Is Kevin Durant Better Than Stephen Curry?

Jalen Rose

Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are two of the most dominant players in NBA history. Both players have led their teams to multiple championships and achieved tremendous success individually. However, the debate still rages on about which player is better.

While Durant is known for his scoring ability and efficiency, Curry is known for his shooting prowess and leadership on the court. In this article, we will analyze the stats and compare the two players to determine who is truly the better player.

Is Kevin Durant Better Than Stephen Curry?
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Is Kevin Durant Better Than Stephen Curry?

Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are two of the best basketball players in the NBA, but who is better? This has been a topic of debate among basketball fans and analysts for years.

Durant and Curry both have impressive careers, but when it comes to efficiency and advanced statistics, Durant has the edge.

Advanced Stats

When it comes to advanced statistics, Durant is the more efficient player. His true shooting percentage is higher than Curry’s, which means that he is better at scoring while taking into account three-point shooting, free throws, and field goals.

Durant also has a higher player efficiency rating (PER), which is a measure of a player’s overall effectiveness on a per-minute basis. While Curry is known for his incredible three-point shooting, Durant has a higher three-point percentage than Curry.

Durant’s Accomplishments

Durant has also accomplished a lot in his career. He has won two championships, two Finals MVP Awards, four scoring titles, and was named the league MVP in 2014.

Durant has proven that he can be the best player on a championship team and has consistently been one of the top scorers in the league.

Curry’s Legacy

While Durant may have the edge when it comes to advanced statistics and accomplishments, Curry has an impressive legacy with the Warriors. He helped lead the team to three championships and was instrumental in building the team’s dynasty.

Curry’s incredible shooting ability has also changed the way the game is played, and he has inspired a new generation of basketball players.

In the end, both Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are incredible basketball players, but Durant is the more efficient player.

However, Curry’s legacy with the Warriors cannot be denied, and his contributions to the team’s success are immeasurable. Overall, both players are deserving of respect and admiration for their talents and accomplishments.

Scoring Ability

Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are two of the most talented and successful players in modern-day NBA history.

Both have brought great success to their respective teams, with Durant having played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, and now the Brooklyn Nets, while Curry has spent his entire career with the Warriors.

In this essay, we will examine the scoring abilities of both Durant and Curry and compare them.

Kevin Durant’s scoring statistics

Kevin Durant is known for his incredible scoring ability, having won the NBA scoring title four times in his career.

He has a career average of 27.1 points per game, and his highest scoring season came in 2013-2014 when he averaged 32.0 points per game with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In addition to his scoring titles, Durant has been named an NBA All-Star 11 times and has been named to the All-NBA team nine times.

Stephen Curry’s scoring statistics

Stephen Curry is another exceptional scorer, having won the NBA scoring title in 2016 when he averaged 30.1 points per game. Curry has a career average of 24.2 points per game, and his highest-scoring season came in 2015-2016.

In addition to his scoring title, Curry has been named an NBA All-Star seven times and has been named to the All-NBA team six times.

Comparison between the two players

When it comes to comparing Durant and Curry’s scoring abilities, we can see that both players are exceptional scorers. However, Durant has a slight edge over Curry in terms of scoring efficiency.

Durant has a career true shooting percentage (a metric that measures scoring efficiency) of 61.4%, while Curry has a career true shooting percentage of 60.8%.

Additionally, Durant’s player efficiency rating (PER) is higher than Curry’s, indicating that Durant’s overall impact on the game is more significant. Durant’s career PER is 26.1, while Curry’s is 23.8.

Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that scoring is not the only factor that determines a player’s value. Curry’s three-point shooting ability, ball-handling skills, and ability to create opportunities for his teammates have been instrumental in his team’s success.

He has helped the Warriors win three championships and nine playoff appearances, while Durant has won two championships with the team and made it to five playoff appearances in his three seasons with Golden State.

Therefore, both players have made important contributions to their respective teams.

