Yesterday on ESPN’s daily NBA show, NBA Today, there was a segment where Kendrick Perkins and Richard Jefferson talked about the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns. They picked which team had the best off-season, best offensive weapon, best pure scorer, and highest ceiling out of the four. Kendrick Perkins picked the Suns or a Suns player for every category.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!@KendrickPerkins finally!!! He’s on that wagon and it’s about damn time!!! #phoenix #Suns pic.twitter.com/HYfewFioTI
— J13 (@thatguyfromaz13) October 17, 2023
Let’s compare Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant as pure scorers. Now this is a very subjective subject that can be judged in different ways. Is it all about the efficiency? Or is it about the bag (different ways in which a player can score)? Is it about the versatility in which a person can score? Maybe it’s a combination of all of those things.
Stephen Curry
Richard Jefferson picked Steph Curry as the best pure scorer in the NBA. Curry is widely considered to be the greatest shooter of all-time but is he the purest scorer in the league today? Curry can score in many different ways. He can shoot from deep with ease.
"CURRY, WAY DOWNTOWN… BANG! BANG! OH WHAT A SHOT FROM CURRY!!"
On this day 5 years ago, Steph Curry crossed halfcourt in OT and called game from DEEP! #NBAVaultpic.twitter.com/x2PE0LQqfr
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) February 27, 2021
The fact that you have to respect his shot from five feet behind the line. Makes him very hard to stop. Now defenders have to press up on him and that leads to highlights like this.
Steph Curry’s handles on this 3 tho 😳 pic.twitter.com/rrCNsePGCg
— Queen City Control Room (@QueenCityCtrlRm) February 2, 2023
The ability to create separation with his handle to go along with the super quick release makes Curry unstoppable. Then you combine this with his incredible ability to finish at the rim.
The handles.
The FINISH.Steph Curry is fun to watch.
🎥 @warriors pic.twitter.com/FLYgPs2M9A
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) October 22, 2021
Curry has every way to score in his arsenal. He is a great iso-scorer and also is the best mover off of the ball in the NBA.
Steph Curry — Off ball movement ❤️
Graphics with @Tactic_EN pic.twitter.com/AdLHeKdTM8
— The BasketHead (@theBasketHead2) November 20, 2021
Steph Curry not only has a game that is pleasing to the eye. He is also crazy efficient. Last season he shot 49% from the field and 42% from behind the three point line.
Kevin Durant
Kendrick Perkins picked Kevin Durant as the purest scorer in the league today. Durant is 6’10” with every skill that a basketball player can ask for. He can shoot from three just as good as anyone.
Kevin Durant catch & shoot three point shot! pic.twitter.com/5uJbzUBCx6
— NBA BASKETBALL (@DejoseMark) October 15, 2022
Durant may be the greatest mid-range scorer of all-time.
Kevin Durant’s midrange game is underrated. pic.twitter.com/R889P8jQtf
— Guru (@DrGuru_) August 24, 2023
He also has a handle that even elite guards may envy.
Kevin Durant’s handles 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UY9twx1hYZ
— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) February 23, 2021
Durant has a great argument for being the purest scorer in the NBA. Durant had a 50/40/90 season last year. That means he shot at least 50% from the floor, 40% from three, and 90% from the free throw line. When you combine the ability Durant has to score on all levels along with his efficiency he may be the purest scorer in NBA history, let alone in the league today.
There are no wrong answers when it comes to the purest scorer in the NBA. It is simply a preference thing. Who do you have as the purest scorer in the NBA?
