Every time they get on the court together, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant engage in a battle of the titans as two of the NBA's top players.

These pairings are nothing new, of course. In the open court, Antetokounmpo is almost unbeatable, whilst Durant is a man-mountain with a seven-foot frame who combines sheer skill and scoring.

But, whose basketball game is superior? That is a challenging question to respond to. While Durant has more championships and a longer track record of accomplishment, Giannis is more in the prime of his career.

Continue reading below for our Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo career comparison.

Read More: Stephen Curry and Lebron James Career Comparison


Kevin Durant Career

Kevin Durant - Brooklyn Nets
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets takes the ball during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on April 25, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant controls the ball against Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams

American basketball player Kevin Wayne Durant, also known as "KD," competes for the Brooklyn Nets right now in the NBA. He is regarded as one of the greatest scorers to have ever competed in the NBA.

Durant's defensive agility and handles make him a force of nature and an absolute machine when he gets going, earning him the nickname "The Slim Reaper" owing to his height and length. His off-court choices and actions have made him a very divisive figure in the NBA. 

Durant was highly regarded as a potential star after winning the National College Player of the Year award because of his unusual shooting guard-like play in a centre's body. His outstanding effort earned him the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2008 after the Seattle SuperSonics drafted him with the second overall choice. After moving to Oklahoma, the group adopted the name Oklahoma City Thunder.

He then went on to become the league's top scorer, winning several scoring championships, being selected to the All-NBA Team and All-Star Team, and winning the MVP in 2014. Along with James Harden and Russell Westbrook, he also led his team to the NBA Finals in 2012.

Durant unexpectedly joined the Warriors in 2016 free agency after the Western Conference Finals defeat to the Golden State Warriors. Given that the Warriors had finished 73-9 the season before, many NBA fans were upset by this move. 

The NBA's entire landscape was altered by the addition of Durant to the squad. He would later win two titles alongside Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. If he had not suffered an Achilles tendon injury during the 2019 NBA Finals, he would have won three championships.

He teamed up with his pal Kyrie Irving and signed with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2019 NBA Free Agency period in search of a change of scenery. Due to his injury, he did not participate in all of the 2019–2020 Season. James Harden joined him and Kyrie in the 2021 season, turning the Nets into a powerful offensive force.

His most recent achievement came while serving as captain of the men's basketball team that competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He has won three Olympic gold medals with the USA Basketball Men's National Team and one FIBA World Cup gold medal.


Kevin Durant’s most memorable game 

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets falls to the ground as he is fouled during Game Four

During Game 5 against the Bucks in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the Brooklyn Nets received the push they needed from Kevin Durant to go up 3-2 in the series against the Milwaukee Bucks. At halftime, the Bucks led by 16 points, and Milwaukee appeared to be winning. Kevin Durant, though, had other ideas. 

The standout forward for the Nets finished with a triple-double, totaling 49 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists after playing every single minute of the game. Durant carried the team to victory by putting them on his back. 

James Harden struggled in this game, finishing with just 5 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists, which was strange to see. It appears that Durant didn't really need his assistance because he defeated Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks by himself. 


Giannis Antetokounmpo Career

Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 11: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots before Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 11, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo is a power forward for the Milwaukee Bucks and a member of the Greek national basketball team. His unusual physical characteristics have earned him the nickname "The Greek Freak" from both fans and the media. 

Giannis is an unstoppable force in the NBA with his 6' 11" height, 7' 3" wingspan, and guard-like ball handling. He already possesses the achievements of a Hall of Fame member at the age of 26.

In the 2013 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks picked Giannis with the 15th overall choice. Giannis was a long, skinny prospect when he entered the league. He had a successful rookie season and was named to the NBA Rookie Second Team. 

Over the course of his first three seasons, he improved as a player and an athlete, producing more stats and bulking up his formerly skinny frame. He enjoyed his breakthrough year in the 2016–2017 campaign. His first NBA All-Star Game and All-NBA Team selections were made. 

He received recognition for his performance from the previous season by winning the NBA Most Improved Player award. The Bucks were defeated in the first round of the playoffs the following two seasons. 

The Bucks appointed Mike Budenholzer as their new head coach following the conclusion of the 2017–18 campaign. Giannis continued to develop his skills, earning back-to-back NBA MVP awards and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year honours in the 2019–2020 campaign.

Two years in a row, the Bucks would secure the playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but they were unable to advance to the NBA Finals. The Bucks made it plain that they wanted to win a championship when they signed Jrue Holiday prior to the start of the 2020–21 season. 

On their road to the NBA Finals, they defeated the Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, and Atlanta Hawks. Giannis received the NBA Finals MVP Award while presenting Milwaukee with a ring. Giannis and the Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games.


Giannis Antetokounmpo’s most memorable game 

Giannis Antetokounmpo 2021
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on against the Orlando Magic during the first half at Amway Center on December 30, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks against the Orlando Magic

Giannis ended with a then-career-high 44 points in a tight 113-110 victory over the Portland Blazers that he dedicated to his late father Charles, who had died away soon before the season. With 16 seconds left, he stole the ball from CJ McCollum and scored on a breakaway dunk to give the Bucks the lead. 

He then blocked a shot by Jusuf Nurkic close to the rim that would have given Portland the lead again. Giannis was at the pinnacle of his abilities, and it was a triumph of the heart. He finished with 17 of 23 field goal attempts (74%), eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks.


Kevin Durant vs Giannis Antetokounmpo: Who is better?

Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo

Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks

Since they may be the two most gifted players in the game right now, there isn't much separating the two superstars. While Stephen Curry is the best shooter alive, he does not possess the same level of physical domination as the two forwards. Although Nikola Jokic is the finest centre in the game, he lacks the raw skill of Giannis and Durant. 

Of course, despite playing at an MVP level, LeBron is past his prime. Giannis and Durant are almost unrecognisable as dominant players since the Nets star can score at an exceptional level, unlike anyone we have seen since a prime Kobe or Jordan, while the former is the most athletic player in the game with outstanding defence.


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