Durant has faced scrutiny related to alleged burner social media accounts, a topic that remains unresolved as the player has not publicly addressed it. NBA analyst Brian Geltzeiler weighed in during a Sirius XM NBA Radio segment, advising Rockets head coach Ime Udoka to allow Durant to manage the situation personally.
“Here’s how I would look at it if I’m Ime Udoka. ‘You got yourself in it, KD. Figure out how to get yourself out of it. You’re a big boy, I have a basketball team to coach’. Guys will get over their feelings being hurt, but we have a mission as a basketball team. And if there’s a problem, take it up with Kevin Durant. This is not a 23-year-old player. It’s a 37-year-old guy, who was drafted in 2007. It’s his mess to clean.”
Geltzeiler emphasized Durant’s maturity and responsibility by stating,
“This is a 37-year-old guy…clean your own mess.”
Durant’s Recent Performances Highlight His On-Court Prowess
Following the All-Star break, Durant has continued to demonstrate high-level scoring. His recent efforts contributed to the Houston Rockets’ victory over the Charlotte Hornets and, despite a loss against the New York Knicks during a back-to-back schedule, Durant scored 35 and 30 points respectively in those games. His consistency solidifies his role as a key player and leader for the Rockets as they navigate the remainder of the season.
Legacy of Durant’s Collaborations with Elite Players
Kevin Durant’s pairings with Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry illustrate his unique ability to thrive alongside other outstanding talents, adapting his game to complement his teammates’ strengths. With Westbrook, Durant appreciated unwavering competitiveness and trust, never fearing a matchup loss, while his partnership with Curry brought championship glory and personal accolades during their dominant run in Golden State.
As Durant continues his career with Houston, his reflections on his best teammates offer insight into the qualities he values: consistency, confidence, and mutual understanding on the court. Though his journey has included ups and downs, Durant’s respect for both Westbrook and Curry remains a testament to their shared impact on his storied career and the NBA landscape.
Kevin Durant on who’s the best player he’s ever played with
“It’s a tie between Steph and Russ. With Russ I never ever feared that he was gon lose a matchup. That’s one thing I never worried about. Having that comfort from the point guard just made my life easier”. pic.twitter.com/o124onFNYR
— 𝙀𝙧𝙖 (@TheWestbrookEra) February 22, 2026
“I got paid $2 million for 2 hours of work… what am I gonna say, no?”
– Kevin Durant on his CeraVe ad 😅
(h/t @BrickCenter_ )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 20, 2026
“This is a 37-year-old guy…clean your own mess.”@BGeltzNBA tells @SamMitchellNBA he thinks Rockets Coach Ime Udoka should let Kevin Durant handle his alleged burner leaks by himself.
Listen to the full show: https://t.co/LilkergPt6 pic.twitter.com/hwWz7QSIJ3
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) February 21, 2026
