Paul Pierce Explains Why Kevin Durant, Not LeBron James, Is NBA's Best Player

Paul Pierce is not backing down from his claim that Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant is the NBA's best player, ahead of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James. 

Speaking to DIME Magazine's Ananth Pandian, Pierce explained why he still believes Durant is the No. 1 star in the NBA right now:

“When you look at Kevin Durant, he’s bringing something to the game we’ve never seen. It was the same with LeBron. You know before LeBron came along, we'd never seen a guy that was 6-foot-8, with this type of speed, athleticism, ball handling and just everything else you can say about his game. We’ve never seen that combination with LeBron. Now we are seeing the same thing with Kevin Durant. We’ve never seen this combination in the history of our league – a seven footer, who runs a pick and roll at the top, who shoots the ball the way he does. Plus he’s young and he’s on a team that can win multiple championships. So if you’re the guy that’s the best player on the best team and you’re winning championships, I think you are the best player. I mean it’s not far off.“

Pierce first commented on Durant being the NBA's best player after the Warriors took a 2-0 lead over the Cavs in the 2017 NBA Finals. 

If ever there was a time to claim Durant is the best basketball player in the world, it's right now. The 28-year-old was named MVP of the NBA Finals with an average of 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists in five games to lead the Warriors to a second championship in three years.