Kevin Durant vs Larry Bird

[iamgine]

Larry Bird played in a faster paced era so naturally his rebounding stats are exaggerated by a bit compared to today's slower era. But how do these 2 players compare?

Both great shooters. Durant might be better in scoring but Bird's better in playmaking. Both plays within the offense. Both pretty clutch players. Durant's a (much?) better defender but Bird trumps Durant in awards and rings.

Whos better in your opinion?

[blablabla]

:biggums:

[Sarcastic]

Durant is now officially overrated.

[StateOfMind12]

Durant is the better scorer, Bird is the better player. Durant could surpass Bird one day though but as of right now he is not there yet.

[Ketchup]

Durant is a much better defender? Really? Has he been on one of the best defensive teams in the league? I don't remember. How many All NBA defensive teams has he made? Surely he'd have more than Bird? What's that, he doesn't.

Crazy right? Somehow he's the better defender though.

I'm not sure if he's even a better scorer. Bird put up 30ppg in a 50/40/90 season. Larry was also far better at creating his own shot.

[OKCThunderUP]

This thread really exists?

[nightprowler10]

What is this... I don't even...

[BarberSchool]

Durant is a much better defender? Really? Has he been on one of the best defensive teams in the league? I don't remember. How many All NBA defensive teams has he made? Surely he'd have more than Bird? What's that, he doesn't.

Crazy right? Somehow he's the better defender though.

I'm not sure if he's even a better scorer. Bird put up 30ppg in a 50/40/90 season. Larry was also far better at creating his own shot.this.

bird's feet were slow, but his hands were perhaps the fastest of any forward in his era. Check his steals stats.

[tpols]

If Durant plays in the NBA for 15 seasons or so and wins 7-8 scoring titles + 3+FMVPs and a few MVP awards he will have had a better career than Bird. And I think he can do it. His game is reliant on something that will never change.. height and shooting plus hes a very smart kid so I think his understanding of the game will only get better.

[iamgine]

Durant is a much better defender? Really? Has he been on one of the best defensive teams in the league? I don't remember. How many All NBA defensive teams has he made? Surely he'd have more than Bird? What's that, he doesn't.

Crazy right? Somehow he's the better defender though.

I'm not sure if he's even a better scorer. Bird put up 30ppg in a 50/40/90 season. Larry was also far better at creating his own shot.
You dont have to make all defensive to be a better defender.


this.

bird's feet were slow, but his hands were perhaps the fastest of any forward in his era. Check his steals stats.
I duno Iverson racked up steals but he's not that good of a defender. Steals is no indication.

[Ketchup]

You dont have to make all defensive to be a better defender.


I duno Iverson racked up steals but he's not that good of a defender. Steals is no indication.

Yeah he was, and yes there are. You are getting the ball for your team. How is that not a good sign of a good defender?

[iamgine]

Yeah he was, and yes there are. You are getting the ball for your team. How is that not a good sign of a good defender?
:oldlol: ok

[ThunderStruk022]

Stop it! This conversation can't begin until Durant wins multiple rings.

People are going to start ruining one of the few likable and genuine superstars left in the NBA.

[Ketchup]

:oldlol: ok

Stop trying to be one of those hardcore/beautiful mind 'I watch the games to see who a good defender is' bullshit fans.

You get steals, you're a good defender.
I'm not saying if you don't get steals you're not a good defender. Watching Battier this season I've come to realize why people call him one of the best defenders in the league. I don't think I've seen anyone follow someone around screens that well, particularly talking about Ray Allen.

You get steals, you're a good defender.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Sensationalism....at its worst.

[Cowboy Thunder]

Carmelo Anthony is obv better than both

[iamgine]

Stop trying to be one of those hardcore/beautiful mind 'I watch the games to see who a good defender is' bullshit fans.

You get steals, you're a good defender.
I'm not saying if you don't get steals you're not a good defender. Watching Battier this season I've come to realize why people call him one of the best defenders in the league. I don't think I've seen anyone follow someone around screens that well, particularly talking about Ray Allen.

