Has there ever been a better 1st and 2nd best player in the NBA than LeBron and KD?

[Fudge]

What a 1-2 punch for the NBA. Silver partying at the very thought of this. The league is in good hands for the next 5 years. Future HOF'ers. Current top 10 ATG (LBJ), and future top 10 ATG (KD).

:applause:

[Kobe_6/8]

I'd take 1996 Jordan & Shaq over current LeBron & Durant.

[Spurs5Rings2014]

Bird and Magic.

[warriorfan]

What a 1-2 punch for the NBA. Silver partying at the very thought of this. The league is in good hands for the next 5 years. Future HOF'ers. Current top 10 ATG (LBJ), and future top 10 ATG (KD).

:applause:

meltdown

[Dr Hawk]

MJ and Olajuwon

[Young X]

Were Bron and KD last season even better than late 90's Jordan/Malone?

[Ne 1]

http://www.eurweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/kobe-and-shaq.jpg

[Smook B]

http://dougmerlino.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/magic-and-bird-II.jpg

[Andrei89]

http://www.eurweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/kobe-and-shaq.jpg

Kirby? Lol:applause:

[Doranku]

Kobe and LeBron

[Fudge]

Were Bron and KD last season even better than late 90's Jordan/Malone?
Not sure. I was born in 03. Never seen MJ and those guys play.

Seen all of last season, though. And both their seasons are up there among the greatest individual seasons from what I've seen. The eye test AND statistically.

[SpecialQue]

I think you mean LeBron and Curry. Durant's done.

[Fudge]

Lettuce remember their entertaining one on one duel just last season. :applause:

EVERY basketball fan HAD to enjoy that. Probably the greatest one on one games in the past 10 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1dOhukFbhM

[warriorfan]

KD isn't the 2nd best player in the league, he is the second best player on his team.

[Ne 1]

Kirby? Lol:applause:

Indeed. :cheers:

http://oi57.tinypic.com/2yw7gy1.jpg

[Fudge]

http://cdn.slamonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/kevin-durant-lebron-james.jpg

Faces of the league from 2011-present.

[SpecialQue]

Lettuce remember their entertaining one on one duel just last season. :applause:

EVERY basketball fan HAD to enjoy that. Probably the greatest one on one games in the past 10 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1dOhukFbhM

Nah, every basketball fan is enjoying the current duel between Curry and Lebron. The two best players in the league. The two that are in the finals.

[SpecialQue]

http://cdn.slamonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/kevin-durant-lebron-james.jpg

Faces of the league from 2011-2012.

fify

[Fudge]

Nah, every basketball fan is enjoying the current duel between Curry and Lebron. The two best players in the league. The two that are in the finals.
http://s1.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/kd-lebron-stare-kevin-durant-gifs.gif

[Braincells]

Kobe-Duncan 2003-2010.

[KiiiiNG]

Nah, every basketball fan is enjoying the current duel between Curry and Lebron. The two best players in the league. The two that are in the finals.
16,000 posts and still irrelevant.

yikes.

[KG215]

Yes, but I still think the gap between #1 and #2 in the NBA right now (if/when KD is healthy) is fairly big. Maybe there's been a bigger gap between the top 2 and #3? I don't know, but I'd still comfortably take LeBron and KD over Curry.

If Anthony Davis continues at his current progression rate, though, he'll soon join the LeBron/KD tier.

[JohnMax]

http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0419/3560/duncan_shaq_crop_340x234.jpg

[MP.Trey]

Duncan-Shaq
Wilt-Russell
Bird-Magic
Jordan-Olajuwon

Probably quite a few more I'm forgetting.

[ArbitraryWater]

MJ/Hakeem in 1993, but Bron/KD doin' this since 2012 :applause:

[catch24]

1993

Jordan and Hakeem

[SexSymbol]

What a 1-2 punch for the NBA. Silver partying at the very thought of this. The league is in good hands for the next 5 years. Future HOF'ers. Current top 10 ATG (LBJ), and future top 10 ATG (KD).

:applause:
jordan shaq
bird magic
kobe lebron
wilt russell
kobe duncan
shaq duncan
shaq mj
mj hakeem

[SHAQisGOAT]

Jordan-Hakeem
Shaq-Duncan
...

But, on the real... 1988 season:

Jordan, prime already
Bird, last year of his prime
Magic, prime
Hakeem, 4th season
Barkley, already a beast
Malone, starting his prime

^Pick the best pair :lol

[T_L_P]

http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0419/3560/duncan_shaq_crop_340x234.jpg
:bowdown:

[Le Shaqtus]

Bird and Magic easy.

[ralph_i_el]

Not sure. I was born in 03.

:wtf:

[nzahir]

As a lebron fan, No.

Bird and Magic
Shaq and MJ
Mj and Hakeem maybe even in like 1992-1993
Duncan Shaq in 2002
Maybe even lebron and kobe in 08-09
Not really counting Wilt and Russel
After these, then you could argue kd and lebron depending on how they both are next year

[OldSchoolBBall]

'86-'89 (Bird, Magic, Jordan - take your top 2)

'93 (Jordan/Dream/Barkley)

'96 (Jordan/Shaq)

2003 (Shaq/Duncan)

[Kobe_6/8]

LeBron >> Durant.

In 342 more games, LeBron has the same PPG, a little more Rebounds Per Game, and way more Assists Per Game.

[r0drig0lac]

http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0419/3560/duncan_shaq_crop_340x234.jpg
this

[Joyner82reload]

LeBron >> Durant.

In 342 more games, LeBron has the same PPG, a little more Rebounds Per Game, and way more Assists Per Game.

