Kevin Durant is one scoring title away from being in the
elite company of three of the NBA’s greatest players of all time: Michael
Jordan, George Gervin and Wilt Chamberlain.
The reigning three-time scoring champion has proven that he
is one of the best scorers in today’s game alongside (and often above) future
Hall of Famers like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
And he is only 23 years old.
Durant is the complete scoring package, possessing the
ability to knock down jumpers, threes, hit tough post shots and drive to the
rim when he gets the mismatch. Like the seven-foot tall former MVP Dirk
Nowitzki, Durant’s height and long wingspan are incredible assets for a scorer.
He can spot up outside against slower power forwards and
post-up small guards if the match-up presents itself. Few defenders have the
combination of size and speed to combat Durant’s offensive potency.
So where does Durant stack up against the all-time greats?
Looking at Gervin and Chamberlain, the scoring discrepancies
are eye-catching but need to be considered in light of the different pace
between now and then. Those players played in different eras than Durant is
playing in.
While it may be difficult to compare the three because of
the difference in pace of the game (or possessions per game), you can still get
a glimpse of how they compare based on their performance compared to the rest
of the league at the time.
The reality is that nobody is going to score 50 points per
game like Chamberlain did in 1962. Even in Jordan’s highest scoring season he
“only” averaged 37 points per game.
Scoring titles are a great place to look. While it is unfair
to players like Chamberlain who spent decades scoring at a league elite level,
Durant has managed to enter the conversation as a 23-year-old which shows the
incredible accomplishments he has already achieved as well as room to
improve—if it’s even possible to do so.
Right now, there are scorers that you would have to put
ahead of Durant simply because their tenure in the league (Kobe Bryant, Jordan,
Chamberlain, Gervin, Allen Iverson) . And Jordan’s ability to score over 30
points per game on over 50 percent shooting is video-game like. Durant probably
will never match that.
But if he wins a couple more scoring titles and has a couple
seasons where he hits 33-35 points per game there is no reason he should not be
sitting right below Michael Jordan.
The main impediment to the former Texas star reaching his
full potential as a scorer is teammate Russell Westbrook.
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Jason Terry can dream of having KD35's shot. |
Oklahoma City has had incredible success already with their
talented young core but strictly in terms of scoring, Westbrook’s tendency to
deviate from the traditional role of a point guard will hinder Durant to score
30+ a game. Even in the playoffs, the box score showed the stunning proof that
Westbrook managed to take more shots than Durant.
If Durant had someone like Rajon Rondo or Steve Nash dishing
to him, watch out. But he doesn’t and has still been doing well as it is.
Not only that, but the OKC star manages to appear unselfish
even though he has won scoring title after scoring title.
With more than a decade left of basketball, Durant can
shatter scoring records left and right—maybe even approach Jordan’s record of 10
scoring titles.
I have a difficult time in comparing Durant to Jordan. Their varied styles make for a difficult comparison. Durant as Nowitzki have like natural abilities with their length & height. Imagine being 6'11" with a 7'6" wingspan as Durant? Special stuff! His possibilities low or high post? Nevertheless his value is on the offensive end & I felt value in Jordan was in stopping opponents. Face it, Jordan did literally whatever he wanted to on the offensive end. I'm not a betting man but I like Jordan,Bryant, or Durant(that order) to risk my cash with. Jordan had one of the quickest first steps when he decided to go to the hoop of players I'd seen. Durant may someday be considered the greatest jump shooting big man. I believe Durant is a franchise player which a team could be built around yet Durant doesn't stand at the top of my list of elite value. Where was he prior to the appearance of Westbrook & Harden? Many will disagree but to me the King does reside in Miami whether I or anyone like it or not. The question I pose about the king is what does he lack? Much shorter discussion over attempting to list all of the exposed value he does have. He's not a cheap ticket but when he decides to put on a show you're in for a treat. S
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