Kevin Durant reflects on looking up to Vince Carter after passing him on the all-time scoring list: "My first NBA jersey was Vince Carter when he was in Toronto"
Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant has paid homage to Vince Carter upon overtaking the former superstar on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
Durant achieved this feat during the game against the Indiana Pacers, which the Nets won 116-109 on Monday. He finished with 36 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the game.
Speaking to the media after the game, Kevin Durant reflected on moving into the 19th spot on the NBA's scoring list. Durant said:
"It means a lot. I love to score the ball. That's the name of the game.
"That's why we play basketball – to put points on the board, to shift the game, to be mentioned with the greats, to pass somebody I looked up to as a kid – my first NBA jersey was Vince Carter's when he was in Toronto. So that's a full-circle moment for me."
Durant also took the opportunity to thank the many people who have helped him get to his latest NBA milestone:
"Grateful for all my teammates along the way that helped me throughout these years, my coaches as well. Everybody just chipped in and helped make me the player that I am today. I just got to keep going."
"My first NBA jersey was Vince Carter's when he was in Toronto. So it's a full-circle moment for me"
Kevin Durant reflects on passing Vince Carter on the NBA's all-time scoring list: https://t.co/gxVjG7fSxc
Kevin Durant could break into the top 10 on the NBA's all-time scoring list by the end of the 2022-23 season
Kevin Durant started the contest against the Indiana Pacers needing 11 points to overtake Vince Carter, who had 25,728 career points. KD managed to cross Carter's tally when he knocked down a pair of free throws late in the first quarter.
Incidentally, the game against Indiana on Monday also maked the 15-year anniversary of Durant making his NBA debut.
By the end of the game, the 34-year-old had taken his tally to 25,754 career points. He is averaging 32.6 points per game over seven games this season for the Nets. If Durant continues at this pace and remains healthy throughout the rest of the season, he should add another 2,445 points to his career tally.
This would see him get to 28199 points, which is good enough for the 10th spot on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
Durant would move past the likes of Paul Pierce (26,397 points, 16th position), Tim Duncan (26,496 points, 15th), Hakeem Olajuwon (26,946 points, 12th) and Moses Malone (27,409 points, 10th) in the process.
At the end of the game, Kevin Durant paid tribute to Vince Carter, naming him as the first player he ever idolized. Durant said:
"Every time I step on the court it is special. I'm just grateful that I get to showcase my skills here on the biggest stage in the NBA. Vince Carter was the first player I watched and idolized as a kid. It's pretty cool to pass him up. I'm glad that I'm doing it on the national forum."
@YESNetwork"Vince Carter was the first player I watched and idolized as a kid."
@KDTrey5 talked about moving into 19th place on the all-time scoring list following tonight's win.
🎥 @YESNetwork https://t.co/CoHltJWnNL
The next NBA legend that Kevin Durant will look to overtake is Kevin Garnett, who has 26,071 career points and is 18th on the NBA's all-time scoring list. At his current scoring rate, Durant could end up overtaking Garnett when the Nets host the visiting Memphis Grizzlies on November 20.