You get steals, you're a good defender.
Hmm that's just plain not true.

[Ketchup]

Hmm that's just plain not true.

Interesting. I just looked in the top 10 steals leaders this season, and all of them are good defenders. Surprising.

[iamgine]

Interesting. I just looked in the top 10 steals leaders this season, and all of them are good defenders. Surprising.
Yet someone who doesn't get steals like Battier can be a (much) better defender than them.

[Ketchup]

Yet someone who doesn't get steals like Battier can be a (much) better defender than them.

Different type of defender.

Durant and Bird both aren't lockdown defenders, or ones who follow players around screens all day.

They're one of the same, and Bird is better at it.

[iamgine]

Different type of defender.

Durant and Bird both aren't lockdown defenders, or ones who follow players around screens all day.

They're one of the same, and Bird is better at it.
:oldlol: ok

[scm5]

Kevin Durant is only 23 guys. He hasn't done anything to deserve comparison to Bird yet. I will admit that if he continues to improve, he will deserve comparison.

For now, let's just leave it as he's on his way to deserving comparison to Bird.

[CavaliersFTW]

Ban OP

[Ketchup]

:oldlol: ok

You laugh, but have no explanation as to why Durant is a better defender. :oldlol:

[IGOTGAME]

Durant is the better scorer, Bird is the better player. Durant could surpass Bird one day though but as of right now he is not there yet.

:roll:

[pauk]

There is absolutely NOTHING Kevin Durant comes even close to.... :confusedshrug:

Except defense, but Bird had tremendous defensive IQ, fantastic team/system defender....

Larry Bird had a MUCH better scoring arsenal
Larry Bird was a MUCH better shooter
Larry Bird was a MUCH better rebounder
Larry Bird was a MUCH better clutch player
Larry Bird was MUCH smarter
Larry Bird was MUCH more efficient
Larry Bird was a MUCH better leader
Larry Bird was a MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH (notice the many letters) better facilitator

I freakin love Durant, its threads like these and the overrating of Durant which could force me to "bash" Durant to prove a point... the guy is basically a 6'11 Danny Granger from 2008-09 or a 6'11" Carmelo Anthony clone.... he is nowhere near as good of an overall player Lebron is or Kobe was or Wade was or T-Mac was or prime Grant Hill was or Michael Jordan was and so on....

[NumberSix]

Durant is now officially overrated.
This.

[t-rex]

I think Durant has a chance to be an all time great player. But this thread is just too early.:facepalm

[CeltsGarlic]

:oldlol: ok

Great guy to discuss with.

[ronniec]

If Durant plays in the NBA for 15 seasons or so and wins 7-8 scoring titles + 3+FMVPs and a few MVP awards he will have had a better career than Bird. And I think he can do it. His game is reliant on something that will never change.. height and shooting plus hes a very smart kid so I think his understanding of the game will only get better.

Anybody, not only KD, who wins 7-8 scoring title plus 3 FMVPS (this means rings too right? Can't remember when the FMVP went to the losing team) and a few MVP awards is better than Bird.
Just like the Lebron's case... win one first before making any assumption.

[NuggetsFan]

You get steals, you're a good defender.


George Karl that you? :oldlol:

I don't know if I'm alone on this but that seems ridiculous to me. For example this year Denver was what the worst or 2nd worst team in the league defensively? Yet they had to be in the top 10 in steals per game. Forcing turnovers is HUGE and obviously leads to winning but I think it's more because it get's you good looks offensively alot of the time. That's with a team effort too and you rack up 8-9 steals. Can't do that individually consistently.

Defensively it's still just one possession. Mike Conley\Chris Paul were the only two players in the league who hit above 2 per game. That's 2ish possessions where the league leader is directly affecting the play. Probably affects a teams offensively gameplan when going up against a Rondo\Paul or something but in the grand scheme of things doesn't seem as important in a 48 minute game.

