Key Highlights
- Kevin Durant expressed skepticism about the importance of defense during season 2 of “Starting 5.”
- Draymond Green responded to Durant’s comments in a sitdown with The Athletic, emphasizing the value of strong defense.
- Durant has won two titles and two Finals MVP trophies, while Green highlighted the team’s incredible offenses during their championship seasons.
- The disagreement between Durant and Green stems from different views on the importance of defense in basketball.
Disagreement Over Defense’s Importance
In recent days, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green have sparked discussion within NBA circles regarding the critical role that defense plays in winning championships. The disagreement between these two former Golden State Warriors teammates has resurfaced during an episode of “Starting 5,” a Netflix show focusing on NBA topics.
Kevin Durant’s Skepticism
Durant, who is known for his incredible offensive skills and has won consecutive Finals MVP awards with the Warriors, recently expressed skepticism about defense’s importance. During the second season of “Starting 5,” released in October 2025, Durant stated that a high-flying offense can take you far without strong defensive play.
“You have to score baskets if you want to win a championship,” Durant said. “Playing defense, we can get any of y’all in here to bend your legs, not touch the basketball, slide left to right, and contest the shot.”
Draymond Green’s Defense Advocacy
In response to Durant’s comments, Draymond Green, who also played a crucial role as a defender during their championship runs, emphasized the importance of defense. In an interview with The Athletic senior NBA writer Sam Amick published on November 5, 2025, Green argued that teams need toughness and grit to succeed.
“If you look at most teams that couldn’t quite get over the hump, oftentimes it’s (because) they couldn’t get stops,” Green said. “That fact still remains, and I think that those who don’t believe it, don’t win. It’s very simple.
Those who don’t believe defense is as valuable as it is, they simply just don’t win. I don’t think anyone’s ever really been hell-bent on caring about the opinion of those that don’t win, because your opinion equals zero.”
Historical Context and Reconciliation
The disagreement between Durant and Green isn’t new; their differing views have been known among NBA fans for years. In three seasons together from 2016-2019, they reached three NBA Finals and won two titles. However, early in the 2018-19 season, their relationship on the court deteriorated due to an on-court dispute during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
“I know how ‘K’ thinks about the game of basketball,” Green said. “Like, I know that there are some all-time greats — alll-tiimmee greats; I mean, like some of the elite of the elite — who don’t quite have what Kevin would consider an offensive bag, and he doesn’t really think that player is as great as the masses may think, because of how he views the game.”
Despite their disagreement on defense’s importance, Durant and Green have managed to reconcile in recent years. They played together for Team USA in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and made appearances on their respective podcasts.
Conclusion
The Great Debate Continues
The debate over the importance of defense continues among NBA players and fans alike. While Durant believes that a strong offense can carry a team, Green remains steadfast in his belief that defense is crucial for success. This disagreement highlights the complex nature of strategy and philosophy within professional basketball.
