Kevin Durant isn’t sweating the NBA’s global rise. If anything, the Rockets star sounds like he welcomes it.
In a recent interview with Boardroom, Durant brushed off the idea that the league’s best player eventually coming from outside the United States should be treated like some kind of warning sign. To him, it’s just the natural next step for a sport that has spread far beyond American borders.
“Why is that a criticism? Our game is global.
Everybody plays basketball all around the world, and it's still expanding in different countries and different places,” Durant said. “So yeah, it's about time.
They've been coming into the league since the 80s. You know what I'm saying?
It's just a natural evolution for guys from around the world to assume those positions as the best players in the league. Now, the real argument should be who they are influenced by.
“And most of these dudes are influenced by who? Americans.
the game went global like it was supposed to. Everybody borrowing from somebody, that’s how u get better. @boardroom pic.twitter.com/ycf7q58Sov
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 31, 2026
It's cool getting MVPs and stuff. But who did you watch?
You see Jokic and Porzingis. Shai.
All these dudes with Iverson jerseys coming up; braids in their hair, crossing over. They try to play like us, too, and they accomplished it, and executed it in their own little way.
All of this stuff is imitation. What can you look at and imitate on the court?
That's how I got better. That's how everybody gets better.”
Durant also pointed to Lakers star Luka Doncic when talking about how international players can shape the next wave of talent. He said there’s nothing wrong with players overseas borrowing from the American stars who inspired them.
“It doesn't matter. Because he's that great, they should get it from him,” Durant added.
“I'd love to see Luka from a different country crossing up like we do. You know what I'm saying?
He's bringing it back to where he's from. That's a little piece of us there, too.”
Durant, who is entering his 20th NBA season and his second with the Rockets in 2026-27, also confirmed that he and LeBron James once made music together.
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