LeBron spent 7 years in Cleveland on a largely talent barren roster, and after 7 years had 1 finals appearance (and smothering loss) to show for it. He was called a choker. He shrunk in big moments. He was mentally weak. He would never be able to win one, especially as a #1 option (right
hater?). He never played for a good coach or had a roster resembling a contender but was one of the most hated on athletes I could remember, especially since I'm in LA and it was all Kobe fans laughing at him.
Well now Kevin Durant is 7 years into his NBA career, with nothing to show for it outside of 1 finals appearance (and smothering loss). Outside a handful of this forum, he's rarely called a choker. He doesn't get criticized for coming up small in big moments. Imagine if LeBron had that slip/turnover in an OT of a playoff game... the reception that would get. Unlike LeBron, KD has actually played with elite NBA talent. Harden and Westbrook are both undoubtedly top 15 players (if not top 10). OKC has arguably the best HCA in the league. Brooks is a bad coach, but he's no worse than Potato Head...
People on this board know i'm not a LeBron fanboy at all, but I'm just curious as to why KD seems to avoid so much of the mainstream criticism that LeBron got after 7 years, despite having more or less the same resume, but with superior help. It it because expectations for him were lower? LeBron was touted as the next legend since before he was drafted, had the King James le (king without a ring, back then), wore 23, etc. But that can't be the whole reason, can it?