While both Durant and Curry are exceptional scorers, Durant is a more efficient scorer, as evidenced by his advanced statistics. However, Curry’s overall impact on the game goes beyond scoring, and his legacy with the Warriors cannot be ignored.

Ultimately, both players have achieved remarkable success in their careers and are proven champions.

Advanced Stats

Advanced stats have become an essential tool for evaluating players in the modern era of basketball. These stats take into account a range of factors beyond the conventional statistics like points, rebounds, and assists.

One widely used advanced stat is player efficiency rating (PER), which measures a player’s overall statistical output per minute played.

Another common advanced stat is true shooting percentage (TS%), which takes into account field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and free-throw percentage.

When comparing Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry’s advanced stats, it becomes clear that Durant is the more efficient player. According to basketball-reference.com, Durant has a career PER of 26.1, whereas Curry’s PER stands at 23.6.

Additionally, Durant has a career TS% of 61.9%, while Curry’s TS% is 61.2%. Both players are exceptional in terms of advanced stats, but Durant’s numbers suggest that he is the more efficient and productive player.

However, it’s important to note that Curry’s legacy with the Golden State Warriors cannot be overlooked. He has been the catalyst for their success over the past decade and has helped revolutionize the game with his incredible shooting ability.

Curry is a three-time NBA champion, and two-time MVP, and has set numerous records throughout his career.

In contrast, Durant’s success has been spread across multiple teams, and he has yet to win a regular-season MVP award. Nonetheless, his ability to consistently put up efficient numbers and his impact on the court cannot be denied.

Advanced stats are a vital tool for evaluating players, but they shouldn’t be the sole determining factor in determining a player’s impact on the game.

Both Durant and Curry are tremendous talents, and their contributions to the NBA will be remembered for generations to come.

Playoff Performance

Kevin Durant’s playoff record

Kevin Durant has been an exceptional player in the playoffs throughout his career. In his 12 NBA playoff appearances, he has averaged 28.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.

Durant has made it to the Finals three times and won two championships. In the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals, Durant was named the Finals MVP.

Durant’s playoff performances have been consistent and impressive, and he has been known to step up when his team needs him most. His shooting percentages in the playoffs have been fantastic, with 50.5% FG, 38.6% 3PT, and 87.9% FT.

Stephen Curry’s playoff record

Stephen Curry has been one of the best players in NBA history in terms of playoff performances. In his 12 NBA playoff appearances, he has averaged 26.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists.

Curry has won three championships and has been instrumental in each of those runs.

Moreover, Curry’s playoff performances have often been electric, and he has shown his clutch gene on several occasions. His shooting percentages in the playoffs have been out of this world, with 46.4% FG, 40.1% 3PT, and 90.6% FT.

Comparison of playoff performances

When it comes to playoff performances, both Durant and Curry have been exceptional. However, Curry’s playoff performances have been more consistent and impressive, particularly when it comes to shooting percentages.

Curry’s ability to make shots from beyond the arc, even under immense pressure, has been one of the critical factors in the Warriors’ playoff success.

Durant has made significant contributions in his playoff appearances, particularly in the Finals. In his two championship runs with the Warriors, Durant was the best player on the team and won the Finals MVP award in both years.

His ability to score in isolation and make tough shots has been crucial in the playoffs.

In terms of playoff legacy, both Durant and Curry have achieved greatness. They have won championships, made numerous All-NBA teams, and have been instrumental in making the Warriors one of the most dominant teams in NBA history.

However, Curry’s playoff performances have been more consistent and have helped cement his place as one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Legacy

When it comes to Stephen Curry’s legacy with the Golden State Warriors, it’s hard to overstate just how much he has achieved.

He is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to ever wear a Warriors jersey, and his impact on the team and the NBA as a whole is undeniable.

Curry has led the Warriors to three NBA championships, and two regular season MVP awards, and is the all-time leader in three-pointers made in NBA history.

He has revolutionized the way the game is played with the number of three-pointers he takes and makes each game.

