Kevin Durant compares the new 76ers to his Warriors: "They have four 25-point players"
Praise LeBron James for the way he handled his decision to move to play in Philadelphia
Kevin Durant has no doubts that the new Philadelphia 76ers will be one of the top contenders for the NBA championship in the 2026-27 season. The new player for the Houston Rockets praised the team's spectacular offensive potential led by LeBron James and even went as far as comparing it to the historic Golden State Warriors with whom he won two championships.
Durant took part in an event for the USA Basketball Foundation on Saturday, where he was asked about the impact of LeBron James' arrival in Philadelphia. According to the forward, the combination of James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey makes the 76ers a formidable team from day one.
"The last time they put three players averaging 20 points per game on the same team, they said it was unfair, that it was the Warriors team I was on. They have four players averaging 25 points per game. So, of course, I believe they will be contenders. They will be a very fun team to watch. It'll be worth having the League Pass."
The numbers support Durant's words. Brown, Embiid, and Maxey averaged over 25 points per game last season, while LeBron James has achieved that mark in 20 out of his 23 NBA seasons, the latest being in the 2023-24 season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Surprised by LeBron's decision
Durant also confessed that he had no idea about LeBron James' destination during free agency. The 41-year-old veteran announced on July 24th that he would sign with Philadelphia, turning down offers from the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat after weeks of uncertainty.
The Rockets player praised the discretion with which the whole process was handled and celebrated a decision that, in his opinion, benefits both LeBron and the NBA.
"I had no clue. LeBron is that reserved. I know there's always a lot of noise around him, but you never know what he's thinking. I'm happy for him. It's a great decision to go to a team with many winning options. Philadelphia has an incredible fan base, a great market, and this is very good for the league. A lot of people were waiting for his decision."
After acquiring Jaylen Brown through a trade with the Boston Celtics and signing LeBron James to a two-year, $8 million contract, betting houses already place the 76ers among the top title favorites, only behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
The Philadelphia franchise seeks to win its first championship since 1983, while LeBron aims for a historic achievement: becoming the first NBA player to win the championship with four different franchises.
Durant aims for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
During the same charity event, Kevin Durant also spoke about his future with the U.S. national team and made it clear that he remains eager to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
If eventually called up, the forward would be 39 years old and could become the first male basketball player in history to win five Olympic gold medals, provided that the United States retains the title.
"That depends on Grant Hill and what the Team USA wants to do. I will continue to maintain a high level and hope to receive that call, although there are many great players who also deserve to be on the team."
Durant and LeBron James already shared a dressing room with the U.S. national team to win gold at the London 2012 and Paris 2024 Olympics, and now the veteran forward dreams of writing a new chapter in his extraordinary international career.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Kevin Durant compara a los nuevos 76ers con sus Warriors: "Tienen cuatro jugadores de 25 puntos"
