Most elite shooters are at heights of 6 ‘1-6’ 7; anyone beyond those heights is considered a center that scores in the low post and gets rebounds.  However, that was no problem for the 3x NBA Three-Point contest champion, Larry Bird, and the 4x NBA scoring champion, Kevin Durant (KD). These players are among the most proficient scorers in NBA history. At 6 ‘9, Larry Bird had the position of a small/power forward and held a solid 49% average field goal percentage for 13 years, 1979-1992. Kevin Durant, a 6 ’10 small/power forward, is currently averaging 29 points per game and shooting an incredible 50% from the field goal; this is a feat not even most shooting guards and point guards could achieve. So, let’s analyze each player and determine who would win a 1v1 matchup.

Larry Bird was one of the most dominant shooters of the 1980s, while also being the nastiest trash-talker you could face. Bird would shoot right in the face of the most elite defenders in the league and would always have comments for the other players. He would tell his opponents what his next move was going to be before he even did it. Bird told the media, for example, that he would only use his left hand in his next game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Larry was completely serious, shooting 10/21 from the field left-handed, and finishing the game with an incredible 47 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. When asked why he would only use his left hand, he replied, “I’m saving my right hand for the Lakers.” Two days later, Bird would beat the Lakers by six points. 

Kevin Durant is undoubtedly one of the best scorers in basketball. With his height, wing span, and high release point, it’s almost impossible to block his shot. Durant shoots from about 11 feet in the air, a height most NBA players cannot reach. His signature move, the “hang hesitation,” is unguardable and he can consistently make it. KD can also blow past the defender at any time if they step up for a jump shot. With his 7’5 wingspan, Durant can get so close to the basket even with a limited number of dribbles. He’s 7 ft tall, has long, skinny arms, shoots from anywhere on the court, and has the most lethal crossovers—essentially, it’s a nightmare trying to defend him. His size and strength make him an extremely versatile athlete that can score at every level efficiently. When Durant gets hot, he’s unguardable for the rest of the game. 

Larry Bird could shoot just about anywhere on the court and had great confidence in himself. When Bird appeared in the three-point contest for the 3rd time, after winning his first two, he walked inside the locker room, looked at his opponents, and asked ”I’m just looking at which one is going to come in second.” Bird would go on to win his 3rd consecutive three-point contest like it was nothing. It’s already enough when there’s a trash talker on the court, but a trash talker that can back it up with unbelievable performances is devastating. 

Kevin Durant, on the other hand, is a silent player: he lets his game speak for itself.  Kevin Durant’s finishing is overlooked. His size and length allow him to easily get to the basket and lay the ball in. It’s extremely difficult to guard a player like him when he is constantly penetrating through the defense. During a 1v1, Durant wouldn’t be able to handle the mind games of Larry Bird. However, Bird and Durant are more evenly matched than most people think. Their offense game is very similar in terms of shooting and identifying the optimal spots to shoot from. Without the ball though, Bird can contribute much more, given that he was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times in a row, while Durant never won any defensive awards and only played defense in the playoffs or close games. Larry Bird is the better defensive player and surprisingly does not lack in any part of the game. He doesn’t have much speed but makes it up by attacking the rim and shooting.

Overall, both players are remarkable and we may never see players like them again. Although Kevin Durant could be the better scorer, Bird’s trash talk would allow him to get inside Durant’s head. Bird’s defense also lets him get easy steals and cause turnovers. Guarding someone like him is extremely tough with his constant trash talk that KD would not be able to handle. Having said this, a one-on-one would be incredible to watch, but with Bird’s elite offensive and defensive game, Larry Bird would beat Kevin Durant in a matchup. 

By Pranav Parlapall