Kevin Durant on Kobe: I'd want to play with a winner like that

Thunder forward Kevin Durant said he disagrees with any notion that players don’t want to play with Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant said he disagrees with the notion that players don’t want to play with Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.

Durant, who will become a free-agent at the end of the 2016 season, was asked about Bryant passing Michael Jordan on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. He also said Bryant's intense nature doesn’t mean players don’t want to be teammates with him.

Classic Photos of Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant

Michael Dann

In recognition of four-time NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant winning his first MVP award, SI.com presents some classic photos of the five-time All-Star. As a high schooler at Oak Hill, Durant possessed the skills to be a superstar.

Kevin Durant

Preston Keres/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Durant earned the 2006 All-Met Player of the Year Award at Montrose Christian after a season at Oak Hill, and was rewarded with a scholarship to the University of Texas.

Chase Budinger and Kevin Durant

Robert Beck/SI

Durant shined during the 2006 McDonald's All-American Game, tallying 25 points while splitting MVP honors with Chase Budinger. Here, he takes his triumphant photo with John Wooden, Budinger, other stars and, of course, Ronald McDonald.

Texas Longhorns

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Durant leads an emboldened Texas squad into the finals of the Big 12 Championship against Kansas in 2007. While Durant dazzled -- he racked up 32 points and nine rebounds -- his Longhorns fell short 90-86.

Kevin Durant and Candace Parker

AP

Durant poses with Tennessee's Candace Parker after the two were named winners of the 2007 John Wooden Award presented to the most outstanding players in college basketball. During his breakout freshman season, Durant averaged 25.5 points and 11.1 rebounds while leading the Longhorns to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Al Horford, Corey Brewer, Kevin Durant, Michael Conley, Jr., Greg Oden and Joakim Noah

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Durant stands among his fellow prospects before the NBA Draft on June 28, 2007. While all were selected in the first round, it's hard to dispute that anyone's had a bigger impact than the former Texas small forward. He finished second in MVP voting in 2009-10.

Kevin Durant and fans

AP

Durant smiles for the camera with some of his littlest admirers during the NBA's Media Day in 2007. The photo was part of the Sonics' campaign to encourage children to read.

Kevin Durant

John W. McDonough/SI

Durant slips on his jersey before a matchup with the Nuggets in the Pepsi Center in 2007. Much like with LeBron in his rookie season, opposing crowds relished the opportunity to watch the youngster play.

Kevin Durant and Family

AP

Durant proved he was worthy of the second overall pick during his prodigious 2007 campaign, shooting over 43 percent from the field though Seattle stumbled to a 20-62 record. Here, his entourage (from left to right: grandmother Barbara Davis, friend Cliff Dixon, mother Wanda Pratt, father Wayne) helps him accept the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award.

Kevin Durant

AP

Durant endears himself to the Seattle fans after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on Sept. 29, 2007. He immediately became a fan-favorite following his selection in the NBA Draft and posted 20.3 points per game in his rookie season with the Sonics.

Kevin Durant

AP

Decked from head to toe in light sensor technology, Durant handles the basketball while EA Sports captures his moves in its Burnaby, British Columbia studio. Durant is compiling quite the video game resume. After serving as the cover athlete for NCAA March Madness '08 , he was placed on the front of NBA Elite 11 . Both are EA Sports titles.

Kevin Durant

AP

Embracing their new hometown hero, Oklahoma City Thunder fans greet Durant following an open practice. Formerly the SuperSonics, the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.

Team USA

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Durant eyes the hoop in a Team USA basketball tuneup on July 23, 2008 in Las Vegas. While he didn't make that year's Olympic roster, he'd pioneer the so-called "B-Team" to a FIBA World Championship just two years later.

Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Yi Jianlian

Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images

Equally helpful on and off the court, Durant volunteers during the Day of Service during the NBA All-Star Weekend in 2008. He was joined by teammate Jeff Green and Bucks' big man Yi Jianlian.

Kevin Durant's Trophy Case

Simon Bruty/SI

A legend during his basketball adolescence as well, Durant is honored in this trophy case at Seat Pleasant Activity Center, where he developed as a youth. Team photos, an autographed shoe and a spattering of articles are among the memorabilia honoring the Maryland native.

Kevin Durant and Jeff Green

AP

Ever the handyman, Durant fixes a chandelier at an Oklahoma City resident's home in April 2009. At 6-foot-9, Durant didn't need a ladder, something that clearly was amusing to teammate Jeff Green (back).

Kevin Durant

Greg Nelson/SI

Ron Artest tries to pull a fast one by pinning Durant's arm during a game at the Ford Center.

Kevin Durant and LeBron James

Getty Images

Two of the new generation of superstars in the NBA, Durant and LeBron James take a picture at the 4th Annual Two Kings Dinner on Feb. 13, 2010. While LeBron generated more hype, it was Durant who led the league in scoring, averaging 30.1 points over an 82-game season.

