Who's a better player: Kevin Durant or Lebron James?

[TMF]

I prefer Durant because he plays better down the stretch. As great as Lebron is, but when the game is on the line, he's not as clutch as Durant.

[Disgruntled Worker]

They're both phenomenal, franchise-caliber athletes. Right now, I'd have to go with LeBron James. He's the closest thing to Magic Johnson our game has seen. The guy is a walking triple-double with a physique like no one else! However, the upside for Kevin Durant - the maturity, the ability to make clutch shots, and the outright talent - simply CANNOT be ignored. Both have issues with leadership; LeBron because of his passive nature and Durant because of his youth and tendency to defer to his all-star point guard Russell Westbrook. Both are going to be the faces of the NBA for many years to come.

[BobFL]

Yeah, when you desperately need clutch shot imo durant>>>>>> lebron. In that regard I like Durantula a lot more. He is simply natural and thinks clearly when it matters most. Lebron is just confused and it seems like he has no idea what to do.

[hollywood9826]

Lebron is the better player. He plays better Defense and passes better. Durant may have a slight edge with offense becasue his lentgh lets him shoot over people.

I dont think Lebron is as bad in the clutch as people make it seem. Durnat has options of other guys to go to. Lebron had crappy teams in CLE and somehow got to the finals. Wade is busted up and nobody else on MIA can be trusted to do antyhting. Haslem is the only guy doing thing right now for the on a consistent basis.

Didnt Lebron play well alst year against CHI and then DAL just was just a better deeper team.

Lebron is just as good in the clutch as Kobe, and nobody says Kobe is terrible in the Clutch.

And if by Clutch you mean last 2 minutes of a close game Melo is the most succesful.

[BobFL]

Originally Posted by hollywood9826

Lebron is the better player. He plays better Defense and passes better. Durant may have a slight edge with offense becasue his lentgh lets him shoot over people.

I dont think Lebron is as bad in the clutch as people make it seem. Durnat has options of other guys to go to. Lebron had crappy teams in CLE and somehow got to the finals. Wade is busted up and nobody else on MIA can be trusted to do antyhting. Haslem is the only guy doing thing right now for the on a consistent basis.

Didnt Lebron play well alst year against CHI and then DAL just was just a better deeper team.

Lebron is just as good in the clutch as Kobe, and nobody says Kobe is terrible in the Clutch.

And if by Clutch you mean last 2 minutes of a close game Melo is the most succesful.

You need to stop analyzing basketball asap.

[Andres]

Originally Posted by BobFL

You need to stop analyzing basketball asap.

I have to agree. Kobe is probably the clutchest guy in the league. Melo is comparable. Lebron is nowhere near.

[Feña14]

Durant has better offense, which is saying something! James is a better rebounder, passer and defender. Durant is certainly better down the stretch though.

They're both incredible really, it's tough to say one is better than the other.

[r2473]

Originally Posted by hollywood9826

And if by Clutch you mean last 2 minutes of a close game Melo is the most succesful.

Big Shot Rob

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZdik09RGJI

[CaldwellYSR]

Lebron is the better all around player than Durant. Defense, rebounding, passing.

[hollywood9826]

Originally Posted by BobFL

You need to stop analyzing basketball asap.

4th QTR and OT stats.

Kobe Bryant’s 4th Quarter FG % in the Regular Season in his prime (including Overtime):

2000-2001: 176-393(44.8%) – Overtime: 17-29(58.6%)
2001-2002: 187-439(42.9%) – Overtime: 1-12(8.3%)
2002-2003: 236-560(42.1%) – Overtime: 14-36(38.9%)
2003-2004: 172-421(40.9%) – Overtime: 11-27(40.7%)
2004-2005: 144-338(42.6%) – Overtime: 3-14(21.4%)
2005-2006: 236-578(40.8%) – Overtime: 20-39(51.3%)
2006-2007: 192-478(40.2%) – Overtime: 24-44(54.5%)
2007-2008: 228-482(46.1%) – Overtime: 8-23(34.8%)
2008-2009: 208-490(42.4%) – Overtime: 9-20(45%)
2009-2010: 191-464(41.2%) – Overtime: 12-24(50%)
2010-2011: 151-389(38.8%) – Overtime: 7-19(36%)
2011-2012: 76-194(39.1%) – Overtime: 2-10(20%)
Career Total = 2,197-5,020(43.7%) – Career Overtime Total: 128-302(42.3%)

