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Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant reflects on his rise to eighth overall in the NBA. all-time score listsurpassing legend Shaquille O’Neal in the process.
After Wednesday’s 115-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, Durant told reporters he was “just grateful to be in the bracket with some of the greats” and called moving ahead of O’Neal ” great, great honor.”
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I’m just grateful to be in the bracket with some of the greats. We all know what Shaq meant to the game of basketball. To be up there with him is a really big honor.”
Kevin Durant on his passing Shaquille O’Neal ranks 8th on all-time scoring list #NBA.
Has 28,610 compared to 28,596 for O’Neal pic.twitter.com/DQQpJc3LtI
Shaq congratulated the 14-time All-Star during the game and challenged him to battle Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James for first place.
Phoenix Suns @Suns
“Well deserved. It doesn’t stop there… If anyone were to surpass me, it would definitely be you.”
????️ @SHAQ congratulates Kevin Durant for passing him @NBA all -time notation list pic.twitter.com/PBHr84Jy0X
Durant had 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks as Phoenix improved to 40-29 against the Joel Embiid-less Sixers.
It’s hard to imagine anyone being able to catch James in the near future. With 40,179 points, he is clearly ahead of his contemporaries and his closest rivals are all in their thirties.
For Durant, there may be at least one notable all-time player within his reach. Only 3,682 points separate him from Michael Jordan in fifth place. As long as he stays healthy, KD could hit that number over the next two to three seasons.
