Jeff Teague on who’s better between Larry Bird vs. Kevin Durant: “At one point, I thought he was better than Bron”

During a recent episode of his Club 520 Podcast, Jeff Teague was challenged to choose between Kevin Durant and Larry Bird . The one-time All-Star acknowledged 'The Slim Reaper's' excellence, noting that at his peak, the 2014 MVP was widely considered superior even to LeBron James. However, Teague then highlighted Larry Legend's high-value impact throughout his 13-year-old NBA career, being the catalyst for the Boston Celtics.

"The highest of KD, I think, was unbelievable. At one point, I thought he was better than Bron," Teague said . "But Larry Bird is nice, bro."

KD is arguably a better scorer than Bird

While Teague is on point, stating that Durant might be the most lethal and natural pure-scorer in the modern-day NBA, the assertion that KD was a better player than James is highly debatable. Indeed, the two-time Finals MVP led the league in scoring in four of the five seasons starting from 2009-10 and secured All-NBA First Team selections. However, King James' overall impact was more comprehensive in those years.

Not only did he match KD's tally of registering a place in the All-NBA First Team in those years, but he also recorded four All-Defensive First Team selections, demonstrating his more multifaceted impact on the court.

Similarly, statistical analysis would reveal that Durant's scoring average of 27.3 points with 50.1% shooting from the field and 38.7% from the 3-point line surpasses Bird's career stats of 24.3 points per game on 49.6% shooting from the field and 37.6% from long range. However, just like James had a greater overall impact than KD when one considers Bird's rebounding prowess, he averaged 3 rebounds per game more than the 6'11" forward in his career.

Bird's impact was arguably greater than Durant

Speaking of being a catalyst, there's no denying Durant deserved the Finals MVP for the Warriors during their 2017 and 2018 championship wins. But, in both those seasons, Stephen Curry was actually the Dubs' leading scorer. On the other hand, Bird turned a 29-win Celtics team into a 61-win team in his first season, leading them to a title in his second year.

So, while the 14-time All-Star may be adjudged as the better scorer, Bird had a more significant impact and displayed more imposing leadership than the former in his career.

Related: “The '80s was drugged up” - Gilbert Arenas picks Kevin Durant over Larry Bird