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NBA Finals: Who do you build around; Kevin Durant or LeBron James? Stuck
Posted on June 11, 2012 at 03:52 PM.

Photo Credit: Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

Imagine this scenario for just a second...

The NBA as we know it has folded. Every single player that was in the NBA is now unemployed. That is until a group of 30 people purchased franchises for a new professional basketball league.

The pool of former NBA players are waiting to be selected and it just so happens that you have the number one pick. You need to choose one player to build your franchise around.

For the sake of this debate, let's assume you've narrowed it down to two players; Kevin Durant and LeBron James.

You're on the clock; the foundation of your franchise is at stake. Who do you select?

Last week I wrote about the hate people have for the Miami Heat. It turned into a hate-fest for LeBron James, which we now understand is the main reason people dislike Miami.

I ask that everyone look at this from an "on-the-court" perspective. Look at their skills and what they can contribute to your franchise. If you choose LeBron over Durant, tell us why, and try to use more than blaming it on LeBron's "Decision".

Keep it clean and respectful, and enjoy Game 1 of the NBA Finals between these two exciting teams.

Now back to business:

With the first selection in the inaugural league draft, [insert your team name here] selects...


Joe Chacon is a Staff Writer for Operation Sports and a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JoeChacon.
Comments
# 1 Tallpaul @ Jun 11
I would pick Kevin Durant because he is so much easier to build around. LeBron is the best point-forward so he needs someone to pass to as well as score and he is not the most clutch player in the NBA.(I would take Kobe and Durant over him)It would be one of the most dangerous tandems with Lebron James and Russel Westbrook because the postions are kind of inverted. Anyways Kevin Durant is clutch, reliable, will not be hawked by obnoxious fans, and just needs a solid rebounder and defenseman (Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins) and a point guard to feed him (Derek Fisher, Eric Maynor [ Russell Westbrook sort of])
 
# 2 Kentucky_Wildcat23 @ Jun 11
I'm taking LeBron all day long. Best All-Around player in the NBA and can play multiple positions. He has gone back to playing the game how he did in high school and the start of his career in the NBA and it shows just how great he can be. No question I'm taking James.
 
# 3 koolbob1872 @ Jun 11
Definitely KD. Taller, better jumpshot. While LeBron is more athletic, I would rather have KD for his head and clutch.
 
# 4 JWaLL @ Jun 11
THis shouldn't even be close. it is LeBron by a HUGE margin. Nobody in the NB can guard him because he is so big, fast, and athletic. He would average 35-40 points per game if he was a 90% FT shooter rather than 75%. He is the best defender in the NBA and can guard any position on the court. Saying he is not clutch is asinine. A few playoff performances of his: 25 straight points, game 5, ECF; multiple buzzer beaters vs the wizards in the mid 2000's; Last year against the bulls when Wade blew; THIS YEAR, LESS THAN A WEEK AGO. with his back against the world, everyone wanting him to fail, he goes out and scores 45 points. Then in game 7, he scores another 30 along with a 3 from the first row to clinch it. To say that he isn't clutch just shows the ignorance of the average NBA fan. Look at the numbers, LeBron is 6-14 with less than 24 sec left for a tie or a game winner. Kobe? 7-29. Don't get me wrong, i love Durant, but this is not a hard decision at all.
 
# 5 cbass1 @ Jun 11
I agree with JWaLL this question should not even be close. Lebron over Durant any day of the week. Lebron is the only player in the league that can defend all five players on the court. 28pts 8rebs and 8ast EVERY single night, Durant is not producing those numbers every night. To me its a no brainer.
 
# 6 ccoaxum @ Jun 11
with that all being said its simple "King James" if you want all around player if you just want a scorer then you get "KD" but a smart person would be around an all around player because you might not be able to find the right players to fit with a player who only can do one thing...plain and simple.
 
# 7 paconaifas @ Jun 11
KD, simply because he would be loyal to the franchise, and wouldn´t quit on everyone, while the building process was taking place. Oh, and because I never liked James, he´s not the player everyone tries to make him!
 
# 8 spottieottiedop @ Jun 11
Gotta be LeBron. What he adds as far as defensively guarding the 1-5 positions at times and his passing ability is what seals the deal. And as far as the loyalty factor that some say Durant has over LeBron, if Bron came into the league w/ talent like Westbrook and Harden, he would still be in Cle.
 
# 9 huntt26 @ Jun 11
LeBron James for sure. I can't stand how hollywood he acts, but he is the best player in the NBA right now. Lot of fun to watch him play, and he's great on both ends of the floor.
 
# 10 fsufan4423 @ Jun 11
I like Lebron, but he comes with a circus like atmosphere. Durant is kind of streaky...he can give you a lot of points, but does he make everyone around him better? With that being said, I would take Lebron....he can impact a game in more ways than scoring points.
 
# 11 jWILL253 @ Jun 11
This is inane. Lebron is a better all-around player than Durant is. I could care less about his off-court issues...
 
# 12 sactown_13 @ Jun 11
Build a team around?? while both are excellent choices, i take KD. He is 23 years old, humble, and the best scorer in basketball.
 
# 13 TreyIM2 @ Jun 11
LEBRON "KING" JAMES, WITHOUT QUESTION...at least from me. I love me some Durantula, too, but dude needs more to his game aside from playing offense. He has a few more years to develop the rest of his game.

Oh, did I mention, I'd choose LEBRON DA KING JAMES??? Heh...
 
# 14 Mikey16 @ Jun 11
I'll pick KD. He is younger, a better scorer, easier to deal with for an organization and way more clutch. I think most of you guys are underrating KD's all around game. He average more points, rebounds and blocks than LeBron this year and plus, he from the DC area just like me.
 
# 15 06 finals MV3 @ Jun 11
As a heat, but not lebron fan at all I would take Durant big time no question. His game is just way more smooth collective & all lot more confident not to mention to go along with the killer instincts. Yea sure he's not gonna give you what Lebron gives you witch is hype to go with stats stats & more stats but Durant will give you a way better chance to win a game when it's on the line (natural scorer). Plus Lebron disappears in the (big game) the finals & that to me is the most important. He has shown nothing in the last 2 to even think about building around him. I wish this question was more like, if you had a chance to choose a player to get you through the finals who would it be? I'd go with the mv3 himself D WADE ! There's no other player like him in the finals since Jordan he never disappoints and that's a fact.
 

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