Future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, who happened to play his college basketball at the University of Texas, showed plenty of respect to the Houston Rockets when asked to select his all-time NBA team.
During a recent appearance on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, Durant named Hakeem Olajuwon and Tracy McGrady to his all-time team, comprised of 12 players (i.e. a standard roster).
Others on the chosen team of legends included Durant, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, Magic Johnson, Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O’Neal, Anthony Davis, and Kevin Garnett.
Durant showed particular respect to Olajuwon, whom he named as a starter alongside James, Jordan, Bryant, and himself. One of the show’s hosts asked the 11-time All-Star, two-time NBA champion, and former league MVP about picking “The Dream” over Shaq, and KD replied:
I know you didn’t watch Hakeem, if you said something like that.
Hakeem over Shaq?! 🤨
Million Dollaz Worth of Game “FEATURING KEVIN DURANT” out now‼️ Powered by: @NewAmsterdam @barstoolsports
Listen: https://t.co/yk3ptiB1QS pic.twitter.com/GcXQEDPCAM
— MILLION $ WORTH OF GAME (@mworthofgame) April 20, 2021
Durant, who has spent more than a decade in the NBA, also identified former Rockets star James Harden as one of his top five teammates in the league (along with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving, and either Russell Westbrook or Serge Ibaka). However, the inclusion of Harden in that list is likely bittersweet to Houston fans, since Durant’s current presence in Brooklyn reportedly played a role in Harden’s desire to be traded away from the Rockets earlier this season.
Durant played three competitive series versus Houston in the 2013, 2018, and 2019 playoffs, with his team (at the time, either Oklahoma City or Golden State) winning in six or seven games each time. While there were certainly some chippy moments here and there, it’s clear he still has numerous fond memories of the franchise and its star players.
The complete podcast can be listened to below.
Kevin Durant’s all-time 12-man team:
LeBron James
Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
KD
Hakeem Olajuwon+ Steph Curry, Magic Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O’Neal, Anthony Davis, and Kevin Garnett.
(via Barstool Sports’ Million Dollaz Worth of Game Pod). pic.twitter.com/s09ZT1VHHs
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) April 19, 2021
