Question about Dirk Nowitzki vs Kevin Durant

[No-more-rings]

So, it seems most would consider peak/prime Dirk the superior offensive force, or at the very least that his offense was more resilient in the postseason.

But what's the reason? Both are 7 footers that like to take a lot of jumpshots and are damn good at it, but given Durant's skillset, and physical attributes and such shouldn't he have wound up clearly better than Dirk? He's probably about as tall both around 7 foot, KD was always more athletic and a better ballhandler/passer. Is it KD's lack of weight/strength in comparison to Dirk? Is Dirk just the better shooter, or does Dirk pulling big men onto the perimeter player warp defenses in a way KD cannot? Then there's Dirk's post game that is much better..so that's got to be some of it too.

[HBK_Kliq_33]

The differences between them are a very small gap, so you can pretty much go either way.

Overall they are about a wash as players but I give the edge to Dirk because peaks. Dirk just peaked higher in 2011 in terms of carrying a team on his back and Durant never really showed he was capable of that. Dirk kept his head high and stayed with dallas after 06, while Durant took the easy way out in 2016. Imagine Dirk joining Spurs after 2006? That's what Durant did relative to era. Dirk had a better jump shot, better post game, better strength, better rebounder so overall I give the edge to Dirk as he seemed like a more well rounded player and more impressive playoff peak. The advantages I see for Durant are ball handling, quickness, athleticism, defense.

The interesting thing about both of them is I think quicker shooting guards are the ones that defend them best and give them trouble. When a bigger guy that is closer to their size guards them they pretty much play as if the guy isn't even there.

[SHAQ32]

I'm not understanding the question.

[bledredwine]

I fully expect a bunch of posters to comment on how Dirk is way better, but KD is the better player. He’s a much better slasher and defender with a top tier midrange just like Dirk. They are not that far apart offensively, however.

[henshao]

Dirk's not exactly known for his rebounding and defense but he could play center at an acceptable level

[migya]

Just comparing both players individually, Dirk is great but Durant is certainly better. He creates for himself far better and has more one on one skills. His defense is also better. If Durant comes back close full strength and plays at his current level for another four seasons he will be known as a top 15 player ever.

[zonedefense]

Dirk played PF/C and created the bigger missmatch. Durant wants to be a SF. When he accepted his role in GS and played more minutes at PF he looked like a better version of Dirk. Compared to Dirk he lacks some bulk and that´s probably why he tries to stay at SF but he is at his best at PF.
I also think that Dirk was more unique when he entered the league. He was the first MVP level 7ft guy with a perimeter skill set (pull up game, face up game, drive, ballhandling). Teams had some experience when it came to defense against a 7ft guard and even though Durant had even better handles and more athleticism the same defensive adjustments worked. In his OKC days Durant struggled against smaller perimeter defenders like Tony Allen. The same is true for Dirk who played his worst playoff series against smaller defenders like TMAC, Richardson, Jackson, Barnes.
Both improved their postgame to overcome this weakness.
Overall I would say that KD is the more skilled player but Dirk had the bigger impact.

[ShotCreator]

Dirk stretched bigs, screened really well, and was really efficient at spots very difficult to help from on the court because of his really good foul drawing ability.

And I think people recognize Dirks scoring bent defenses more than KDs. However KD is a much better passer. That gets overlooked. And it makes them close on that end for me.

But I think people get tunnel vision on Dirks PNP/mid-post game that to me was worth more than any of KDs scoring strengths.

[Mavericksfan]

The fact that Dirk is a much more willing/better screener is the difference imo.

