Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James: Is KD Proving He's As Good As King James In The NBA Finals?

Just four seasons ago, Kevin Durant solidified himself as a bonafide scoring juggernaut who led his Oklahoma City Thunder to 60 wins. That year, the Thunder were a number one seed in the playoffs with their sight set on beating the Miami Heat, who had beat them 4-1 in the finals.

Sadly, for Durant, an injured Russell Westbrook in the Thunder's first-round series wrecked any chance of them seeing a finals rematch. Durant boosted his Oklahoma City team past the Rockets but ended up losing in the Western Conference semifinals to the Memphis Grizzlies. LeBron James went on to claim his second championship with the Heat, while Durant was left with the sour taste of defeat in his mouth yet again.

Clearly, Durant had matured from a lanky, awkward first round draft pick to scoring champion and an All- Star. But he doesn’t just have scoring titles and trips to All-Star weekend on his mind. By ditching the Thunder and signing his lucrative deal with Golden State, he is chasing James to become the next top NBA player.

READ: How LeBron James And The Cleveland Cavaliers Could Lose NBA Finals

Fast forward a few years later and Durant is still in pursuit of greatness, but he’s put himself in a way better position on an unbelievable team. The eight-time All-Star lifted the Warriors to a 2-0 series advantage in this year's NBA Finals, logging 35.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.5 steals 2.5 blocks per game.

Durant is undoubtedly playing the best basketball of his young career. His success thus far was probably the scenario he had foreseen before he signed his career over to Golden State. Durant didn't just take the easy way out — he also put in the work. He has refined his offensive move set every offseason, adding a slew of evasive dribbles and offensive rebounding.

Durant has even stepped up his defense so much that he can play a few minutes at the center position and his own in the paint against one of the best big men in the league, Kevin Love.

Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard came on ESPN's First Take on Wednesday and shared his thoughts on Durant. He considers Durant to be the greatest player in the NBA, not LeBron James.

READ: NBA Finals 2017: Kevin Durant Favored To Win MVP, Stephen Curry And LeBron James In Contention

Howard mentioned Durant's propensity to score wherever on the floor, and his enhanced defense and shot-blocking when he spoke on the impact Durant has made in the NBA Finals thus far.

Durant's elite play prompted former NBA player Paul Pierce to exclaim on national television that he "may be the best player in the world today," besting James.

Eventually, James will forfeit his throne to the NBA's next superstar. People like Howard may already feel like that has happened. The fact that James is seemingly exhausted — down 0-2 to the Warriors and looking around at his teammates for help — King James' time is winding down.