The problem is that even though i'm trying not to compare the two, i'm doing it anyway, and i'm finding a number of things lacking.
KnB is about highschool kids playing basketball, its a super quick starter, you watch a few episodes and then you're in a full on tournament where the protagonists are fighting for their life to beat teams that are probably better. So its an underdog story, at least the first season. The basketball is not realistic, none of what you see would ever happen, the characters are too specialized, even though the show its that basketball is a game for all rounders (and ofc tall people).
But don't let that take away anything from it, without these sort of 'shounen' elements, the show probably wouldn't be nearly as much fun. And the bottom line is that the show IS fun. That doesn't mean there aren't some weaknesses though.
The first and most important issue is that the characters have no discernible weaknesses. That's not to say they don't have weaknesses, but its not highlighted in any meaningful way. Outside of the blue haired main character and the bench warmers, everyone is strong. Really strong; and then you have the freak athletes. While the MC's struggle thorughout the show, it isn't like they are on a weak team, its just most teams are stronger. Perhaps b/c the Seiren team is a newly founded basketball club.
The issue i have with this approach is that the character development suffers outside of the court. Most of the interaction outside of the court revolves around basketball as well. So you aren't watching a character mature as a person, but as a player.
I think that ultimately hurts some elements of the drama, but it isn't a coffin nail.
The original japanese voice overs are really good, the art is a lacking in a few areas, but the show is cranked up to max on the intensity dial, so that the art and music are almost an after thought. When it comes to the games, KnB exceeds in almost every way.
There isn't much of a story here, outside of championship level team looking to win a championship, but the way it delivers is incredibly good. I think they missed some opportunities to expand the characters off the court, but at the end of the day, that isn't why you should be watching.
