Better prime: Dirk vs Durant vs Kobe

[Matt15]

Prime only, how would you rank them from 1-3?

[FrodoBaggins]

How are we defining "prime?" Best 5-year stretch? 10-year? All-Star years?

I'd probably go:

1) Dirk
2) Kobe
3) KD

[wafflzgod]

Kobe > Durant > Dirk

[tsherkin]

I think...

Dirk
KD
Kobe

If we're speaking about actual ability/impact.

[LakerLegend]

Please don't ever insult Kobe by mentioning Dirk in the same breath with him again.

The younger generation has overrated Dirk to an unbelievable degree.

He was a borderline top 10 player most of his career, had two historical playoff meltdowns in 2006 and 2007 and was only elite at one thing: scoring and there were routinely multiple players in the league better than him at that.

[LakerLegend]

I think...

Dirk
KD
Kobe

If we're speaking about actual ability/impact.

Is this based on the same reasoning as when you said rookie Haliburton was better than peak Kobe?

[One_and_Done]

KD

Dirk
Kobe

[The Explorer]

Bryant by a wide margin
Nowitzki
Durant

[TheGOATRises007]

Kobe
KD
Dirk

[Primedeion]

1) Kobe. 01-10 is easily a top ten prime OAT
2) Dirk. 02-11 is only slightly below Bryant
3) KD. 12-21 is killed by his weak durability/fragility. He's also a coward.

[Jaivl]

Kobe, Dirk, KD, probably.

Fun comp, but both Kobe and KD are wildly overrated, so...

[Jaivl]

Please don't ever insult Kobe by mentioning Dirk in the same breath with him again.

The younger generation has overrated Dirk to an unbelievable degree.

He was a borderline top 10 player most of his career, had two historical playoff meltdowns in 2006 and 2007 and was only elite at one thing: scoring and there were routinely multiple players in the league better than him at that.

You do realize that, applying the same heavy-handed and reductionist wording, that statement could also apply word for word to Kobe, right? (except for the playoff meltdown in 2007, but you could swap 2004 for that).

The younger generation has overrated Kobe to an unbelievable degree.

He was a borderline top 10 player most of his career, had two historical playoff meltdowns in 2004 and 2006 and was only elite at one thing: scoring and there were routinely multiple players in the league better than him at that.

[Black Feet]

Please don't ever insult Kobe by mentioning Dirk in the same breath with him again.

The younger generation has overrated Dirk to an unbelievable degree.

He was a borderline top 10 player most of his career, had two historical playoff meltdowns in 2006 and 2007 and was only elite at one thing: scoring and there were routinely multiple players in the league better than him at that.

You do realize that, applying the same heavy-handed and reductionist wording, that statement could also apply word for word to Kobe, right? (except for the playoff meltdown in 2007, but you could swap 2004 for that).

The younger generation has overrated Kobe to an unbelievable degree.

He was a borderline top 10 player most of his career, had two historical playoff meltdowns in 2004 and 2006 and was only elite at one thing: scoring and there were routinely multiple players in the league better than him at that.

Kobe is underrated and this post is probably rage bait , borderline top 10? only elite at scoring? Anyway the younger generation didn’t even Watch prime Kobe if anything most of them underrate him

[tsherkin]

Kobe is underrated and this post is probably rage bait , borderline top 10? only elite at scoring? Anyway the younger generation didn’t even Watch prime Kobe if anything most of them underrate him

Maybe he means "of all-time?"

Some people consider him a back-end Top 10 All-Time player, while others have him anywhere from 11th to like 25th or so, give or take to whom you're speaking.

I'm generally lower on Kobe than many (especially all-time), but even I couldn't even imagine an argument suggesting he was borderline top-10 in the league during his prime, let alone at his peak.

[AEnigma]

Please don't ever insult Kobe by mentioning Dirk in the same breath with him again.

The younger generation has overrated Dirk to an unbelievable degree.

He was a borderline top 10 player most of his career, had two historical playoff meltdowns in 2006 and 2007 and was only elite at one thing: scoring and there were routinely multiple players in the league better than him at that.

You do realize that, applying the same heavy-handed and reductionist wording, that statement could also apply word for word to Kobe, right? (except for the playoff meltdown in 2007, but you could swap 2004 for that).

The younger generation has overrated Kobe to an unbelievable degree.

He was a borderline top 10 player most of his career, had two historical playoff meltdowns in 2004 and 2006 and was only elite at one thing: scoring and there were routinely multiple players in the league better than him at that.

Kobe is underrated and this post is probably rage bait , borderline top 10? only elite at scoring? Anyway the younger generation didn’t even Watch prime Kobe if anything most of them underrate him

Dirk was also not “borderline top 10” and “only elite at scoring”, so looks like that went over your head.

[EmpireFalls]

KayDee by far. His actual basketball ability has become significantly underrated due to how he acts off the court.

[SHAQ32]

I might put Kobe last here. Having two 6'11+ guys that can play PF (KD) or C (Dirk) who also just so happen to be all-time great shooters is valuable. Plus, they had better shot selection for the most part. And KD could block shots - he was a unicorn's unicorn.

[lessthanjake]

Kobe definitely had a greater prime than Dirk. But Dirk was probably a better, more impactful basketball player. In terms of how impactful they are at basketball, I’d say Dirk > Durant > Kobe. But in terms of greatness, I’d say Kobe > Dirk > Durant.

[eminence]

I would have a Kobe>Dirk>KD order, close enough that any order is justifiable.

Kobe is the best offensive player (ball handling), in particular when offense can bog down a bit.

Dirk vs KD, KD with a bit more self creation, Dirk (at his best) actually required covering with a big giving him more meaningful 'gravity'. Dirk a solidly better defender (strength edge mostly).

Were I weighting it for value instead of goodness KD would drop a bit further behind, more injury prone than the other two.

[sp6r=underrated]

Prime only, how would you rank them from 1-3?

Whenever I'm asked the "how would you rank XYZ by prime" I do ask myself how I would think about the players as a team. A player's value to a team is impacted by the likelihood that they'll stay with the club.

And that really hurts someone like Durant or Wilt or Shaq.

1. Durant leaves a very strong OKC club because they haven't won a title.
2. Durant leaves title-winning GSW because he isn't getting enough credit.
3. Durant ties himself to the biggest headcase of his generation.
4. Durant demands the Nets fire the Coach/GM and replace them with people he prefers.
5. Durant demands Nets trade him after his desired moves fail.

I could forgive any one of these things in isolation but doing all of the above makes clear Durant can't be satisfied unless he gets a "Duncan in San Antonio" situation which is unicorn level unlikely.

Dirk's great on that front. Kobe is basically fine as long as the team isn't bad. Durant seemingly can't be satisfied being the lead on legit contenders or winning Finals MVP. And that means his prime is substantially shorter for the team that has him than either Kobe or Dirk.