Durant > LeBron As A Scorer?

[FireDavidKahn]

Jerry West liked
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@Statz_Central
LeBron James in playoffs since 2009:

29.2 PPG - 59.1% TS (193 Games)

Kevin Durant in playoffs since 2009:

29.1 PPG - 59.7% TS (139 Games)

:bowdown::bowdown:

[Axe]

Durant has; 4x scoring titles (2010-12, 2014)

Meanwhile, lebron has; 1x scoring title (2008)

So this is not surprising but we all know bran's still the current leader for total playoff points.

[StrongLurk]

KD is a better scorer than Lebron. Lebron is just underrated as a scorer.

I know the stats in the OP make them seem basically the same, but KD is the better one for sure.

I'll take Lebron over Kobe as a scorer though.

[Shogon]

KD is a better scorer than Lebron. Lebron is just underrated as a scorer.

I know the stats in the OP make them seem basically the same, but KD is the better one for sure.

I'll take Lebron over Kobe as a scorer though.

KD is definitely more versatile and definitely a better shooter but better scorer is up for debate given career averages.

[Walk on Water]

The reason KD is a better scorer is because he has the ball less to get the same amount of points. Even if you take passing out of the equation, I bet Lebron takes more time off the clock to score, on the average.

The reason Kobe is a better scorer than both is because when he scores, he's a killer. It hits you in the gut and affects the way you play. When KD scores, it doesn't demoralize the opposition the way Kobe's scoring does. When Lebron scores a layup, you just think okay good now I got the ball back.

These intangibles matter! When Kobe hits tough shots, it gives the other team less energy to score.

[Axe]

But Kobe's way more less efficient in taking shots compared to these two tho

[Bronbron23]

In general kd is the better scorer. In the nba though with the rules the way they are its pretty even. All you have to do is get a screen to get a bad defender to take advantage of. Lebron definitely takes advantage of that strategy more. With kd it dosnt matter. Theres nobody that can gaurd him anyway so he rarely calls for screens for the easier assignment because every assignment is easy to him.

That said its pretty close. Kd is only better by a slight margin.

[NBAGOAT]

durant's a better scorer but lebron hasnt shown his full level of ability during the RS since 2014. Also had some significant playoff issues in OKC. I think he's gotten better on his own, not just from joining gs but we'll have to see how he does in bkn the next few years

[tpols]

durant is probably a top 5 GOAT scorer.

he's an effortless scorer that can score in 2 seconds or less over and over.

[kawhileonard2]

It is like an even pick really.

[Im so nba'd out]

LeBron averages more ppg and shoots a higher % from the field...


He literally scores more and literally scores more effectively than him.Why even bother arguing when both things say its LeBron


The only reason you would say its KD is if you have a hidden agenda

[Gougou]

2017 Durant averaged 35 pts in the finals while his teammates are Curry/Thompson, he still put in most of the points, also in 2018 finals he averaged 28 pts, Curry 27, he was overall more efficient. As a scorer, KD is better.

[Phoenix]

KD would have alot more 2014 type scoring seasons if his team makeup and personnel dictated it. There were seasons when he led the Thunder in scoring where Russ was taking more shots, speaking not only to his efficiency but just the oddity of that kind of scenario. And on the Warriors he obviously never needed to drop more than like 26ppg with Steph dropping similar numbers and Klay dropping 22ppg as third option. But its obvious looking at his scoring package, volume, efficiency and consistency that in a different situation he'd probably be challenging MJ and Wilt for the PPG mark. It's like those two then a glut of 27ppg guys.

[KD7]

Numbers don't lie

LeBron is the GOAT scorer when you combine volume & efficiency

[Walk on Water]

Numbers don't lie

LeBron is the GOAT scorer when you combine volume & efficiency


Jordan averaged more points per game. In his Bulls years he averaged about 31.4 points. 10 scoring titles to Lebron's 1 scoring title. And Jordan more All NBA defense teams.

[Phoenix]

Numbers don't lie

LeBron is the GOAT scorer when you combine volume & efficiency

Lebron 27.0 61% career TS, 18.7 shots
Durant 27.1 59% career TS, 19.6 shots

I agree with that assessment.

