Kobe or Kevin?

Who Is The Best Player In The Lakers-Thunder Series

by Dave Shepard, OTSL Special Contributor

A lot of the attention is going to the Metta World Peace and James Harden Rivalry. What might be going under the radar is the fact that two of the most prolific scorers in the NBA are also facing off. It truly begs the question, right now who would you take as the best player in this series, Kobe or KD?

Spin 1: Kobe Has Played Better This Postseason

Kobe despite playing in the league for 11 more seasons than Durant is averaging more points per game and dishing the rock with greater efficiency in the playoffs. Kobe has done this despite playing in a grueling seven game series, Durant has only played four games thus far. Kobe has scored 30 points at least four times in these playoffs. Durant has only had one 30-point game in the 2012 postseason.

Kobe is Still The Superior Player
           2012 NBA Playoffs
              Bryant     Durant
PPG          29.1        26.5
APG           5.0         3.8
RPG           4.6         7.5

Spin 2: Durant has more support than Kobe

Both Westbrook and Harden are averaging more points per contest than both Bynum and Gasol. Harden and Westbrook are largely considered to be the other 2/3 of the Big Three for the Thunder, comparable to Bynum and Gasol for the Lakers Big 3. Both Bynum and Gasol combined are averaging less than 30 points per game so far in these playoffs. Meanwhile, the other part of the big three for the Thunder in Westbrook and Harden are averaging more than a combined 40 points per contest in the playoffs.

Niether Harden nor Westbrook had a game in which they scored less than double figures. Bynum and Gasol have had two so far between them during these playoffs. The Thunder played against the reigning NBA champions. The Lakers bigs were going against an undersized Nuggets team, a squad that had 0 All-Stars. As a result of that Durant has more fire power than the Lakers.

Kobe And Durant Support System
                                                        2012 NBA Playoffs
                                           Gasol + Bynum       Westbrook + Harden
PPG                                                     29.6                               40.6
Single Digit Scoring Games             2                                   0


Spin 3: Wins In the Playoffs Never Lie and Experience Always Comes Into Play

Kobe Bryant also happens to be third all-time in playoff career points. He has scored 5,484 points in his postseason career. He is 504 points away from passing Michael Jordan for the most all-time. Bryant has led the NBA playoffs in most points scored in a single postseason on five different occasions. Kevin Durant has never accomplished this feat once, despite being a three-time scoring champ during the regular season. Kobe has clearly had the advantage in team success as well.

Kobe Is The Master
                       Playoff Careers
                       Bryant     Durant
Points               5,484       743
Series Wins         33          3
Titles                     5             0

No matter who your pick is, this series is going to be must see TV.  It'll be NBA Playoff basketball at its best!