LeBron James is still widely regarded as the best player in the NBA but some believe Kevin Durant is slowly narrowing that gap. The Golden State Warriors superstar has captured two consecutive championships in the Bay Area and secured back-to-back Finals MVP awards to go with it. On both occasions, he defeated LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers and dominated the finals. During their most recent triumph over the Cavs - a comprehensive four-game sweep - he averaged an impressive 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game.
Regular meetings
KD will have a chance to open this debate up even more after James' decision to join him in the Western Conference by signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.
As Pacific Division rivals, the purple and gold will meet the Warriors four times next season, with their first two meetings already scheduled on marquee dates.
Andre Iguodala is hoping Durant can embrace the challenge of going up against the King more often and ultimately overtake him as the league's best.
“So at this point, he’s arguably the best player in the world,” Iguodala said of James, per CNBC.
“Kevin Durant is right there, I’m going to keep pushing Kevin to finally take him over this season.
"He’s doing some great things in the community. He’s representing not just himself, not just his team, but the entire NBA in the endeavours he has off the court.”
LeBron's arrival in L.A. could create a new rivalry in the west between the Lakers and Dubs but Iguodala is looking forward to the competition and seeing the four-time MVP more frequently.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m going to see him a whole lot more than I would like to, but actually, you prefer to play against the best competition,” he said.
The first two meetings between the teams will take place on Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Jr, Day.
The league is clearly aware of the hype this matchup will create as the best two players on the planet go head-to-head.
With James approaching 34, Durant is primed to take over as the top dog eventually.
If he's able to win a third ring this coming season, he would equal LBJ's tally and boost his claim to be the best.
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