So they were rookies.

LeBron in 2003-04: A precocious 19-year old, already working on his PhD in shock-and-awe.

20.9 points, 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game earned him NBA Rookie of the Year.

In fact, LeBron was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for every single month of the season. First Cleveland player to take home that trophy, too. In like, ever.

And then we start with the "youngest-to-do" lists. Score 1,000 points? Check. Drop 40 in a game? Win R.O.Y.? Uh-huh. Obvious: NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Kevin in 2007-08:

19-year old KD began rewriting the NBA script for freakishly long bigs who ball like mere mortals that stand a foot shorter.

20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Right at a steal and a block per, too.

The third teenager in NBA history to score 20+ ppg for an entire season. NBA All-Rookie First Team. NBA Rookie of the Month five times. NBA Rookie of the Year.

In Year 2, both players improved the number that matters most - wins. LeBron nudged Cleveland over the .500 mark and Kevin began spearheading Oklahoma City's march toward respectability.

At the individual level, both players became more dominant while mending flaws in their respective games. Scoring averages soared as free throw attempts, offensive rebounds and shooting percentages improved across the board. LeBron began mastering strategy to break down opposing defenses created specifically to shut him down (and at the very least, frustrate the hell out of him). Kevin began learning how to fuel and sculpt his skinny frame while fine-tuning his ever-expanding game.

LeBron: 27.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 2.2 steals.

Kevin: 25.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.3 steals.

Entering Year 3, LeBron was already an All-Star and a member of the All-NBA 2nd Team. In Year 3, LeBron pumped in a career-high 31.4 ppg, won All-Star Game MVP, got his first view of the NBA postseason (he would take Cleveland to the NBA Finals in Year 4) and earned All-NBA 1st Team honors.

One quarter of the way through his third season, Kevin is averaging 28.1 ppg, appears poised to secure an All-Star bid and has the Thunder in the middle of the Western Conference playoff picture.

LeBron is "The King" - but "KD" definitely has next.


Which player has a higher ceiling?