LeBron James and Kevin Durant have had a very good rivalry in the last couple of years in the NBA. They are considered the two best players in the league and this season they’re having very good performances with their respective teams.
Both Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets are considered the biggest favorites to play in the 2021 NBA Finals, which would be the 4th duel between James and Durant in the biggest series of all. There are plenty of similarities between these stars and one involves the biggest individual awards in the league. As of right now, the King and KD are the only active players who have won the regular-season MVP and Finals MVP.
LeBron has won four regular-season MVP, the last one in 2013 when he was still apart of the Miami Heat. He has won 4 NBA championships, too, and in every win, he has earned the Finals MVP. The last one came last year when he led the Los Angeles Lakers to their first NBA title in 10 years.
As for Durant, he won the MVP award in 2014, while he was with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Durantula then won two straight FMVP award with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018, beating LeBron James twice during those years.
One Redditor called “ashbjj” pointed out at this incredible stat, adding more info on the players that have one of the two titles, with some having the regular season prize and others the FMVP.
– Steph Curry, Derrick Rose, James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Giannis Antetokounmpo have won regular-season MVPs, but no Finals MVPs.
– Kawhi Leonard and Andre Iguodala are the only active players who have won Finals MVPs without winning a regular-season MVP.
It’s curious how a big player like Kawhi Leonard hasn’t won the MVP award but knowing his quality and how great he is playing this season, Leonard could be getting that award in the future, which would put him at the same level as James and Durant. Other players like James Harden or Giannis Antetokounmpo can emulate LBJ and KD if they win a championship this season or the following ones.
James and Durant are different and this is a big proof of that. They are the best players in the league and have more in common than most people believe, including being the only active players with these coveted awards.
