Forget LeBron…Could Michael Jordan Even Beat Kevin Durant?

May 3, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) attempts a shot against Memphis Grizzlies forward

(21) during the second quarter in game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Shooting

This one seems a little unfair, at first glance.

When it comes to perimeter shooting, Durant is well-ahead of Jordan. KD has already shot 2,528 3-point attempts, far more than Jordan’s 1,778 attempts. Durant has completed these attempts at nearly 38 percent for his career while Jordan hit his perimeter shots at just a 32.7 percent rate.

In terms of effective field goal rate (adjusted to consider that a 3-point field goal is of more value), Durant gets the nod, as well, with a career percentage of 52.5, compared to Jordan’s 50.9.

Still, it’s hard to hold Jordan’s perimeter shooting against him, considering his career arc. The NBA relied less on three-pointers 30 years ago than they do today; players simply didn’t shoot that frequently and often passed up shots from behind the 3-point line, choosing to step inside the line and take long-range two-pointer (a major no-no in today’s game).  Also, when Jordan first entered the league, he was so athletically superior to everyone that he didn’t have to rely on his outside shot.

Consider though, how Jordan evolved over the course of his career. From a 13.2 percent shooter (7-of-53) in his fourth season, MJ eventually shot well over 30 percent, with a three-year peak from 1994-1997 where he shot 40.4 percent on 589 attempts. But, as impressive as that sounds, keep in mind that this peak coincided with the NBA’s failed attempt to shorten the three-point line from 23’9″ to just 22″ at any point.

Again, though, here’s where the question of Jordan’s prime again comes into play. Do you pick a younger version of him where he simply flew past and over opponents on the way to the rim? Or would you rather have the stronger, savvier veteran, who became an very good long-range shooter but wasn’t as explosive?

Regardless, when it comes to just pure shooting, Durant is simply better in this regard.

KD – 2, MJ – 0

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