He has a greater off-ball impact by making the game a lot easier for everyone around him. Plus at his peak his post game was good enough that you could not put a smaller player on him

[70sFan]

Dirk played PF/C and created the bigger missmatch. Durant wants to be a SF. When he accepted his role in GS and played more minutes at PF he looked like a better version of Dirk. Compared to Dirk he lacks some bulk and that´s probably why he tries to stay at SF but he is at his best at PF.
I also think that Dirk was more unique when he entered the league. He was the first MVP level 7ft guy with a perimeter skill set (pull up game, face up game, drive, ballhandling). Teams had some experience when it came to defense against a 7ft guard and even though Durant had even better handles and more athleticism the same defensive adjustments worked. In his OKC days Durant struggled against smaller perimeter defenders like Tony Allen. The same is true for Dirk who played his worst playoff series against smaller defenders like TMAC, Richardson, Jackson, Barnes.
Both improved their postgame to overcome this weakness.
Overall I would say that KD is the more skilled player but Dirk had the bigger impact.

Bob McAdoo won MVP before Dirk was even born and he had it all.

[Dr Spaceman]

Dirk stretched bigs, screened really well, and was really efficient at spots very difficult to help from on the court because of his really good foul drawing ability.

And I think people recognize Dirks scoring bent defenses more than KDs. However KD is a much better passer. That gets overlooked. And it makes them close on that end for me.

But I think people get tunnel vision on Dirks PNP/mid-post game that to me was worth more than any of KDs scoring strengths.

Dirk had more gravity in the mid range than I think any player had in any zone ever. Re-watching the 2011 playoffs it is absolutely unreasonable the way teams threw bodies at him like he’s Lebron driving to the rim. And unlike Bron he can set up in the mid range every possession if he wants to. It’s why Dallas had such a wicked attack despite only one real creator.

[Ryoga Hibiki]

Dirk played PF/C and created the bigger missmatch. Durant wants to be a SF. When he accepted his role in GS and played more minutes at PF he looked like a better version of Dirk. Compared to Dirk he lacks some bulk and that´s probably why he tries to stay at SF but he is at his best at PF.
I also think that Dirk was more unique when he entered the league. He was the first MVP level 7ft guy with a perimeter skill set (pull up game, face up game, drive, ballhandling). Teams had some experience when it came to defense against a 7ft guard and even though Durant had even better handles and more athleticism the same defensive adjustments worked. In his OKC days Durant struggled against smaller perimeter defenders like Tony Allen. The same is true for Dirk who played his worst playoff series against smaller defenders like TMAC, Richardson, Jackson, Barnes.
Both improved their postgame to overcome this weakness.
Overall I would say that KD is the more skilled player but Dirk had the bigger impact.

Bob McAdoo won MVP before Dirk was even born and he had it all.

Just he wasn't close to 7ft

Sent from my Nokia 3210 using RealGM mobile app

[70sFan]

Dirk played PF/C and created the bigger missmatch. Durant wants to be a SF. When he accepted his role in GS and played more minutes at PF he looked like a better version of Dirk. Compared to Dirk he lacks some bulk and that´s probably why he tries to stay at SF but he is at his best at PF.
I also think that Dirk was more unique when he entered the league. He was the first MVP level 7ft guy with a perimeter skill set (pull up game, face up game, drive, ballhandling). Teams had some experience when it came to defense against a 7ft guard and even though Durant had even better handles and more athleticism the same defensive adjustments worked. In his OKC days Durant struggled against smaller perimeter defenders like Tony Allen. The same is true for Dirk who played his worst playoff series against smaller defenders like TMAC, Richardson, Jackson, Barnes.
Both improved their postgame to overcome this weakness.
Overall I would say that KD is the more skilled player but Dirk had the bigger impact.

Bob McAdoo won MVP before Dirk was even born and he had it all.

Just he wasn't close to 7ft

Sent from my Nokia 3210 using RealGM mobile app

Neither is Durant and I doubt that Dirk is without the shoes either.

[Sublime187]

Bob McAdoo won MVP before Dirk was even born and he had it all.

Just he wasn't close to 7ft

Sent from my Nokia 3210 using RealGM mobile app

Neither is Durant and I doubt that Dirk is without the shoes either.

