Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James: Who do you take?

To me it is very obvious to see that Durant and LeBron are the two best players in the NBA at this time. They can simply do it all on both sides of the floor. They have lead their respected teams to the 2012 NBA Finals. This will be Durant’s first chance at being crowned the best team in the NBA. For LeBron this will be his thrid go around. Is the third time a charm for the ringless “King?” Or will Durant show he has what it takes to turn his team into a dynasty similar to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

Kevin Durant: Durant is still only 23 years old and has not reached his prime yet. I think this kid has only scratched the surface of what his overall game will be when he hangs them up.

Durant is a three-time scoring champion and All-Star. He’s averaged over 20 points a game his entire career and over 25 points a game since his sophomore season. He’s not only a scoring machine. He’s becoming an above average defender. In his last three seasons he’s averaged over 6 defensive rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block a game.

I think Durant knows what it takes to be a champion. He knows you have to be able to do it on both sides of the floor in every aspect of the game.

At 6’9 he is virtually unblockable. He has the ability to get any shot he wants, an unstoppable force offensively. He can post you up and put up his Dirk-esque fade away shot, stop and pop from anywhere on the court, drive to the rim and cut to the basket. This year he has also shown he is becoming a more willing passer averaging 3.5 assists a game.

My only knocks on this kid is his weight and strength. At 6’9 he’s only 235 pounds. He’s a lot stronger than he use to be, but could still use more weight and more strength. With his work ethic i think his weight and strength will go up year after year.

If i was going to start a franchise right now i would take the three-time scoring champion Durant. If i needed a clutch basket i’m taking Durant. He is the future of this league and i don’t think anyone can stop him. But if their was one player that had the abilities to put a stop to the rising young star, it’s LeBron James.

LeBron James: At this moment LeBron James is the best player in basketball. I think Durant will eventually take the thrown, maybe even in this series. But for now James is the man. He’s only 27 years old and in the prime of his career. He will have plenty of opportunites to win a ring, even if this isn’t the year. 

King James can do absolutely everything on a basketball court. At 6’8 and over 250 pounds, the guy is a complete beast on both sides of the floor. I can only imagine how scary it is to have James running full speed in your direction. He is the greatest athlete the NBA has ever seen. He has the perfect NBA body and an incredible basketball iq.

This season LeBron was named the Most Valuable Player. He was also named to the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team. In the playoffs he’s averaging over 30 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in 18 games. You can argue that it’s one of the greatest postseason’s a player has ever had.

People criticize him for not having a clutch gene. And outside of Skip Bayless i’m probably his biggest critic. Like i said LeBron can do it all, almost. He has yet to show anything close to clutch since his big shot against Orlando years ago. People are saying he has been clutch this postseason, which is completely false. He’s had a historic postseason. But hasn’t shown me anything i haven’t seen from him so far. I want to see him closeout a game in the Finals. Don’t forget that this guy choked in every game in the Finals last season, and when he played the Spurs in the 2007 Finals his team was swept.

LeBron is desperate to win a ring and show the world he has what it takes to be remembered as one of the greatest players of all time. I honestly think this series will be his best chance yet. He is on fire and no one has been able to stop him.

Will LeBron finally get it done? My guess is no, but not because of him. I think James will have an amazing series. But this series will not be won by the stars, it will be won by the role players. The Thunder’s bench, point guard and center play will be to much for the Heat to handle. Thunder in 6 games.