NBA news: Kevin Durant, Steph Curry claims made after Draymond Green incident
KEVIN DURANT may be under-fire at the moment, but he is still the best player in the Golden State Warriors’ roster, and one of the best players in the world.
That is the view of ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith.
Durant has been tipped to leave the Warriors, despite them going for a three-peat, after a bust-up with team-mate Draymond Green.
Green ignored Durant’s calls for a pass late in a game against the LA Clippers, and the two clashed on-court and, reportedly, in the locker room post-game.
The pair were reported to have clashed after Green made a comment about Durant’s upcoming free agency decision.
In the summer, whatever happens this season, the future of the superstar will be out of the Warriors’ hands.
Durant himself will have the choice of whether or not to stay with the Warriors and earn a guaranteed £24 million for another season, or to leave and become a free agent.
Smith argued on his ESPN show that Durant is better than his team-mate Steph Curry, and that he cannot be traded.
“I believe Kevin Durant is one of the top four players on planet earth,” he said.
“He’s that great.
“I don’t give a damn about the Steph Curry impact.
“Steph Curry is the best shooter I’ve ever seen, everybody knows.
“But he isn’t Kevin Durant.
“Kevin Durant is the best player on the Golden State Warriors.
“Make no mistake about it.”
The Warriors face the Dallas Mavericks tonight, but will be without Curry and Green for the game.
Both are nursing injuries, but Durant will start.