Durant believes he's on 'same level' as LeBron

The debate that may never go away: Do you take LeBron James or Kevin Durant?

The two went at it once again Monday afternoon, and Durant got the win over James for the sixth time in the last seven tries, including the 2017 NBA Finals. The Golden State Warriors star believes his recent string of great games against James is starting to help balance the argument.

"They have seen me play at the highest level and play against a guy who people say is continuously the best player ever," Durant said, according to Mark Medina of The Mercury News. "I feel like I proved myself and belong in that conversation."

Durant responded to those criticizing him for saying LeBron "passed the torch" to him after he hit the game-winner in Game 3 of the finals. He may not have had the same level of career success as James, but in terms of basketball skill, Durant sees himself standing alongside The King as the best in the world.

"Accolades and accomplishments and legacy and all that stuff and how they mean to people, I can’t talk on that," Durant said. "But as far as basketball skills are concerned? I’m on the same level. I feel like that moment was [LeBron] saying: 'Welcome.'"

James, four years Durant's elder, is having arguably the best statistical season of his career in his 15th year, while Durant, now in his 11th season, just won his first NBA Championship and Finals MVP.

The two stars play differently and have done things differently, but that doesn't take away Durant's appreciation for his rival.

"Our journeys are different," he said. "We’re two different players. We have two different personalities. But when you see somebody that is just as good as you are as a basketball player, somebody that you work hard to reach their level, you look at him as if you had a healthy respect and have that mutual respect."