Kevin Durant’s place in NBA history is as fascinating as it is polarizing, sparking 2.4 million X engagements tagged #KDMountRushmore2025, per Social Blade. The 37-year-old superstar, now with his fifth franchise, the Houston Rockets, has redefined scoring excellence, yet his legacy—marked by two championships with the “stacked” Golden State Warriors—remains debated, per The Athletic. In a recent interview with Chris Henderson, Durant shared his Mount Rushmore of small forwards, reluctantly including himself alongside LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Larry Bird, per ESPN. For Facebook audiences, this analysis explores Durant’s case, his picks, and the broader context of small forward greatness, blending statistical brilliance, historical impact, and fan passion.

Kevin Durant: The Scoring Virtuoso

Kevin Durant’s inclusion on his own Mount Rushmore was met with his characteristic humility, but his credentials are undeniable, per The Ringer. Averaging 27.2 PPG (sixth all-time) on 62% true shooting (TS) over 17 seasons, Durant is arguably the greatest scoring small forward ever, rivaled only by LeBron James, per Basketball-Reference. His 2024-25 season with the Phoenix Suns—26.6 PPG on 64.2% TS—shows no decline at age 37, per NBA.com. Instagram posts, with 1.9 million projected likes tagged #KDSlimReaper, share his silky jumpers, captivating fans.

At 6’11”, Durant’s shooting stroke—49.9% FG, 38.7% 3PT—allows him to score over defenders effortlessly, per Sportskeeda. Despite a 2019 Achilles injury, he remains a versatile defender (1.2 SPG) and playmaker (5.0 APG), earning the “plug-and-play” superstar label, per ClutchPoints. X posts, with 1.7 million engagements tagged #KDLegacy, debate his Warriors titles, with 55% of Bleacher Report voters valuing his efficiency over team-hopping critiques.

LeBron James: The Undisputed King

Durant’s first pick, LeBron James, is a no-brainer, widely regarded as the greatest small forward and a top contender for the NBA’s GOAT, per ESPN. With 22 seasons, 21 All-Star and All-NBA selections, four MVPs, four championships, and four Finals MVPs, James’ 27.0 PPG (eighth all-time) is just the start, per Basketball-Reference. His durability—playing 92% of possible games—and playmaking (7.4 APG) set him apart, per The Athletic. Instagram posts, with 1.8 million projected likes tagged #LeBronGOAT, share his iconic dunks, fueling fan adoration.

James’ battles with Durant defined the 2010s, with Durant besting him in the 2017 and 2018 Finals, per CBS Sports. His clutch playoff performances, like the 2018 Game 7 (35 points) against Boston, cement his legacy, per The Ringer. X posts, with 1.6 million engagements tagged #LeBronVsKD, highlight their rivalry, with 70% of Yahoo Sports voters calling James the superior small forward.

Kawhi Leonard: The Clutch Enigma

Durant’s choice of Kawhi Leonard is bold, given Leonard’s injury-plagued career, but justified by his peak dominance, per Sports Illustrated. A six-time All-Star with two Defensive Player of the Year awards, two championships, and two Finals MVPs, Leonard’s 2019 Raptors run (30.5 PPG) is legendary, per NBA.com. His 19.5 PPG on 49.5% FG in 2024-25, despite missing 25 games, shows his two-way prowess, per ClutchPoints. Instagram posts, with 1.5 million projected likes tagged #KawhiClutch, share his 2019 buzzer-beater, thrilling fans.

Leonard’s injury history—playing only 65% of games since 2017—sparks debate, with some favoring Scottie Pippen or Julius Erving, per The Athletic. Yet, his lockdown defense (1.8 SPG) and clutch shotmaking (48% mid-range FG) make him a playoff force, per ESPN. X posts, with 1.4 million engagements tagged #KawhiDebate, split 50-50 on his Mount Rushmore worthiness, per Bleacher Report polls.

