Round 1 - SCORING: While Rudy was doing his thing at UConn, he mentored the younger Durant as he became one of the most sought after recruits in the nation. Now they are two of the top young guns in the pros, both adept at filling the hoop with buckets-o-plenty. Though Gay is better at slashing to the rim, Durant has the more polished all around game on O. He bumped his dazzling rookie averages a full five points as a soph (from 20.3 to 25.3 ppg) while Gay has only broken 20 per night once in his career (20.1 ppg in ’07-08). With an ever improving outside shot and back to the basket repertoire, round one goes to KD. Winner: DURANT

Round 2 - FLOOR GAME: Neither of these two ballers are very savvy with the rock—both are decent enough to be able to play more than one position, but you wouldn’t want either running an offense for extended periods of time. Durant is more turnover prone, but you have to think that is because so much of the offense revolves around him. He did average about one more assist (2.8) than Gay (1.7) last season, and while neither will be confused for J-Kidd, we would think with Gay’s size and speed he could average more than just under two dimes a night. Both of these guys are better at filling the lanes, but given his focus in his team’s offensive scheme and how much he has flourished, Durant wins this close, albeit underwhelming battle of floor game. Winner: DURANT

Round 3 - DEFENSE: If you were lucky enough to catch some of the Team USA minicamp this summer in Las Vegas, you saw Rudy Gay’s play—especially on defense—as a pleasant surprise. We’re not saying Gay fell off last season, but when everyone kind of expected that third-year bump in numbers, he actually fell in a lot of categories. Now a lot of that can be contributed to the arrival of OJ Mayo, but some began wondering after last season if Gay would ever become the kind of franchise player Memphis was seeking. He partially redeemed himself by stifling many youngsters—including Durant—in Vegas, showing that while he may not be known yet as a great defender, he has the athleticism to improve on the other end of the ball. Durant has the ridiculous wingspan, but like Rudy’s ability to keep up with 2s and 3s a bit more. Winner: GAY

Round 4 - CLUTCH: Neither of these guys have built up a résumé to compete with Big Shot Rob or MJ, but they both have primarily been their team’s go-to guy with the game on the line. Granted, there has been a dearth of game-winning shot opportunities in both Memphis and OKC lately, but that doesn’t mean these guys don’t make the most of it. In the Grizzlies’ home opener last season, Rudy drained a fadeaway jumper from the corner as time ran out to stun the eventual Eastern Conference Champion Orlando Magic. It’s tough to say right now who we’d rather have with the ball in their hands in the waning seconds, but given the fact we’ve seen Rudy drain a couple of big shots ever since he was a rookie, we’ll give him the slight edge. Winner: GAY

Round 5 - LEADERSHIP: Since his first day in the League, Durant has been looked upon as the face of his team. People doubted his lanky frame could ever make him a star, but that’s exactly what he’s become. Gay still has time to become the anchor that everyone in Memphis hoped he’d be when he was traded for as the eighth overall pick in 2006, but as of right now, KD has done a better job at grasping the reigns and taking hold. Though he may not be the in-your-face kind of general, he gets the job done with his play, his determination and swagger. He may only be 20 years old, but he plays with the leadership and maturity of a 10-year vet. Winner: DURANT

THE VERDICT We love both of these guys, from their rim-rocking dunks to sweet jumpshots. Many teams would kill to have either one to build around for the next decade, but there’s just something about #35 that has us thinking he’s going to be among the upper echelon of players this season. Both have the talent to become perennial all-stars and both are top contenders for one of the few open spots on the 2012 Olympic team. We wouldn’t be surprised if both end up playing in London, but if Coach K consulted us right now as to whom we’d give the final spot to, it’d be Durant by a nose.