LeBron also played more minutes.

Through age 26(PER 36)

Durant 25.9/6.5/3.3 48.1/37.9/88.1 60.1 TS%
LeBron 24.8/6.4/6.2 47.9/32.9/74.4 56.6 TS%

Durant is clearly a superior scorer by a fair margin while LeBron is the better playmaker. Durant is also much better off the ball & must be guarded closely at all times which frees up his teammates for open shots/lanes.

Also going by raw stats, Durant had one of the GOAT seasons in 2014. 32.0/7.4/5.5 63.5 TS%

[J Shuttlesworth]

I actually suspect LeBron will probably retire top 5, and Durant will retire top 10, maybe even higher. When we look back, we might see them as the best #1 and #2 of all time, but it'd be hard to beat Magic/Bird, or even Shaq/Duncan.

[Joyner82reload]

I actually suspect LeBron will probably retire top 5, and Durant will retire top 10, maybe even higher. When we look back, we might see them as the best #1 and #2 of all time, but it'd be hard to beat Magic/Bird, or even Shaq/Duncan.

It's rather unfortunate that LeBron is beginning to decline now and the Thunder's injury problems. We very well could have seen LeBron-Durant in 4+ straight Finals otherwise.(2013 Westbrook, 2014 Ibaka, 2015 Durant/Ibaka)

[J Shuttlesworth]

It's rather unfortunate that LeBron is beginning to decline now and the Thunder's injury problems. We very well could have seen LeBron-Durant in 4+ straight Finals otherwise.(2013 Westbrook, 2014 Ibaka, 2015 Durant/Ibaka)
Durant to Cleveland imho :bowdown:

[KiiiiNG]

the gap between the second and third best player is MASSIVE.

there are arguments for westbrook, paul, griffin, harden, and davis.

but none of them are close to durant or lebron.

lebron for me is already ahead of magic/bird, i think he has a better peak and will retire with a better resume than both.

durant is only 27, and already is a 4 time scoring champ and an MVP. hes been regarded as the 2nd best or best player for the past 3 years.

all he needs is a few rings and another mvp and we're talking top 6-8 all time player.

so yeah, this is the best 1/2 duo we've ever seen.

[edrick]

Nah, every basketball fan is enjoying the current duel between Curry and Lebron. The two best players in the league. The two that are in the finals.

Curry... on Lebron and KD's level? :roll: :roll: :roll:


:biggums:

[J Shuttlesworth]

Curry... on Lebron and KD's level? :roll: :roll: :roll:


:biggums:
It's laughable. Put KD or LeBron on the Warriors and Curry on the depleted Cavs team and this series would have been over in 4

[Joyner82reload]

It's laughable. Put KD or LeBron on the Warriors and Curry on the depleted Cavs team and this series would have been over in 4

No, the Cavs would have lost in the 2nd round in 4

[J Shuttlesworth]

No, the Cavs would have lost in the 2nd round in 4
Ok sure, but the KD/Bron Warriors would sweep the Bulls :confusedshrug:

[Frozen1]

Kobe, Lebron and Wade from 2006 to 2011. A top 3 that humiliates today's top 2.

[warriorfan]

Finals MVP Alpha Male Curry
Baby Dick James








Beta Male Durant

[G0ATbe]

Kobe/Durant

[TheMan]

Jordan-Hakeem
Shaq-Duncan
...

But, on the real... 1988 season:

Jordan, prime already
Bird, last year of his prime
Magic, prime
Hakeem, 4th season
Barkley, already a beast
Malone, starting his prime

^Pick the best pair :lol
:applause:
Dude, you beat me to it

Also, a tier below you had Isiah Thomas, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing and Nique Wilkins doing their thing...1988 was stacked af :bowdown:

[PickernRoller]

Kobe and Duncan >>>>>>>>>>>>> Lebron/KD.

Fudge going borderline retard lately. Don't go there bro... not a nice place to be in.

[Mr. Jabbar]

I'd choose the pair who sums the most titles in a REAL competitive era:

Kobe and Duncan

[Prometheus]

Lettuce remember their entertaining one on one duel just last season. :applause:

EVERY basketball fan HAD to enjoy that. Probably the greatest one on one games in the past 10 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1dOhukFbhM

I remember that game like it was yesterday.

Neither guy had been in that situation before.

Durant thrived on the excitement and his game rose to the next level.

LeBron was uncomfortable with the personal challenge and failed to answer the bell.

:cheers:

[KG215]

Finals MVP Alpha Male Curry
Baby Dick James








Beta Male Durant
Yeah...no.

Curry was really good this year, but no GM or coach would take 2015 Curry over any of the last three versions (2012, 2013, 2014) of Durant. You can't take Durant out of games as easily as you can Curry. They both stretch and demand attention from defenses to the same extent. But at 6'10"-6'11" Durant can still find ways to get off cleaner looks on his jumpers. Durant is also a considerably better athlete than Curry and is a much better rim/paint attacker than Curry. Which also means he's a lot better at getting to the FT line.

Curry is a damn good player. He has a case for being the third best player in the league. But he's not on Durant's or LeBron's level.

[BlakFrankWhite]

Yeah...no.

Curry was really good this year, but no GM or coach would take 2015 Curry over any of the last three versions (2012, 2013, 2014) of Durant. You can't take Durant out of games as easily as you can Curry. They both stretch and demand attention from defenses to the same extent. But at 6'10"-6'11" Durant can still find ways to get off cleaner looks on his jumpers. Durant is also a considerably better athlete than Curry and is a much better rim/paint attacker than Curry. Which also means he's a lot better at getting to the FT line.

