The NBA has seen Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry compete as both rivals and teammates. Whether it was Durant’s incredible 54-point performance against Curry in 2014 or their dominant partnership during their championship runs with the Golden State Warriors, these two have provided unforgettable moments. And Durant has known Curry was special since they were just 10 years old. Their first encounter goes back to their AAU days when Durant’s team traveled to Charlotte for a game.
Back in 2014, Durant recalled:
“I walk in the gym and this guy’s stepping across half court just pulling jump shots. Splash. Splash. And when we played him, he had like 35 and he was like 10 years old. I was like, who is this? 10 years later, that was Steph Curry!”
Fast forward to the All-Star weekend, Durant was asked if he ever gets tired of seeing Curry launch half-court shots. His response?
“Do you?”
When asked about playing alongside Curry, Durant said:
“It’s just so easy to play with Steph. He doesn’t demand the ball, he doesn’t have a demanding personality, plays within the flow of the game, and those are the type of players that are easy to play with.”
Durant’s understanding of Curry makes sense, considering their years together with the Warriors from 2016 to 2019. However, it seems the rest of Team USA didn’t quite grasp Curry’s unique style during his first Olympic experience in 2024, which resulted in the team’s fifth consecutive gold medal. That much became clear from Durant’s recent conversation on The Draymond Green Show.
Durant and Green: From Feud to Friendship
Durant and Draymond Green have a history, particularly their infamous argument during a game against the Clippers on November 12, 2018, when Green refused to pass the ball. The heated exchange allegedly included Green calling Durant a “b—-” and declaring,
“We don’t need you.”
Durant left for Brooklyn after that season. But over time, the two have mended their relationship. Earlier this season, when Draymond pulled off a rare dunk and celebrated with Curry’s signature Nuit-Nuit gesture, Durant texted him, calling him a fool for doing it. Even during the Olympics, the two were often seen joking courtside.
On the latest episode of The Draymond Green Show, Durant reflected on his time with Curry and their Olympic experience. He explained how their chemistry remained strong even after years apart:
“Bro, that was crazy. It was like when I got back on the floor with Steph as a teammate again in those first few games. It was that non-verbal connection because, you know, there’s a certain way you have to play with Steph.”
“He gives up the ball knowing that he’s flying back off a pin-down. Make sure you look for him. A lot of guys didn’t quite understand that.”
Durant then made a bold statement:
“I felt like I was the only one on the court that knew what he was thinking.”
For those who have played against Curry, it’s difficult to predict his next move. His unpredictability in the NBA carried over into the Olympics, and Durant’s experience playing with him proved to be a huge advantage.
“That’s when all those years playing together, watching film, and figuring s— out came in. At Golden State, we didn’t even have to talk to each other—I just knew what he was thinking and vice versa. So bringing that feeling back was cool.”
Could Curry, Durant, and LeBron Dominate the 2028 Olympics?
Meanwhile, whispers of a secret meeting involving LeBron James and Kevin Durant have surfaced, thanks to Baron Davis. Could KD, LeBron, and Curry reunite for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics? Or will retirement come first?
Durant hinted at the discussion, calling it more of a pact than a meeting. It was reminiscent of 2019 when LeBron and Durant were seen chatting courtside, sparking endless speculation about what they were discussing.
“We had that convo, man,” Durant admitted to Baron Davis and Draymond Green.
However, he was skeptical about the trio making it to 2028:
“I think you’re gonna see the Olympics this past summer. Man! It was perfect. I had me a little moment in that game, bro. It was perfect, man.”
Would it be possible? By 2028, LeBron would be 44, while Curry and Durant would be 40. But with the way they’re still performing at an elite level, it’s tempting to believe they could return for one last run with Team USA.
Thus, while details on the secret meeting remain scarce, Durant and Curry’s dynamic was once again the highlight of The Draymond Green Show. More than anything, seeing Durant and Green have open, candid discussions despite their past conflict was a refreshing moment.
And in a more Gen-Z way of putting it:
“The world is healing, y’all!”