Lawson's 21st in the league in steals and he doesn't have great length to contest shooters. Isn't even above average defensively. Yet he averages .3 less than the person in 10th place, who really is in the same boat IMO. Jeff Teague. Guy's like Shumpert\Iggy\Allen\LeBron who are near the top of the list are considered good defenders not because they just steal the ball but because they do everything. Shumpert has great on ball defense, LeBron has so much versatility, Iggy once again has great on ball defense while able to play to the passing lanes with that.

If all those guy's averaged 1 steal per game they'd still be elite defensively IMO. Where as Paul Milsap can average as many steals per game as he wants but that doesn't make him better defensively than somebody like Shane Battier. Give me Arron Afflalo(not this year but the year before) consistently defending every possession and making smart rotations, giving help etc. over somebody like Iverson attacking the lanes but not doing anything else. Not to take away from A.I because I think he's better defensively than he's made out to be with his lateral quickness but just my take.

Gotta derail this thread :oldlol:

[OldSchoolBBall]

Durant is the better scorer, Bird is the better player.

How Is Durant a better scorer than Bird? Bird's best 3 seasons:

29.9 pts/52.7% FG/60.8% TS
28.7 pts/52.2% FG/58.5% TS
28.1 pts/52.5% FG/61.2% TS

Durant's best 3:

30.1 pts/47.6% FG/60.7% TS
28.0 pts/49.6% FG/61.0% TS
27.7 pts/46.2% FG/58.9% TS

Looks about the same to me, edge to Bird. Bird also played more of a team concept than Durant does and could have definitely scored more if needed (in the 31-32.5 ppg range on 49-51% FG/57.5-59% TS, I'd estimate).

[Round Mound]

The Myth that Bird wasn`t a Good Defender...Still Reigns. Regins in Stupidity

[kenny817]

:facepalm

[KevinNYC]

The Myth that Bird wasn`t a Good Defender...Still Reigns. Regins in Stupidity

Every time this comes up I point to what Hubie Brown said (http://lexnihilnovi.blogspot.com/2010/01/bird-shows-bernard-whos-king.html) about him in the moment and shows what kind of defender Bird was before the back and ankle injuries. After a playoff game where Bird went 16-22 and scored 37 points. Hubie pointed out his defense.


Hubie noticed. The maniacal New York czar hardly mentioned Bird's deadly shooting, but said, "The entire Boston team played great defense, but the one man the purists noticed was Bird. He's the real key to their defense. Bird reminded us tonight of a middle line-backer the way he roamed around out there. His ability to clog the lane, double team and strip the ball were the keys to their defense."

A couple of other comments made in an old thread on Bird's defense

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6190599&postcount=14

Yes, he was a terrible defender who was voted 2nd team All-Defensive 3 years straight
1981-82 NBA All-Defensive (2nd)
1982-83 NBA All-Defensive (2nd)
1983-84 NBA All-Defensive (2nd)

He was so bad at defense, at 6' 9" he averaged 1.7 steals a game for his career and if you look at the first 9 years before he tore both his achilles tendons, he had almost 1300 steals and 7300 rebounds. How unique is that? He is the only player in the league during that time to do it. The next closest guy had about 500 less steals.

The only other players who have had a 9 year streak with over 1200 steals and 7000 rebounds since are Hakeem and Shawn Marion.

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6190947&postcount=26

One thing that drives me nuts about this site when players get compared, and folks say yeah, but he can't do X.

For example, Kevin McHale is a great shot blocker and a good one on one defender, but he could not make most of the defensive plays that Bird could. It just wasn't his game, but people would never hold that against him. Like Magic was bad defensively because couldn't guard a small, quick point guard. Well, how many 6'8" guys could? It's like I'm really good guitarist, but I can't play the violin, so that makes me a bad musician? Ridiculous.

You can be a good defensive player in a different way than another good defensive player

[CavaliersFTW]

Both were measured at 6'9 in their bare feet and play/played small forward. Other than that their game isn't similar, and in a season to season comparison to this point in their careers as well as a simple eye test, Bird is better. Larry Legend. Durant is doing his own thing and he's on a good track but let's not forget that some players can end up a flash in the pan IE T-Mac so let's not get ahead of ourselves. If in 5 years he's still producing strong and has won at least 1 or 2 rings then go ahead and bump this thread otherwise it's way too premature.

