Brooklyn Nets

Jamal Crawford Declares Kevin Durant as Best Player in the World

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Brooklyn Nets guard Jamal Crawford offered a strong endorsement of a current teammate when he stated that Nets forward Kevin Durant is currently the best basketball player in the world.

Despite the fact that both Crawford and Durant are members of the Nets, the two veterans have yet to play together for the team.

Durant missed the entire 2019-20 season as he is still recovering from an Achilles injury suffered in June 2019. Meanwhile, Crawford’s return to the court this season was brief after playing just six minutes in an Aug. 4 game before leaving with a hamstring injury.

The 40-year-old Crawford suffered the injury in his first NBA game since April 2019, when he was playing with the Phoenix Suns.

Crawford’s age may preclude the Nets from bringing him back next season, but during his 20 seasons in the NBA, he’s drained 2,221 3-pointers. That number includes one he connected on during his short time as a member of the Nets.

While Crawford’s statistical numbers don’t have him headed for basketball immortality, the same can’t be said for Durant.

Over 13 NBA seasons, Durant has been named NBA Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player and has twice been named both All-Star Game MVP and NBA Finals MVP.

The 31-year-old Durant has won the NBA scoring title four times and was part of two championship teams during his time as a member of the Golden State Warrriors.

Accolades like that help explain why the Nets were willing to sign Durant to a nine-figure contract last year, despite knowing that he’d be unable to play during the 2019-20 season.

Crawford’s comments figure to cause debate among fans of players like LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, but it’s clear that Durant definitely belongs in any such conversation.

Brad Sullivan

Brad has written on a variety of both NBA and NFL topics and has worked previously as a sports information director at the collegiate level. A lifetime fan of sports, he's witnessed countless great moments in different sports and understands that stories can be compelling from both the perspective of winners and losers. As a frustrated fan of Cleveland sports, he experienced something unprecedented when the Cavaliers won the city's first championship in 52 years.

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Recent Posts

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

17 hours ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

19 hours ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

3 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

4 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

5 days ago

Shannon Sharpe implies Jamal Murray defers to Nikola Jokic like Kobe deferred to Shaq: ‘Murray is more than capable’

An ankle injury has kept Denver Nuggets star big man Nikola Jokic sidelined for more…

6 days ago