How good is Kevin Durant in an all time context?

[iamgine]

For 1 game only, given average level supporting cast:

1. How many players all time would you DEFINITELY take over him?

2. How many players all time would you MAYBE take over him?

3. Would you answer change if it's not 1 game, but a 7 game series?

[nayte]

Half an inch footstep from probably winning a ring this year. That would have changed so many narratives.
And yep I think he would have beaten phoenix with a half injured harden and no kyrie

[HylianNightmare]

Half an inch footstep from probably winning a ring this year. That would have changed so many narratives.
And yep I think he would have beaten phoenix with a half injured harden and no kyrie

Agreed. Glad giannis got it but man that would've boosted KDs legacy so much

[nayte]

Yeah none of that takes away from Giannis's finals. That was amazing but Basketball is a fickle game I guess.lol but the boost k.d would have gotten would have changed alot of the stuff talked about him

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Definitely take over him: Jordan Kawhi Giannis

Maybe take over him: Bird, Kobe, Shaq Lebron, Hakeem

[nayte]

Wait what. You would take him over kwahi?
And nevermind the rest but kobe over Jordan ..

[pandiani17]

I would rank him in the Top 15-20 of all-time players, which is very, very good.

[FireDavidKahn]

The the game 7 overtime blunder was historic. What was it? 0-6 with an airball last shot?

That's one for the history books. Even Harden would be jealous at that choke job

[StrongLurk]

He's in the same tier of player as Larry Bird. Obviously Bird was a better passer and slightly better rebounder, but Durant is a much better scorer.

People underrate Durant because he's compared to Lebron too much.

[pandiani17]

[QUOTE=StrongLurk;14422726]He's in the same tier of player as Larry Bird. Obviously Bird was a better passer and slightly better rebounder, but Durant is a much better scorer.

People underrate Durant because he's compared to Lebron too much.[/QUOTE

Only in your mind, my friend.:oldlol:
Bird got 3 MVPs and 3 rings as the man in Boston. What's KD's resume again?

[StrongLurk]

[QUOTE=StrongLurk;14422726]He's in the same tier of player as Larry Bird. Obviously Bird was a better passer and slightly better rebounder, but Durant is a much better scorer.

People underrate Durant because he's compared to Lebron too much.[/QUOTE

Only in your mind, my friend.:oldlol:
Bird got 3 MVPs and 3 rings as the man in Boston. What's KD's resume again?

Really? Is this your only argument?

How about watching the games and looking at their production. KD and Bird's playoff primes are basically the same as far as raw production and advanced stats. KD has played three finals all against Lebron (a top 3 player of all time) and KD has been RIGHT THERE with Lebron as for as production, eye test, and winning/being clutch as the best player on championship teams.

[Wally450]

MJ, LeBron, Bird, Shaq, Duncan...

Actaully pretty much anyone in the top 10.

I'd also take Curry over Durant in a G7.

[SouBeachTalents]

In this scenario of an average level supporting cast

Definitely take over him
Jordan
LeBron
Kareem
Shaq
Duncan
Magic
Bird
Hakeem

Maybe take over him
Kobe
Dr. J
Curry
Wade
Kawhi

I'm not bothering including players from the pre merger/3 point era to compare to someone who plays in 2021. All in all, Durant is a top 15ish talent of all time imo

[Shogon]

For 1 game only, given average level supporting cast:

1. How many players all time would you DEFINITELY take over him?

2. How many players all time would you MAYBE take over him?

3. Would you answer change if it's not 1 game, but a 7 game series?


1 game only? Average level supporting cast?

There are at least 15 players I would take over him.

7 game series there are probably even more I would take over him, if he has an average supporting cast.

If we're talking about a 1 on 1 contest or something, his name jumps way up on the list probably to top 5, maybe higher. But the NBA isn't a 1 on 1 contest. Never has been, never will be.

[dankok8]

1. How many players all time would you DEFINITELY take over him?

Jordan
Russell
Kareem
Lebron
Magic
Bird
Shaq
Hakeem
Duncan
Wilt
Kobe

These 11 guys above I wouldn't hesitate. So KD's ceiling for me #12 all time. The reason I couldn't put him over any of them is all of these players won multiple (2+) rings as the best players on their teams whereas KD won 2 rings but with a copilot in Curry while joining an already elite system. Could he do it? Probably but he didn't prove it even once.

