In Golden State, all he had to do was be their closer. He didn't have to manage the locker room or manage up. His role was to close out games, and he did that so well his legacy was cemented as an all-timer.

But he just isn't *that guy* in the sense that LeBron or Steph are or even Dwayne Wade was. Dwayne isn't the basketball player KD is, but he elevated his teammates consistently in a way that KD hasn't shown.

And, really, that's fine. Every player has their strengths, and KD's is being a consummate baller. Just because he probably isn't the guy to transform a franchise and get them to a title doesn't mean he doesn't have tremendous worth as a basketball player.

I guess the issue is that his career will be judged against players who were *the guy.* Players like Kobe, Shaq, or even Dirk. Players who are around that all-time 15-25 mark. Those guys were all *the guy* at some point.

I don't think his leadership style is a blemish on him as a basketball player. He's done things with a basketball that all but a handful of players have done or will ever do. In that context, he's probably a Top 10 player in terms of his ability to do anything on the offensive side of a basketball court when he wanted and at a high level.

But it is a demerit on him as a basketball legend, as we think of them.