[KevinNYC]

That said, Kevin Durant is a great player and putting up serious scoring numbers at a young age. The person who compared his best seasons to Bird is using season where Bird was several years older.


However, at this stage of his career it's silly to compare him to Bird. Dude doesn't even have a Hall Of Fame Probablity (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html) rating at basketball-reference.com because he hasn't played enough games yet.

[Mach_3]

Every time this comes up I point to what Hubie Brown said (http://lexnihilnovi.blogspot.com/2010/01/bird-shows-bernard-whos-king.html) about him in the moment and shows what kind of defender Bird was before the back and ankle injuries. After a playoff game where Bird went 16-22 and scored 37 points. Hubie pointed out his defense.



A couple of other comments made in an old thread on Bird's defense

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6190599&postcount=14


http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6190947&postcount=26


You can be a good defensive player in a different way than another good defensive player

:applause:

There is no reason to make this comparison as of right now

[ILLsmak]

KD has potential to be better than Bird. He's well on his way, I think.

And I love Bird. KD is a monster, though, but it's too soon to compare them. Do it after he retires.

-Smak

[Bigsmoke]

Bird

[lilgodfather1]

Stop it! This conversation can't begin until Durant wins multiple rings.

People are going to start ruining one of the few likable and genuine superstars left in the NBA.
Since there are two, maybe three superstars in the NBA who are you talking about? Wade, LeBron, or Howard?

[dunksby]

KD can become better if he improves at this rate in 2-3 years but for now it's clearly Bird.

[Round Mound]

Larry Bird was a Great Post Defender and When Played Loose Off the Ball (Todays Zones) He Might Have Been the Best Ever

Statistics Also Show Bird as a Top Defender

Individual Defense

Defensive Rating

1979-80 NBA 98.2 (6)
1980-81 NBA 98.6 (10)
1981-82 NBA 99.4 (6)
1983-84 NBA 100.8 (2)
1984-85 NBA 102.8 (9)
1985-86 NBA 99.4 (4)


Defense - Team Wise

Defensive Win Shares

1979-80 NBA 5.6 (1)
1980-81 NBA 6.1 (1)
1981-82 NBA 5.7 (2)
1982-83 NBA 5.6 (5)
1983-84 NBA 5.6 (1)
1984-85 NBA 5.2 (2)
1985-86 NBA 6.2 (1)
1986-87 NBA 4.8 (6)
Career NBA 59.0 (25)

In the Play-Offs - Individual Defense

Year Lg Player DRtg Tm

2012 NBA Kevin Garnett 92.36 BOS
2011 NBA Dwight Howard 95.73 ORL
2010 NBA Dwight Howard 92.98 ORL
2009 NBA Dwight Howard 98.35 ORL
2008 NBA Tim Duncan 98.51 SAS
2007 NBA Jason Kidd 94.63 NJN
2006 NBA Alonzo Mourning 95.13 MIA
2005 NBA Ben Wallace 93.48 DET
2004 NBA Ben Wallace 83.91 DET
2003 NBA Ben Wallace 90.51 DET
2002 NBA Ben Wallace 86.41 DET
2001 NBA David Robinson* 92.42 SAS
2000 NBA David Robinson* 84.01 SAS
1999 NBA David Robinson* 87.33 SAS
1998 NBA David Robinson* 93.42 SAS
1997 NBA Alonzo Mourning 94.64 MIA
1996 NBA Scottie Pippen* 96.07 CHI
1995 NBA David Robinson* 97.53 SAS
1994 NBA Patrick Ewing* 94.34 NYK
1993 NBA Hakeem Olajuwon* 96.56 HOU
1992 NBA Dennis Rodman* 99.35 DET
1991 NBA Scottie Pippen* 99.52 CHI
1990 NBA Bill Laimbeer 96.32 DET
1989 NBA Dennis Rodman* 99.38 DET
1988 NBA Bill Laimbeer 99.51 DET
1987 NBA Hakeem Olajuwon* 102.24 HOU
1986 NBA Bill Walton* 100.62 BOS
1985 NBA Ralph Sampson* 97.16 HOU
1984 NBA Buck Williams 99.41 NJN
1983 NBA Moses Malone* 95.76 PHI
1982 NBA Larry Bird* 94.21 BOS
1981 NBA Truck Robinson 94.51 PHO
1980 NBA Larry Bird* 95.93 BOS

