Why LeBron James vs Kevin Durant Will Never Become Epic NBA Rivalry

There's never been more talent in the NBA than what there is right now. But if we could go back in time and take one thing from days past, it would be the outstanding rivalries that existed.

Those exact rivalries are a big reason why the league has become as popular as it has to date.

You don't think of Larry Bird without picturing Magic Johnson as well.

There's simply nothing like it in today's game. Even with the two best players in the game, Miami's LeBron James and Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, meeting tonight, we still won't get a rivalry like we've seen among stars in the past.

James and Durant in particular will never become epic rivals for a few different reasons.

Even though they are the best two players in the league right now, the fact that they are in different conferences doesn't allow much chance for a rivalry. The two didn't have the luxury of meeting in college to light the sparks on a potential rivalry, so seeing each other only two times per season really isn't enough time to get any bad blood boiling.

Given the two guys' personalities, having a legitimate rivalry with anyone is doubtful.

James needs to be liked. Usually, someone plays the bad guy if necessary in a real good rivalry, and we saw how uncomfortable LeBron is in the role of villain.

Durant is too humble for that as well. He's an assassin with the ball in his hands, but he's a quiet guy overall. You won't see him adding any fuel to the fire in any type of rivalry by opening his mouth. He just takes care of business for 48 minutes on a nightly basis.

Then there's the fact that neither has won anything yet in their careers.

Most rivalries get built through not only success, but failure as well, in the postseason. The chances of having the opportunity to create enough moments that truly matter won't really be there. Both teams would have to make the NBA Finals on a consistent basis to create such a rivalry, and that doesn't happen in today's NBA.

Add to that the fact that LeBron proved two years ago that anyone can switch teams, and free agency is a factor as well. You just don't see guys like this stay in one place long enough to create a real good rivalry.

Mix all that up and you get James versus Durant. That equals two great players who should have many good games against each other, but will fall way short of becoming actual rivals.