Curry is a damn good player. He has a case for being the third best player in the league. But he's not on Durant's or LeBron's level.



Why even bother arguing with that idiot?.....he's a troll.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

No. Absolutely not. LeBron and KD might just be the two greatest players in the history of the sport.

[BlakFrankWhite]

Its a pity tho..

Just as it felt KD had surpassed LeBron as the best player in the world....he broke his foot :facepalm

[tmacattack33]

MJ/Hakeem....MJ/Malone....Shaq/Duncan.....

[Fallen Angel]

Prime LeBron
Prime Harden
Prime Curry
Anthony Davis entering his prime
Prime Westbrook
Demarcus Cousins entering his prime
Prime CP3
Prime Griffin

[miles berg]

Not even close. Neither is even close to Magic or Bird all time. Jordan/Hakeem, Jordan/Shaq, Shaq/Duncan, All much better.

[JtotheIzzo]

What a 1-2 punch for the NBA. Silver partying at the very thought of this. The league is in good hands for the next 5 years. Future HOF'ers. Current top 10 ATG (LBJ), and future top 10 ATG (KD).

:applause:

Are we sure Durant is an 'alltimer'?

Bird/Magic
MJ/Magic
MJ/Barkley
MJ/Olajuwon
MJ/Shaq

[Kobe_6/8]

Prime LeBronwill win MVP & ring next season
Prime Hardenhasn't even won 1 MVP or ring.
Prime Currythis guy isn't alpha. he acts like a ****ing 5 year-old when his team fails on the court.
Anthony Davis entering his primehas potential to be the leagues best PF.
Prime WestbrookGOATbrook.
Demarcus Cousins entering his primeAbout as important as Bogut entering his prime. Whoop-de-doo.
Prime CP3He will never play in a NBA finals game.
Prime Griffin^

My predictions.

[Shih508]

Funny thing in this thread is only Kobe stans would said Kobe in their posts :lol :lol

They are just as insecure as Lebron once was. Every objective baseketball fan has MJ, Magic, Bird, Shaq or Duncan, Olajuwan. And these 6 are pretty much the 6 greatest players in modern era.

[DMAVS41]

Is this a joke?

So many...shit...so many in this era.

All the obvious ones listed, but I'd take 11 Wade/Dirk over Lebron and Durant. Would take Kobe/Dirk in 06 over them. Would take Duncan/Kobe in 06. Would take Duncan/Dirk in 06. Would take Duncan/Wade in 06. Would take Kobe/Wade in 06.

In one year I think I'd take like 6 combinations of players over the Lebron/Durant pairing.

[BlakFrankWhite]

Is this a joke?

So many...shit...so many in this era.

All the obvious ones listed, but I'd take 11 Wade/Dirk over Lebron and Durant. Would take Kobe/Dirk in 06 over them. Would take Duncan/Kobe in 06. Would take Duncan/Dirk in 06. Would take Duncan/Wade in 06. Would take Kobe/Wade in 06.


In one year I think I'd take like 6 combinations of players over the Lebron/Durant pairing.


Name me one season...where Dirk came close to Durant's historically great 2014 reg season

32/7/6 on a 50/38/89 shooting

[KiiiiNG]

Is this a joke?

So many...shit...so many in this era.

All the obvious ones listed, but I'd take 11 Wade/Dirk over Lebron and Durant. Would take Kobe/Dirk in 06 over them. Would take Duncan/Kobe in 06. Would take Duncan/Dirk in 06. Would take Duncan/Wade in 06. Would take Kobe/Wade in 06.

In one year I think I'd take like 6 combinations of players over the Lebron/Durant pairing.
lol @ kobe and dirk.

lebron is better than kobe ever was and durant is better than dirk ever was.

just stop it.

[JtotheIzzo]

durant is better than dirk ever was.

just stop it.


NO, :no: , no, no, no. Dirk put a team on his shoulders and won a Finals against a 3 all star 'super team' after being down 2-1.

Durant has NEVER been at the level Dirk was during those playoffs.

[KiiiiNG]

NO, :no: , no, no, no. Dirk put a team on his shoulders and won a Finals against a 3 all star 'super team' after being down 2-1.

Durant has NEVER been at the level Dirk was during those playoffs.
he didn't put anything on his shoulders, he played like shit in those finals.

he was carried by a great coach and great role players. they shut down lebron. he obviously had no part of that considering hes one of the worst defenders in league history.

[ArbitraryWater]

NO, :no: , no, no, no. Dirk put a team on his shoulders and won a Finals against a 3 all star 'super team' after being down 2-1.

Durant has NEVER been at the level Dirk was during those playoffs.

plus, Dirk was the same guy he was in 2011, in 2010 and 2009, verry underrated those years.

[DMAVS41]

Name me one season...where Dirk came close to Durant's historically great 2014 reg season

32/7/6 on a 50/38/89 shooting

I don't think Dirk was ever as good as Durant was in that regular season. Too bad Durant has never been as good as Dirk in the playoffs. Considering I care more about playoffs and I'd take peak Dirk over Durant in the playoffs....I'll go with Dirk over Durant until Durant does something to separate himself when the games matter the most...and he just hasn't done that yet.

2011 Wade was every bit as good as 14 Lebron...and I think 11 Dirk was better than 14 Durant.

So......:confusedshrug:

[KiiiiNG]

I don't think Dirk was ever as good as Durant was in that regular season. Too bad Durant has never been as good as Dirk in the playoffs. Considering I care more about playoffs and I'd take peak Dirk over Durant in the playoffs....I'll go with Dirk over Durant until Durant does something to separate himself when the games matter the most...and he just hasn't done that yet.

