Paul Pierce ‘Disappointed’ In Kevin Durant’s Team Success Since Leaving Warriors

NBA legend Paul Pierce is disappointed in Kevin Durant‘s team success since KD left the Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2019. 

Durant has played for the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns since leaving the Warriors. He hasn’t gotten past the second round of the playoffs. 

"I've been kinda disappointed in KD's team success… He says why isn't he mentioned in the GOAT conversation… if we put [Kevin Durant] at the same standard as we do Steph and LeBron, he just hasn't met those requirements."

– Paul Piercepic.twitter.com/WW9nGGxLY5

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 18, 2024

Durant missed the entire 2019-20 season with the Nets recovering from his Achilles tear. He made his return in 2020-21 and guided Brooklyn to the second round of the 2021 playoffs, where the Milwaukee Bucks eliminated the Nets in seven games. 

In 2022, the Nets got swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the postseason. 

Durant played 39 games with the Nets in 2022-23 before getting traded to the Suns. Phoenix lost to the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the 2023 playoffs in six games. 

Despite having Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the Suns are in eighth place in the Western Conference standings this season. If the season ended today, Phoenix would be in the play-in tournament. 

One of the greatest scorers in NBA history, Durant is averaging 27.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists this season while shooting 52.5% from the field, 41.9% from beyond the arc and 85.3% from the free-throw line. 

The Suns entered this season with the third-best odds to win the championship. The team is 11th in the NBA in points per game and 16th in points per game allowed. 

Durant won two titles and two Finals MVPs with the Warriors. However, he’s won only two postseason series since leaving Golden State.

If the Suns don’t go on a deep run in this year’s playoffs, Durant’s critics will have more ammo.