With the 2021-22 NBA season now in full flow, it is becoming quite evident who some of the current top players in the league are. If someone talks about making such a list, two names can never be left out of it, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.
While the two superstars played together for three seasons, they parted ways a few years ago. So, NBA fans are back at comparing the two beasts.
First, we have Durant who is simply having yet another sensational season. Ever since KD returned from injury, he has proved at every turn that he is still one of the best, if not the best player in the league. Durant is currently averaging 29.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists per game while shooting 56.7% from the field and 38.2% from the 3-point line. Additionally, he is also averaging 0.6 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.
On the other hand, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’ is plowing through the Western Conference with ease. Thanks to Steph’s insane form, the Warriors currently have the best record in the league and have lost just one game so far. Curry is averaging 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists per game with a 43.1 FG% and 38.8 FG3%. As for his defensive contributions, Curry is recording 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.
Reddit user u/The-Real-Pai-Mei posted on the NBA subreddit, where he asked for takes from fellow Redditors about who the better player is among the two.
Since both players have an incredible fan following, it led to many fans making the case for KD and Steph. Here are some of the best comments on the post.
Insanenbk: “I tell you what if Steph and warriors keep playing well and klay actually comes back healthy we may very well see KD vs the warrior squad in finals crazy storyline.”
Raonak: “Curry, but it is extremely close. He’s basically as efficient as KD on offense, but also makes his teammates better via offball movement and gravity screens. Steph is essentially an entire offensive system by himself. KD does have a lot better defense, but Steph is a solid guard defender now. It’s a classic case of KD being better as a 1v1 player and Steph being better as a 5v5 player.”
chronicosteo: “Steph. Lower floor but higher peak and makes everyone around him better.”
tvztvz: “Idk its close. I’d take Durant though.”
KareemWasTheGreatest: “I think Curry does more to help good teams win basketball games. Everyone he plays with starts doing better because they’ve never had more space. Except Oubre who is a bad player. KD’s great though. You can win it all with either one.”
surgeyou123: “Kevin Durant. He’s one of the most consistent superstars I’ve ever seen.”
kai_123: “Both are essentially as good as the other, but i’d take KD just because he has the extra length.”
RunThePnR: “I’ll take KD. Around the same level offensive player but better defensively due to sheer length.”
cactusmaster69420: “KD and KD imo. Steph may be better in the regular season but I think KD is better in the playoffs.”
killajaxx: “KD is the definition of effective hero-ball in the playoffs, hate him and the nets but everyone will give him his flowers.”
procouchpotatohere: “KD is the better player, but Curry is the one that’s going to not only get his own shot but also operate the whole offense as the main ball handler so I’d rather have him.”
triggerfish15: “Curry just based on the fact that he’d seem to enjoy the win more than durant would. durant just seems like a generally unhappy dude. further, like he isn’t super connected w anyone he wins with so the joy isn’t even a shared joy. there’s something to the idea of team.”
BarbarianAtThaGate: “You can’t count on KD to be the best player on your team. He’ll get eliminated and walk.”
starhumanpanda: “Steph of course. Steph won without KD. KD cant win without Steph.”
guynumber32: “Curry. KD is the better player in a vacuum. But the humility Steph has compared to other NBA superstars and his elite off ball skills allow his teams to reach much greater heights than KD. Just compare those GSW teams when Steph was injured compared to when KD was injured. Steph vastly outperformed KD in those situations.”
Choosing between the two players is extremely hard. Both have proved their worth throughout their respective careers in the league. At the end of the day, personal bias might play a role in picking only one player between them.
However, an argument can be made for Curry that he won one of his championships without Durant. If KD can win a ring with the Nets, he might be clear of Curry in that regard as well.
Considering how well the Nets and Warriors are playing right now, fans might see the two teams lock horns in the 2022 NBA Finals.