[KD7]

Jordan averaged more points per game. In his Bulls years he averaged about 31.4 points. 10 scoring titles to Lebron's 1 scoring title. And Jordan more All NBA defense teams.
Efficiency?

[Axe]

Why are you noisy af right now, manny? Your main dup just got banned? :lol

Lmfao

[Bronbron23]

Efficiency?

Lebron isnt an efficient volume shooter. Hes very good at picking his spots throughout the game and letting the game come to him. With the ball in his hands as much as it is he still scores alot of points this way. When force to be a volume shooter though his efficiency drops. We saw this in 15 finals when he was forced to shoot 30 plus shots a game because kyrie and love were out. He had to force up shots which isnt in his comfort zone as he himself admitted that series.

Mj on the other hand is still very efficient as a volume shooter.

[KD7]

Lebron isnt an efficient volume shooter. Hes very good at picking his spots throughout the game and letting the game come to him. With the ball in his hands as much as it is he still scores alot of points this way. When force to be a volume shooter though his efficiency drops. We saw this in 15 finals when he was forced to shoot 30 plus shots a game because kyrie and love were out. He had to force up shots which isnt in his comfort zone as he himself admitted that series.

Mj on the other hand is still very efficient as a volume shooter.
LeBrons efficiency in the 2015 finals was due to him playing with absolutely zero spacing and being forced to basically do everything on the court as his second option was Matthew Dellavadova

In the 2018 playoffs LeBron averaged 34ppg off 62% True shooting

He also averaged 35 off 62% True shooting in the 09 playoffs

MJ never replicated the combined volume & efficiency of peak LeBron. He had the volume but fell short in efficiency

[Shooter]

Lebron isnt an efficient volume shooter. Hes very good at picking his spots throughout the game and letting the game come to him. With the ball in his hands as much as it is he still scores alot of points this way. When force to be a volume shooter though his efficiency drops. We saw this in 15 finals when he was forced to shoot 30 plus shots a game because kyrie and love were out. He had to force up shots which isnt in his comfort zone as he himself admitted that series.

Mj on the other hand is still very efficient as a volume shooter.

This guy forgot all about 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018 :lol

In 2018 alone LeBron crushed any myth you could imagine.

#1 all time PER for Finals playoff run (32.2)

Is literally as efficient as can be, while averaging what, 34 on 54% or something? Let me known when Fraudon ever did that.

NEXT

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Before joining GSW and getting the open looks he benefited on, Durant averaged 29 on 46%FG and 56%TS in the playoffs. For comparison sake, Lebron drops a career 29 on 49%FG and 58%TS in the playoffs.

Durant is definitely a better shooter and likely the better half-court scorer. Lebron is obviously the better finisher and better in transition. They're few and far between now but against physical defenses, I would probably take Lebron. Generally those teams are in the playoffs too.

[tpols]

Before joining GSW and getting the open looks he benefited on, Durant averaged 29 on 46%FG and 56%TS in the playoffs. For comparison sake, Lebron drops a career 29 on 49%FG and 58%TS in the playoffs.

Durant is definitely a better shooter and likely the better half-court scorer. Lebron is obviously the better finisher and better in transition. They're few and far between now but against physical defenses, I would probably take Lebron. Generally those teams are in the playoffs too.

also gotta consider durant playing in the west... every round he was seeing some juggernaut. mavs, warriors, spurs over and over... while lebron could coast and pad on cream puff teams out east.

[Lebron23]

also gotta consider durant playing in the west... every round he was seeing some juggernaut. mavs, warriors, spurs over and over... while lebron could coast and pad on cream puff teams out east.

Your boy kobe put up terrible efficiency against those cream puff teams in the NBA Finals.

[Roundball_Rock]

also gotta consider durant playing in the west... every round he was seeing some juggernaut. mavs, warriors, spurs over and over... while lebron could coast and pad on cream puff teams out east.

You do realize the tougher defenses tend to be out in the EC? That has been the case forever.

Glad to see you care about quality of defenses on Sunday. This is your third or fourth shift in a week or so. So back to not mattering bu Tuesday or will it be Wednesday?