LeBron James’ 4th Quarter FG % in the Regular Season (including Overtime):

2003-2004: 130-355(36.6%) – Overtime: 8-18(44.4%)
2004-2005: 174-396(43.9%) – Overtime: 7-20(35%)
2005-2006: 230-478(48.1%) – Overtime: 11-14(78.6%)
2006-2007: 241-517(46.6%) – Overtime: 20-35(57.1%)
2007-2008: 255-524(46.6%) – Overtime: 10-23(43.5%)
2008-2009: 198-421(47.1%) – Overtime: 9-18(50%)
2009-2010: 208-429(48.5%) – Overtime: 6-17(35.3%)
2010-2011: 182-399(45.6%) – Overtime: 10-18(55.6%)
2011-2012: 41-92(44.6%) – Overtime: 1-6(16.7%)
Career Total: 1,648-3,611(45.6%) – Career Overtime Total: 84-169(49.7%)

Now, let’s take a look at their Playoff totals, shall we?

Kobe Bryant’s 4th Quarter FG % in the Playoffs (including Overtime):

2001: 38-77(49.4%) – Overtime: 2-3(66.7%)
2002: 52-106(49.1%) – Overtime: 0-0
2003: 37-83(44.3%) – Overtime: 0-3
2004: 46-126(36.5%) – Overtime: 4-8(50%)
2006: 16-43(37.2%) – Overtime: 7-9(77.8%)
2007: 10-34(29.4%) – Overtime: 0-0
2008: 58-124(46.8%) – Overtime: 1-7(14.3%)
2009: 49-125(39.2%) – Overtime: 3-7(42.9%)
2010: 45-121(37.2%) – Overtime: 0-0
2011: 12-39(30.8%) – Overtime: 0-0
Career Total: 363-878(41.3%) – Career Overtime Total: 17-37(45.9%)

LeBron James’ 4th Quarter FG % in the Playoffs (including Overtime):

2006: 37-85(43.5%) – Overtime: 3-3
2007: 56-123(45.5%) – Overtime: 6-8(75%)
2008: 30-76(39.5%) – Overtime: 0-0
2009: 35-76(46.1%) – Overtime: 3-7(42.9%)
2010: 32-60(53.3%) – Overtime: 0-0
2011: 45-105(42.9%) – Overtime: 3-6(50%)
Career Total: 235-525(44.7%) – Career Overtime Total: 15-24(62.5%)

[hollywood9826]

Lat 5 minutes of a game thats within 5 points since 2000.

Player FG FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% Ast'd %Ast'd Best Worst
Kobe 606 1525 0.397 99 351 0.282 148 0.244 46% 32%
Pierce 450 1163 0.387 97 298 0.326 185 0.411 44% 21%
Dirk 443 1036 0.428 75 229 0.328 206 0.465 48% 37%
LeBron 461 1003 0.460 93 297 0.313 117 0.254 55% 37%
Vince 401 1001 0.401 67 217 0.309 159 0.397 50% 36%
R.Allen 371 0916 0.405 160 450 0.356 192 0.518 48% 34%
Terry 381 0870 0.438 108 285 0.379 164 0.430 55% 33%
KG 368 0848 0.434 8 36 0.222 212 0.576 65% 33%
Wade 321 0774 0.415 30 124 0.242 59 0.184 47% 32%
Duncan 376 0818 0.460 2 20 0.100 156 0.415 55% 36%
Nash 370 0806 0.459 125 314 0.398 65 0.176 56% 35%
A.Miller 269 0678 0.397 19 82 0.232 64 0.238 47% 26%
Billups 309 0796 0.388 120 367 0.327 110 0.356 46% 24%
Melo 276 0655 0.421 31 111 0.279 140 0.507 52% 38%
TMac 266 0714 0.373 44 164 0.268 89 0.335 42% 35%
Avg. 378 907 0.417 72 223 0.291 138 0.367 50% 33%

[hollywood9826]

Same clutch stats but since 06-07 season. Lebron was highest.

