2010 NBA Playoffs: Kobe Bryant or Kevin Durant? Who Would You Choose?

When the Los Angeles Lakers meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs, two of the league's brightest stars will claim center stage in what will surely be one of the most watched series' in the opening round.

Kobe Bryant has established himself as one of the greatest players to ever grace the NBA hardwood, and his career has been validated by four NBA championships and numerous other accolades.

Bryant stands as the career leading scorer for one of the NBA's most successful franchises, and that accomplishment alone places him in the rarefied air of Los Angeles Lakers' legends.

If Bryant is greatness personified, then Durant is the definition of future potential, which has been realized in the present, and his ascension to league royalty has been swift.

Durant became the youngest player in NBA history to win a scoring title this season, and although everyone knew Durant would be great, did anyone think he would be a top five player this year?

Durant has proved to be a quick study to the nuances of NBA play, and his knowledge and feel for the game, combined with his numerous skills give him a fair chance at becoming a legendary player.

When Bryant's Lakers and Durant's Thunder engage in the postseason, the series will be a study of contrasts, pitting the talent and experience of the Lakers, against the talent and youth of the Thunder.

The defending champion Lakers have a slight edge in talent, and they have a major edge in the interior, where the Thunder have little answers for the trio of Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, and Pau Gasol.

But if Oklahoma City is able to make it an interesting series, the outcome could hinge on the performances of Bryant and Durant, and under those circumstances who would you choose?

Durant's 30 points per game led the NBA, and he also averaged 7.6 rebounds per game and 2.8 assists, while shooting 47 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range.

Many observers have the impression that Bryant had a down year, and even though he was forced to battle numerous injuries he still managed to average 27 points per game, five assists, and five rebounds, while shooting 45 percent from the field.

Durant has a slight lead over Bryant in statistics, and although they both are their team's primary scorers, Durant doesn't have players like Gasol and Odom, who are superstars in their own right.

But the one area which has been a defining piece of Bryant's career is his ability in end-game situations, and if the series were to hinge on performances under those circumstances, the edge would go to Bryant.

Bryant's seven game-winning shots in the regular season are the most in the past ten years, and a major part of his legacy has been crafted by his cold-blooded focus at the end of games.

Durant appears to have that same ice-water flowing through his veins, but this is the first time he has been able to test his resolve under the pressure of the postseason, so how Durant will answer the challenge is yet to be determined.

I would choose Bryant's experience and proven championship resume over Durant's talent and inexperience this year, but Durant and his Thunder should be good for years to come.

Oklahoma City has a talented nucleus in Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Jeff Green, and their 50 wins this season is an example of their swift progression from NBA lottery participants to playoff team.

I'm not sure the Thunder have the talent or experience to defeat the Lakers this year, but with a few subtle changes to their roster, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

Bryant still has a few good years left in him and his attention to conditioning and adding elements to his game will ensure relevance for as long as he decides to play.

But Bryant's body is definitely beginning to show the wear from 14 years of NBA play, and his decline as a player is eventual, and in that vein, Durant stands as the player the torch will be passed to.

Durant has yet to reach the level of Bryant as a player, but his potential suggests the future of the league will not be dominated by the presence of LeBron James alone, as Durant has forced himself into the conversation.

When the Lakers and the Thunder collide, the NBA world will be treated to a battle of the league's present greatness in Bryant, and the future in Durant.

And although Oklahoma City will likely come up short, it should be fun nonetheless.