Better Player Right Now Today: Kevin Durant or Giannis

[AussieBuck]

if it wasnt for KD size 18 shoes, noone would talk about giannis right now.

recency bias at its finest

dont get me wrong im a huge giannis fan and am happy he won a ring over KD this year. but lets be honest KD is the player right now

Recency bias? Giannis has been better for years. With all the talk about KD's shoe, what about overtime? I remember Giannis ragdolling Durant in the low post for a bucket, don't remember Durant scoring.

[WRau1]

if it wasnt for KD size 18 shoes, noone would talk about giannis right now.

recency bias at its finest

dont get me wrong im a huge giannis fan and am happy he won a ring over KD this year. but lets be honest KD is the player right now

This is the most boring narrative reasoning these past playoffs. You realize there is a real reason KD has to wear bigger shoes, correct? But I guess we can add situational awareness to the Giannis column.

[Dante80]

The players are distinctly different, and this gives the opportunity to argue either way plausibly and with conviction. I assume that is the reason for the poll being that close too.

I think that KD is the best player in the world right now. And I also think that Giannis is pretty close to him.

[mcmurphy]

I don't know if
KD with JRue and Middleton is capable of win all

I'm 101% sure that a
Curry-Klay-Giannis-Dray is capable of win all

[Benedict_Boozer]

This is Durant so easily it's not even funny. The dude is easy to hate on, and you would rather root for a guy like Giannis who did things the right way by sticking with his team and trying to work his way to a title.

But let's be honest, KD is flat out better and pretty much always has been. KD is arguably the most gifted scorer of all time and prior to his injury was also a helluva defender, so it's not like Giannis has a huge edge there. I mean he is just better, more complete.

[AussieBuck]

This is Durant so easily it's not even funny. The dude is easy to hate on, and you would rather root for a guy like Giannis who did things the right way by sticking with his team and trying to work his way to a title.

But let's be honest, KD is flat out better and pretty much always has been. KD is arguably the most gifted scorer of all time and prior to his injury was also a helluva defender, so it's not like Giannis has a huge edge there. I mean he is just better, more complete.

This bold bit is **** funny

[mdonnelly1989]

Wow, I had a feeling this would be as close as it is. But still off by 4 votes with over 200!!

[KGtabake]

I didn't know whom to vote.
KD might be the best scorer i've seen and Giannis might be the best two way big i've seen.
Great times for our game.

[WRau1]

This is Durant so easily it's not even funny. The dude is easy to hate on, and you would rather root for a guy like Giannis who did things the right way by sticking with his team and trying to work his way to a title.

But let's be honest, KD is flat out better and pretty much always has been. KD is arguably the most gifted scorer of all time and prior to his injury was also a helluva defender, so it's not like Giannis has a huge edge there. I mean he is just better, more complete.

KD is not now nor has he ever been a "helluva defender", that's just flat out false. Giannis is the conversation for DPOTY the past 4 seasons, there is a huge gap between him and KD on that side of the court.

[Synciere]

It's Durant, and it's not as close as people want it to be. Giannis is the better rebounder, but KD is miles ahead as a shooter/scorer, is a better overall passer, and the difference defensively is negligible if both are locked in. I think people just like Giannis better honestly.

[CIN-C-STAR]

if it wasnt for KD size 18 shoes, noone would talk about giannis right now.

recency bias at its finest

dont get me wrong im a huge giannis fan and am happy he won a ring over KD this year. but lets be honest KD is the player right now

Truly wild how much credit KD is getting for almost winning a second round series at home. Don't remember people raving about any other superstar for almost winning a game.
Btw you'd think KD dominated Giannis in that game based on the takes in here. He had 48 points on 36 shots in 53 minutes.
Giannis had 40 on just 24 shots in 50 minutes (on the road).
Who had the better game again?
But sure, if KD didn't have toes he'd definitely have won the championship
That just shows how great he is. What other superstar could win a championship and would actually be even better without toes?

[WRau1]

It's Durant, and it's not as close as people want it to be. Giannis is the better rebounder, but KD is miles ahead as a shooter/scorer, is a better overall passer, and the difference defensively is negligible if both are locked in. I think people just like Giannis better honestly.

[jsleesl28]

wow tough question.

if its based on skills only, KD is the better player.

But if you wanna get into intangibles, I think Giannis would get the edge here. Purely based on what he was able to achieve the past season.

For me personally, if i need to choose one guy to start a franchise, it would be Giannis. He is a leader, he has worked extremely hard to get to his current physique (to withstand tons of contact and survive all season), and he is a down to earth guy who is likeable.

[KGtabake]

It's Durant, and it's not as close as people want it to be. Giannis is the better rebounder, but KD is miles ahead as a shooter/scorer, is a better overall passer, and the difference defensively is negligible if both are locked in. I think people just like Giannis better honestly.

KD isn't a better playmaker/passer than Giannis. The difference defensively is also massive.
I think you just don't like Giannis much.

[iceman3699]

Let's be real. Whoever is saying Giannis in this thread are either KD haters, or Giannis D riders.

[Synciere]

It's Durant, and it's not as close as people want it to be. Giannis is the better rebounder, but KD is miles ahead as a shooter/scorer, is a better overall passer, and the difference defensively is negligible if both are locked in. I think people just like Giannis better honestly.

KD isn't a better playmaker/passer than Giannis. The difference defensively is also massive.
I think you just don't like Giannis much.