[Roundball_Rock]

Your boy kobe put up terrible efficiency against those cream puff teams in the NBA Finals.

We can compare their conference finals opponents for a quick comparison of their opposing defenses. If they didn't make the conference finals, let's use their highest series that year.

2007: Pistons 7th
2008: Celtics 1st (ECSF)
2009: Magic 1st
2010: Celtics 5th (ECSF), Lakers 4th (1st round)
2011: Bulls 1st, Mavs 8th
2012: Celtics 1st, Spurs 10th
2013: Pacers 1st, Grizzlies 2nd (WCSF)
2014: Pacers 1st, Spurs 3rd
2015: Hawks 6th, N/A (OKC missed playoffs)
2016: Raptors 11th, Warriors 5th
2017: Celtics 13th, Spurs 1st (Kawhi played only 24 minutes, though)
2018: Celtics 1st, Rockets 6th
2019: N/A (LA missed PO), Blazers 16th

LeBron faces 7 #1 defenses, KD does it once and even there on paper only as their defensive anchor played only 24 minutes in the series. "Cream puff" defenses, doe. :lol

[KD7]

also gotta consider durant playing in the west... every round he was seeing some juggernaut. mavs, warriors, spurs over and over... while lebron could coast and pad on cream puff teams out east.
And none of those compare to the grueling defenses that LeBron had to go through in the East

06 & 07 Pistons
08-12 Celtics
11 & 12 Bulls
13 & 14 Pacers

[HylianNightmare]

Easily

[BigTicket]

If you only look at pure scoring ability, Durant is the 2nd best wing ever ahead of both Lebron and Kobe, but he is obviously not as good as them at other things.

[Roundball_Rock]

And none of those compare to the grueling defenses that LeBron had to go through in the East

06 & 07 Pistons
08-12 Celtics
11 & 12 Bulls
13 & 14 Pacers

Yeah, logically his playoff stats would increase in the West because: 1) he would face weaker defenses 2) his teams wouldn't go as far. The deeper you go in the playoffs, the stronger the quality of defenses as well as the defensive intensity (teams will play harder in the ECF than the 1st round in a 2/7 series). If some of those finals trips turn into 2nd round losses that would boost his stats.

In another thread I looked at a HOF player's scoring in the 1st round and then after that round in the only prime years he made it out the first round (five playoff runs). He averaged 26.0 in the 1st round but slipped to 21.6 PPG as the series, defenses got bigger after that. That's an example of how stats could be inflated by losing earlier. All "playoffs" isn't equal...

[BigShotBob]

And none of those compare to the grueling defenses that LeBron had to go through in the East

06 & 07 Pistons
08-12 Celtics
11 & 12 Bulls
13 & 14 Pacers

Old Pistons.

Old Celtics.

Joakim Noah and Luol Deng and Shabaaz Muhammoud and Carlos Boozer ??

Paul George and David West???

Durant would light them all up.

Also let's not forget the AMAZING brandon jennings, monta ellis bucks, or the INCOMPARABLE Al Jefferson Hornets, or the UNFORGETTABLE jayson tatum, jaylen brown Celtics

[Lebron23]

Old Pistons.

Old Celtics.

Joakim Noah and Luol Deng and Shabaaz Muhammoud and Carlos Boozer ??

Paul George and David West???

Durant would light them all up.

Also let's not forget the AMAZING brandon jennings, monta ellis bucks, or the INCOMPARABLE Al Jefferson Hornets, or the UNFORGETTABLE jayson tatum, jaylen brown Celtics

Still a much better defensive team than all of the opponents Prime Kobe faced in the playoffs.

[Lebron23]

We can compare their conference finals opponents for a quick comparison of their opposing defenses. If they didn't make the conference finals, let's use their highest series that year.

