Durant Versus James

[oh crap]

This is serious. For everyone thinking there are leaps and bounds between the two, I present the following data for their respective first 3 seasons. The numbers don't lie are much more compelling then you would think.

Kevn Durant
Year Team G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
07-08 SEA 80 80 34.6 0.430 0.288 0.873 0.9 3.5 4.3 2.4 1.0 0.9 2.90 1.52 20.3
08-09 OKC 74 74 39.0 0.476 0.422 0.863 1.0 5.5 6.5 2.8 1.3 0.7 3.04 1.81 25.3
09-10 OKC 67 67 39.5 0.476 0.364 0.891 1.2 6.3 7.5 2.8 1.3 0.9 3.37 2.09 29.7

Lebron
Year Team G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
03-04 CLE 79 79 39.5 0.417 0.290 0.754 1.3 4.2 5.5 5.9 1.6 0.7 3.46 1.89 20.9
04-05 CLE 80 80 42.4 0.472 0.351 0.750 1.4 6.0 7.3 7.2 2.2 0.6 3.27 1.82 27.2
05-06 CLE 79 79 42.5 0.480 0.335 0.738 0.9 6.1 7.0 6.6 1.6 0.8 3.29 2.29 31.4

[HarlemHeat37]

Your data is just basic stats with no argument?..

Durant isn't anywhere near Lebron as a player IMO, no argument..

[SpursDynasty]

Kevin Durant will win more championships in his career than LeBron.

[oh crap]

Your data is just basic stats with no argument?..

Durant isn't anywhere near Lebron as a player IMO, no argument..

please, point out the areas that he has been significantly better in. Numbers are numbers. KD is every bit the over performing, successful player that James is. I'm baffled that to this day he remains underrated.

[TinTin]

please, point out the areas that he has been significantly better in. Numbers are numbers. KD is every bit the over performing, successful player that James is. I'm baffled that to this day he remains underrated.

So if you stick durant in cleveland, cavs do the same thing for the past years?

[Xevious]

Durant's a stud, no question. But he ain't Lebron. Lebron has the size, athleticism, talent, court vision, and ball handling to play any position on the court. I think Durant is a more natural scorer, and comparing his game to George Gervin is fair. But he'll never be the triple-double machine that Lebron is.

One thing Durant has on James is a strong core to develop with. If that FO can keep those kids together while adding a few more players, they can go far. Lebron was dragging a shitty team into the post-season and 2007 finals before they finally started putting pieces around him that could help.

[Kai]

Putting Lebron in the NBA is like sticking a 15 year-old in a 6-7 year-old league. he's just that naturally gifted.

[PGDynasty24]

Ya durant I can't see becoming as good as Lebron. Durant doesn't have the passing ability,strength and athleticism lebron possesses. Durant can't attack rim like lebron

[anakha]

Durant vs Carmelo is a much better comparison, IMO.

[mavsluva]

Man, it really doesn't matter who's better than who. Both are fantastic players and are crucial to their respective teams.

[gaKNOW!blee]

dude cant pass like Lebron.

[quentin_compson]

please, point out the areas that he has been significantly better in. Numbers are numbers. KD is every bit the over performing, successful player that James is. I'm baffled that to this day he remains underrated.


dude cant pass like Lebron.

Exactly. LeBron averaged more than twice as much assists than Durant in the years in question.
Also, James was a player with an immediate defensive impact, while Durant hardly played any defense at the beginnig of his NBA carreer (he has been improving in that area, though).

Don't get me wrong, Durant is a great player and I really like watching him and the promising Thunder play, but he is nowhere near LeBron. And I don't think he'll ever be, either.

[Muser]

Durant is an above average defender on a good day. LeBron is an great/elite defender on a normal day.

[mogrovejo]

Durant (and Carmelo Anthony) are basically as good as LeBron James as scorers (volume+efficiency+shot-creation) and rebounders.

However, playmaking is very important and LBJ is a far better passer and game manager than any of them. It's not even close, it's a tremendous advantage. LBJ is also a much better defender in spite of the strides made by the others, especially Durant.

LBJ multiplicity of high-level talents is what makes him the best player in the league by far. The only guy who comes close when he's playing at the top of his ability is Wade, but this season he's been off while LBJ keeps playing better every year. Or Howard, bringing different things to the table. But there's still a big gap.

[TheSullyMonster]

Can I take LeBron, but with OKC's front office?

[Killakobe81]

Exactly. LeBron averaged more than twice as much assists than Durant in the years in question.
Also, James was a player with an immediate defensive impact, while Durant hardly played any defense at the beginnig of his NBA carreer (he has been improving in that area, though).

Don't get me wrong, Durant is a great player and I really like watching him and the promising Thunder play, but he is nowhere near LeBron. And I don't think he'll ever be, either.

Lebron just started playing good defense last year ...But I agree I think Lebron is and will be teh greater player Durant is the more pure scorer abd FAR better shooter ...

[mathbzh]

Lebron is better but I think he dominates the ball way too much and doesn' let any room to anybody in the team to get better when he does not kill player's confidence (unless they are shooters like Williams).
He could win a ring that way but I believe he should let more responsibilities to his team-mates if he wanted to start a dynasty. Jordan did it with some success

Edit:
Illustration of Lebron's tendency to do too much.
He is at best an average 3 pt shooter but he still takes 5 of these a game (4.3 career average).
Some of these... honestly if you are not "The Chosen One" and not a 40% 3pt shooter you are bench for that kind of shots.

[AussieFanKurt]

lebron gets any call he wants. durant has so much more skill. half of lebrons skill comes from NBA whistles

[TheMACHINE]

Your data is just basic stats with no argument?..
Durant isn't anywhere near Lebron as a player IMO, no argument..

Are you fucking kidding me?

Did you just trash the OP for not making an arguement followed by your opinion with "no argument".

:rolleyes

[BanditHiro]

lebron gets any call he wants. durant has so much more skill. half of lebrons skill comes from NBA whistles

i bet your opinion has changed after seeing the spurs vs thunder tonight...Durant is one of the league leaders in NBA whistles, so that argument is completely stupid. might as well have said i hate lebron so that is why i feel durant has more skill. at the very least you would have been honest to yourself

[HarlemHeat37]

Are you fucking kidding me?

Did you just trash the OP for not making an arguement followed by your opinion with "no argument".

:rolleyes

I don't have to make an argument since Lebron is the consensus best player on the planet..when somebody makes a statement that is controversial, it should be backed up by an argument..