Kyle Kuzma on Kevin Durant’s legacy: 'He's respected among his peers, and that’s truly the only thing that matters'

Fastbreak Hoops: Kevin Durant joining Golden State cost him a chance at having one of the most respected legacies in NBA history. The rings helped his résumé, but they absolutely hurt the way people remember his career. Kyle Kuzma: His legacy is upmost respected amongst his peers and that my friend is truly the only thing that matters. The people that really tie those sneakers up say that you’re him. Not the media, not the fan. Golden state or not. Matt Champion: You trying to say fans don’t matter, Kuz? You’re a Lakers champ, so you’ll always have my respect, but that seems surprising coming from you. I agree on KD, btw. One of the best to ever play. Kyle Kuzma: Thank you my brother… Fans matter 100%. Never said otherwise. My point was fans and players see the game differently, and both views are real.

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Fastbreak Hoops: Kevin Durant joining Golden State cost him a chance at having one of the most respected legacies in NBA history. The rings helped his résumé, but they absolutely hurt the way people remember his career. Kyle Kuzma: His legacy is upmost respected amongst his peers and that my friend is truly the only thing that matters. The people that really tie those sneakers up say that you’re him. Not the media, not the fan. Golden state or not. Matt Champion: You trying to say fans don’t matter, Kuz? You’re a Lakers champ, so you’ll always have my respect, but that seems surprising coming from you. I agree on KD, btw. One of the best to ever play. Kyle Kuzma: Thank you my brother… Fans matter 100%. Never said otherwise. My point was fans and players see the game differently, and both views are real. — 8/20/2026 x.com

The changes are due, at least in part, to the stricter salary cap rules, including the first and second aprons. Criticism of this is growing louder… Isaiah Hartenstein: It's always difficult for us. These rules were introduced back then because of Kevin Durant 's move to the Golden State Warriors , to prevent teams from having too many players of that caliber. But currently, it's not working out as intended. We're a team that has built up players from scratch, who then have to be traded again because of the second apron. That's a shame. It was the same issue with my contract. It's not like the team doesn't want to pay you. But when you're in the second apron, it's no longer just a financial question; you're also severely restricted in trades. That makes it really difficult for a team, and I think ultimately it hasn't really helped the players either. — 8/16/2026 Basketball World

MAL: Klay Thompson reveals his ALL-TIME starting five C — Shaquille O’Neal PF — Tim Duncan SF — LeBron James SG — Kobe Bryant PG — Stephen Curry Klay explained why he went with Shaq, praising how he completely changed the game, while calling Tim Duncan the definition of consistency. He chose LeBron over Larry Bird and Kevin Durant, Kobe over Michael Jordan because he grew up watching Kobe and eventually played against him, and stayed loyal to Steph at point guard. — 8/14/2026 x.com

"That would be a great series. I mean, they have a team that is perfect for the modern game, as far as positionless players," the current Dallas Mavericks veteran said. "You've got Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Ron Harper, Toni Kukoc, Luc Longley, Dennis Rodman. They've got a stacked team. It would be a great series with MJ. "But man, the firepower we had, I think, was once in a lifetime between two MVPs on the team in Steph [Curry] and KD [Kevin Durant], and myself playing off the ball, and Draymond facilitating, Andre [Iguodala] as Swiss Army knife. "I'm going to give the edge to the Dubs just because I think our shot-making might separate us. But it would definitely go seven games." — 8/14/2026 BasketNews

Kevin Durant: We know what zero was on…keep inspiring in the next phase of life champ. I don’t care what happens, can’t erase what it was…The first YNs, finals run in our early 20s, all star games, seeing each other get injured and bounce back, the bus rides, plane rides, card games, jokes and arguments, the whole thing, memorable!! …to the whole Westbrook family, Nina, the kids, mama Westbrook, big Russ, Ray, Donnell, everybody from luezinger high and ucla and many more that I’m forgettin, much love and Congratulations on a iconic career. — 8/13/2026 Twitter @KDTrey5

