prime dirk vs current durant?

[Random_Guy]

Who would you take?

[Trollsmasher]

The one who is not a second option.

[crunk-juice]

who the hell is Current Durant

[NLZ]

Durant... better stats while playing better defense.
Durant is the 2nd best player after LeBron.

Dirk was what, top 6-7? Shaq, Kobe, Wade, Garnett, Duncan etc etc were always better.

[dr.hee]

Depends on how the team looks like. They're playing different positions after all, so you can't simply compare them 1 vs 1.

Durant can do more things obviously and produce bigger numbers. On the other hand, Dirk has a kind of impact that's very unique and can't be measured by his shooting numbers alone. A 7 footer with that kind of skillset is just messing up any defensive scheme. The 2006 team had no business coming out of the West that year. And the 2011 Mavs (while getting underrated in terms of depth) were good, but not that great either. I'd argue the success of those teams is very specific to the things Dirk brings to the table and I don't see another big man doing the same with that type of roster. Just like you probably won't win with Dirk on any of the Spurs championship teams instead of Duncan.

So I'd say Durant right now is better than Dirk ever was individually, but it's still not so clear who I'd pick. There are scenarios where Dirk is a better choice imo.

[R.I.P.]

Durant... better stats while playing better defense.
Durant is the 2nd best player after LeBron.

Dirk was what, top 6-7? Shaq, Kobe, Wade, Garnett, Duncan etc etc were always better.

[Fresh Kid]

Kevin Durant is better but at tha same time I would choose prime dirk simply cuz he never had a westbrook type player

[Alan Ogg]

Durant... better stats while playing better defense.
Durant is the 2nd best player after LeBron.

Dirk was what, top 6-7? Shaq, Kobe, Wade, Garnett, Duncan etc etc were always better.

Right, except for the '06-'07 when Dirk won MVP, oh and '04-'05 and '05-'06 when he came in 3rd in MVP voting. And '09-'12. The Finals MVP in '11 was okay too.

[dunksby]

Prime Dirk was a beast, he was always there making his presence known among the elite players. I take Durant because his higher ceiling and diversity of his game.

[knickballer]

For sure Dirk. Carrying JJ Barrea, 40 year old J-kidd w/ arthritis, etc, to a ring. Always had a subpar supporting cast but always made them play above their ability.

I also laugh at the fools who think Garnett is a better player than Dirk. Not then and definitely not now.

[Kblaze8855]

Always had a subpar supporting cast but always made them play above their ability.

There was maybe an 8 year stretch where not one person on the planet said that and an 11 year stretch nobody should have.


That said....

Probably Dirk. There are teams id take Durant on but generally if I didnt know who I could pair him with id take Dirk in 01-11 form.

[VIntageNOvel]

how is this even a question

32 years old dirk > prime lebron > current durant

therefore

prime dirk >>>>

the only reason why dirk never get into goat discussion is because he's unlucky enough to be at the same era with kobe and duncan

[DMAVS41]

Dirk

Just because he never had a team around him as good as Durante has had since 12

So Durante has to prove he can win/lead in playoffs more

Really close though imo

[R.I.P.]

how is this even a question

32 years old dirk > prime lebron > current durant

therefore

prime dirk >>>>

the only reason why dirk never get into goat discussion is because he's unlucky enough to be at the same era with kobe and duncan

....and the fact that while Dirk had many very good teammates it

[MavsSuperFan]

The one who is not a second option.