[inclinerator]

http://i.imgur.com/vei1S.gif%5D

[Micku]

I was actually thinking about this a week ago.

Durant I think better scorer for his age in comparison when Bird was the same age. Durant already have three scoring titles, but that's more relative to the league. However, Durant scored more in his third year in his regular season than Bird has ever did in his career. Not but much, but it's still very impressive considering his age. And Durant is the better driver probably?

Bird's better at almost everything else. And he is the better player at making his teammates better. And his post defense is better than Durant is currently. A bunch of people underrated Bird's defense. At that time, he was a pretty good help defender, an average man to man defender, but a pretty good post defender. Also, Bird is a much better passer and a creator than Durant atm. Just because Durant is probably the better scroer, it doesn't mean that he is better. Especially on the impact on the floor which Bird shown. His rookie year was extremely impressive in how he turned the Celtics around into a 29 win to a 61 win team.

Both are great moving without the ball. However, Bird had a post game and seemed more complete in his early years in comparison to Durant, but Durant is the better scorer. Though Bird was the type of player that don't need to score or didn't score as much because he did other things. Could he score more if he wanted too in the regular season? Maybe. It's similar to Magic Johnson. He could've scored more than what he shown.

With that said, it's unfair to compare Durant to Bird because Durant probably haven't shown us his absolute best yet. While Bird had an entire career. But one thing is for sure even though it's going to sound like a broken record, Durant is at his age is a great scorer and on pace to be better than Bird career wise.

Although when Bird did score more in his prime, there's hardly a big difference in terms of scoring to where Durant is now. And the rules did change, so it's hard to compare. Bird said that he will be a power forward in today's game because it would be easier to abuse that position because they wouldn't be able to touch you comparison to back then accoriding to Bird.

But in Bird's prime, he was a better passer, creator, rebounder, better post game, and a better post defender. Also Bird did average more steals than Durant, and he has quicker hands.

But that also could be due to the pacing, but probably not that much. I don't pacing affect stars that much. Look at Bird's rebounding in his last year with a screwed up back, a slower paced league in comparison to the 80s, and being 35 years old. He still averaged 9.6 rebounds per game.

[Micku]

Durant could be the better shooter if he keep improving. He is already great.

[Mach_3]

Larry Bird played in a faster paced era so naturally his rebounding stats are exaggerated by a bit compared to today's slower era. But how do these 2 players compare?

Both great shooters. Durant might be better in scoring but Bird's better in playmaking. Both plays within the offense. Both pretty clutch players. Durant's a (much?) better defender but Bird trumps Durant in awards and rings.

Whos better in your opinion?

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Bigsmoke]

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Bird wasnt a good defender.

FACT!

[Micku]

Bird wasnt a good defender.

FACT!

No, actually. Bird was a pretty good post defender and a good help defender. He was a average (sightly above) man to man defender. Bird also made the all defensive team a couple of times. Durant didn't make any, even though all defensive teams depend on the era.

But it's a myth that Bird wasn't a good defender. He wasn't the best defender on his team tho. It ranges between the years. It could've been Dennis Johnson, Kevin Mchale, and Bill Walton deserves a mention too. They used to have Kevin Mchale on SF and have Bird guard PFs. Bird was the better rebounder.

[CavaliersFTW]

Bird wasnt a good defender.

