In the glittering constellation of basketball, there are two brilliant stars - Curry and Durant, whose radiance illuminates the entire league and has sparked endless discussions among fans. Who holds a higher historical status? This is akin to a war without smoke, continuously burning on the basketball court.
Curry, the legendary figure of the small-ball era, was destined to rewrite the history of basketball from the moment he stepped into the league. His games are like a splendid feast of three-pointers, each shot making the audience's hearts leap to their throats. On the court, Curry's agile figure weaves through the opponent's defense, with his adept dribbling skills as if the ball were an extension of his body. His eyes are always fixed on the basket, searching for the best shooting opportunity. When he stands beyond the three-point line, slightly bending his knees, his wrist gently flicks, and the basketball becomes a precise projectile, soaring through a beautiful arc and sinking cleanly through the net. His three-point shots are not just a means of scoring but also a display of art.
Looking back at Curry's career, his statistics shine like stars twinkling in the night sky. Averaging 24.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of 47.2%, a three-point percentage of 42.5%, and a free-throw percentage of 91%. In the playoffs, he performs equally impressively, averaging 27 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of 45.3% and a three-point percentage of 39.7%. Behind these numbers lies countless nights of hard training and a relentless pursuit of the game.
In terms of personal accolades, Curry's trophy room is filled with eye-catching awards. He holds four championship trophies, each representing the sweat and struggles of him and his teammates. In the 2015 Finals, facing formidable opponents, Curry led the Warriors to fiercely battle on the court. In the crucial fourth game, when the team trailed in the third quarter, Curry, with his superhuman individual ability and indomitable fighting spirit, continuously hit difficult three-pointers to gradually close the gap. He constantly encouraged his teammates on the court, inspiring the team's morale with his actions. Ultimately, they successfully turned the tide of the game, won the key victory of the series, and eventually lifted the championship trophy. He also boasts one Finals MVP, two regular-season MVPs, two scoring titles, one steal title, ten All-Star selections, four All-NBA First Team selections, four All-NBA Second Team selections, two All-NBA Third Team selections, and one All-Rookie First Team selection. These honors are the best proof of his remarkable achievements in the basketball realm.
Durant, on the other hand, is also a basketball superstar blessed with extraordinary talent. His tall and slender physique stands out on the court. His scoring methods are diverse, whether it be mid-range jump shots or driving layups, all possessing great lethality. In games, he often utilizes his height advantage to easily shoot over opponents. His jump shot is smooth and natural, with impressive jumping height and shooting speed. When he attacks with the ball, defenders often find it hard to stop him.
Durant's career averages are equally impressive, with 27.3 points, 7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game, shooting 50.1% from the field, 38.8% from three-point range, and 88.3% from the free-throw line. In the playoffs, he averages 29.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1 steal, and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting 47.7% from the field, 35.6% from three-point range, and 86.8% from the free-throw line. With his outstanding scoring ability, he has been awarded the scoring title four times, a rare achievement in the league.
In terms of honors, Durant owns two championship trophies, two Finals MVPs, one regular-season MVP, four scoring titles, 14 All-Star selections, six All-NBA First Team selections, five All-NBA Second Team selections, one Rookie of the Year, and one All-Rookie First Team selection. His honors are undoubtedly substantial, yet there are some controversial opinions. Some fans and media believe that his 2 championships + 2 FMVPs were largely due to the strong lineup system of the Warriors. During his time with the Warriors, Curry drew a lot of defensive attention, creating more offensive space for Durant. After leaving the Warriors, although his personal stats remained excellent, he has yet to meet expectations in leading his team to success, having not made it to the Finals so far.
In terms of influence and commercial value, Curry is undoubtedly the iconic figure of the small-ball era. With his accurate three-point shots, he completely changed the style of modern basketball. Under his influence, more and more teams began to emphasize three-point tactics, and more and more players worked to improve their three-point shooting abilities. He is like a spark that ignited the prairie fire of the small-ball era. In terms of commercial value, Curry stands out even more. Not only is he one of the highest-paid active players in the NBA, but his off-court annual commercial income exceeds 50million.His1 billion lifetime contract with Under Armour further demonstrates his enormous influence in the commercial realm, second only to LeBron James in the entire league.
Durant also has an impressive showing in this regard. He is one of the greatest scorers in history, breaking the traditional perception that tall players can only play inside. He showed that tall players can also possess powerful attacking capabilities on the perimeter. His commercial value is not to be underestimated either, with his lifetime contract valued at approximately $400 million, which, though there is a gap compared to Curry, still places him at a high level within the league.
In competitions, the face-offs between Curry and Durant are always full of highlights. When they meet on the court, both sides go all out, trying to prove their strength against each other. In a regular-season game, the Warriors faced the Thunder, with Curry and Durant engaging in intense offensive and defensive battles on the court. Curry continuously sought three-point opportunities from the outside, while Durant used his height advantage to create problems for the Warriors with strong inside attacks and mid-range jump shots. As the game entered its critical moments, the score seesawed, with tension pervading the entire arena. In a fast break, Curry, facing Durant's defense, skillfully used a feint to shake off his opponent and then decisively shot a three-pointer, hitting a crucial shot. Durant was not to be outdone, posting up against Curry in the next possession and scoring with a turnaround jumper, returning the favor. The game ultimately went into overtime, with both sides giving their all until the last moment to determine the victor.
Whether it's Curry or Durant, they are both legendary figures in the basketball world, leaving a rich and colorful mark in the history of basketball. Their achievements and influence will continue to inspire generation after generation of basketball enthusiasts to pursue their dreams and forge ahead on the path of basketball. In the days to come, we look forward to them continuing to create more brilliance on the basketball court and bringing more exciting games to the fans. We also believe that the debate over who holds a higher historical status will continue in the world of basketball, becoming an eternal topic among fans.