Kevin Durant and James Harden have solidified their places among the NBA’s elite scorers. Their journey began on October 28, 2009, during a game in Oklahoma City when Durant was in his third season, and Harden was a rookie. Durant scored 25 points in a 102-89 victory over the Sacramento Kings, while Harden contributed five points in his first appearance. Now, over a decade later, both players are ranked in the NBA’s top 10 all-time scoring list.
Significant Milestones
Recently, Harden surpassed Carmelo Anthony to join the top 10 scorers on December 6, while Durant became the eighth player in league history to reach 31,000 career points just a day earlier. Durant celebrated Harden’s achievement with a simple yet poignant message on social media, calling it “Legendary.” In response, Harden viewed the milestone as a “Blessing” and a reflection of his hard work.
Current Ranking and Future Projections
- Kevin Durant: 31,000+ points (8th all-time)
- James Harden: 28,298 points (currently 10th)
Both players are on track to climb even higher in the rankings. Durant needs 369 points to move past Wilt Chamberlain for seventh place. To pass Dirk Nowitzki for sixth, he requires 510 points, and 1,242 points to surpass Michael Jordan for fifth. At his current scoring rate of 25.3 points per game, he could achieve these milestones in as few as 15 games.
On the other hand, Harden is 294 points away from passing Shaquille O’Neal and joining the top nine. With a scoring average of 26.8 points per game, he could achieve this in approximately 11 games. However, joining the 30,000-point club may take longer, requiring him to score 1,697 additional points.
Comparative Scoring Styles
The paths each player took to the top 10 are markedly different. While Durant enjoyed significant scoring opportunities early in his career, Harden primarily played off the bench as a rookie. After being traded to the Houston Rockets in 2012, Harden’s scoring surged. He became the primary offensive weapon, showcasing a unique heavy isolation style that includes deep 3-pointers and drawing fouls.
- Durant: Known for three-level scoring and time-tested mid-range effectiveness.
- Harden: Focuses on high-efficiency shots, including layups and 3-pointers.
While Harden holds the record for the highest single-season scoring average (36.1 points per game in 2018-19) among the duo, Durant leads with a total of four scoring titles. Overall, Harden ranks third in 50-point games—tied with Kobe Bryant—while Durant ranks 12th.
Conclusion
As both Kevin Durant and James Harden continue their careers, their contrasting styles and scoring achievements illustrate the diverse ways to excel in the NBA. They not only contribute significantly to their teams but have also etched their names in basketball history as two of the league’s all-time scoring legends.
