Kendrick Perkins recently suggested that rising NBA players are looking up more to Kevin Durant than LeBron James. The former NBA champion noted that many of today’s young stars admire Durant’s style and skill over the veteran Lakers forward.
Perkins explained, “A lot of these guys, these young stars and rising superstars, they don’t look up to LeBron anyway. A lot of these guys looked up to Kobe. A lot of these guys come on record and talk about how they look up to Kevin Durant more so than they look up to LeBron James. They don’t idolize him.”
Durant, currently with the Houston Rockets, is averaging 25.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 50.6% from the field and 40.3% from three-point range. His efficiency and scoring versatility have made him a model for younger players entering the league.
James, at age 41, continues to contribute at a high level for the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 22 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game, while shooting 50.2% from the field.
As the 2025-26 season progresses, the debate over influence and inspiration continues. With the Rockets sitting 4th in the Western Conference at 33-20 and the Lakers at 33-21, both Durant and James remain central figures in the league’s competitive landscape.
