In 2007, while “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” topped the Billboard charts and “Saw IV” led the box office, two young basketball prospects, Kevin Durant and LeBron James, faced each other for the first time in a preseason game. A discreet, but significant, encounter that would mark the beginning of a legendary rivalry.
Back then, James scored 14 points, while Durant, still a rookie, contributed 15 points off the bench, including a crucial three-pointer that secured the victory for the Seattle SuperSonics. “I don’t even remember it,” James confessed in 2023, despite his prodigious memory.
Today, both players are considered legends, with a career spanning three decades in the NBA. They have forged a relationship that goes beyond the court, sharing memorable moments and competing in high-tension scenarios.They have trained together, starred in friendly matches, and participated in All-Star events, demonstrating mutual respect and relentless competitiveness. They have been pillars of Team USA, winning Olympic gold medals together, and have faced each other in three NBA Finals, leaving an indelible mark on basketball history.After 18 seasons and 43 head-to-head matchups, the rivalry between James and Durant continues. The 2025-26 season promises another exciting chapter, with Durant playing in his sixth different jersey, now with the Houston Rockets, and James with a new star teammate.The expectation is maximum, as both players will face each other with new teams and aspirations. The duel between the Lakers and the Rockets is shaping up to be one of the most attractive of the season, with James and Durant as undisputed protagonists. The opening match and the Christmas encounter are just some of the matchups that fans eagerly await.We both think we should have more rings, but it’s not like that because of the other.
LeBron James
However, the season also presents new perspectives for both players. For the first time, they look up to the same team: the Oklahoma City Thunder. James and Durant, with 14 combined Finals appearances, could face the current champions in their attempt to add a new ring.The Thunder, with their youth and depth, represent a challenge to the era that James and Durant led. Time has passed, and now they face a new generation of talents who were inspired by their example.Furthermore, both players face uncertainty about their future after the 2025-26 season. James, without a contract for the following season, and Durant, without a renewal agreement with the Rockets, are in a new stage of their careers.The Lakers and Rockets, focused on building their teams around young prospects, see James and Durant as key pieces, but not as the center of their long-term projects. Durant might have to accept a smaller contract to stay in Houston.Despite these changes, James and Durant remain elite players. James was included in the All-NBA second team last season, and Durant averaged 26.6 points with a shooting percentage above 50% for the thirteenth consecutive season.The rivalry between LeBron James and Kevin Durant continues, and fans eagerly await each encounter. Both players, despite their age, remain undisputed protagonists in the NBA.If you don’t feel that emotion in your stomach or those nerves when you compete against the best, I guess at that moment you know it’s over. If you don’t get up to play against KD or Steph Curry or some of the great talents we have in the league, then I’ve lost my motivation about what the game is about.
LeBron James