2011 Wade was every bit as good as 14 Lebron...and I think 11 Dirk was better than 14 Durant.

So......:confusedshrug:
sorry, it doesnt work like this

you said 06 kobe and dirk.... by 06 dirk was nothing but a loser

and if you count 1 playoff run as why you think someone is better then i guess wade > kobe because of his 06 title run

durant is a better scorer, playmaker, defender, leader, etc. and he will easily retire with a better resume. its not really all that close. so if you wanna play the hindsight game, then just wait 5 years when kd has like 6 scoring titles, 3 mvps, and multiple rings. then we can come back to this thread and say lebron and kd was the best 1/2 punch ever, because thats what ur doing with 06 kobe/dirk, and who knows if dirk was actually the second best in 06.

please, for once in your life, take your homer glasses off and see reality. you're not making any sense.

[choppermagic]

You can't beat Magic/Bird. Opposite personas, opposite coasts, fan bases, etc. Its was an awesome rivalry and their careers coincided with each other for the decade. Not to mention they played on 2 HOF teams. Multiple MVP, FMVP and championships between them.

[BlakFrankWhite]

Durant averaged 30/9/4 on a 48 FG% in thr PO'S and lost in a very close series.. to a historically great Spurs team.

Dirk had a easy route.....Kobe was exiting his prime....spurs choked....thunder stars were still youngsters

[DMAVS41]

sorry, it doesnt work like this

you said 06 kobe and dirk.... by 06 dirk was nothing but a loser

and if you count 1 playoff run as why you think someone is better then i guess wade > kobe because of his 06 title run

durant is a better scorer, playmaker, defender, leader, etc. and he will easily retire with a better resume. its not really all that close. so if you wanna play the hindsight game, then just wait 5 years when kd has like 6 scoring titles, 3 mvps, and multiple rings. then we can come back to this thread and say lebron and kd was the best 1/2 punch ever, because thats what ur doing with 06 kobe/dirk, and who knows if dirk was actually the second best in 06.

please, for once in your life, take your homer glasses off and see reality. you're not making any sense.

What? Dirk in 06 was a ****ing monster. He was an elite player and every bit as good as Durant.

In 06...Dirk beat the Spurs without homecourt with Avery Johnson as his coach with the Spurs at the near peak of their powers. With a 37/15 game 7 with the game saving play.

Durant hasn't done anything like that yet.

Homer glasses? I'd take Dirk over Durant so far in their careers....pretty easily as well. Durant hasn't won shit and has only made 1 finals despite playing with far more help and better teams than Dirk ever had.

I don't know if Dirk was 2nd best in 06...that doesn't even matter. The point is that all those combinations of guys were every bit as good or better than Lebron/Durant were.

Duncan
Kobe
Dirk
Wade

They were all...all time great in 06.

That is the problem with you clowns that weren't around back then. You think it's trolling to take Duncan/Dirk in 06 over Lebron/Durant in 14...and it just...isn't...like at all.

[BlakFrankWhite]

"Durant hasnt done anything like that"

His 36 / 11 @ Memphis. ..an elite defensive team...it was elimination game btw.

His 39/16....@Clippers....he was nearly making every shot in that game

[DMAVS41]

"Durant hasnt done anything like that"

His 36 / 11 @ Memphis. ..an elite defensive team...it was elimination game btw.

His 39/16....@Clippers....he was nearly making every shot in that game

Those two teams don't hold a ****ing candle to the 06 Spurs and Duncan...are you serious?

Durant was busy needing Reggie Jackson to bail his ass out repeatedly in the playoffs last year.

He had like two of the twenty worst wins in playoff history by a superstar in the playoffs last year. If Durant didn't have an ultra loaded squad...he would have been at home against the Grizzlies. Simple as that.

And I like Durant, but this reminds of that thread you idiots made last year deeming Durant better than Kobe ever was. Just absurd before we saw the playoffs....

[DMAVS41]

So lets try this as simply as possible.

Rank the playoff play in order from best to worst.

Durant 14
Dirk 11
Dirk 06

[KiiiiNG]

What? Dirk in 06 was a ****ing monster. He was an elite player and every bit as good as Durant.

In 06...Dirk beat the Spurs without homecourt with Avery Johnson as his coach with the Spurs at the near peak of their powers. With a 37/15 game 7 with the game saving play.

Durant hasn't done anything like that yet.

Homer glasses? I'd take Dirk over Durant so far in their careers....pretty easily as well. Durant hasn't won shit and has only made 1 finals despite playing with far more help and better teams than Dirk ever had.

I don't know if Dirk was 2nd best in 06...that doesn't even matter. The point is that all those combinations of guys were every bit as good or better than Lebron/Durant were.

Duncan
Kobe
Dirk
Wade

They were all...all time great in 06.

That is the problem with you clowns that weren't around back then. You think it's trolling to take Duncan/Dirk in 06 over Lebron/Durant in 14...and it just...isn't...like at all.
duncan is a different story, as he's 10x the player dirk is.

he thoroughly outplayed dirk on offense and defense in that 06 series. dirk choked in the finals that year.

dirk has never been anything more than a shooter/scorer specialist. if you think for one minute dirk could do anything close to what durant did in 2014, which was be the main scorer, ball handler, playmaker, leader while leading them to 60 wins with ibaka as the second option then you're crazy.

dirk simply was never the individual player that durant is.

and if you think dirk will retire with the better resume than durant then you're a ****ing idiot.

almost anybody can forecast that durant will wind up with more accolades, individual awards, rings, etc.

and durant beat the spurs in 2012, which was a better team than they were in 2006.