2. How many players all time would you MAYBE take over him?

Curry
West
Moses
Garnett

With more longevity he can probably pass these guys. Either way his floor is around #16 all time.

3. Would you answer change if it's not 1 game, but a 7 game series?

Aren't your first two questions about all-time ranking?

Anyways if it's just a series then we're talking more about who would you want in their peak. It would be basically the same rankings although I would add Wade in the maybe category.

[pandiani17]

[QUOTE=pandiani17;14422734]

Really? Is this your only argument?

How about watching the games and looking at their production. KD and Bird's playoff primes are basically the same as far as raw production and advanced stats. KD has played three finals all against Lebron (a top 3 player of all time) and KD has been RIGHT THERE with Lebron as for as production, eye test, and winning/being clutch as the best player on championship teams.

It's known that this era's stats are inflated, and KD got his rings by joining an already-championship team. Not the same.

[Phoenix]

Some of these are era-specific considerations, but in a league that wasn't designed specifically to favor the perimeter player I'd take 89-93 Barkley over KD as well. Dude was 25/12/4 on 56% in a peak era for bigs.

[MrFonzworth]

1 game only? Average level supporting cast?

There are at least 15 players I would take over him.

7 game series there are probably even more I would take over him, if he has an average supporting cast.

If we're talking about a 1 on 1 contest or something, his name jumps way up on the list probably to top 5, maybe higher. But the NBA isn't a 1 on 1 contest. Never has been, never will be.
Pointless autistic ramble

[SATAN]

The the game 7 overtime blunder was historic. What was it? 0-6 with an airball last shot?

That's one for the history books. Even Harden would be jealous at that choke job

This. People need to stop sucking him off.

[ClipperRevival]

One of the baddest men to ever walk on a court.

But at the same time, a guy who is 7'0" and weighs about 230 lbs. So a guy you can push off his spot and affect his game. People who never played in the legit hand check/physical era will never understand what I'm saying but it's a legit factor. Bball is a physical game and KD played in the most Charmin Soft era ever.

He would still get his in any era. But if you can rough him up, he's going to be affected.

[StrongLurk]

[QUOTE=StrongLurk;14422737]

It's known that this era's stats are inflated, and KD got his rings by joining an already-championship team. Not the same.

KD's stats were already elite a decade ago, plus the pace in the 80's was really fast.

KD/Bird's prime playoff advanced stats and PER 100 Possessions stats are extremely close. Basically Durant is a much better scorer while Bird is a better passer and slightly better rebounder.

Also KD held his own against Lebron (top 3 player of all time) in three finals appearances.

[warriorfan]

1 game only? Average level supporting cast?

There are at least 15 players I would take over him.

7 game series there are probably even more I would take over him, if he has an average supporting cast.

If we're talking about a 1 on 1 contest or something, his name jumps way up on the list probably to top 5, maybe higher. But the NBA isn't a 1 on 1 contest. Never has been, never will be.

I have no problem with people calling KD the most talented basketball player in the game. It’s probably true. There isn’t anyone as gifted as him. However when people talk about how good he is, it’s almost always in the framework of a one on one type scenario…where obviously the game of basketball doesn’t work like that.

And we have all seen this before but I’m just going to leave it here.


As The Score recently detailed, courtesy of FS1’s Nick Wright, the Warriors are 32-4 when Curry plays and Durant doesn’t. But on the other hand, the team has posted a 28-18 mark with Curry out of the lineup and Durant in – two records which equate to very different adjusted win totals.

[kawhileonard2]

Definitely take over him
Jordan
Russell
Kawhi
Kareem
Shaq
Duncan
Magic
Bird
Hakeem

Maybe take over him
Kobe
Dr. J
Curry
Wade
Malone
Barkley

[FultzNationRISE]

As others have said, he gets overrated by the media and the “iso is everything crowd” because his game is aesthetic.

Not that he isnt a great player, obviously he is, but he’s too weak mentally to compare favorably with most of the absolute all-time greats IMO.

[Phoenix]

I have no problem with people calling KD the most talented basketball player in the game. It’s probably true. There isn’t anyone as gifted as him. However when people talk about how good he is, it’s almost always in the framework of a one on one type scenario…where obviously the game of basketball doesn’t work like that.

