Former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague sparked a debate across the basketball world by challenging Kevin Durant’s ability to elevate his teammates. While Teague praised Durant’s individual brilliance, he drew a sharp line between scoring greatness and transformational leadership.
“You know how I feel about Kevin Durant, I think he’s one of the best players ever,” Teague said. “But I don’t think he has the ability to take a questionable team and elevate them dudes to a certain level”.
Jeff Teague says Kevin Durant lacks the ability to elevate his teammates
“You know how I feel about Kevin Durant, I think he’s one of the best players ever, but I don’t think he has the ability to take a questionable team and elevate them dudes to a certain level.”
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— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 15, 2025
Teague’s comments weren’t meant to diminish Durant’s legacy as a scorer, he acknowledged KD’s place among the all-time greats. But he contrasted Durant’s style with players like LeBron James and Chris Paul, who are often credited with lifting underwhelming rosters to playoff contention or championship runs.
“You’ve gotta be generational,” Teague added. “That’s what made Chris Paul special; that’s what made LeBron very special. It’s a rare few people that can just do that”.
Durant’s career has been defined by elite talent and complex team dynamics. After leaving Oklahoma City, where he played alongside Russell Westbrook and James Harden, Durant joined the Golden State Warriors, a team already stacked with All-Stars. Though he won two titles there, critics argued he didn’t have to carry the team.
His subsequent stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns were less fruitful. Despite teaming up with Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, those squads failed to reach the NBA Finals. The Suns, in particular, didn’t win a single playoff game during the Durant-Beal-Booker era.
Now with the Houston Rockets, Durant faces a fresh challenge. The team boasts a young, promising core and is coming off a surprise playoff run. For Durant, this could be a defining opportunity to prove he can lead and elevate a team without relying on a superteam structure.