FACT!
lol, yes he was a good defender what the hell do you know about defense to suggest otherwise!? Bird wasn't MJ or Pippen but he certainly wasn't a defensive liability - his basketball IQ got him to the right places at the right time and he applied pressure, helped on doubles and switches, and contested shots. He didn't give the opponents their baskets.

[colts19]

Larry Bird played in a faster paced era so naturally his rebounding stats are exaggerated by a bit compared to today's slower era. But how do these 2 players compare?

Both great shooters. Durant might be better in scoring but Bird's better in playmaking. Both plays within the offense. Both pretty clutch players. Durant's a (much?) better defender but Bird trumps Durant in awards and rings.

Whos better in your opinion?

Just wondering,did you ever see bird play in his prime. I like KD, but you can't be serious.

[eliteballer]

Larry Bird played in a faster paced era so naturally his rebounding stats are exaggerated by a bit compared to today's slower era.

Not nec true because Bird played on a starting lineup with two other double digit rebounders

[swi7ch]

So much disrespect for Larry Legend. :no:

[Round Mound]

Bird`s Last Season at Age 35 in 1992 Averaged 9.6 RPG...Thats Better than Durant in his Prime

[15yearmagicfan]

Bird`s Last Season at Age 35 in 1992 Averaged 9.6 RPG...Thats Better than Durant in his Prime



ding, ding, ding... we have a winner. I agree.

[jlauber]

This comparison is not fair to either. Bird had a 13 year career. Durant came into the league at 19, and has played five seasons. Let's examine this 10 years from now...

[tpols]

Bird`s Last Season at Age 35 in 1992 Averaged 9.6 RPG...Thats Better than Durant in his Prime
Durant's 23 years old.:oldlol: What are you talking about?

[Ketchup]

Durant's 23 years old.:oldlol: What are you talking about?

Most players have their best statistical season before their 5th or 6th year. Particularly wing players. Don't believe me, go look at all the great wings of recent times. Wade, Lebron, Kobe, T-Mac, Vince, Gilbert, etc...
All of them put up their best statistical season around their 5th or 6th year.

[Mach_3]

Bird wasnt a good defender.

FACT!
Why talk about something you have no idea about, anybody who thinks Bird isnt a good defender (overall) obv didnt watch the dude play, he wasnt the best defender but he made u work your ass off for your buckets

[tpols]

Most players have their best statistical season before their 5th or 6th year. Particularly wing players. Don't believe me, go look at all the great wings of recent times. Wade, Lebron, Kobe, T-Mac, Vince, Gilbert, etc...
All of them put up their best statistical season around their 5th or 6th year.
It's just the way he said that.. you cant say prime Durant til we see what he actually becomes.

[Ketchup]

It's just the way he said that.. you cant say prime Durant til we see what he actually becomes.

I dunno. It really gets to a point where you ask, can a player really get that much better?
He might do things differently on the court, preserve energy here and there, but, I don't see him doing anything better.
His shooting is immaculate, his off the ball is great, his dribble penetration is great... All he can really get better at is playing in the post, and that isn't happening considering he's most dangerous on the outside shooting the ball. If he's open, he's hitting the three.

[Lebron23]

Bird was the better all around player while KD is a better scorer than Larry.

[jlauber]

Most players have their best statistical season before their 5th or 6th year. Particularly wing players. Don't believe me, go look at all the great wings of recent times. Wade, Lebron, Kobe, T-Mac, Vince, Gilbert, etc...
All of them put up their best statistical season around their 5th or 6th year.

Yes, this is quite true. In fact, many have their best statistical seasons even earlier. Kareem and McAdoo's came very early in their careers (seasons 2-5.) And career best rebounding seasons almost always come early in a player's career, as well.

[TheOne]

KD has 3 scoring titles at 23. Bird who?

