Stephen A. Smith: Kevin Durant is the best basketball player ‘in the world’

If “KD is KD,” Stephen A. doesn’t think Jimmy Butler’s Heat, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks or anyone else in the East can stop the Nets.

At first, it seemed like Stephen A. Smith was trying to create some pressure for Kevin Durant as he began a rant on ESPN’s First Take on Wednesday.

“KD is on the clock.”

But then, as Smith broke things down, he explained how LeBron James winning with the Lakers this year impacts Brooklyn’s star forward:

“Let’s face reality here. We’ve talked about this in the past. KD elected to go to Golden State. Obviously,  LeBron is getting a lot of shine. KD believes he’s the best in the world — hell, I believe he’s the best in the world. He’s that sensational. He’s a scoring machine. Career 27 points per game scorer just like LeBron James is. He goes to Golden State, wins back-to-back titles, should’ve three-peated, if he hadn’t torn his Achilles. I mean, the bottom line is, they would’ve beat Toronto. I think we all know that.”

If Durant’s goal is truly to be the greatest in the game right now, Smith is spot-on with his assessment.

“Having said all of that he decides to go to Brooklyn. You got a guy like Kyrie [Irving] that was in Cleveland. Kyrie’s talking about how, excuse me, you’re the first guy that I don’t mind taking a shot in the clutch, rather than me, stuff like that. So, LeBron goes to LA. LeBron handles his business. He delivers a chip. He’s the king again. The king has a crown again — as opposed to just call himself the king for the last three-plus years. Now he truly is the king again. He’s the best in the world. You KD, you are not healthy. You come back, I still believe KD can average 27 in his sleep, whether or not he’s going to be the same remains to be seen. But remember, his success isn’t predicated on his athleticism. He’s 6(-foot-)11 with 7(-foot-)6 wingspan and as a handle and has range that can rival Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. this brother is that elite.”

Smith then added he fully believes the Nets will make the 2021 NBA Finals. He feels there’s no excuse for the Nets to not go that far with Durant coming back, Irving healthy and the rest of the cast Sean Marks has put together in Brooklyn to compliment those two.

“You’ve got the Greek Freak in Milwaukee. You’ve got Miami that was just in the Finals. You got Doc Rivers in Philadelphia now. You still got [Jayson] Tatum and Jaylen Brown and those boys in Boston. And I’m telling you right here, right now — Mr. Jalen Rose called it right on the money — the Brooklyn Nets will coast to the finals if KD is KD. You can book it.”