Dirk Versus Durant

R

Rex Kramer

1,000+ Posts
This question should not factor in age. Who is better, right now? I say Durant, and it's not even a contest in my mind. Dirk has, for the last 8-10 years, been a top 10-15 player in the league - top 10 likely. For the last couple of years, Durant is behind only Kobe and LeBron. He is certainly a Top 5 guy, and Dirk is not. Do I view this correctly? I am biased as a UT guy, but I am also a Mavs guy.

By the way, I vehemently defended this position against 4 other guys all weekend, and got crucified for it. I seriously think they're all ****** in the head. I said I thought if espn.com took a poll, over 70% of respondents would vote Durant. They thought I was nuts.
 
Durant is tougher and less of a flopper. But sadly, Kevin is definitely working on that aspect of his game.
 
They are not all that different in quality at this point, although Durant has so much more in future upside and gives the crowd more highlights. This year's playoffs will give Durant a chance to make a name for himself apart from being a scorer.
 
I am a huge Dirk fan and huge Durant fan, right now I do not see much difference in the 2. I will take both of them on my team and my fantasy teams.
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Just skimmed over their stats.

Points - KD
Rebounds - wash
FG% - wash
3P% - wash
Assists - wash
FT% - wash (almost identical)

Go check em out for yourself. They're eerily similar, but I'd take KD because of his age/upside.
 
Durant is tougher? Dirk has been beaten to death for a decade and played through many injuries. Underrated tough guy because he doesn't act like an idiot.
 
For the last shot to win a game I would take Dirk's fade away jumper over just about anyone. A 7 footer jumping up and back that can knock it down like Dirk does is pretty special.
 
Durant needs to win a playoff series before I say he's better then Dirk Nowitski.

I got crucified for this sometime last year, but when I see Durant all I see is a really good scorer.

I dont see what makes him any different then Tracy McGrady or Gilbert Arenas where in their primes.

On an NBA message board I read someone posted Durant 4th quarter statistics....or maybe his field goal percentage in the last few minutes....and they were not that great.

Right now....give me Dirk.

This Mavs team wouldnt be in the playoffs without him....and with him they are gonna challenge for a top 3 seed in the West.
 
Durant is more versatile IMO. He is a better overall scorer. Nowitzski can create a bit of a matchup problem due to his size. He is a better outside shooter at this point and can stretch the defense a bit more. At this point in their respective careers Durant is younger and you are going to be able to play him more minutes and get more from him.

Durant is a better defensive player. He gets more blocks and more steals. Assits and rebounds are a wash.

If you were looking to build a team today I think you obviously take Durant. If you need to add one piece to a puzzle for 1-2 years then this is a more intereting discussion.

Durant is more explosive and will get to the basket and create contact. This is very valuable in the playoffs. From what I have seen from Dirk in the past he can go a little cold at times from outside. If he isn't a consistent threat to get inside and to the line then his game and team can struggle.
 
And anyone interested in Dirk's stats:
Dirk Stats

Cliffs:

- He scores slightly more in the playoffs (25.6 vs 22.9)
- Minutes are higher in the playoffs (41.7 vs 36.7)
- FG% is worse in the playoffs (.459 vs .473)
- 3P% is slightly worse in the playoffs (.372 vs .380)
- FT% is slightly better (.882 vs .876)
- RPG is better (10.9 vs 8.5)

Everything else is pretty much a wash.
 
Dirk will always be criminally underrated. Especially once he retires. Gangly German who is incorrectly looked at as soft and not a winner by those outside of Dallas. Most don't appreciate the amount of punishment without the Kobe or even D-Wade preferrential treatment. The evolution of his game is underappreciated. Many still see him as the 19-year old 3-point bomber. They don't appreciate how many different incarnations of the Mavs he's led to the playoffs, and deep into the playoffs. They really pushed the best in the West many years. When you compare him to a guy like Reggie Miller, I think Reggie is the one that gets the bigger respect. I do think he may be on his best Mavs squad of his career barring health over the next couple of seasons. It would be nice to see him get a couple of rings and get the recognition that he simply will never get without them. Instead right now, people only remember the first round exits instead of multiple western confernce finals and even a finals appearance. Shame.
 
I would say these guys are close. Who will bring a title to there town first will sat them apart. Dirks had more chances his time is running out. Lets see how KD does with his. I like both these guys. They both give 110 % on the floor. Just like tonight. Some were saying Kevin wouldn't be on the floor.
 
as of May 2011 I would still take Dirk over Durant.

Durant did have a much better 2011 playoffs then he did last year.
 
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