Yeah KD is a much better playmaker than Giannis. Giannis has just had the responsibility of being the primary playmaker for the Bucks because they haven't had the true point guard who is a primary facilitator. KD has played with Westbrook, then Steph, and now Kyrie/Harden.

Defensively, Giannis is a great defender in the post, but I think his impact is slightly exaggerated. If he's this great defender, why was KD dropping 35 and 40 on the Bucks like that? And even if you hold true that Giannis is a much better defender, then you have to acknowledge the massive gap in shooting and scoring. Giannis shoots that percentage because most of his shots are at the rim, but he's primarily been a sub 30% shooter from 3.

I love Giannis's game, and saying one guy is better isn't supposed to imply you're **** on another guy, but reading this board and the internet it's clear many fans don't like KD, be it leaving for Golden State or his fake account antics. Giannis gets points for staying in Milwaukee and winning. It's just the truth, no shade. He BARELY beat KD and the Nets without Kyrie or a healthy Harden, otherwise this isn't even a conversation.

For years people wanted to insist Kawhi, or KD, or anyone else was better than Lebron because Lebron couldn't beat the Warriors as a superteam or whatever. One ring doesn't change the facts. KD is simply a better player than Giannis right now. Giannis is certainly no chump, and a legitimate MVP caliber player, but this isn't close man...

[WRau1]

It's Durant, and it's not as close as people want it to be. Giannis is the better rebounder, but KD is miles ahead as a shooter/scorer, is a better overall passer, and the difference defensively is negligible if both are locked in. I think people just like Giannis better honestly.

KD isn't a better playmaker/passer than Giannis. The difference defensively is also massive.
I think you just don't like Giannis much.

Yeah KD is a much better playmaker than Giannis. Giannis has just had the responsibility of being the primary playmaker for the Bucks because they haven't had the true point guard who is a primary facilitator. KD has played with Westbrook, then Steph, and now Kyrie/Harden.

Defensively, Giannis is a great defender in the post, but I think his impact is slightly exaggerated. If he's this great defender, why was KD dropping 35 and 40 on the Bucks like that? And even if you hold true that Giannis is a much better defender, then you have to acknowledge the massive gap in shooting and scoring. Giannis shoots that percentage because most of his shots are at the rim, but he's primarily been a sub 30% shooter from 3.

I love Giannis's game, and saying one guy is better isn't supposed to imply you're **** on another guy, but reading this board and the internet it's clear many fans don't like KD, be it leaving for Golden State or his fake account antics. Giannis gets points for staying in Milwaukee and winning. It's just the truth, no shade. He BARELY beat KD and the Nets without Kyrie or a healthy Harden, otherwise this isn't even a conversation.

For years people wanted to insist Kawhi, or KD, or anyone else was better than Lebron because Lebron couldn't beat the Warriors as a superteam or whatever. One ring doesn't change the facts. KD is simply a better player than Giannis right now. Giannis is certainly no chump, and a legitimate MVP caliber player, but this isn't close man...

KD is in no way a better play maker and there is literally zero evidence that shows otherwise. Giannis' defense goes beyond a 1 on 1 defender, he's one of the best help defenders in the league and a top tier rim protector. He wasn't guarding KD because the Bucks defensive plan was obviously give KD what he wants while stopping everything else. Bucks were also switching on everything and KD CONSTANTLY gave the ball up when a switch forced Giannis onto him. Giannis takes those shots a the rim because that's the smartest play for him. In what world should that be used against him? Are you going to discredit Shaq as an alltime unstoppable scorer because he couldn't step out and hit a 10ftr? Just a very weird argument.

[Packbuckman]

This is Durant so easily it's not even funny. The dude is easy to hate on, and you would rather root for a guy like Giannis who did things the right way by sticking with his team and trying to work his way to a title.

But let's be honest, KD is flat out better and pretty much always has been. KD is arguably the most gifted scorer of all time and prior to his injury was also a helluva defender, so it's not like Giannis has a huge edge there. I mean he is just better, more complete.

Durant was a 1st overall pick like most superstars and starting playing at a young age. Giannis didn’t start playing basketball till he was 12 think about that for a second and for someone that’s the most gifted scorer Giannis scores as much as Durant at a very efficient rate. Giannis is still learning and getting better I expect this coming up year to be his best yet including free throws where it’s more mental for Giannis than being a terrible free throw shooter like a Shaq.

[WRau1]

Let's be real. Whoever is saying Giannis in this thread are either KD haters, or Giannis D riders.

Nah, it's far more likely the other way around. Most little kid casual fans can't relate to a foreign kid that didn't come up in the soft AAU system we have now or to work for everything you have like Giannis. Most can't appreciate a style of play that is no flash, all results. Or even accept him because he's from Greece.

[Slim Charless]

Lots of MIL homers in here that forgot the only reason why they were in the finals is cause 2/3 of Bed-Stuy went down.....and still would've lost if KD had worn smaller shoes.

Right, like it's just normal and fair to have 3 of the top 15 players in the league on your team and if Giannis doesn't beat them it proves that he's not better than KD.

How about we give Giannis two other top 15 players in the league to run with and then see what happens?

It's going to be disgusting to see everyone turn on Giannis simply for not being able to do the impossible this year....

Cry me a river

Watch on YouTube

.

You see that dot? It's the smallest violin in the world playing just for Giannis.

None of that matters he's not better than KD.