Green: Durant is my favorite player to defend in the league, he is the toughest opponent I've ever faced.

On March 11, Green talked about his former teammate Durant in his latest podcast, expressing that Durant is the hardest player he has ever had to defend in the league.

Green and Durant were once teammates striving for championships together, but in recent years they have turned into direct adversaries. Each encounter between them is a highly anticipated event. Despite frequent rumors of their discord, one point is unquestionable: they hold deep respect for each other. Green's recent remarks further highlight this admiration.

The two players just engaged in an overtime battle on March 6. Green's Golden State Warriors narrowly defeated the Houston Rockets 115-113. For most of the game, Green was primarily defending Durant, giving fans a thrilling experience. Even under Green's intense defensive pressure, the two-time champion still scored 23 points with a 50% shooting rate.

As one of the top defensive players in NBA history, Green understands that he cannot win every matchup. This is especially evident when facing Durant.

“It's always fun competing against him,” Green said. “He is one of the greatest scorers I've ever faced and also the toughest player to defend in the league.”

This is already high praise, but Green is not the only one who holds such admiration for Durant. Perkins, Windhorst, and many other industry experts have similarly praised him highly. After all, Durant is essentially a 7-foot tall player with guard-like mobility, capable of shooting from anywhere on the court.

Durant currently ranks 6th on the all-time scoring list, and his position will undoubtedly rise higher before he retires. Most people would avoid facing such a formidable opponent, but Green particularly enjoys the challenge of defending his former teammate.

“Across the entire league, my favorite player to defend is KD, precisely because the challenge is so immense. The challenge is truly extraordinary. He is 7 feet tall, incredibly fast, explosive, and every move is precise,” Green stated directly.

So far this season, the 37-year-old Durant has played 60 games for the Rockets, averaging 26.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. His shooting percentages are 51% from the field, 40.2% from three-point range, and 88.9% from free throws, nearing the performance level of the 180 Club.