Kevin Durant
2007–08 to 2025–26
18 seasons · 2007–08 to 2025–26NBA player comparison
Who was better: Kevin Durant or Larry Bird?
Durant pairs rare scoring efficiency with extraordinary longevity. Bird's case rests on a denser run of elite league finishes and more complete playmaking at his peak.
Larry Bird
1979–80 to 1991–92
13 seasons · 1979–80 to 1991–9210 best seasonsAverages from ten best seasons10 best seasons
64.2%True shooting56.8%
11.4%Rebound rate14.2%
23.8%Assist rate25.9%
1.4%Steal rate2.1%
2.8%Block rate1.3%
12.7%Turnover rate12.5%
What hussEyquation concludes
#18Career Impact RankPeak-weighted regular-season rank#9
+9.2Peak era-centered impactEstimated points per 100 possessions above that season's league average+8.8
2.4Best 5 seasons · avg. league rank1.2
3.8Best 10 seasons · avg. league rank3.7
0Seasons ranked No. 14
The story: Larry Bird ranks higher because his best regular seasons were stronger. Points, rebounds, and assists tell only part of the story. hussEyquation estimates how much a player helped his team while he was on the court. Larry Bird's best season was estimated at +8.8 points per 100 possessions above league average. Kevin Durant's best season was +9.2. Across their best three, five, and ten seasons, Larry Bird's average league places were 1.0, 1.2, and 3.7. Kevin Durant's were 2.0, 2.4, and 3.8. A place closer to No. 1 is better.
Career Impact Rank compares entire regular-season careers across NBA history. It looks at where each player ranked in his best three, five, and ten seasons, giving the most weight to his very best years. Playoff results, awards, and championships do not affect it.
Why this verdict
Larry Bird ranks higher because his best regular seasons were stronger. Points, rebounds, and assists tell only part of the story. hussEyquation estimates how much a player helped his team while he was on the court. Larry Bird's best season was estimated at +8.8 points per 100 possessions above league average. Kevin Durant's best season was +9.2. Across their best three, five, and ten seasons, Larry Bird's average league places were 1.0, 1.2, and 3.7. Kevin Durant's were 2.0, 2.4, and 3.8. A place closer to No. 1 is better.
Full comparison
All the numbers
Category leaders are highlighted. Only hussEyquation measures determine the verdict; awards remain context.
Model inputs
What the model sees
Average input rates across each player's ten best impact seasons.
64.2%True shooting56.8%
11.4%Rebound rate14.2%
23.8%Assist rate25.9%
1.4%Steal rate2.1%
2.8%Block rate1.3%
12.7%Turnover rate12.5%
Values compare Kevin Durant with Larry Bird.These are each player's averages across up to ten best seasons. Career Impact Rank gives the Best 3, Best 5, and Best 10 average league finishes 50%, 30%, and 20% window weights, giving the most weight to the highest peak. The model accounts for position, role, pace, playing time, and team results.
Model results
What hussEyquation concludes
Era-centered impact, sustained excellence and career value.
#18Career Impact RankPeak-weighted regular-season rank#9
#9Points-above-replacement rankAll-time rank in estimated regular-season points above replacement#20
+9.2Peak era-centered impactEstimated points per 100 possessions above that season's league average+8.8
+9.1Best 3 average impact+8.7
+8.8Best 5 average impact+8.5
+8.0Best 10 average impact+7.2
+7,059 ptsEstimated points above replacementRegular season · fixed -2.0 replacement baseline · higher is better+6,247 pts
2.0Best 3 average finish1.0
2.4Best 5 average finish1.2
3.8Best 10 average finish3.7
0Seasons ranked No. 14
7Top-five impact seasons7
13Top-ten impact seasons10
Values compare Kevin Durant with Larry Bird.Box score
Traditional stats
Scoring, efficiency and all-around production.
1,201Games897
44,077Minutes34,443
27.1PPG24.3
6.9RPG10.0
4.4APG6.3
62.2%TS%56.4%
50.3%FG%49.6%
39.2%3P%37.6%
88.2%FT%88.6%
Values compare Kevin Durant with Larry Bird.Résumé
Awards and honors
Context only; these are not model inputs.
16All-Star12
1MVP3
12All-NBA10
0All-Defense3
0DPOY0
1Rookie of the Year1
Values compare Kevin Durant with Larry Bird.Career shape
Impact by season
Career mode aligns season one with season one.
Kevin DurantLarry Bird