2007: Pistons 7th
2008: Celtics 1st (ECSF)
2009: Magic 1st
2010: Celtics 5th (ECSF), Lakers 4th (1st round)
2011: Bulls 1st, Mavs 8th
2012: Celtics 1st, Spurs 10th
2013: Pacers 1st, Grizzlies 2nd (WCSF)
2014: Pacers 1st, Spurs 3rd
2015: Hawks 6th, N/A (OKC missed playoffs)
2016: Raptors 11th, Warriors 5th
2017: Celtics 13th, Spurs 1st (Kawhi played only 24 minutes, though)
2018: Celtics 1st, Rockets 6th
2019: N/A (LA missed PO), Blazers 16th

LeBron faces 7 #1 defenses, KD does it once and even there on paper only as their defensive anchor played only 24 minutes in the series. "Cream puff" defenses, doe. :lol

Just ended the thread

[KD7]

Old Pistons.

Old Celtics.

Joakim Noah and Luol Deng and Shabaaz Muhammoud and Carlos Boozer ??

Paul George and David West???

Durant would light them all up.

Also let's not forget the AMAZING brandon jennings, monta ellis bucks, or the INCOMPARABLE Al Jefferson Hornets, or the UNFORGETTABLE jayson tatum, jaylen brown Celtics

Durant struggled against inferior defenses in the West. But he would light up the 08 Celtics who were arguably the greatest defensive team in NBA history, yh sure :rolleyes:

[TheCorporation]

We can compare their conference finals opponents for a quick comparison of their opposing defenses. If they didn't make the conference finals, let's use their highest series that year.

2007: Pistons 7th
2008: Celtics 1st (ECSF)
2009: Magic 1st
2010: Celtics 5th (ECSF), Lakers 4th (1st round)
2011: Bulls 1st, Mavs 8th
2012: Celtics 1st, Spurs 10th
2013: Pacers 1st, Grizzlies 2nd (WCSF)
2014: Pacers 1st, Spurs 3rd
2015: Hawks 6th, N/A (OKC missed playoffs)
2016: Raptors 11th, Warriors 5th
2017: Celtics 13th, Spurs 1st (Kawhi played only 24 minutes, though)
2018: Celtics 1st, Rockets 6th
2019: N/A (LA missed PO), Blazers 16th

LeBron faces 7 #1 defenses, KD does it once and even there on paper only as their defensive anchor played only 24 minutes in the series. "Cream puff" defenses, doe. :lol


https://i.postimg.cc/C1ByN2Jf/Lpllplplplpl.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/Pf6NQPdB/Playoff_Leaders_NBA_hx.jpg

[BigShotBob]

Durant struggled against inferior defenses in the West. But he would light up the 08 Celtics who were arguably the greatest defensive team in NBA history, yh sure :rolleyes:

I'm sure Paul Pierce and Ray Allen would hold KD back :roll:


Still a much better defensive team than all of the opponents Prime Kobe faced in the playoffs.

Stop it.

[BigShotBob]

https://i.postimg.cc/C1ByN2Jf/Lpllplplplpl.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/Pf6NQPdB/Playoff_Leaders_NBA_hx.jpg

Lebron had a super team when KD was on a team with only one reliable shooter, himself.

KD turned the tables on him.

[TheCorporation]

Lebron had a super team when KD was on a team with only one reliable shooter, himself.

KD turned the tables on him.

KD with Russell pouring out 27-11-7-4 as a #2 option, along with Adams and Ibaka was not a "super team" or when he had Harden it was not a super team? :lol Get the **** out of here low IQ boi

[TheCorporation]

Durant struggled against inferior defenses in the West. But he would light up the 08 Celtics who were arguably the greatest defensive team in NBA history, yh sure :rolleyes:
Yep, Let's not forget pre Warriors KD was a bit of a choke artist. Only made 1 Finals in 2012 and got waxed by Daddy Bron Bron. Then he had an epic fail in 2014, and then another epic fail in 2016.

[KD7]

I'm sure Paul Pierce and Ray Allen would hold KD back :roll:



Stop it.
You forget those Celtics had Tony Allen who has repeatedly shut down Durant in the playoffs

The same Tony Allen who shut down peak Kobe in the finals, he would give Durant fits :oldlol:


https://youtu.be/4BQTLtMYoo8

[tpols]

There's no argument for the 2010's east over the 2010's west. It's a landslide. Of course we know Lebron had better productions against weak pacers or hawks than he did against san antonio or dallas despite the former having higher defensive ranks. When the other team is actually good offensively you have to work harder on defense which takes energy away from your offense.

