20KD: How does Durant stack up to the rest of the 20,000 point club?
By Jelani Scott
Youngest to ever do it
Combing through the history between Durant and LeBron James would take an entire article but we are here to only focus on the magical number, regardless of how tempting it is to talk about all the magic.
On January 16, 2013, Miami Heat forward LeBron James (feels so long ago, doesn’t it?) put up 25 points on 11/20 from the field, 10 rebounds and seven assists against the pre-KD Warriors en route to a 92-75 win. He became the youngest player ever to score 20K, only further cementing his status as one of the greatest ever.
James concluded the 2012-13 season with 26.8 PPG, 8 RPG and 7.3 APG and went on to win his second straight title with the first coming against the young OKC Thunder, which Durant was famously a part of. I mean, not to linger on it too long, but look at this clip and you’ll see why he is feared.
The most exciting difference between these two and the other legends on this list is that their stories are still being written. It’s almost a foregone conclusion that James will eclipse 30K this season, but some speculate he could leave the game as the all-time leading scorer.
We can only hope that we will continue to be treated to the neck-and-neck duels we’ve become accustomed to from these dominant stars, and if they continue at the pace they are now, then we will be treated to several more battles. Durant told The Mercury News in December 2017 that his performance in the 2017 Finals showed the world where he and LeBron measure up.
"“They have seen me play at the highest level and play against a guy who people say is continuously the best player ever,” Durant said. “I feel like I proved myself and belong in that conversation.”"
He also said that, in terms of basketball skills, he is “on the same level” as James. Durant has zero fear when matching up with the Cleveland Cavs star, and with the two seeming to be on a crash course in the 2018 Finals, Durant will have another chance to add to his resume and his point total.