# @duranthighlights on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Db-DVQ0FU6s
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/69164749-duranthighlights-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/196f7c8495.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-08-13T06:04:22.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Kevin Durant | KD (@duranthighlights) — https://gondola.cc/duranthighlights

## Caption

Kevin Durant on the best player he’s ever played with:

“It’s a tie between Steph and Russ. With Russ I never ever feared that he was gon lose a matchup. That’s one thing I never worried about. Having that comfort from the point guard made my life easier”

Kevin Durant has played alongside some of the greatest players this game has ever seen — Steph Curry, James Harden, Kyrie Irving and plenty more — but the respect he’s always had for Russell Westbrook hits different. KD once explained that with Russ, he never feared that Westbrook was going to lose his matchup. That tells you everything about the type of competitor Russ was. 💯

And now, with Russell Westbrook officially retiring after 18 NBA seasons, those words carry even more weight. Russ played every possession like somebody was trying to take something from him. The explosiveness, intensity, confidence and fearlessness made him one of the most unique players basketball has ever seen.

KD and Russ may not have finished their journey together the way everyone imagined, but what they built in Oklahoma City will always be special. They grew from young stars into MVP-level superstars, reached the NBA Finals together and gave OKC some unforgettable years. No matter what happened afterward, KD has never denied how great Russ was beside him.

And when you think about KD later playing with Steph — another all-time great who could completely take over a matchup in a totally different way — it shows just how ridiculous the level of talent Durant has shared the floor with throughout his career.

Salute to Russell Westbrook on an unforgettable career. One of the fiercest competitors the NBA has ever seen. Enjoy retirement, Brodie. ❤️⚡️

#russellwestbrook #kevindurant #nbatalk #nbanews #nbadebate 

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## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 13,920
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- **Comments:** 189

## Tags

nbadebate, nbanews, nbatalk, russellwestbrook, kevindurant

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