Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry-Kevin Durant comparison tilts further after Beal deal

Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are undisputedly two of the very best players in this generation, and for years NBA fans have argued how their respective greatness should be analysed within an all-time context.

The pair played together at the Golden State Warriors for three seasons, winning two championships that could have well been a third if not for injuries against the Toronto Raptors in 2019.

Yet throughout that period, their excellence as a tandem was almost counterproductive to the individual regard of each player. Combined with Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, it was a famously dubbed ‘super team’ that was simply too good.

Former Golden State Warriors’ All-Star Kevin Durant now has a new big three in Phoenix, opening up more questions in regard to his all-time legacy.

Durant’s departure from The Bay was ultimately a positive for both players, particularly Curry whose defining moment came last year when he led the Warriors to a fourth title with his inaugural Finals MVP.

Despite a growing desire to find it, ‘KD’ is still looking for that moment outside Curry and the Warriors. After a spectacularly disastrous period in Brooklyn with Kyrie Irving and James Harden, Durant finally pushed his way to Phoenix in February.

The Suns were bounced in the second-round by the eventual champion Denver Nuggets. In the aftermath, ownership and the front office has spent no time in reloading after reportedly acquiring Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

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The NBA’s newest big three — Durant, Beal and Devin Booker (or big four if you want to include Deandre Ayton) — has reignited discussion on Durant’s need for a loaded team in order to win a championship.

Some on social media were rather savage on Durant’s history of having ‘stacked’ teams, with the entire conversation only further tilting the all-time comparison of he and Curry and where they sit within the greater landscape.

Following a second-straight NBA Finals MVP with the Warriors in 2018, most would have held Durant in a higher standing despite Curry’s regard as the greatest shooter of all-time. While that perspective may have remained for a few years, Curry’s 2021-22 campaign completely rewrote his legacy in the game. He was already one of the very best, yet it officially solidified his place behind LeBron James as a top two player of the last 15 years.

That could change — Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic have already built legendary résumés and have years on which to build upon it. But in regard to the specific Curry-Durant debate, this trade for Beal removes any slight chance of the latter re-positioning himself above the two-time MVP.

Phoenix may be the only team in the league who possess two top ten players, and they’ve just added a third in Beal who is at least top 30. That context will be historically remembered if Durant and the Suns salute with a championship next year.

In fairness, it’s a tough balancing act to navigate — Durant is getting crucified for jumping organizations and forming so called ‘super teams’, while despite possessing the largest payroll in the league, the Warriors’ front office was criticized by fans for failing to put enough support around Curry this season.