Michael Beasley is better than Kevin Durant.  Re-read that sentence if you must; I didn’t really believe at first myself, but the numbers say it is true.

Both players are multi-dimensional 6’9’’ forwards from the Washington D.C. area.  Both have been utterly dominant in the Big 12; Durant in 2007, and Beasley this season.  Durant was selected second overall in the NBA Draft, and Beasley is likely be selected in the top-two this summer as well.  Durant of course, was a sensation for the Texas Longhorns last season becoming the first freshman ever to be named Player of the Year.  Beasley is a top candidate to duplicate the feat.

The fact that both players played in the same conference makes this comparison much easier to accomplish.  Their unadjusted numbers look very similar.  Below are Durant’s 2007 season numbers, and Beasley’s numbers through 21 games.

Durant averaged slightly more points, blocks, and steals with Beasley having the edge on the boards.  The most glaring difference is that Beasley accomplished his numbers while playing more than five fewer minutes per contest while shooting much better from the field and from three-point range.

Kansas State plays at a slightly faster pace than Texas did last season (73.2 vs. 69.7 possessions/40 min) so that mitigates some of the discrepancy in minutes, but not completely.  Kansas State also has played a more difficult schedule so far than Texas in 2007 as the Wildcats currently have the 34th rated schedule in the nation.  The Longhorns last season finished with the 55 rated schedule.  Considering the less time Beasley spends on the floor than Durant did, and against a more difficult schedule no less, makes his numbers all the more impressive.

Looking at rate statistics allows us to compare players while removing the effects of pace (stats and explanations are available at kenpom.com):

The numbers bear out that both players were the go-to guys for their teams, and were quite efficient players despite being the focal points on offense.  Offensive ratings over 116 are very good, and Beasley has the edge in this category.  Beasley also has a big edge in effective field goal percentage, and offensive and rebounding rate, but has a higher turnover percentage.

These numbers show some differences in the two players’ games.  Durant was much more perimeter-oriented spending lots of time on the perimeter, and scoring a lot of his points off jumpers.  While Beasley is shooting better from long-range better than Durant so far, he has shot only 55 threes hitting 22.  Durant took 203 three-pointers making 82.  Beasley, because he plays more inside and is much stronger, shows to be a much better rebounder than Durant.

Because he plays at Kansas State however, it seems that Beasley has not received quite the hype Durant received a season ago.  Playing in Manhattan, Kansas certainly has limited his exposure, and competition in his own class has affected his notoriety as well.  While Durant had a natural foil in Greg Oden, Beasley has shared headlines with several other talented freshmen like Kevin Love, Eric Gordon, Derrick Rose, O.J. Mayo, Kyle Singler, and a host of others.

Beasley however, stands above them all as a prospect just as Durant did a year ago.  He has an extremely varied and skilled game with the ability to play with his back to the basket and facing up.  He also has good hands, strength, and quickness for a player his size which will make him a match-up problem at the next level.  Beasley will likely be a power forward as his career progresses unlike Durant who will likely end up on the wing in the pros.  In order to be a power player he will have to greatly improve his defense, but his skill, talent, and ability to rebound should acquit him just fine as he acclimates to the NBA.

Durant fought Oden for the top spot in the draft all summer, and Beasley is the current frontrunner for ’08.  While nobody knows which player will end up the best player in the NBA, the numbers show that Beasley just might be the better college player.