[kidduck]

From Sam Smith, Bulls .com

Durant as good--or better?!?!--than LeBron?

-- It’s being whispered now among NBA types because, I believe, under a secret NBA/ESPN provision you are not permitted to say aloud anything that might be interpreted to suggest LeBron James isn’t the best thing to ever happen in anyone’s life. But sitting in the stands in Las Vegas at the USA Basketball mini-camp and hearing NBA coaches and general managers, the gasps have been for Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant. I’ve now heard more than one say Durant could be a better player than James given Durant’s combination of amazing size at about 6-10 and pure shooting stroke. And he’s still 20. The feeling is Durant is on the brink of being a 30 per game scorer. Plus, Durant is a serious worker. The Bulls' Derrick Rose has become close with Durant and the two have worked out together considerably this summer. Said Rose, who is five days younger than Durant: “KD is great. He’s real talented. I look at him as like a big brother to me even though we’re the same age. He’s been in the league longer. He’s a great talent, 6-10 guy who can dribble, shoot like a guard. He’s going to be a great talent in the league.”


Link: http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/smith_090727.html

[Damien O'Connel]

he averaged 2.8 asists last year, and 3.0 turnovers. No. And he cant play defense

[JK11]

Until he can take a team single handly to the Finals straight out of highschool with the spotlight on him 24/7 and surpass a giant amount of hype that seemed impossible....................Im not gonna say he will ever be better than LeBron James.

[Damien O'Connel]

this is an insult to lebron. Im surprised its being disucussed, it's totally incorrect.

[Splitz]

I can envision PIP breaking everything in his office, punting toddlers, and burning all of his excercise equipment with how mad this article probably has him...

[King J]

I like KD,but he isnt the passer,rebounder,or defender that LBJ is.He's a better shooter,but thats about it.

[col63onel]

Better shooter, yes. He certainly has a chance to become a better scorer. But as Damien said, he has a lot of catching up to do with defense and passing. So time will tell.

[brooktown]

He's going to be an amazing scorer, should be a solid rebounder, could be a great playermaker, who know's about defense. At this point he's not even close to Lebron.

[kidduck]

Sad thing is that someone is probably paying Smith to come up with that kind of stuff.

[BBurks4144]

No doubt Durant is one of the best scorers in the league.

LeBron is without a doubt the better player. Better passer, rebounder and defender.

LeBron's first year with the Cavs, the Cavs win total increased by 18 games.

*Clarification: His first year in the league, the Sonics got 11 games worse.
Durant's first year with OKC, they increased their win total by 3 games.

[JK11]

This is like saying Nba Live is better than NBA 2k, like Soulja boy is better than Jay Z because he is young, like Peyton Manning against Mark Sanchez, like Michael Jordan to Sam Bowie.

[BBurks4144]

If Durant's Thunder stay as bad as they are... then yes, he could be that 30 PPG type of guy.

Just a reminder, when LeBron was 20, and he was on a terrible team, he averaged 27.2.

When he was 21, he averaged 31.4.... and thats without mentioning his stats in the other categories which blow away Durant.

Combine that with the pure speed, strength, athleticism of LeBron -- this is a stupid argument...

[Doc Shakalu]

At this point he is nowhere near as good as LeBron. Not even close, he needs to bulk up, become a better defender, a better passer and playmaker, and he needs to get more leadership skills. Sure he's young, but LeBron's not a lot older. Like was said above, just about the only thing he has on LeBron is his jumper.

LeBron is stronger, faster, more athletic and an all around better player. Durant might be able to catch up to him one day, he's talented enough, but it would take a LOT of work. I think LBJ had more talent coming into the league though.

Just look at how quickly he turned around the Cavs, and he did it single handedly because Paxson got rid of our draft picks. Durant hasn't had nearly the impact that LeBron did.

[chiefwahoo]

This is argumentative-style journalism at its finest. There's no way the author could have seriously believed what he was typing, but his goal was to create buzz and website hits. Mission accomplished. It's the same reason you turn on ESPN at any given hour and see two idiots arguing over something, just trying to out-shout each other. So sick of it.

[maomaopukspuks]

I think KD will never pass LeBron ever. He lacks one thing that LeBron has. Its not the passing ability it is the COURT VISION. LeBron's court vision is like that of a true PG. Like the Jason Kidds and the Magic Johnsons of the world. Couple that with strength, athleticism, leadership and composure and you have the GOD of Basketball.