James Harden, Kevin Durant and the new era of legacy in the NBA

Anthony and Alex return this week to chop it up about cementing legacies in the NBA. In the middle of an NBA Finals-worthy series between the Rockets and Warriors, we take a step back to look at the bigger picture for the stars of this series, Harden and Durant, and how they compare through NBA history. So come join us and listen to all this hoops action as the NBA Playoffs get into full swing!

Young Lebron James vs Current Lebron

Back in 2006 and 2007, a young Lebron James took on his greatest challenge in attempting to defeat the former NBA champion, Detriot Pistons. Over the course of two seasons, Bron’s star grew, culminating in a historic Game 5 performance that got his mediocre Cavs team over the hump and into the 2007 NBA Finals. Is Lebron’s early struggle the real for his uber success? Does it make his claim as the GOAT stronger? Come listen and find out!

Michael Jordan vs the Pistons - Foiled to a Foiler

During a stretch from ‘88-’91, Jordan ran into the Bad Boy Pistons team every year in the playoffs. Those Pistons’ teams won back to back championships in ‘89 and ‘90 and felt like the foil to MJ’s excellence. It took Mike and the Bulls four shots but they finally ended up sweeping Detriot and he never looked back. The foiled became the foiler. How did these few years affect Jordan’s legacy? Was he better off for it?

Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant

This group of players never had the same struggles as Lebron or Jordan but they are still great and top 10 players of all time. Lots of Lakers here, curiously. Does not overcoming a mountain of hardship, in the NBA games that count the most, change their legacies or stories?

Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors

The NBA Today - fast-paced, three-pointers, iso ball in crunch time. These two teams more than anyone exemplify what today’s current product is all about. And at the head of the class, at least in this series, has been James Harden and Kevin Durant. Two players who have interesting legacies and are really trying to dig dirt on their past playoff performances to quell the haters. This series seems like it could be the next level achievement for both. Despite Durant winning the last two NBA Finals MVPs with the Golden State Warriors, it’s still not HIS team and owning these playoffs could switch the narrative on his ‘soft’ rings. Harden, on the other hand, has his own abysmal playoff performances to amend for and beating this ‘unstoppable’ Warriors would go along way to shake off his criticisms. Does the story change for either player if they overcome the other?

Making Stars, Cementing Legacies, Listen NOW!