Your point about being ahead of Kobe is an interesting one. Kobe chose to play his entire career for one team. Durant is on team #4 and it is a toss up between him and Lebron on who took the easiest way out in free agency to win their first title.

Durant's shooting numbers are far better than Kobe's. At least part of that though is due to coming 10 years later with the court more open.

I would give the edge on defense to Kobe although Durant has improved a lot there.

I don't have Kobe super high on my list (around 14 or 15) but if I needed to win a title to save my life I am taking prime Kobe over Prime Durant. Mostly because of the intangibles.

Now young Kobe had some negative intangibles so we could talk further about career arc.