Kevin Durant had a huge Saturday night, after surpassing Michael Jordan for fifth all-time on the NBA scoring list, and it made him contemplate how long he’s got left in the league.
After the game, KD was asked if he had a favorite memory of Jordan or a best interaction with the GOAT himself.
“No. That’s like asking me do I got a favorite Drake song,” he said. “No, they’re just all great. MJ has so many great moments. He just personifies iconic god level – just everything that I believe in, he personifies.”
It also got Durant thinking about his finite time in the league.
“There’s gonna come a time when it’s not my place, and we’re creeping closer to that,” Durant said, via Boardroom Talks. “And it’s crazy to think about as the season winds down… This is what I spent all my life doing, every day. This is a part of my routine. This is what I center my life around, is the game. So, to know that, having a handful of years, hopefully, left to do this, gotta start getting prepared for that next phase.”
The Rockets star had already eclipsed Wilt Chamberlain (31,419) and Dirk Nowitzki (31,560) this season before moving up again Saturday.
Next up to surpass is Kobe Bryant, who’s fourth with KD telling reporters after the game, “Four more to go.”
Rockets coach Ime Udoka said of Durant, “It’s an honor for everybody to be a part of that. And as KD has said in the past, I don’t think he cares much about it in the moment. He’s really focused on the season and what we’re trying to accomplish, but I don’t want to just make it an afterthought. Passing Michael Jordan is obviously a huge accomplishment, and we celebrated that with him.”
Whenever he does decide to ride off into the sunset, his Hall of Fame spot will be waiting.
16-time All-Star, four time Olympic gold medalist, four-time scoring champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, two NBA titles, MVP in 2013-14 and 11-time All-NBA selection.