LeBron James vs Kevin Durant History: A look back at their matchups ahead of Lakers vs. Rockets in playoffs
The first time Kevin Durant and LeBron James stepped on the basketball court together the NBA landscape looked a lot different. The Lakers and Celtics rivalry had been renewed featuring the “Big Three” against Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. The year was 2008.James led the league in scoring and Durant was named NBA Rookie of the Year for a forgotten franchise of green and gold, the now-defunct Seattle SuperSonics. By the time they faced off against each other, James was already a force of nature and the future face of the league.
He had been to one NBA Finals, and would soon run off a streak of eight-straight appearances.But through that first meeting a budding rivalry of future NBA legends was born. Because over the next two decades, Durant and James would become two of the greatest players in NBA history, and their playoff matchups are the stuff of mythology and lore. And it’s not finished yet. The 2012 NBA FinalsThe early years weren’t so much a rivalry, but a warning sign.
Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden were slowly turning the Oklahoma City Thunder into contenders.James finally left Cleveland to join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. The first true collision between Durant and James came in the 2012 NBA Finals between the Thunder and the Heat. Durant was brilliant in that series.
He averaged 30.6 points.But James was at the peak of his powers and still thirsting for his first NBA title.
He finally got it.Miami won the series in five games, and even though Durant outscored him, James was named the Finals MVP. But it was that first playoff series that established the dynamic that would shape their future collisions.
Durant could score and dazzle, but he needed more help to defeat LeBron. The Decision That Changed EverythingAfter James’ decision to leave Cleveland for Miami—only to return four years later—came another decision that created a seismic shift in the NBA. It was the Fourth of July in 2016, and the rec...