NBA Finals Between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs As the Best Championship Series He Has Ever Watched As a Fan

Durant made the remarks during an appearance on the "Boardroom Talks" podcast with Speedy Morman, where he discussed the Knicks' long-awaited title victory over the young Spurs squad led by Victor Wembanyama. Despite the series ending in a 4-1 result, Durant explained that the drama came from the Knicks repeatedly overcoming double-digit deficits in nearly every game. "I was on the fence if they was going to win, Durant said.

"And then they got down every game I'm just like, I don't know. And then it's like, as they started coming back, I didn't become a believer to be honest until the last game. I was just like the Spurs would be up 15 points every game, 29 points, and then they'll just come back and steal a game.

The 29-point comeback in Game 4 set a record for the largest deficit ever overcome in NBA Finals history. "That's probably why it was the best championship as a viewer that I've ever seen, Durant said. "Not just because of the Knicks brand winning, but the fashion that they won those games was insane.

Durant also highlighted the contrasting roster-building approaches of the two teams as an educational element for fans. The Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson, were assembled through trades and free-agent signings, while the Spurs relied primarily on homegrown young talent, most notably Wembanyama. "It really shows you the power dynamic in the NBA," he said.

A veteran team that was put together through trades, signings, $100 million deals, you had to overpay some guys to put the team together, versus the team that drafted everybody, a young group that a lot of people would love to see win. For the Knicks to do it that way, I felt like they made a statement.