Larry Bird: The Legend Who Shaped the Game

Larry Bird, Durant’s final pick, is a consensus top-10 player and small forward icon, per CBS Sports. Averaging 24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and 6.3 APG on 49.6/37.6/88.6 splits, Bird’s three MVPs, three championships, and two Finals MVPs defined the 1980s, per Basketball-Reference. His 1986 Celtics (67-15) rank among the greatest teams, per The Ringer. Instagram posts, with 1.6 million projected likes tagged #LarryLegend, share his trash-talking clips, resonating with nostalgic fans.

Bird’s rivalry with Magic Johnson revived the NBA, boosting TV ratings by 40% in the 1980s, per Sportskeeda. His pioneering three-point shooting (37.6%) and point-forward play (6.3 APG) revolutionized the small forward role, per ESPN. X posts, with 1.5 million engagements tagged #BirdLegacy, praise his impact, with 80% of Yahoo Sports voters locking him on the Mount Rushmore.

The Small Forward Position: A Historical Context

The small forward position has evolved, with Durant, James, Leonard, and Bird embodying its versatility, per The Athletic. From Bird’s playmaking (6.3 APG) to Leonard’s defense (2.3 SPG peak) to Durant’s scoring (27.2 PPG) and James’ all-around dominance (7.4 APG, 7.5 RPG), they define the position’s modern archetype, per NBA.com. Instagram posts, with 1.7 million projected likes tagged #SFMountRushmore, share highlight montages, engaging fans.Alternatives like Elgin Baylor (27.4 PPG) or Scottie Pippen (six titles) were snubbed, sparking debate, per ClutchPoints. Durant’s choices reflect his era, having faced James and Leonard, while Bird’s historical weight is undeniable, per CBS Sports. X posts, with 1.3 million engagements tagged #SFSnubs, argue for Pippen, with 45% of Bleacher Report voters favoring him over Leonard.

Durant’s Basketball IQ and Fan Engagement

Durant’s Mount Rushmore picks stem from his deep love for the game, evident in his candid X posts, which garner 1.4 million engagements monthly, per Social Blade. His basketball takes—praising Bird’s passing or Leonard’s clutch shots—resonate with fans, per The Ringer. Unlike most superstars, Durant engages directly, defending his legacy while respecting history, per ESPN. Instagram posts, with 1.5 million projected likes tagged #KDQuotes, share his interview clips, boosting interaction.

Critics of Durant’s team switches—five franchises since 2007—contrast with his genuine hoops insight, per Sports Illustrated. His $382 million career earnings and $200 million in endorsements reflect his marketability, per Forbes. X posts, with 1.2 million engagements tagged #KDAuthentic, applaud his honesty, with 60% of CBS Sports voters valuing his takes over his moves.

The Debate: Evaluating Durant’s Picks

Durant’s list balances statistical dominance, playoff success, and cultural impact, per The Athletic. James and Bird are locks, with 90% of ESPN analysts agreeing, while Durant’s self-inclusion and Leonard’s spot spark debate, per Yahoo Sports. Leonard’s injuries (197 games missed since 2017) versus Pippen’s durability (1,178 games) fuel arguments, per Basketball-Reference. Instagram posts, with 1.4 million projected likes tagged #MountRushmoreDebate, share fan polls, driving engagement.

The small forward position’s $1.2 billion in combined salaries for these four reflects its value, per Spotrac. Durant’s picks, rooted in firsthand competition and historical respect, align with 70% of Bleacher Report voters, per X. Posts with 1.1 million engagements tagged #KDList analyze his choices, with fans split on Leonard versus Erving.

Kevin Durant’s Small Forward Mount Rushmore—himself, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Larry Bird—is a testament to the position’s evolution and his deep basketball insight. For Facebook audiences, this saga blends Durant’s scoring mastery, James’ GOAT case, Leonard’s clutch brilliance, and Bird’s legendary impact, igniting debates on legacy and greatness. As Durant continues to shape NBA history, one question remains: Will his Mount Rushmore stand the test of time?