Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant reflected on moving up into eighth on the NBA's all-time scoring list, passing legend Shaquille O'Neal in the process.
Following Wednesday's 115-102 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Durant told reporters he's "just grateful to be in the category with some of the greatest" and called moving ahead of O'Neal "a major, major honor."
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin"Just grateful to be in the category with some of the greatest. We all know what Shaq meant to the game of basketball. To be up there with him is a major, major honor."<br><br>Kevin Durant on passing Shaquille O'Neal for 8th on <a href="">#NBA</a> all-time scoring list.<br><br>Has 28,610 to O'Neal's 28,596 <a href="">
Shaq congratulated the 14-time All-Star during the game and challenged him to make a run at Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James for the top spot.
Phoenix Suns @Suns"Well deserved. It doesn't stop here... If anybody was gonna pass me, it was definitely gonna be you."<br><br>🗣️ <a href="">@SHAQ</a> congratulates Kevin Durant on passing him on the <a href="">@NBA</a> all-time scoring list <a href="">
Durant had 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks as Phoenix improved to 40-29 against the Joel Embiid-less Sixers.
It's difficult to envision anybody catching James in the foreseeable future. With 40,179 points and counting, he's significantly ahead of his contemporaries and his closest rivals are all in their 30s.
For Durant, there may at least be one notable all-timer who is within reach. Only 3,682 points separate him from Michael Jordan in fifth place. As long as he stays healthy, KD could hit that number over the next two to three seasons.
