KD at 30K: Is Durant Really Top 10 All-Time or Just a Walking Bucket?

Montezz Allen
Feb 17
3 min read

Aight, hoop heads, let’s get into it.

Kevin Durant just amassed 30,000 career points, making him only the eighth player in NBA history to reach that milestone.

That’s elite company—LeBron, Kareem, Kobe, MJ, Malone, Dirk, and Wilt.

That’s it.

That’s the list.

And yet, here we are still debating: Is KD really a Top 10 player of all time?

It's a legit question with all of the talent we've seen come through the NBA over the years.

The conversation isn’t new, but now it’s hotter than ever.

KD's already the NBA’s eighth-leading scorer and is still a walking bucket.

But when we start stacking resumes against legends like MJ, Kobe, Magic, Shaq, Duncan, Bird, Kareem, LeBron, and Steph, does he truly belong in that sacred Top 10?

Let’s break it down.

KD’s Resume Speaks for Itself

If we’re talking accolades, KD’s got ‘em:

2× NBA Champion (2017, 2018)
2× Finals MVP (2017, 2018)
1× Regular Season MVP (2014)
4× Scoring Champ (2010-12, 2014)
14× All-Star, 11× All-NBA
Career Averages: 27 PPG, 7 RPG, 4.4 APG on 50.2/38.8/88.2 shooting

Man, even Stevie Wonder could tell you—KD is a straight-up hooper. A 7-footer with guard handles, a pure jumper, and one of the smoothest offensive games the league has ever seen.

No defender can truly put him on clamps. And now, at 36 years old, he's still dropping 27 just by getting out of bed!

So if scoring, efficiency, and longevity matter, his case for the Top 10 is strong. But let’s talk about the other side of the argument.

Why KD Isn’t a Lock for Top 10 for Some People

The Golden State Factor
- Let’s keep it 100. KD’s two rings came with Steph, Klay, and Draymond on a team that won 73 games without him the year before. Did KD dominate in those Finals? Absolutely. But he wasn’t leading a squad from the mud like some other all-time greats. And some would say, if KD had never gone to the Warriors, he'd never have gotten those two championships.
Post-Warriors Struggles
- Unlike MJ, LeBron, or Kobe, Durant hasn’t been "The Guy" on a title team without major help.
  - Never carried a team to a ring solo (like Dirk in 2011 or Hakeem in ‘94)
  - Left a perfect situation in Golden State, only to struggle everywhere else
  - Hasn’t been a vocal leader—often lets off-court issues (Twitter, burner accounts, media feuds) overshadow his greatness
Impact vs. Influence
- MJ, LeBron, Kobe, Steph, Magic—these guys didn’t just dominate; they changed basketball. MJ and Kobe inspired generations. Steph changed the way the game is played. KD? He’s arguably the best pure scorer ever, but has he shifted the culture like those guys?

The Toughest Question: Who’s He Knocking Out?

If you wanna slide KD into the Top 10, that means somebody gotta get the boot.

Here’s my Top 9, in order, just so we’re clear:

Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
Magic Johnson
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Shaquille O'Neal
LeBron James
Tim Duncan
Larry Bird
Stephen Curry

That leaves one spot open. If KD takes it, that means Wilt, Hakeem, Oscar, Jerry West or someone else legendary is out.

So ask yourself: Would you really take Durant over Wilt Chamberlain, who averaged 50 PPG for a season? Or Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the best two-way bigs ever? Or Jerry West, who's the logo?

The answer is yes!

Without a doubt!

I 100% believe KD is better than Wilt, Oscar, Hakeem and West.

No question about it.

Final Thoughts

So, does Kevin Durant TRULY crack the top 10 all-time NBA players?

It's a close call.

His scoring ability, accolades, and consistency make a compelling case. However, factors like team dynamics during his championship runs and comparisons to other legends leave room for debate.

In the end, rankings are subjective, often influenced by personal experiences and the eras we grew up watching.

What remains undeniable is KD's impact on the game and culture.

Whether you place him at number 10, just outside, or even higher, Kevin Durant's legacy is solidified, and his journey continues to captivate fans worldwide.

What do y'all think?

Is KD a top 10 all-timer in your book?

I say yes!

Let's keep the conversation going!