[Lion's pride]

I don't need to see a single stat when comparing scoring careers.. I personally believe KD is a top 4 scorer in NBA history on ABILITY

the top 4 scorers ever in seniority order. Wilt, KAJ, Jordan, KD..

[Axe]

And none of those compare to the grueling defenses that LeBron had to go through in the East

06 & 07 Pistons
08-12 Celtics
11 & 12 Bulls
13 & 14 Pacers
You're dumb, kid. The heat didn't even face the bulls in the 2012 playoffs.

[dreamshake]

Durant and it’s not close.

Source: I have eyes.

[Roundball_Rock]

Just ended the thread

:hammertime:

[Axe]

Just ended the thread
It was made by your fellow bran stan tho

[light]

Durant and it’s not close.

Source: I have eyes.

Your eyes have never seen Kevin Durant score 55 points, let alone 60.

Indeed, KD has only scored 50 points or more 6 times in his entire career and never more than 54. And he's supposed to be a score first guy?

LeBron has four 55+ point games and they say he's a "pass first" guy.

Just saying.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kzmCjUSmWVM/hqdefault.jpg

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

also gotta consider durant playing in the west... every round he was seeing some juggernaut. mavs, warriors, spurs over and over... while lebron could coast and pad on cream puff teams out east.

Playing with Westbrook and against worse defenses overall.

Seen you claim that a good offense makes players work harder. No doubt. But better defenses hold teams and players in check. Not ALWAYS but they're ranked best for a reason. Again, those teams are generally in the eastern conference.

When teammates are a wash, Lebron plays better against contact. And physical defenders. :confusedshrug:

[BigShotBob]

Your eyes have never seen Kevin Durant score 55 points, let alone 60.

Indeed, KD has only scored 50 points or more 6 times in his entire career and never more than 54. And he's supposed to be a score first guy?

LeBron has four 55+ point games and they say he's a "pass first" guy.

Just saying.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kzmCjUSmWVM/hqdefault.jpg

No.

[72-10]

Generally speaking, LeBron is more aggressive at attacking the paint and better at seizing upon easy and efficient scoring opportunities (this includes drawing fouls at an alarming rate), and LeBron has the more versatile offensive game and at involving teammates on offense, but KD is the better shooter, KD has the wider array of ways to score the basketball, KD is better at creating his own offense without his teammates' help, KD can take over a game and shoulder the scoring load better, KD is better at scoring in difficult scoring situations like, oh I don't know, over multiple defenders and generally speaking is more difficult to defend against.

[Replay32]

Lebron is definitely an underrated scorer. Just look at the numbers. They don't lie. Lebron is one of the greatest scorers in NBA History. Regular season and Playoffs. Deal with it. Durant is a more versatile scorer. Definitely a better shooter. That doesn't make him better. KD has never even scored 60 points in his career. Harden is arguably a better scorer than KD. We don't know if KD has the stamina and durability plays a role in all this too.

[dbugz]

KD > Libron

Not even close

[Uncle Drew]

I don't need to see a single stat when comparing scoring careers.. I personally believe KD is a top 4 scorer in NBA history on ABILITY

the top 4 scorers ever in seniority order. Wilt, KAJ, Jordan, KD..

Ability, sure. Durant was gifted with tools that could make him the greatest to ever play. An above average, seven foot guard with Curry like shooting touch and mechanics. Yet, he's not been able to crack the top 15, perhaps 20, due to being a gigantic mental midget who crumbles at the slightest form of pressure. Hence having to be carried by the greatest team of all time and always coming up short when he had to be top dog. Durant hasn't been better than LeBron at the one thing he's known for, lol.