[pauk]

http://13shadesofgrey.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/durant-bird.jpg

[chips93]

Larry Bird played in a faster paced era so naturally his rebounding stats are exaggerated by a bit compared to today's slower era

even when you take pace into account, bird was a much better rebounder

bird has a career TRB% of 14, durant's is 10, with a peak of 12. bird's peak is 16, and all that despite playing alongside two great rebounders in mchale and parish, while durant has never had to play with a good rebounder

[onhcetum]

Larry Bird... three titles... undisputed alpha of his team... three MVPS... double double machine... not even mention his passing abilities and overall leadership

[DurantFor40]

Larry Bird... three titles... undisputed alpha of his team... three MVPS... double double machine... not even mention his passing abilities and overall leadership
It's a little hard to be the undisputed alpha when this guy is on your team...


http://dy.snimg.com/story-image/5/88/2935987/97990-330-0.jpg

[NumberSix]

da fck?

[chazzy]

I dunno. It really gets to a point where you ask, can a player really get that much better?
He might do things differently on the court, preserve energy here and there, but, I don't see him doing anything better.
His shooting is immaculate, his off the ball is great, his dribble penetration is great... All he can really get better at is playing in the post, and that isn't happening considering he's most dangerous on the outside shooting the ball. If he's open, he's hitting the three.
His ball handling can get much better as well as his ability to pull up off the dribble from anywhere on the court. Not to mention his improving playmaking.

[Kobe 4 The Win]

I think Durant is a great young player. He can blow by guys and get to the hoop, he's long and he's a lights out shooter. Very tough to defend. He's got a lot of time to improve and he's likely to be a great player for a long time.

However, it blows my mind how much people discredit Bird. Bird was a dominant player. He had his hands on every aspect of the game. I think the only area of vulnerability he has is longevity. He entered the league a little later than most and his back and heel injuries really limited him later on. There's a reason the guy is called Larry Legend.

Durant at times can get lost on the floor. He can score 40 in a game and not have the impact that Bird had.

[Round Mound]

Don`t Give Me This Fast Paced Crap = More Rebounds.

That Depends on Who is Shooting...

Bird Averaged 15.3 RPG in the 1981 Finals vs Moses Malone.

Bird was a Better Rebounder than Durant

[Collie]

Bird is a SIGNIFICANTLY better rebounder, check rebound rates.

[DatAsh]

You're underrating the hell out of Bird's defense and/or overrating Durant's defense to the point that I'm 99% sure you never saw Bird play. You are almost certainly basing your defensive judgement off assumptions, and/or taking defensive comparisons you've heard between Bird and other all time greats completely out of context. The thing about those comparisons is that it's usually something like Bird vs Jordan, where the other guy(Jordan) is a monster on defense. When comparing Bird against Kevin Durant, Bird has a clear defensive edge, and it'd be really tough to argue otherwise, at least to someone who's seen both men play.

The fact that you say "Durant's a (much?) better defender" is what gives me 99% certainty in saying that you never saw Larry Legend play.

As for the comparison? Scoring is about equal, with Larry having clear edges in rebounding, passing/playmaking, defense, and leadership. However, Durant is only 23 and will undoubtedly get better in just about all areas of the game over the course of the next few years. Durant's potential is through the roof, possibly even surpassing someone like a young Kobe.

[DatAsh]

Bird wasnt a good defender.

FACT!


Only to teenagers who never saw the man play :facepalm

To anyone over the age of 40, Bird is considered a good defender.

Not great, but good...verging on great.

[Freedom Kid7]

:biggums: . The thing your forgetting is Bird was an excellent play maker and seemed to have a knack for knowing where his teammates would be. He was a great passer and had a 2:1 AST/TO ratio. Durant is nowhere near Bird's play making level. Sure, maybe KD can score more, but Bird was a much better rebounder and a much better playmaker.

Needless to say, Bird>>>Durant.

[Celtic_Pride]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vHEWOqdyTg

In the 1st 3 point contest at an ASG, Bird says "I am just looking to see who is gonna finish 2nd"

Damn..is there anyone in the league today who can do that?

How about Durant who is supposed to be a better shooter than Larry?

