Kevin Durant: “The MVP is worth more than an NBA title”
With two championships and the 2014 MVP under his belt, Kevin Durant argues for the unique value of the most prestigious individual award in basketball
When it comes to what truly defines the greatness of an NBA player, the answer depends on who you ask. Appearing on the Unguarded podcast, Kevin Durant is in a perfect position to weigh in: he belongs to the exclusive group of just 36 legends who have won both a regular-season MVP and an NBA championship.
Asked which of the two achievements is more valuable, the Houston Rockets star gave a straightforward answer, placing the MVP award above the championship:
Why the MVP is worth more than an NBA title, according to Durant
The MVP is given to one player every year. I don’t care what anybody else says: winning a championship is incredible and it’s a great team accomplishment. But come on, everybody wants to be MVP. Plus, with the MVP, you have much more control over it with your performances, whereas there are too many variables outside your control when it comes to winning a championship
Kevin Durant
Durant’s stance fits his career perfectly. The MVP he won in 2013-14 with the Oklahoma City Thunder, when he averaged 32.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists, was the peak of his individual career, capped by his now-iconic speech dedicated to his mother.
If there were an MVP for every team, I’d be like, ‘Alright, give me the ring.’ But there’s only one MVP
Kevin Durant
The two championships he later won with the powerhouse Golden State Warriors (2017 and 2018), despite also earning two Finals MVP awards, were frequently downplayed by critics because of the overwhelming strength of the team around him.
KD’s view directly contrasts with that of other legends such as Dirk Nowitzki, who after winning the 2011 title with the Mavericks said that the MVP meant nothing compared to a championship. For Durant, however, the sheer rarity of the MVP – one player among hundreds every year – makes it the ultimate individual honor.
At 37, after another season averaging 26.0 points per game and earning a spot on the All-NBA Second Team with the Rockets, Durant continues to display the same extraordinary class, leading Houston into the 2026-27 season with his usual hunger – and his usual share of controversial takes.