Add The California Post on Google Kevin Durant’s latest attempt to praise the Philadelphia 76ers has reopened some old Golden State Warriors wounds.
Durant argued on social media that Philadelphia’s new core of LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey compares favorably with the Warriors team he joined in 2016. When a fan claimed the 76ers were not close to that historically dominant group, Durant pushed back by listing their individual accolades.
In making his case, however, Durant singled out former teammate Klay Thompson.
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, from left, guard Stephen Curry and forward Kevin Durant celebrate after Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, June 14, 2017. Thompson has provided a steadying hand for the reigning champions as they work to find their groove again after winning their second trophy in three years. (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) AP “Klay Thompson, never a MVP candidate in nothing, 22ppg,” Durant wrote, while contrasting Thompson’s résumé with Embiid’s MVP, Brown’s Finals MVP and Maxey’s recent All-Star selections.
Thompson, typically one of the NBA’s more laid-back personalities, took exception to being dragged into the debate. The former Warriors guard shared Durant’s comment on his Instagram Story and tagged him directly.
“Aye man u good?” Thompson wrote. “What u using my full government for??”
Draymond Green then entered the exchange with a shot referencing Durant’s history of using anonymous social-media accounts.
“Slim thought he was on his burner?” Green wrote on Threads.
The jab recalled Durant’s infamous 2017 mistake, when he defended himself in the third person from his verified account after apparently forgetting to switch profiles. It also carried added bite because of Green and Durant’s turbulent history, including their heated 2018 argument that contributed to tension during Durant’s final Warriors season.
Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a foul call in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals on Friday, June 9, 2017, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (2017 Getty Images) Getty Images Durant’s broader comparison is not entirely without merit. Philadelphia can field four players capable of producing at an All-Star level, including an MVP center and one of basketball’s greatest players.
The Warriors, however, had already won a championship and recorded 73 regular-season victories before Durant arrived. That group paired established chemistry with Stephen Curry’s shooting, Thompson’s two-way play and Green’s versatility before adding another MVP.
The new 76ers may possess comparable individual credentials on paper, but they have yet to play a game together. Durant’s argument will ultimately be decided on the court.
For now, it has only succeeded in uniting Thompson and Green against their former teammate.