[d.bball.guy]

:biggums: :biggums: :biggums:

[General]

People were saying Durant was going to be top 5 player all time:roll:

22 year old Kobe> 23 year old Durant

[Segatti]

Bird`s Last Season at Age 35 in 1992 Averaged 9.6 RPG...Thats Better than Durant in his Prime
I think it's dumb just throw stats of two players of totally different periods and make a comparison only upon this.

[Duncan21formvp]

No matter if I like Durant, let's not start overrating him.

[BoutPractice]

Not even taking careers into account, while the gap between Durant and Bird's scoring is wide (Bird could somewhat be contained, Durant could probably score 30 points on a great percentage with his eyes closed) the gap between Bird and Durant in rebounding, passing, toughness, and intangibles is even wider.

At this stage in his development Durant is closer to a Dirk/Gervin/Allen hybrid than to Bird.

[bizil]

In terms of being the best shooter-scorer SF in the world, ability to play SG and PF, clutch, and a great rebounder in one, they compare favorably. Also Durant is a gym rat and his passing has improved. Bird is likely the greatest passing forward of all time, but I could see Durant having Bird-esque seasons of 27 points, 9-10 rebounds, and 6 assists. I think Durant's game is a mix of T-Mac, Gervin, and YES Larry Bird. And in terms of being an epic shooter, smooth, and great handles, a bigger version of Ray Allen. But numbers wise, I think KD's upside is closest to Bird. U could say peak wise that Bron, Bird, Dr. J and Durant are the top four SF's of all time as we speak. And GOAT wise, I think Durant will join those icons in the top four as well. All four TOTALLY revolutionized the sport!

[Fudge]

In terms of being the best shooter-scorer SF in the world, ability to play SG and PF, clutch, and a great rebounder in one, they compare favorably. Also Durant is a gym rat and his passing has improved. Bird is likely the greatest passing forward of all time, but I could see Durant having Bird-esque seasons of 27 points, 9-10 rebounds, and 6 assists. I think Durant's game is a mix of T-Mac, Gervin, and YES Larry Bird. And in terms of being an epic shooter, smooth, and great handles, a bigger version of Ray Allen. But numbers wise, I think KD's upside is closest to Bird. U could say peak wise that Bron, Bird, Dr. J and Durant are the top four SF's of all time as we speak. And GOAT wise, I think Durant will join those icons in the top four as well. All four TOTALLY revolutionized the sport!
Agreed dude, Durant really is the greatest player of all-time.

[KBaller33]

This thread was made in 2012? :oldlol:

[Rolando]

In terms of being the best shooter-scorer SF in the world, ability to play SG and PF, clutch, and a great rebounder in one, they compare favorably. Also Durant is a gym rat and his passing has improved. Bird is likely the greatest passing forward of all time, but I could see Durant having Bird-esque seasons of 27 points, 9-10 rebounds, and 6 assists. I think Durant's game is a mix of T-Mac, Gervin, and YES Larry Bird. And in terms of being an epic shooter, smooth, and great handles, a bigger version of Ray Allen. But numbers wise, I think KD's upside is closest to Bird. U could say peak wise that Bron, Bird, Dr. J and Durant are the top four SF's of all time as we speak. And GOAT wise, I think Durant will join those icons in the top four as well. All four TOTALLY revolutionized the sport!

Durant is a "gym rat". WTF?

[dubeta]

Bird would send Durant's ass home crying smh hows this even a comparision?


Durant is in the George Gervin range of player

[knicksman]

its like saying bran is better than Jordan or Iverson better than miller. But at the end of the day, players like Durant who modeled his game after Jordan instead of a cancerous player in Robertson, will have more impact and thus rings at the end of his career. Too bad he has a Robertson type of teammate

[played0ut]

I think Durant's game is a mix of T-Mac, Gervin, and YES Larry Bird.


But at the end of the day, players like Durant who modeled his game after Jordan instead of a cancerous player in Robertson, will have more impact and thus rings at the end of his career. Too bad he has a Robertson type of teammate

he modelled his game after bird

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2012/12/05/kevin-durant-game-is-evolving-and-so-is-his-marketability/1748853/