Kevin Durant Slammed After Playing Down Dwyane Wade’s Legacy With Brutally Honest James Harden Comparison

Kevin Durant faced backlash after he compared Dwayne Wade's legacy to James Harden's. On the third episode of Fred VanVleet's "Unguarded" podcast, KD expressed his opinions on the Wade-Harden debate.

The Rockets star praised Wade for his first championship, but said that the Heat PR team helped the Miami icon craft his legacy.

"That 1st chip Wade won and the style was insane. Everything was downhill, P&R to the cup, I’m scoring tonight. Who that sound like? James Harden. He played that same style," Durant said. "He didn’t have that moment D-Wade had. Pat Riley, Miami Heat organization. A lot worked in D Wade favor for him to win that championship. I feel like they both are winning players. D Wade didn’t have to do as much for the last 2 championships."

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A Heat fanpage shared the clip of Durant discussing the topic on X on Wednesday. The fans swarmed the post's comments section with their opinions on Durant's statement.

"That’s funny coming from someone who joined a 73-9 team to get his ONLY 2 chips lol," one fan said. "Harden wasn’t even a quarter of the defender wade was, both sides of the ball matter," another fan said. "It comes down to moments and when the moment came Wade lived up to it and got his team over the hump while Harden has crumbled and didn’t even shoot the ball half the time 🤷🏾‍♂️ There is no debate," another fan said.

Another fan trolled Kevin Durant for his career choices.

"KD talking about D Wade not having to do much to win a championship when he joined a 73-9 team 🤣🤣💀 you can’t make this shit up… KD also seems to forget there’s 2 sides to the ball and Wade CLEARS harden on defense," the fan said. "I like KD but it’s kinda ironic to hear him say someone didn’t have to “do as much” for their championships😂" another fan said. "wade ain’t have to do much for his last 2 like he ain’t have to do much for his only two 😭" another fan said.

3-time NBA Champion calls out Kevin Durant for 'chasing rings'

Former Lakers player and coach Byron Scott called out Kevin Durant for chasing rings by joining strong teams. Scott was asked about KD's decision to join the Rockets on Wednesday's episode of "Scoop B Radio."

In his response, the three-time NBA champions praised the Rockets star before criticizing him.

"I’m a big Kevin Durant fan. I really am. But when you’re one of the best players in this league, you don’t start chasing rings. You don’t start joining other teams to try to get that exclusive ring that you haven’t gotten in a few years," he said.

Kevin Durant joined the Rockets in July as part of a historic seven-team deal that sent Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green to Phoenix. He has led the Rockets (16-7) to a fifth-place standing in the West, while averaging 24.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists on 50.1% shooting.

Edited by Avi Shravan