Kevin Durant has drawn a sharp parallel between the current Philadelphia 76ers roster and his former powerhouse Golden State Warriors team from 2017, pointing specifically to the MVP credentials of Joel Embiid and the supporting cast during a recent media appearance.
Comparing Philadelphia to the 2017 Golden State Warriors
According to comments made by Kevin Durant on a recent episode of the Boardroom podcast, the modern-day Philadelphia 76ers roster features a combination of high-end talent and complementary pieces that evokes memories of the Warriors’ championship squad that went 16-1 in the 2017 postseason. Durant highlighted Joel Embiid, who captured the NBA Most Valuable Player award for the 2022-23 season, as a foundational centerpiece comparable to the elite tier of players he shared the floor with in San Francisco.
“Joel, recently MVP…” Durant noted during the discussion, emphasizing the sheer difficulty opposing defenses face when trying to contain an elite interior scorer who can also stretch the floor and facilitate. When Durant and Stephen Curry teamed up with the Warriors, they formed what analysts widely regarded as two of the top three players in the entire NBA, creating an offensive engine that dominated the league for multiple seasons.
The Roster Construction and Star Power
Durant’s comparison hinges on the convergence of superstar talent and versatile role players designed to maximize spacing and defensive versatility. In Philadelphia, the front office has surrounded Embiid with perimeter threats and playmakers like Tyrese Maxey, who earned an NBA All-Star nod and the league’s Most Improved Player award in 2024. This dynamic mirrors the roster architecture in Golden State, where elite shot-creation was flanked by catch-and-shoot specialists and high-IQ defenders.
League observers and analysts often debate cross-era comparisons, but player perspectives offer a unique lens on the physical and tactical challenges of guarding elite units. While the 2017 Warriors featured a historic shooting backcourt alongside Durant’s unmatched scoring efficiency, the 76ers rely heavily on Embiid’s dominant post presence and drawing fouls, creating defensive rotation problems that force opponents into difficult tactical compromises.
Implications for the Eastern Conference Playoff Picture
As the NBA regular season progresses, comparisons to historic juggernauts like the 2017 Warriors place immense external expectations on Philadelphia’s shoulders. Head coach Nick Nurse and the 76ers front office have constructed a rotation aimed at deep postseason contention, navigating injuries and load management to ensure their core is fully available when the playoffs arrive. Navigating the competitive Eastern Conference requires sustaining high-level defensive intensity while keeping Embiid and Maxey fresh for a gruelling spring schedule.
The 76ers continue their campaign with upcoming matchups against conference rivals, providing another test of how well Durant’s high praise translates to nightly execution on the hardwood. Fans and analysts will monitor injury reports and rotation adjustments closely as teams jockey for playoff seeding down the stretch.
Keep reading