Player FG FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% Ast'd %Ast'd Best Worst
Kobe 317 769 0.412 58 185 0.314 69 0.218 46% 39%
LeBron 333 714 0.466 74 231 0.320 79 0.237 55% 42%
Dirk 235 541 0.434 34 107 0.318 107 0.455 48% 40%
Wade 205 507 0.404 27 101 0.267 34 0.166 47% 32%
Durant 191 479 0.399 40 123 0.325 103 0.539 47% 35%
Melo 193 447 0.432 23 72 0.319 84 0.435 52% 42%
Pierce 167 430 0.388 32 97 0.330 60 0.359 44% 21%
Vince 185 420 0.440 42 117 0.359 72 0.389 50% 38%
Russ 150 403 0.372 13 56 0.232 23 0.153 42% 30%
CP3 187 430 0.435 23 73 0.315 22 0.118 50% 37%
JJ 174 449 0.388 40 114 0.351 47 0.270 46% 32%
Iggy 158 394 0.401 24 112 0.214 28 0.177 48% 31%
Rose 168 401 0.419 4 31 0.129 23 0.137 44% 40%
R.Allen 151 391 0.386 78 215 0.363 105 0.695 44% 34%
Roy 166 371 0.447 24 71 0.338 26 0.157 48% 36%
Avg. 199 476 0.415 36 114 0.300 59 0.300 47% 35%

[hollywood9826]

Article is here. I understand those last two table are hard to read.

http://www.libertyballers.com/2012/2...fs-4th-quarter

[ZeroSkid]

Kevin durrant has said he looks up to both Kobe and Lebron

[BobFL]

"On the other hand, LeBron James -– unquestionably the most talented player in the league"

The article is fundamentally wrong imo. From strictly talent point of view there are several vastly more talented players. Otoh, he is probably the most athletically gifted player (along with Griffin and few other guys).

[scotus]

Two problems with Kobe when the game is on the line:

(1) Defense knows the ball is going to Kobe and knows he will shoot rather than pass. Double, triple coming.

(2) He has lost quite a bit of foot speed, which was really noticeable last year prior to the prolotherapy in Germany.

But when Kobe had the foot speed, yes, he was the clutchest player.

[TMF]

I see Lebron as a bully and Durant is a finesse player. Lebron maybe the better player for 43 minutes of the game, but down the stretch I trust Durant over Lebron. That's because Durant's offense has more range...he deadly from the outside and can penetrate to the basket. This year playoff it's Durant who was making key plays down the stretch, and Durant defense is underrrated.

Commentators from ESPN and TNT have criticize for Lebron's inability to close the game. I rather have Wade takes the last shot.

[hollywood9826]

Originally Posted by BobFL

"On the other hand, LeBron James -– unquestionably the most talented player in the league"

The article is fundamentally wrong imo. From strictly talent point of view there are several vastly more talented players. Otoh, he is probably the most athletically gifted player (along with Griffin and few other guys).

Who are the several vastly more talented players than Lebron?

Originally Posted by scotus

Two problems with Kobe when the game is on the line:

(1) Defense knows the ball is going to Kobe and knows he will shoot rather than pass. Double, triple coming.

(2) He has lost quite a bit of foot speed, which was really noticeable last year prior to the prolotherapy in Germany.

But when Kobe had the foot speed, yes, he was the clutchest player.

Kobe is no better or no worse than anyother player in the clutch. He has just becuase of his selfishness been in more situations. And has probably failed more in the clutch as well.

Originally Posted by TMF

I see Lebron as a bully and Durant is a finesse player. Lebron maybe the better player for 43 minutes of the game, but down the stretch I trust Durant over Lebron. That's because Durant's offense has more range...he deadly from the outside and can penetrate to the basket. This year playoff it's Durant who was making key plays down the stretch, and Durant defense is underrrated.

Commentators from ESPN and TNT have criticize for Lebron's inability to close the game. I rather have Wade takes the last shot.

What about 07 Lebron when he destroyed the pistons? Scored 29 of the last 30 points for the Cavs.

[Shangri La]

Kobe is 10 times better of a clutch player than Lebron James. A clutch player is not determined by numbers. It's like calling Nadal the best volleyer because he's 100% at the net when he only came to the net once and made that volley. James can put up good stats but can rarely make a play down the stretch. MJ doesnt have the best buzzer beating shot percentage IIRC but he's one of the best finishers in the game if not the best.

[FuriousYellow]

LeBron is the better overall player. The guy can play four positions, rebounds, defends, and can pass. Durant is the better offensive player. Unbelievable shooting touch and ball-handling for a guy that tall and lanky.