:dancin

[DMAVS41]

duncan is a different story, as he's 10x the player dirk is.

he thoroughly outplayed dirk on offense and defense in that 06 series. dirk choked in the finals that year.

dirk has never been anything more than a shooter/scorer specialist. if you think for one minute dirk could do anything close to what durant did in 2014, which was be the main scorer, ball handler, playmaker, leader while leading them to 60 wins with ibaka as the second option then you're crazy.

dirk simply was never the individual player that durant is.

and if you think dirk will retire with the better resume than durant then you're a ****ing idiot.

almost anybody can forecast that durant will wind up with more accolades, individual awards, rings, etc.

and durant beat the spurs in 2012, which was a better team than they were in 2006.

:dancin

12 Spurs were worse than the 06 Spurs...any team with peak/prime Duncan and prime Manu/Parker is going to be better than the cast in 12.

I like Durant...and think he absolutely has a great chance at going down as a better player than Dirk. He's certainly more athletic and talented.

But that doesn't change this.

14 Durant in the playoffs was simply not as good as Dirk in the 06 or 11 playoffs

And while 14 Durant had the better regular season out of those 3 years....Dirk was elite in both those regular season. He led the league in RAPM in 11 and got that roster to an absurd 57 wins despite them going 2-7 without him.

In 06...Dirk was a monster in the regular season and in the playoffs.

It's not that you are over-rating durant...it's that you clearly don't know or never saw just how good Dirk was back in 06.

[HOoopCityJones]

Kobe and Duncan

[FKAri]

duncan is a different story, as he's 10x the player dirk is.

he thoroughly outplayed dirk on offense and defense in that 06 series. dirk choked in the finals that year.

dirk has never been anything more than a shooter/scorer specialist. if you think for one minute dirk could do anything close to what durant did in 2014, which was be the main scorer, ball handler, playmaker, leader while leading them to 60 wins with ibaka as the second option then you're crazy.

dirk simply was never the individual player that durant is.

and if you think dirk will retire with the better resume than durant then you're a ****ing idiot.

almost anybody can forecast that durant will wind up with more accolades, individual awards, rings, etc.

and durant beat the spurs in 2012, which was a better team than they were in 2006.

:dancin

uhh.. Durant's already retired. Dude peaked in 2014. What leader? Dude's a jumpshooter. If he ever dares handle the ball against a good defender its a free turnover. Dirk's not much better the only difference is the dude could carry a team somewhere. Durant just chokes...not much else to say.

[KiiiiNG]

12 Spurs were worse than the 06 Spurs...any team with peak/prime Duncan and prime Manu/Parker is going to be better than the cast in 12.

I like Durant...and think he absolutely has a great chance at going down as a better player than Dirk. He's certainly more athletic and talented.

But that doesn't change this.

14 Durant in the playoffs was simply not as good as Dirk in the 06 or 11 playoffs

And while 14 Durant had the better regular season out of those 3 years....Dirk was elite in both those regular season. He led the league in RAPM in 11 and got that roster to an absurd 57 wins despite them going 2-7 without him.

In 06...Dirk was a monster in the regular season and in the playoffs.

It's not that you are over-rating durant...it's that you clearly don't know or never saw just how good Dirk was back in 06.
that wasnt durants best playoff run so why are you bringing it up?

if you wanna compare playoff runs then put up durants 2012 year.

we all know durant didnt have a great playoffs last year. he definitely didnt have fresh legs after carrying the thunder all ****ing year.

and when you look at the numbers and the teams he was facing, you realize it wasnt all that bad of a postseason, it just wasnt his best.

you're right about not seeing dirk play in 06 though. i was 5 at the time.

i look up the numbers and see he played worse than 2011 lebron..... yikes

22 ppg on 39% ....

yikes.

this is the you're arguing for dirk? :oldlol:

durant dropped 31ppg on 55% at age 23 against the 2012 heat, peak lebron, healthy wade, and all those fantastic defenders from that team.

2012 durant > 2006 dirk

[DMAVS41]

Like...

Dirk in the 06 playoffs....27/12/3 60% TS 26.8 PER while having an all time great pick and roll/pop game to free up teammates in a way Durant doesn't have yet. Durant doesn't have the post game either.

Dirk beats the ultra loaded and title favored Spurs in the 2nd round in a road game 7 with 37/15.

That just trumps what Durant did last year. Durant was a 30/9/4 57% TS 22.6 PER last year in the playoffs...and didn't have a series/game as impressive as Dirk's 06 Spurs series. If Dirk had the loaded squad Durant had with Reggie bailing him out in his two worst games...they'd have won the title.

[KiiiiNG]

uhh.. Durant's already retired. Dude peaked in 2014. What leader? Dude's a jumpshooter. If he ever dares handle the ball against a good defender its a free turnover. Dirk's not much better the only difference is the dude could carry a team somewhere. Durant just chokes...not much else to say.
dirk could carry a team somewhere...

why did it take so long for him to win then? 22ppg on 39% in his first finals.

obviously durant is off to a much better start than dirk in that regard. dirk was considered a choker his whole career until 2011, when ironically someone out choked him

[DMAVS41]

that wasnt durants best playoff run so why are you bringing it up?

if you wanna compare playoff runs then put up durants 2012 year.

we all know durant didnt have a great playoffs last year. he definitely didnt have fresh legs after carrying the thunder all ****ing year.

and when you look at the numbers and the teams he was facing, you realize it wasnt all that bad of a postseason, it just wasnt his best.

you're right about not seeing dirk play in 06 though. i was 5 at the time.

i look up the numbers and see he played worse than 2011 lebron..... yikes

22 ppg on 39% ....

yikes.

this is the you're arguing for dirk? :oldlol:

durant dropped 31ppg on 55% at age 23 against the 2012 heat, peak lebron, healthy wade, and all those fantastic defenders from that team.