Kevin Durant and Presidential Guard

Getty Images

Durant engages in a staring contest with a presidential guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in central Athens. The guard was able to maintain focus as Durant towered over him, but the Grecian National Team wasn't as lucky. He netted 15 points en route to a 87-59 victory.

Kevin Durant's Sneakers

AP

Durant's sneakers during the World Basketball Championship served as a reminder of his motivations, as he honored many of his deceased friends by writing their names across his shoe tops. He also included a reference to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by inscribing the date prominently over his left toes.

Team USA

AP

Durant leads the United States team in acknowledging the crowd after a 89-74 win over Lithuania in the World Basketball Championship semifinals. Durant would follow up a 38-point performance in this game with a 28-point outing in a victory against Turkey in the gold-medal game.

Kevin Durant

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post/Getty Images

Kevin Durant lands in the stands during Game 4 of a first-round playoff series against Denver.

Kevin Durant

Andy Cross, The Denver Post/Getty Images

Durant enjoying a quiet moment before practice.

Kevin Durant

John W. McDonough/SI

Durant celebrates after clinching a victory over Memphis in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Kevin Durant

Greg Nelson/SI

Durant skies for a breakaway dunk during a February 2012 game between the Thunder and Mavs.

Kevin Durant and Wanda Pratt

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Durant hugs his mother, Wanda Pratt, following Oklahoma City's victory over the Lakers in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Kevin Durant

Icon/SMI

Dwight Howard goes up to try to defend a shot by Durant during the All-Star game in Orlando.

Kevin Durant and Lil' Wayne

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

All-Star MVP Kevin Durant celebrates with hip-hop artist Lil' Wayne during the 2012 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando.

Kevin Durant

Icon/SMI

Kevin Durant with the MVP trophy after the West defeated the East 152-149 in the All-Star game.

Kevin Durant

Icon/SMI

Durant goes to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round series.

Kevin Durant

Icon/SMI

Kevin Durant dunks past the Lakers' Andrew Bynum during Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Kevin Durant

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Durant stands with the trophy following the Thunder's victory over the Spurs in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Anthony Davis (right) march in with other U.S. athletes during the opening ceremonies in London.

Kevin Durant

Icon/SMI

Durant looks to save the ball in a preliminary round Olympic game against Tunisia.

Kevin Durant

Icon/SMI

Kevin Durant celebrates winning a gold medal in London.

Kevin Durant

Icon/SMI

LeBron James and Kevin Durant at the buzzer of the Gold Medal Game against Spain.

Kevin Durant

Icon/SMI

Kevin Durant and LeBron James with their gold medals following a 107-100 Team USA victory over Team Spain in London.

Kevin Durant

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Durant appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, along with teammate James Harden.

Kevin Durant

Icon/SMI

Durant reacts during a 99-93 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.

Kevin Durant

Getty Images

Durant signed with Jay-Z's Roc Nation group in 2013 was the fourth highest-earning player in the league that year, pulling in an estimated $35 million.

Kevin Durant

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Kevin Durant and former teammate James Harden during Game 2 of a first-round playoff series.

Kevin Durant

@TattoosByRandy

Kevin Durant the revealed halfway stage of this elaborate tattoo in May.

Kevin Durant

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Durant takes in a game between the Memphis Tigers and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater.

Kevin Durant

Durant and Matthew McConaughey at the GQ Men Of The Year Party at The Ebell Club of Los Angeles.

Kevin Durant

David J. Phillip/AP

Durant flips on his head after being fouled by Houston Rockets' Aaron Brooks.

Kevin Durant

Alan Diaz/AP

LeBron James and Norris Cole pressure Durant during Oklahoma City's visit to Miami. The Thunder won 112-95 behind Durant's 33 points.

Kevin Durant

Marc Serota/Getty Images

Durant and LeBron James fight for position in the first of their two scheduled games this season.

Kevin Durant

Sue Ogrocki/AP

Durant releases a three-point shot after being fouled by Memphis center Marc Gasol in the fourth quarter of Game 2 of an opening-round playoff series. Durant hit the three-pointer from the corner as he was being pushed out of bounds by Gasol and then converted the free throw to make it a one-point game. Memphis won 111-105 in overtime.

“Excuse my language, but that's (expletive)," Durant said to USA Today. "I want to play with a winner every single night, especially somebody who wants to win that bad, who works that hard, who demands a lot, who raises up your level. I'd want to play with a guy like that every day. ... (His style) may make people uncomfortable, how he acts and just how he approaches the game, but I love that type of stuff. I think (the accusation) is BS."

• Durant becomes 2nd youngest player to score 15,000 points

Durant, last season’s Most Valuable Player, also praised Bryant’s work ethic and demeanor.

"He doesn't mind being an (expletive), and he comes to work, man. He's intense,”  Durant said. He demands a lot out of his teammates, and I've seen that just playing alongside him in the Olympics (in 2012). He demands a lot out of everybody.”

Durant is averaging 21.5 points and 5.4 rebounds after missing the first 17 games of the season while recovering from a foot injury. Oklahoma City (12-13), which plays the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, has won seven straight games.

- Scooby Axson