His success with the Warriors came through his exceptional ball handling, which allows him to create his own shot as well as put his teammates in positions to score.

Curry’s legacy with the Warriors goes beyond his on-court achievements, as he has also become an iconic figure for the organization and the city of Oakland. His impact goes beyond basketball and has inspired a generation of young athletes both on and off the court.

Kevin Durant’s impact on the NBA is equally significant, as he’s one of the greatest players of his time. While his time with the Warriors was relatively short-lived, Durant made an enormous impact during his two years with the team.

He played a pivotal role in the Warriors’ back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018 and won Finals MVP in both years. Durant’s scoring ability and versatility as a player set him apart, as he’s one of the most unstoppable offensive players in the league.

His ability to score from anywhere on the court made him almost impossible to guard. Durant’s impact on the NBA extends beyond his on-court achievements, as he’s also been a key figure in advocating for social justice and equality.

When it comes to comparing the legacies of Curry and Durant, it’s difficult to say who comes out on top. Both players are undoubtedly among the greatest of their generation, and their on-court achievements speak for themselves.

Curry’s impact on the Warriors and the NBA is perhaps more significant due to his longevity with the team and his role in revolutionizing the way the game is played.

Durant’s legacy is significant because of the way he seamlessly integrated into the Warriors and helped them achieve unprecedented success, even if his time with the team was short.

Ultimately, comparing the legacies of Curry and Durant is like comparing apples to oranges – both players are exceptional in their own right and have made significant contributions to the NBA that will be remembered for years to come.

Is Kevin Durant One of the Best of All Time?

Durant’s Accomplishments and Legacy

Kevin Durant is undoubtedly one of the best basketball players of all time, with a career that spans over a decade.

With numerous accolades under his belt, including four NBA scoring titles, two NBA championships and NBA Finals MVP awards, and two Olympic gold medals, Durant is highly respected in the NBA community.

Durant’s Skillset and Versatility

Durant is often praised for his incredible scoring ability, especially in clutch moments, but he also possesses other skills that make him a formidable player.

He has a versatile game, able to play multiple positions and contribute in various ways, such as rebounding and playmaking.

Durant’s Consistency and Durability

Durant has been a consistent performer throughout his career, averaging nearly 28 points per game in the regular season and 29.4 points per game in the playoffs.

He has also shown tremendous durability, playing in over 800 regular-season games and rarely suffering from major injuries.

The Impact of Durant on the Game

Durant has had a significant impact on the game of basketball, both on and off the court. He has revolutionized the way that small forwards play with his unique skillset and has also been a vocal advocate for social justice and racial equality.

The Debate Over Durant’s Place in Nba History

Some argue that Durant’s legacy is tarnished by his decision to join the already-stacked Golden State Warriors in 2016, leading to two championships and two Finals MVP awards.

Others believe that his individual talent and accomplishments speak for themselves and that he belongs among the greatest players of all time.

Ultimately, the debate over Durant’s place in NBA history is likely to continue for years to come.

To Recap

Both Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are incredible players who have accomplished so much in their careers. However, when it comes to determining who is the better player, the answer isn’t so clear-cut.

While Durant has better advanced stats and a higher PER, Curry’s legacy with the Warriors cannot be ignored, especially after winning his fourth championship and receiving the Finals MVP Award.

Ultimately, the decision of who is better comes down to personal preference and the qualities that one values in a player.

Regardless of who one chooses, Durant and Curry have firmly cemented themselves as all-time greats in the NBA.

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Jalen Rose

I am a sports analyst in USA and I have been writing about sports for more than a decade. My career started with writing about the NBA for my school newspaper. After that, I became the Sports Editor of my college paper, then the managing editor of my university’s official website. After graduating from college, I started working as an Assistant Sports Editor at the local newspaper in Atlanta. per. I've been there ever since and have had many opportunities to write about different aspects of sports journalism and interact with other writers and editors from all over the world. LinkedIn

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