Kevin Durant: It was inspiring as his teammate and everywhere I went, I seen it inspire people from all walks of life, crazy thing is, he didn’t say much, he just showed up. For 18 years. This basketball life is sacred to us as professionals, what we put into that court means everything. Some of us wish we could go back and do things with a little more intent and some can just wipe their hands and be satisfied with the time spent. Who u gonna be? — 8/13/2026 Twitter @KDTrey5

Kevin Durant: I remember asking assistant coach Mo Cheeks, what’s harder to do? Workout after practice or before?? I only asked cuz by time I would get to the gym, Russ was already done in the morning and I usually got mine in after practice. Mo like, “coming in before practice is probably harder”…since then, it’s been my routine…. a lot of people looked at the emotions on the court and thought Russ was loud, nah to me, he was quiet and methodical. He lead by example and once the lights were bright, he let everything out and experienced pure freedom. — 8/13/2026 Twitter @KDTrey5

kuz: Duds is one my all time favorite people and someone that any organization should be thankful to have around. great thinker dank: Jared Dudley says he told Jason Kidd to start Giannis Antetokounmpo over him after seeing his potential that helped turn around the Milwaukee Bucks — 8/10/2026 x.com

Oh No He Didn't: Jabari Smith Jr on what to expect from the Rockets next season: "I think you're gonna see a team that is a little bit more used to playing with each other. We added Kevin Durant last year, just gotta adjust to playing with him...obviously anybody can play with him. Just tendencies, getting Fred back will be huge for us. And I think you'll just see everybody older, obviously a lot better, more mature. See a lot better team next year for sure" — 8/8/2026 x.com

Theo Pinson: We would consider Kobe Bryant one of the best scorers ever played this game, correct? Tony Alen: The best scorer to ever play the game. Pinson: Kevin Durant? Allen: Kevin Durant… I would say he’s neck and neck with Kobe. — 8/6/2026 YouTube

Heat Central: Kevin Durant says Giannis Antetokounmpo is his favorite player to watch in the NBA: “Greek Freak probably the number 1 guy I like to watch. — Greek Freak I think is a force and I’ve never seen anything like him. His ceiling, he could be the best player to ever play if he really wanted to. That’s pretty scary to think about but he’s by far my favorite player to watch” — 8/5/2026 x.com

He added that the anxiety of being in an enclosed environment had nothing to do with basketball. “We were there for 106 days. No windows, no balconies. That was the worst part. There were like three restaurants. We ate the same thing every day for 106 days,” recalled Kuzma. — 7/27/2026 Clutch Points

Getting a ring with the Lakers felt like the start of a solid career for Kuzma. But alas, it has gone the opposite direction. Still, he knows what it takes to reach the top. The 31-year-old forward even claimed that the NBA bubble was not difficult, contrary to what several players have stated. “I feel like the bubble was easy though because if you wanted to be there and win, then you were gonna be there longer,” said Kuzma on “The White Noise Podcast.” “Remember that private meeting that we had with all the teams? Everybody was just like, ‘I don’t wanna be here, I don't wanna do this.' So it was like, ‘Okay, bet. Well, we're just gonna stay, band together, and figure it out.'” — 7/27/2026 Clutch Points

NBA star Kyle Kuzma blasted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for “cosplaying” as president over his empty threat to arrest Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Milwaukee Bucks forward said online that Mamdani’s video address last week showed he is more concerned with “content” than running America’s biggest city. “This is 2026. People cosplaying as things they don’t have the authority, the talent, or the track record to actually be. Just for content,” the NBA veteran posted on X Sunday afternoon in response to Mamdani’s clip. — 7/27/2026 New York Post

kuz: X is for conversation, and in today's age, you cannot have a conversation without being attacked if people don't agree with what you are saying. Exactly, problems in society, or at least here on X, are cooked. But somehow, I am a Zionist because I'm pointing out things that are happening in front of everyone's face, but hey, that's okay. Let's keep opening up soccer fields. — 7/26/2026 x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Kyle Kuzma on Kevin Durant’s legacy: 'He's respected among his peers, and that’s truly the only thing that matters'

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