[Lion's pride]

Ability, sure. Durant was gifted with tools that could make him the greatest to ever play. An above average, seven foot guard with Curry like shooting touch and mechanics. Yet, he's not been able to crack the top 15, perhaps 20, due to being a gigantic mental midget who crumbles at the slightest form of pressure. Hence having to be carried by the greatest team of all time and always coming up short when he had to be top dog. Durant hasn't been better than LeBron at the one thing he's known for, lol.

he is a bit of a "mental midget" for sure.. but that is apples to oranges IMO. Scoring ability vs mental toughness are 2 separate things..

[Bronbron23]

This guy forgot all about 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018 :lol

In 2018 alone LeBron crushed any myth you could imagine.

#1 all time PER for Finals playoff run (32.2)

Is literally as efficient as can be, while averaging what, 34 on 54% or something? Let me known when Fraudon ever did that.

NEXT

Volume shooting dumbass. I didnt say hes not a great scorer. Hes one of the best. 15 finals was the only one where he shot more than 30 shots a game. This is something mj did pretty regularly with great efficiency. Lebron rarely does. Hes better at letting the game come to him like In the other finals you mentioned. In those finals he shot much less.

I didnt forgot about anything. You just dont know what the f*ck your talking about :facepalm

[Bronbron23]

LeBrons efficiency in the 2015 finals was due to him playing with absolutely zero spacing and being forced to basically do everything on the court as his second option was Matthew Dellavadova

In the 2018 playoffs LeBron averaged 34ppg off 62% True shooting

He also averaged 35 off 62% True shooting in the 09 playoffs

MJ never replicated the combined volume & efficiency of peak LeBron. He had the volume but fell short in efficiency

Well you said it best. Zero spacing which is actually pretty similar to how the game was played in the 90's so theres really no excuse. Go back and watch that series. Warriors didnt do anything special. They basically let iggy gaurd him straight up and everyone else was ready to help if he got beat. And all iggy did defensively for the most part was play 5 feet off and dare him to shoot the j. This isnt arguable its on video dude.

And 2018 or any other year is irrelevant because i was talking specifically volume shooting like mj. So 30 plus shots a game type shit. In ever other finals, he was in the mid low 20's in attempts. Thats letting the game come to you which hes great at as i already stated in my initial comment.

[Uncle Drew]

he is a bit of a "mental midget" for sure.. but that is apples to oranges IMO. Scoring ability vs mental toughness are 2 separate things..

One affects the other, does it not?

[CTbasketball92]

:bowdown::bowdown:


Yeah this is interesting. I would say to cut off KD's after 2016 because that was the last year he was on a team that wasn't historically stacked in his favor.

Steph was catching the double teams while KD faced single coverage. His efficiency naturally skyrocketed to ridiculous levels once he left OKC and joined a 73-win team.

LeBron scored on elite efficiency on essentially no matter what team he was on his whole playoff career. He put up KD numbers in the playoffs his last three years in the Cavs, his best one being in 2018. LeBron is the second or third greatest scorer ever in terms of volume and efficiency and overall resiliency. KD would be outside of my top five.

[Bronbron23]

Yeah this is interesting. I would say to cut off KD's after 2016 because that was the last year he was on a team that wasn't historically stacked in his favor.

Steph was catching the double teams while KD faced single coverage. His efficiency naturally skyrocketed to ridiculous levels once he left OKC and joined a 73-win team.

LeBron scored on elite efficiency on essentially no matter what team he was on his whole playoff career. He put up KD numbers in the playoffs his last three years in the Cavs, his best one being in 2018. LeBron is the second or third greatest scorer ever in terms of volume and efficiency and overall resiliency. KD would be outside of my top five.

well lebron dosnt face doubles either and hes been on stacked teams. Theyve also been in 2 totally different roles. Kd has essentially been a shooting gaurd his whole career. He dosnt have the ball in his hands alot and when he does its intended for him to look to score. Lebron on the other hand has essentially been a point gaurd. In the systems he plays in hes intended to play make, wether its for him or others. Because lebron is in this position and has the ball alot more its easier for him to take his shots as they present itself. This allows for better efficiency. Lebron himself has spoke on this

[Lion's pride]

One affects the other, does it not?\

not in this case... KD is/was a great scorer who took the mentally weak way out to join GS.. I would call him a punk azz P#ssy for that, but still a great scorer..