Kevin Durant's Olympic masterclass earns him GOAT comparison with Michael Jordan from veteran analyst
In all five of Team USA's showcase games, Kevin Durant was sidelined due to a strained calf for injury management reasons. Regarded as one of the best performers in USA Basketball history, Durant's return to the court for the team's first matchup in the Group Play was electric. It had analyst Skip Bayless in awe as he drew "Greatest of All Time" comparisons involving Michael Jordan.
There have been several "GOAT" debates when it comes to the prominent players in NBA history. This time around, Bayless argued that if Durant mirrored the same level of performance as the one he just had against Serbia in his NBA outings, then the narratives around him would be much different.
He shared his comments on X, formerly known as "Twitter."
"If every game Kevin Durant played was an international game, it would be a KD-MJ GOAT debate," Bayless posted.
There are several players who have a strong case against Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. Concerning Durant, he does make an interesting case for his incredible basketball resume. However, his name is not commonly used in that discussion compared to his other peers such as LeBron James, Steph Curry and Nikola Jokic.
During Team USA's game against Serbia, Kevin Durant came off the bench and poured on 23 points (8-of-9 shooting, including 5-of-5 from beyond the arc) and two rebounds. He led all scorers to secure a commanding 110-84 victory.
Skip Bayless throws his weight behind 'big game' player Kevin Durant over LeBron James
LeBron James and Kevin Durant have established themselves as two of the best players in the league. Despite having different playstyles, their electric energy remains unmatched when both are playing at the top of their game.
With such strong reputations, there have been numerous comparisons made between the two NBA All-Stars. To add more to his "GOAT" argument concerning Durant, Bayless highlighted his preference of having the Suns forward over the Lakers star.
"In big games, I'll take KD over LeBron every time," Bayless posted.
The two athletes' body of work contain their fair share of outstanding performances during high-pressure must-win games. However, Skip Bayless is still leaning toward Durant.
Compared to LeBron James' versatile skill set as a playmaker and all-around scorer, Kevin Durant remains one of the most efficient shotmakers in NBA history. Being listed as a 6-foot-11 forward has made him a difficult defensive assignment for opponents due to his ability to shoot over most defenders.
His height has also allowed him to play all five positions and it opens the floor for five-out offensive lineups. One can't go wrong with choosing one over the other but the veteran analyst remains firm in riding with Durant to deliver him wins.