Kevin Durant is arguably the greatest scorer we've ever seen. Kobe Bryant has even gone to comment on how much better Kevin has gotten. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C02iUOn8XOA In the link, Kobe explains how he had tactics to stop Kevin earlier in his NBA years, but then he started to develop his weaknesses. The difficult part about this question is I never played Kevin Durant, which makes this question an eye-test for me. Although, Kobe is a pretty good guy to ask this question to.
There is really no shot Kevin doesn't have. He is amazing from the free throw line, prolific from the mid-range area, and is stellar from the 3 point line. He can hit defenders with pull-up jumpers, step backs, post moves, and he has a very good handle for an almost 7 foot NBA player. He is also probably very hard to guard because with his shooting mechanics, he is shooting from above his head which you would think is very difficult to defend. Not only is he incredibly efficient and consistent as a shooter, but he basically doesn't give the defender a chance as he's shooting quick and above his head.
I've seen the argument that Kobe was the best scorer ever. I saw him live, in his last season, he dropped 35 against the Rockets with James Harden. It was one of the most unreal performances I've ever seen. I'm grateful to have seen Kobe play from about 2010 or 2011 up until his retirement. He was incredible with drawing fouls, even before the league became a bit softer, he could hit pull-ups from three, mid-range, and truly had a similar offensive game to Michael Jordan. The only difference is that Kobe utilized the 3 point range more as the game had evolved. I think Kobe is the best scorer ever. He's had ridiculous performances where his back was against the wall, and he needed to score 40 and he would do so and he would get the win.
I've seen takes about LeBron being the best scorer ever. Here's my take on it. No. LeBron is everything he was supposed to be since he was in high school, but he is not the greatest scorer ever. It's not a slot that someone with less than an 80% percent free throw percentage over his career can take. Although, LeBron is averaging the most points in the league currently, which makes a good case for him and the fact that he has the second most points of all time. LeBron's main offensive weakness is free throws, but his shooting has improved as he has gotten older. LeBron is too strong for countless centers when he drives to the paint, and his post moves have improved as he's gotten older. LeBron is one of the most dominant and unstoppable scorers because there aren't too many people to stop him, and an attribute that people typically don't mention about LeBron is that he's also incredibly quick for his size. Although, LeBron doesn't have the mid-range game or three point range of Kobe or KD.
I've seen takes on Michael Jordan being the best scorer ever. He sure as well might be. I never watched him live, so I'll keep this short. He was an extremely explosive player, he relied heavily on his speed and mid-range game from what I've seen. The game was very different, so there's no need to mention that his 3 point game was not as great as Kevin or Kobe's. I haven't seen much from MJ, but I've seen enough to say that I'll take him taking the last shot opposed to Lebron.
James Harden has been mentioned as the "best 1 on 1 player I've ever seen" by Charles Barkley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diF4wdmGGas James is definitely one of the most unique scorers of all time. I have watched him play many times, to the point where his greatness wouldn't surprise me. He has had games where he takes over in the fourth quarter and puts his team on his back and wins the game, he has one of the best step back jumpers ever, and his ball handling skills are one of the best as well. Here's my take on if he is or will be the greatest scorer of all time. No. He is incredible, and he literally averaged 36 points a game in a season and had stretches of consecutive 20, 30, and 40 point games. His offensive game is impeccable, but just isn't up to MJ, Kobe, or Durant. Harden's offensive brilliance is undeniable, but his offensive slumps impact his team in a horrible way and I've seen it happen too many times.
Conclusion: I have Kobe or MJ. What do you think?
For me, it’s MJ because he performed at the highest level in the playoffs and the finals which is where it counts the most; Kobe 2nd but very close to MJ.