In a recent edition of the “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective” podcast, Windhorst and his colleagues listed off the best players to build a franchise around. Naturally, the 2019 NBA MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, was at the top of the list while Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, Houston Rockets’ James Harden, and Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis completed the top 5.
Although these players have a lot of potential and years ahead of them, many were shocked not to see LeBron James and Kevin Durant in top 10. According to this list, they were ranked 12th and 13th, respectively.
The list sparked a debate around the league and among the journalists including, Max Kellerman and Stephen A. Smith. Unlike Smith, Kellerman agreed with the list, saying that it would be ridiculous to build a team around LeBron or Durant.
“They should be lower on the list. In fact, it’s ridiculous to put KD or LeBron on this list at all. They don’t belong on this list. To start a franchise, you don’t even realize LeBron turns 112 years this year. You want 112-year-old [to lead your franchise]?” Kellerman said.
Smith then talked about Durant and James’ skills, stressing that age is not essential when these two are taken into consideration, but once again, Kellerman disagreed.
“If we’re talking about skills, then is either 1 or 2 right now, but we’re not talking about ‘who do I want for this upcoming season?’ We’re saying to start a franchise based on a four-year max. Now KD is considerably younger, if KD wasn’t hurt, he’d be high on the list; he’s coming off an Achilles. Kevin Durant is trying to do something that has almost never been done before. Even Dominique Wilkins wasn’t quite the same, so KD doesn’t have to be exactly the same to still be an All-Star player but at 30 years old, he won’t play at all this year and probably won’t be back to being whatever he can be which is probably only gonna be, if he’s lucky, 80 percent of what he was once until the following season. So why would I start a franchise with a guy who’s only gonna give me and lead your whole production two years from now? LeBron no, KD no,” Kellerman concluded.
