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Durant Says 76ers Are Better on Paper Than 2016–17 Warriors

His Instagram comment singling out Klay Thompson has drawn public rebukes from former teammates and sharpened debate over legacy, team chemistry and how to judge untested superteams.

Overview

  • Kevin Durant told reporters at a Team USA event and then doubled down in an Instagram reply that the 2026–27 Philadelphia 76ers — anchored by Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and LeBron James — are superior 'on paper' to the 2016–17 Golden State Warriors.
  • Klay Thompson reposted Durant’s message on his Instagram Story and shot back with a short, pointed response that asked ‘Aye man u good? What u using my full government for?’
  • Draymond Green entered the conversation on Threads and on his show with mocking comments and said he 'can't agree' with Durant’s comparison.
  • Media analysts and former players criticized Durant’s resume-focused framing by pointing to the Sixers’ age and injury history, LeBron’s late-career status, and the Sixers’ lack of proven postseason chemistry compared with the Warriors’ preexisting title and 73-win backbone.
  • The exchange has become a running social-media narrative about legacy and how to value individual accolades versus proven team success and it will remain unresolved until these rosters meet on the court.