And we have all seen this before but I’m just going to leave it here.

Curry was always the heart and soul of that team, even after Durant got there. Durant off the floor left the team that had won a chip and 73 games. Curry off the floor, as the offensive engine, meant everyone else wasn't as optimised, the offense was far more predictable( reliant on Durant's iso skills) and it showed in the records.

[imdaman99]

I hate how the narrative has changed on KD now that he's no longer on the Warriors. F this guy and f all his fans as well. He's special and gifted but an all time btch. Deal with it.

[HoopsNY]

1. How many players all time would you DEFINITELY take over him?

Jordan
Russell
Kareem
Lebron
Magic
Bird
Shaq
Hakeem
Duncan
Wilt
Kobe

These 11 guys above I wouldn't hesitate. So KD's ceiling for me #12 all time. The reason I couldn't put him over any of them is all of these players won multiple (2+) rings as the best players on their teams whereas KD won 2 rings but with a copilot in Curry while joining an already elite system. Could he do it? Probably but he didn't prove it even once.

2. How many players all time would you MAYBE take over him?

Curry
West
Moses
Garnett

With more longevity he can probably pass these guys. Either way his floor is around #16 all time.

3. Would you answer change if it's not 1 game, but a 7 game series?

Aren't your first two questions about all-time ranking?

Anyways if it's just a series then we're talking more about who would you want in their peak. It would be basically the same rankings although I would add Wade in the maybe category.

I'm surprised that you might take Curry and KG over KD. What's the logic behind that?

[DoctorP]

Durants got to be top 25 maybe

[2swift4u]

To me Durant (despite 2 titels) has been somewhat of an underachiever so far. Being 7' with the shooting skills and agility of a guard and facing defenders who are usually way smaller than him he should be completely destroying opposing teams which he hardly ever does. This guy has all the tools you need but is still lacking something...

[Shogon]

I have no problem with people calling KD the most talented basketball player in the game. It’s probably true. There isn’t anyone as gifted as him. However when people talk about how good he is, it’s almost always in the framework of a one on one type scenario…where obviously the game of basketball doesn’t work like that.

And we have all seen this before but I’m just going to leave it here.

Yeah I mean all you have to really do is watch the games and know that Curry's gravity and setting teammates up in multiple ways is just quite different from KD's. Then you take into account that Curry consistently moves all over the floor and can wear perimeter defenders down like few others, it's clear to see that he's a better NBA player. But Durant would smoke him on a 1 on 1 contest, no doubt about that.

The thing is though, a rather substantial amount of viewers only see ISO scoring. This has always been true and will always remain true, which is the whole reason I brought up 1 on 1 contests. A LOT of fans view the NBA that way.

Steph Curry has been the best player in the league for about 4 or 5 years now... He sacrificed individual glory and stats for winning by recruiting KD. I still think that team was bitch made but it's obvious Curry took a back seat and sacrificed individual glory for winning. There have been moments in time where other players have surpassed him and he hasn't had an iron grip on it during that time frame but overall he has been the best for like 4 or 5 years.

I think Curry is a lead by example type of guy just like Kawhi and KD, etc... so that leads something to be desired. But between the lines? No other player impacts the game like him right now imo.

Also, his defense is criminally underrated. Not saying he deserves DPOY or any all defense teams but he is very underrated on that side of the ball. He is not a liability. It all stems from the Kyrie shot. There are maybe 1 or 2 guys if that whom Kyrie doesn't get that shot off over. Indeed, Kyrie dropped a game winner in Klay's face in the closing moments a mere 6 months later.

[Axe]

To me Durant (despite 2 titels) has been somewhat of an underachiever so far. Being 7' with the shooting skills and agility of a guard and facing defenders who are usually way smaller than him he should be completely destroying opposing teams which he hardly ever does. This guy has all the tools you need but is still lacking something...
You mean untapped potential, perhaps?

[Manny98]

1. Players that I would definitely take over KD?

LeBron
MJ

Players that I might take over KD

Curry
Kobe
Hakeem
Duncan
Bird
Magic
Kareem
Shaq

[Manny98]

I hate how the narrative has changed on KD now that he's no longer on the Warriors. F this guy and f all his fans as well. He's special and gifted but an all time btch. Deal with it.
Cringe

LeBron did it first never forget