2012 durant > 2006 dirk

I thought you guys were referencing 14 when Durant was at his best in the regular season. That was the first response to my post.

Yea...Durant was great for the most part in 12. But I don't think you know much about Dirk back in 06. They are absolutely comparable players here.

06 Spurs series vs 12 finals for Durant? Meh...I think Dirk was probably a bit better. Didn't really feel a huge impact from Durant...at least not as much as usually is talked about. Granted, Harden really hurt them in that series.

[DMAVS41]

dirk could carry a team somewhere...

why did it take so long for him to win then? 22ppg on 39% in his first finals.

obviously durant is off to a much better start than dirk in that regard. dirk was considered a choker his whole career until 2011, when ironically someone out choked him

but he wasn't a choker before 11....only stupid people thought that. he was one of the best playoff performers of all time and undefeated in game 7's, one of the best elimination game players ever, and one of the best late game players ever.

You give Dirk the kind of loaded rosters that Durant has had...and the results would be as good or better.

Dirk has a huge off ball impact and can play with a variety of teams in optimal ways....it what makes him so unique. Durant is similar in his uniqueness...he just does it in a different way.

[KiiiiNG]

I thought you guys were referencing 14 when Durant was at his best in the regular season. That was the first response to my post.

Yea...Durant was great for the most part in 12. But I don't think you know much about Dirk back in 06. They are absolutely comparable players here.

06 Spurs series vs 12 finals for Durant? Meh...I think Dirk was probably a bit better. Didn't really feel a huge impact from Durant...at least not as much as usually is talked about. Granted, Harden really hurt them in that series.
the thing is, durant is much better than he was in 2012.

but you're using a flawed argument and only counting the playoffs, instead of the season as a whole.

you nitpick two post season runs for dirk.... 1 in which he choked miserably in the finals and the other he didnt play all that well either... but they still won anyway because of someone elses huge choke

durant having a bad playoffs doesnt mean hes regressed as a player since 2012, which is what your argument implies.

you can have a less than stellar playoffs and still be a better player than someone.

durant is the better player and will retire with a better resume. but i guess in the meantime you can relish over the fact that in 06 dirk choked in the finals while durants had a terrible playoff run of 30/9/4 (terrible, right)

[SpecialQue]

Durant had ONE great season. Y'all need to stop exaggerating. He's like Andrew Bynum. One great season and now everyone's talking like he's elite.

[KiiiiNG]

but he wasn't a choker before 11....only stupid people thought that. he was one of the best playoff performers of all time and undefeated in game 7's, one of the best elimination game players ever, and one of the best late game players ever.

You give Dirk the kind of loaded rosters that Durant has had...and the results would be as good or better.

Dirk has a huge off ball impact and can play with a variety of teams in optimal ways....it what makes him so unique. Durant is similar in his uniqueness...he just does it in a different way.
what loaded rosters.

2013 was a loaded roster?

ibaka injured last year.

durant hasnt had a decent coach or a healthy enough team since 2012 to even really compare.

NO version of dirk could win with the 2013 or 2014 thunder. STOP TROLLING.

post me reggie jacksons numbers for the post season last year since he was so fantastic. not just 1 game.

only stupid people think the thunder have ever been stacked. they're completely reliant on durant and westbrook, and always have been

[plowking]

Durant had ONE great season. Y'all need to stop exaggerating. He's like Andrew Bynum. One great season and now everyone's talking like he's elite.

He has 5 All NBA first team selections. I'd say his number of great seasons is closer to 5 than it is 1.

[BlakFrankWhite]

to put it in very simple terms

2012 Playoffs KD > Any playoffs version of Dirk

2014 reg season KD >>>> any reg season version of Dirk

[DMAVS41]

the thing is, durant is much better than he was in 2012.

but you're using a flawed argument and only counting the playoffs, instead of the season as a whole.

you nitpick two post season runs for dirk.... 1 in which he choked miserably in the finals and the other he didnt play all that well either... but they still won anyway because of someone elses huge choke

durant having a bad playoffs doesnt mean hes regressed as a player since 2012, which is what your argument implies.

you can have a less than stellar playoffs and still be a better player than someone.

durant is the better player and will retire with a better resume. but i guess in the meantime you can relish over the fact that in 06 dirk choked in the finals while durants had a terrible playoff run of 30/9/4 (terrible, right)


that is why i used 14...then you brought up 12.

here is your problem...you don't realize just how good Dirk was in 06 and 11. that is your issue...i'm not basing it all of the playoffs.

In 06 Dirk was a monster...he led that team to 60 wins despite a ton of injuries to key players. I really just think you don't know what Dirk was like back then.

Howard missed 23 games
Marquis missed 20 games
Stack missed 27 games
Griffin missed 30 games
Harris missed 26 games

And they still won 60? LOL

I'm telling you...you just don't realize how good was back then...then he had a better playoffs than Durant had in 14.

:confusedshrug:

[DMAVS41]

to put it in very simple terms

2012 Playoffs KD > Any playoffs version of Dirk

2014 reg season KD >>>> any reg season version of Dirk

I disagree with this, but even if that were true...you have to do it all in one year. You can't mix and match years like that.

[DMAVS41]

what loaded rosters.

