Who is the better player: 2014 Durant or 2025 SGA

[trevon2x]

Playmaking and scoring>scoring. I think KD is comfortably the better defender as well, and his defense is more important to his team as although Shai is ceiling raising his team's defense, KD is taking more of a defensive load, covering more ground, cleaning up more mistakes, and playing that LeBron-esque style where he can stay with a guard on the perimeter while protecting the rim. This is also one of the best scoring years of his career.

[IlikeSHAIguys]

Honest, I think this is kind of disrespectful to Shai

I think that's more your feelings speaking than anything else. The gap is very small at best imo. Based on obpm it's Shai at 8.9 and KD at 8.8 while vorp has KD at 9.6 to 8.9 for Shai. So just in terms of box score production it seems very close.

Okay but overall BPM has Shai like 1.1 ahead and 2 ahead in the playoffs so it seems like you're just choosing something on feelings. Like really I don't know how much those stats matter but everything on basketball reference advanced is saying SGA is ahead of KD so if you're going to say that's box score production and proves everything seems like you don't need feelings to say Shai is just better.

[IlikeSHAIguys]

Playmaking and scoring>scoring. I think KD is comfortably the better defender as well, and his defense is more important to his team as although Shai is ceiling raising his team's defense, KD is taking more of a defensive load, covering more ground, cleaning up more mistakes, and playing that LeBron-esque style where he can stay with a guard on the perimeter while protecting the rim. This is also one of the best scoring years of his career.

Are you saying KD is a better passer? Sorry but how?

[Cavsfansince84]

Okay but overall BPM has Shai like 1.1 ahead and 2 ahead in the playoffs so it seems like you're just choosing something on feelings. Like really I don't know how much those stats matter but everything on basketball reference advanced is saying SGA is ahead of KD so if you're going to say that's box score production and proves everything seems like you don't need feelings to say Shai is just better.

1. I put more stock in obpm than in the def version. 2. If anything based on feelings it would be Shai who I like better. 3. I think the stats I used are the most relevant for a box score comparison between two high scoring perimeter players. 4. I give the edge to Shai in the playoffs but I still think its very close and could be argued either way based on how much more of a defensive oriented league it was in 2014 and KD having a clear edge in scoring efficiency and minute load.

[ShaqAttac]

SGA didnt need 73 win superteam to win chip.

[IlikeSHAIguys]

Okay but overall BPM has Shai like 1.1 ahead and 2 ahead in the playoffs so it seems like you're just choosing something on feelings. Like really I don't know how much those stats matter but everything on basketball reference advanced is saying SGA is ahead of KD so if you're going to say that's box score production and proves everything seems like you don't need feelings to say Shai is just better.

1. I put more stock in obpm than in the def version. 2. If anything based on feelings it would be Shai who I like better. 3. I think the stats I used are the most relevant for a box score comparison between two high scoring perimeter players. 4. I give the edge to Shai in the playoffs but I still think its very close and could be argued either way based on how much more of a defensive oriented league it was in 2014 and KD having a clear edge in scoring efficiency and minute load.

saying shai and kd are the same because of high scoring is pretty weird tbh. i don't really like how you're using the part of the stat you like.

you're also giving kd extra credit for playing in 2014?

[Cavsfansince84]

saying shai and kd are the same because of high scoring is pretty weird tbh. i don't really like how you're using the part of the stat you like.

you're also giving kd extra credit for playing in 2014?

I don't think I said they are basically the same but both are high scoring perimeter players. That's definitely a similarity, not necessarily that they are the same. Also KD in 2014 took on way more of a ballhandling/playmaking role. Ya, personally I do think all the stats pretty much back up that its easier for wings to score now compared to 10-15 years ago. KD, Steph and LeBron are living proof of it I would say. Now are there multiple factors which play into that idea? yes and I'm not trying to go into each and every one of those right here but suffice to say that I think any top wing from the 00-15 period that could shoot a 3 much at all would stand out even more in today's league because the rules and coaching have shifted towards guys unlocking their athleticism and skills even more.

[IlikeSHAIguys]

saying shai and kd are the same because of high scoring is pretty weird tbh. i don't really like how you're using the part of the stat you like.

you're also giving kd extra credit for playing in 2014?

I don't think I said they are basically the same but both are high scoring perimeter players. That's definitely a similarity, not necessarily that they are the same. Also KD in 2014 took on way more of a ballhandling/playmaking role. Ya, personally I do think all the stats pretty much back up that its easier for wings to score now compared to 10-15 years ago. KD, Steph and LeBron are living proof of it I would say. Now are there multiple factors which play into that idea? yes and I'm not trying to go into each and every one of those right here but suffice to say that I think any top wing from the 00-15 period that could shoot a 3 much at all would stand out even more in today's league because the rules and coaching have shifted towards guys unlocking their athleticism and skills even more.

How do shooters stand out more when more people can shoot?

[Cavsfansince84]

How do shooters stand out more when more people can shoot?

I'm not referring to shooters though. I am mostly referring to wings who are good to elite at both shooting and driving. I'm talking about near mvp level wings/perimeter players.

[The-Power]

I like SGA more as an offensive engine and in the primary role. And when it comes to the highest peaks, this consideration matters disproportionally (especially when the gap in terms of defensive value is relatively small in comparison). I'd take 2014 Durant as a ceiling raiser and next to other elite offensive talent but would still side with SGA overall here.