Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James is one of the best players in basketball history, but one NBA star doesn’t even think he’s the best in the league right now.
Speaking on ESPN’s “First Take” on Wednesday, Dwight Howard made the case that Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant actually is the No. 1 player in the NBA at present.
“KD is seven feet,” Howard said. “He’s doing things that no seven-footer has ever really done. That’s what sets him apart from a lot of players in this league — his ability to score from anywhere on the floor, he has great handles. And the thing he’s doing this year, better than any other year, he’s blocking shots. His defense is crazy this year.”
While Durant vs. James is a close debate, KD has been the better player in the 2017 NBA Finals. He’s averaging 35.5 points through two games, both of which the Warriors have won handily. James, too, has been terrific, as he’s averaging a triple-double to start the series.
Howard probably will catch some flack for his take, but he’s not the only one that holds this opinion. After Game 2, ESPN analyst Paul Pierce went on record saying Durant currently is the best basketball player in the world.
Durant’s case certainly will be bolstered if the Warriors continue to roll through the Cavaliers in the Finals.
Thumbnail photo via Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports Images