2013 was a loaded roster?

ibaka injured last year.

durant hasnt had a decent coach or a healthy enough team since 2012 to even really compare.

NO version of dirk could win with the 2013 or 2014 thunder. STOP TROLLING.

post me reggie jacksons numbers for the post season last year since he was so fantastic. not just 1 game.

only stupid people think the thunder have ever been stacked. they're completely reliant on durant and westbrook, and always have been


When you have Ibaka, WB, and Harden...you are stacked. Sorry.

No version of Durant could have won in 11 or beaten the Spurs in 06. STOP TROLLING...

[KiiiiNG]

to put it in very simple terms

2012 Playoffs KD > Any playoffs version of Dirk

2014 reg season KD >>>> any reg season version of Dirk
eye test says durant too.

:bowdown:

[SpecialQue]

He has 5 All NBA first team selections. I'd say his number of great seasons is closer to 5 than it is 1.

Fine, he had five. Still, fvck KD.

[BlakFrankWhite]

When you have Ibaka, WB, and Harden...you are stacked. Sorry.


Durant was 23.

Westbrook,Harden and Ibaka were 22.

Now please tell us how experience means nothing if you're stacked

[Fudge]

Fine, he had five. Still, fvck KD.
Kevin Durant.

[DMAVS41]

Durant was 23.

Westbrook,Harden and Ibaka were 22.

Now please tell us how experience means nothing if you're stacked

They already had loads of playoff experience. They fought the 10 Lakers well and hard. Made the WCF in 11 and lost to this guy named Dirk that shit all over them....:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Then made the finals in 12.

Playing the experience card here? Really weak argument.

[KiiiiNG]

When you have Ibaka, WB, and Harden...you are stacked. Sorry.
healthy for 1 year in 2012 and thats it. so durant has had 1 legit run in 2012 at age 23 and all of a sudden youre complaing because he hasnt won. :oldlol:

they dont have harden. ibaka got hurt last year.

so you think dirk at age 23 in place of durant in 2012 they win the title against the heat?

REALLY?

[KiiiiNG]

Durant was 23.

Westbrook,Harden and Ibaka were 22.

Now please tell us how experience means nothing if you're stacked
dirk choked his team out of a title in 06 and he was like 27. :roll:

why is lebron in 2011 considered the biggest choke when dirk in 2006 was much worse?

[BlakFrankWhite]

They already had loads of playoff experience. They fought the 10 Lakers well and hard. Made the WCF in 11 and lost to this guy named Dirk that shit all over them....:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Then made the finals in 12.

Playing the experience card here? Really weak argument.

Yes it matters.

Games 2,3,4 of the finals were very very close ....it wasn't that Heat were better than Thunder....it was just experience beating youth

[DMAVS41]

healthy for 1 year in 2012 and thats it. so durant has had 1 legit run in 2012 at age 23 and all of a sudden youre complaing because he hasnt won. :oldlol:

they dont have harden. ibaka got hurt last year.

so you think dirk at age 23 in place of durant in 2012 they win the title against the heat?

REALLY?

What does age have to do with anything?

We are evaluating them as players...you don't get extra points for being younger.

What? I never said that.

All I said was that I'd take 06 and 11 Dirk over 14 Durant. All the other stuff is you freaking out and shifting the subject now because you didn't realize just how good Dirk was back in 06 or 11.

People often think it was just about the playoffs, but it wasn't. Again...Dirk led the league in RAPM in 11 and then had an all time great playoff run...

And in 06...he was a monster. A monster that led his team with Terry as his 2nd best player and literally every other key player outside of Damp missing 20 to 30 games...

Sorry.

[DMAVS41]

dirk choked his team out of a title in 06 and he was like 27. :roll:

why is lebron in 2011 considered the biggest choke when dirk in 2006 was much worse?

Well...I've seen enough.

You are just a moron.

[DMAVS41]

Yes it matters.

Games 2,3,4 of the finals were very very close ....it wasn't that Heat were better than Thunder....it was just experience beating youth

So you are admitting that Durant's lack of experience makes him a worse player then?

I don't see how this is an argument for your side...you are pointing out a flaw in Durant....right?

[KiiiiNG]

dirk is actually a very bad finals performer.

his numbers in 2006 and 2011 aren't impressive at all.

and when you consider hes always been a bad defender, cant handle the ball, cant playmake, cant really do much else but score and get defensive rebounds...

you realize hes a limited player compared to durant, who can score from anywhere on the floor, be the primary playmaker for his team, defend at a high level, and close out games.

dirk in 06 choked worse than durant could ever dream of. durant will never score 22ppg on 39% in a series, NEVER.

maybe when he was 20 but at 27? thats ****ing pathetic

[KiiiiNG]

So you are admitting that Durant's lack of experience makes him a worse player then?

I don't see how this is an argument for your side...you are pointing out a flaw in Durant....right?
durant in 2015 has more experience than dirk did in 2006 you ****ing idiot.

:facepalm

which completely destroys your argument. 22 ppg on 39%.

[DMAVS41]

dirk is actually a very bad finals performer.

his numbers in 2006 and 2011 aren't impressive at all.

and when you consider hes always been a bad defender, cant handle the ball, cant playmake, cant really do much else but score and get defensive rebounds...

you realize hes a limited player compared to durant, who can score from anywhere on the floor, be the primary playmaker for his team, defend at a high level, and close out games.

dirk in 06 choked worse than durant could ever dream of. durant will never score 22ppg on 39% in a series, NEVER.

maybe when he was 20 but at 27? thats ****ing pathetic


Meh...you over-rate Durant's game. He gets pushed off his spots often and can get singled by smaller defenders. He doesn't have a great post game and he's not a great pick and roll player.

