Kevin Garnett or Anthony Davis?

[LegendaryBaller]

At this point, their careers are becoming very comparable. Both are roughly the same size and similar type of players. AD as an evolutionary version.

KG:

Reg - 18 ppg, 10 rpg, 4 apg, 1 bpg
Playoff - 18 ppg, 11 rpg, 3 apg, 1 bpg

AD:

Reg - 24 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 apg, 2 bpg
Playoff - 29 ppg, 11 rpg, 3 apg, 2 bpg

Both were arguably the best player on championship teams KG (2008) and AD (2020) who unfortunately didn’t win Finals MVP, when their superstar SF did.

AD is on the exact same level defensively as KG, maybe even slightly better, but undoubtedly a vastly superior offensive player than even KG was.

So who do you think is better and will go down as the greater player all time?

[Im Still Ballin]

Not the best comparison for years, given Garnett was 5 years older.

Garnett at 26 (2002-2003 season)

Regular Season:

23 Points per game
13.4 Rebounds per game
6 Assists per game
1.4 Steals per game
1.6 Blocks per game

55.3 TS%

Playoffs (6 games):

27 points per game
15.7 rebounds per game
5.2 assists per game
1.7 steals per game
1.7 blocks per game

53.9 TS%

[Im Still Ballin]

Davis at 26 (2019-2020 season)

Regular Season:

26.1 Points per game
9.3 Rebounds per game
3.2 Assists per game
1.5 Steals per game
2.3 Blocks per game

61 TS%

Playoffs (21 games):

27.7 points per game
9.7 rebounds per game
3.5 assists per game
1.2 steals per game
1.4 blocks per game

66.5 TS%

[light]

At this point, their careers are becoming very comparable. Both are roughly the same size and similar type of players. AD as an evolutionary version.

KG:

Reg - 18 ppg, 10 rpg, 4 apg, 1 bpg
Playoff - 18 ppg, 11 rpg, 3 apg, 1 bpg

AD:

Reg - 24 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 apg, 2 bpg
Playoff - 29 ppg, 11 rpg, 3 apg, 2 bpg

Both were arguably the best player on championship teams KG (2008) and AD (2020) who unfortunately didn’t win Finals MVP, when their superstar SF did.

AD is on the exact same level defensively as KG, maybe even slightly better, but undoubtedly a vastly superior offensive player than even KG was.

So who do you think is better and will go down as the greater player all time?

KG has an MVP and a DPOY. AD will have to win an MVP to rank with KG. The DPOY award is not as important.

[Im Still Ballin]

Garnett in his first 8 years (1995-2003)

19.4 points per game
10.4 rebounds per game
4.3 assists per game
1.4 steals per game
1.7 blocks per game

53.3 TS%

Davis in his first 8 years (2012-2020)

24 points per game
10.4 rebounds per game
2.2 assists per game
1.4 steals per game
2.4 blocks per game

58.8 TS%

[FireDavidKahn]

Peak KG >>>>>> AD

People often forget that Garnett is one of the GOAT defenders

[Im Still Ballin]

Garnett in his first 8 years (1995-2003)

19.4 points per game
10.4 rebounds per game
4.3 assists per game
1.4 steals per game
1.7 blocks per game

53.3 TS%

Davis in his first 8 years (2012-2020)

24 points per game
10.4 rebounds per game
2.2 assists per game
1.4 steals per game
2.4 blocks per game

58.8 TS%

My take:

Garnett's scoring efficiency was clearly hampered by the era that was the late 90's/early 2000's. From 2005-2011 he had a 57.1 TS%. He clearly benefitted from playing with other great players in Boston, but his 2005-2006 season, still in Minnesota, had the highest percentage.

Regardless, AD is still a better, more skilled, more efficient scorer.

Defensively, it's easy to say Garnett, but we must remember those Timberwolves teams were offensive squads. They were routinely top 5 offensively, while middle-of-the-pack defensively. The one season they had a top 6 defense, they won 58 games and went to the WCF (2004.)

Garnett was a great defender, but so is Anthony Davis. I'll give KG a slight nod here.

Honestly... When it comes right down to it, it's a wash for me. 50-50.

[Xiao Yao You]

KG

[PP34Deuce]

They really are nothing alike. Garnett was a much better passer

[Gougou]

KG was an elite defender, a better passer, more durable, while AD has better scoring, space the floor ability.

Actually AD defensive is quite close to KG, he was second to Giannis in this year DPOY, many people believe AD should win the DPOY award.

I still think prime KG is better, he was one of a kind. His rebounding, passing was sooo much better.

[ralph_i_el]

KG was a more versatile defender and a much better ball handler/playmaker.

[Axe]

Ad is yet to lead a 60-win team

[iamgine]

I think KG is still viewed as one tier above AD

[Hakkim90cc]

AD is a better scorer and I feel like their defense is close enough to give the edge to AD.

Davis' offensive skillset is on another level.