It's funny, Durant started out at 6'9 and people have been propping that a bit every year and now refer to him as 7 feet which is definitely not true.

And I agree Dirk is probably 6'10 which is I guess 7 feet in today's NBA.

[HBK_Kliq_33]

Just he wasn't close to 7ft

Sent from my Nokia 3210 using RealGM mobile app

Neither is Durant and I doubt that Dirk is without the shoes either.

It's funny, Durant started out at 6'9 and people have been propping that a bit every year and now refer to him as 7 feet which is definitely not true.

And I agree Dirk is probably 6'10 which is I guess 7 feet in today's NBA.

Durant said he's 6"10 and 7"0 with shoes on. I think the same goes for Dirk.

[70sFan]

Neither is Durant and I doubt that Dirk is without the shoes either.

It's funny, Durant started out at 6'9 and people have been propping that a bit every year and now refer to him as 7 feet which is definitely not true.

And I agree Dirk is probably 6'10 which is I guess 7 feet in today's NBA.

Durant said he's 6"10 and 7"0 with shoes on. I think the same goes for Dirk.

So they are the same height as McAdoo.

[Ryoga Hibiki]

It's funny, Durant started out at 6'9 and people have been propping that a bit every year and now refer to him as 7 feet which is definitely not true.

And I agree Dirk is probably 6'10 which is I guess 7 feet in today's NBA.

Durant said he's 6"10 and 7"0 with shoes on. I think the same goes for Dirk.

So they are the same height as McAdoo.

[IMG]https://www.sportscasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Bob-McAdoo-RHONA-WISE-AFP-Getty-Images.jpg
[/IMG]

I think there are easily a couple of inches between Dirk and McAdoo, who is easily taller than Durant.



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[zonedefense]

Dirk played PF/C and created the bigger missmatch. Durant wants to be a SF. When he accepted his role in GS and played more minutes at PF he looked like a better version of Dirk. Compared to Dirk he lacks some bulk and that´s probably why he tries to stay at SF but he is at his best at PF.
I also think that Dirk was more unique when he entered the league. He was the first MVP level 7ft guy with a perimeter skill set (pull up game, face up game, drive, ballhandling). Teams had some experience when it came to defense against a 7ft guard and even though Durant had even better handles and more athleticism the same defensive adjustments worked. In his OKC days Durant struggled against smaller perimeter defenders like Tony Allen. The same is true for Dirk who played his worst playoff series against smaller defenders like TMAC, Richardson, Jackson, Barnes.
Both improved their postgame to overcome this weakness.
Overall I would say that KD is the more skilled player but Dirk had the bigger impact.

Bob McAdoo won MVP before Dirk was even born and he had it all.

I don´t see it. McAdoo had a great shooting touch but is still more of a traditional bigman than both. KD and Dirk are more fluent. They have better handles and actually played minutes at SF (Dirk in his early years) and even SG (KD in his early years). Both are known for their ability to bring the ball up the floor. Both were used as pick and roll ballhandlers on occasion.
McAdoo obviously played in a different era (different rules especially for ballhandling) but I have never seen footage of him hitting a pull up jumper after a crossover dribble or him running the pick and roll as the ballhandler.

[Threetimes10]

Durant may be a more versatile defender but that hasn't translated to any meaningful advantage in terms of defensive impact. The notion that Dirk is a poor defender and that Durant is a good defender is completely based on narratives and is uncorroborated.

[Mavericksfan]

It's funny, Durant started out at 6'9 and people have been propping that a bit every year and now refer to him as 7 feet which is definitely not true.

And I agree Dirk is probably 6'10 which is I guess 7 feet in today's NBA.

Durant said he's 6"10 and 7"0 with shoes on. I think the same goes for Dirk.

So they are the same height as McAdoo.

Where do you find McAdoo’s height without shoes?

I did find this one SI article calling h 6’10

https://www.si.com/vault/1974/03/18/619274/mcadoo-about-something-boffo-in-buffalo