Kevin Durant and Larry Bird are the definition of sweet-shooting forwards in the NBA. They were both electric scorers and ranked among the best players to ever play the sport. But Bird’s lengthier accomplishment list has him often ranked ahead of KD when it comes to all-time rankings.
According to Gilbert Arenas, Durant is not only a top-10 player in the history of the game but he’s also better than Larry Bird. He discussed the same with Shannon Sharpe on Sharpe’s podcast.
Shannon Sharpe: “Does KD need to win a title outside of Golden State to crack the top 10?”
Gilbert Arenas: “Is Larry Bird in the top 10?”
Shannon Sharpe: “Hell yeah.”
Gilbert Arenas: “Then he better than Larry Bird.”
Shannon Sharpe: “Larry Bird got three consecutive MVPs with three titles and two Finals MVP. he got them in an era where Magic, Kareem, and Jordan. You told me Jordan ran the ’80s, but I know a white guy who couldn’t outrun a snail.”
Gilbert Arenas: “The ’80s. was drugged up. I can burn past a crackhead. A crackhead is not hard to get by. Some of those dudes were trying to hurry up and get their next fix. I do value his greatness, but KD is a whole other beast. I got him as the second-best small forward ever.”
Shannon Sharpe: "Does [Kevin Durant] need to win a title outside of the [Warriors] to crack the top 10?" 🤔
Gilbert Arenas: "Is Larry Bird in the top 10?"
SS: "Hell yeah."
Arenas: "Then [he is] better than Larry Bird."
(via @NightcapShow_)pic.twitter.com/4JQ1yGzhT7
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 1, 2024
When it comes to legendary forwards in NBA history, it’s safe to say LeBron James is arguably the greatest of them all. But the battle for second place behind James has become interesting. Larry Bird was widely considered the greatest forward before LeBron and is now fighting for second place with the likes of Durant and even Kawhi Leonard. As per Fadeaway World’s analysis, we still lean towards Bird over Durant.
Durant has recently sparked up a lot of discussions around his status as one of the GOATs of the game. He believes he should be discussed among the GOATs but it seems fans have always been hesitant to look at Durant in that way. But when you put KD and Bird’s career side-by-side, it’s clear to see they aren’t far off.
What Does Kevin Durant Need To Do To Surpass Larry Bird?
Larry Bird averaged 24.3 points per game while shooting 37.6% from deep and 49.6% from the field. He achieved this in a slower era where the three-pointer wasn’t as prevalent, with Bird being recognized as one of the first great shooters in the league. The Celtics legend is also a three-time champion, a three-time league MVP, a two-time Finals MVP, a 12-time All-Star, a 10-time All-NBA selection, and made the three All-Defensive Team selections
Durant has averaged 27.3 points over his career on 38.7% from the deep and 50.0% from the field. He has won two titles, earning the Finals MVP award in both those wins. He’s a 14-time All-Star, a 10-time All-NBA selection, and was named MVP in 2014. He has four scoring titles to his name but no defensive team mentions like Bird.
KD’s defense is very solid though he just wasn’t one of the four-best forward defenders in the NBA during his prime. That isn’t what separates the pair, but championships still do. Bird was a one-club man and achieved everything with Boston. Even if KD feels it’s unfair, there is an asterisk that’ll follow his two titles with the Warriors forever.
Durant is far closer to Bird than people give him credit. If he wins a title with the Phoenix Suns, it’ll finally make it a more commonplace argument to look at Durant as the second-greatest forward behind LeBron and among the greatest to ever play the game.
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