He also isn't a very good defender either. You talk about defense? Durant was roasted in the 12 finals on defense. With a 115 defensive rating. Dirk had a 100 drtg in the 06 finals.

Talk about no impact? ROFL...

[Ne 1]

What? Dirk in 06 was a ****ing monster. He was an elite player and every bit as good as Durant.



Anyone who watched basketball in '06 knows Dirk was amazing impact-wise that year. It seemed like every single time the game was close he would deliver. Plus his efficiency was great. He clearly was the more deserving traditional MVP over Nash, if you don't agree that Kobe was deserving because of his team's record.



I don't know if Dirk was 2nd best in 06


I think he actually has a case. I give Wade a slight edge over Dirk, but I'm hesitant about that because Dirk's regular season was better and his playoff run prior to the Finals was better.

[DMAVS41]

durant in 2015 has more experience than dirk did in 2006 you ****ing idiot.

:facepalm

which completely destroys your argument. 22 ppg on 39%.

What???????

You clowns just got done saying they lost because of a lack of experience. Well, you are pointing out a flaw in Durant then.

I never said the Mavs lost because a lack of experience you moron.

I'll say it again.

I'd take 06 and 11 Dirk over 14 Durant. Which is what this all started on. You didn't realize how good Dirk actually was back then in both the regular season and playoffs.

Hence my statement of taking Dirk/Duncan in 06 over Lebron/Durant in 14 is perfectly valid. Will I go nuts and say someone is trolling for taking Lebron/Durant? Nope.

[KG215]

Durant had ONE great season. Y'all need to stop exaggerating. He's like Andrew Bynum. One great season and now everyone's talking like he's elite.
Pretty much this. People need to slow down on the Durant hype train. Let's see Durant repeat his 2014 season before we start letting the hype get out of control.

[SpecialQue]

Pretty much this. People need to slow down on the Durant hype train. Let's see Durant repeat his 2014 season before we start letting the hype get out of control.

I still contend that most Durant stans here are Kobe stans jumping ship now that Kobe's done. As a Laker fan, all I can say is good riddance.

[GimmeThat]

my gut tells me that no one thought it would be the Hakeem's Rockets that won the championship, not once, but twice in a row during Jordan's absence.

[GimmeThat]

What???????

You clowns just got done saying they lost because of a lack of experience. Well, you are pointing out a flaw in Durant then.

I never said the Mavs lost because a lack of experience you moron.

I'll say it again.

I'd take 06 and 11 Dirk over 14 Durant. Which is what this all started on. You didn't realize how good Dirk actually was back then in both the regular season and playoffs.

Hence my statement of taking Dirk/Duncan in 06 over Lebron/Durant in 14 is perfectly valid. Will I go nuts and say someone is trolling for taking Lebron/Durant? Nope.


when you look up 82games.com simple rating and compare Durant's team. to the past.

While it certainly isn't a perfect measure of impact. It more so says about his lack of success due to the roster he is on, in comparison to someone like Dirk I suppose.

[DMAVS41]

when you look up 82games.com simple rating and compare Durant's team. to the past.

While it certainly isn't a perfect measure of impact. It more so says about his lack of success due to the roster he is on, in comparison to someone like Dirk I suppose.

I'm not blaming KD for losing, but he's had better teams than Dirk...certainly in 12.

The 12 team supporting cast for KD grades out as clearly better than the 06 Mavs and 11 Mavs.

I don't think the "help" argument here is in favor of KD.

The simple truth is always going to be away from extremes. Dirk at his best was absolutely on par with the player Durant has been from 11 through 14 or so.

And that is all I said. I said I'd take 06/11 Dirk over 14 Durant. Am I gonna go hard on someone saying Durant is better? Nope.

But I am gonna go hard when people act like it's trolling to do this.

[J Shuttlesworth]

DMAVS, you the homie, but I don't know about taking any version of Dirk over 14 Durant. If we're talking purely playoffs? Yeah, 11 Dirk was a freak of nature. He may not have been on the same statistical level, but his will to win was at a peak.

But I don't think Dirk has ever had a season as good as 2014 Durant, and what made it more impressive was Durant leading the team to the best record in the West before Westbrook came back.

[DMAVS41]

DMAVS, you the homie, but I don't know about taking any version of Dirk over 14 Durant. If we're talking purely playoffs? Yeah, 11 Dirk was a freak of nature. He may not have been on the same statistical level, but his will to win was at a peak.

But I don't think Dirk has ever had a season as good as 2014 Durant, and what made it more impressive was Durant leading the team to the best record in the West before Westbrook came back.

I already agree with this.

I already said Durant was better in the regular season in 14 than Dirk ever was. Said it in this thread...said it last year.

Have no problem with that...I like Durant a lot.

But the playoffs do actually really matter a lot...and Dirk in the regular season in 06 and 11 was elite. He led the league in RAPM in 11 and in 06 he got that time to 60 wins with pretty much every key player other than Terry/Damp missing 20 to 30 games.

Durant in 14 in the playoffs was clearly worse than Dirk was in 06 and 11...and I think Dirk in those regular seasons was elite.

[T_L_P]

DMAVS, you the homie, but I don't know about taking any version of Dirk over 14 Durant. If we're talking purely playoffs? Yeah, 11 Dirk was a freak of nature. He may not have been on the same statistical level, but his will to win was at a peak.

But I don't think Dirk has ever had a season as good as 2014 Durant, and what made it more impressive was Durant leading the team to the best record in the West before Westbrook came back.

06 Dirk*