Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...
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Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...
This was a pretty funny topic from the offseason. Here are some highlights.
Really? Here's what I got
1. LBJ
2. Kobe
3. Wade
4. Howard
Paul
Duncan
Dirk
Amare
Bosh
Carmelo
Deron
Roy
PP
KG
DURANT
Parker
Granger
Al Jefferson
Jamison
Billups
Butler
Yao
Nash
Joe Johnson
Just missed but could easily be swapped with named players:
David West
Carlos Boozer
Ray AllenBefore people throw a hissy fit like some usually do whenever someone says "_______ is/could be better than Lebron", the KEYWORD in that article is "Could".
That being said, I only say this:
He's only 20.
Keep that in mind right now lol.
Oh and Born and myself are still accepting applications into the prestigious KD Club as well.Made this a while back...
Comparing the two last year:
LeBron- 28.4 ppg, 49% FG, 34% 3pt, 78% FT, 7.2 ast, 7.6 reb, 1.7 stl, 1.1 blk, 3 TO
Durant- 25.3 ppg, 48% FG, 42% 3pt, 86% FT, 2.8 ast, 6.5 reb, 1.3 stl, 0.7 Blk, 3 TO
LeBron- 24 years old
Durant- 20 years old
I didn't feel like looking them up, but I know that Kobe wasn't doing what Durant has been doing at his age. It's not like Kobe is known for being the greatest playmaker and having the best court vision in the world. He's known for his work ethic, his drive, and his scoring ability (Sound familiar). Yet, people argue who's better.
So why can't Durant be as great as LeBron one day? Honestly...
Saying "HELL NO" is somewhat of a ridiculous statement, IMO.
***Bonus Edition***
From the "who will be the 2nd best swingman behind Lebron" thread.
Granger is the only one in that quartet that plays both ways.
Durant = Shard with the offensive freedom you can only find on a very bad team...but I agree that based on his age, he has the potential to be a really, really dominant scorer if his body holds up. Right now, his frame isnt built to last, IMO, and we all know how important health is to the "future".
I just think Granger is the grimiest and the hardest worker.
Granger
Durant
Melo
Roy
On Melo vs. James for ROY...the Nuggets also had Camby and the Birdman and were a solid defense under Bzdelik, while the Bron had to deal with a pouting Ricky D and a mid-season trade that saw half the roster flip. Stats were a wash outside of the assists, but IMO what put James over the top was the fact that until we picked up McInnis, Bron had to run the point as a HS rook and did a fine job of it considering the pressure/hype.You could be right.
All Im saying is to beware a kid putting up huge numbers on an terrible team, especially when whatever he's doing is adding exactly ZILCH to the W/L column, and yes it does matter that the Thunder put together their best streak when he was sitting. Not saying they are better without him, that would be madness, but I'm also not on the OMG 25 ppg! on 48% shooting! Pencil him as a top swingman! wagon just yet.
He will defintely be a top shooter in this league, but I don't see much else *so far* especially W's.Great point, but Im not saying beware his scoring. As I said, his scoring will be elite status, and thats a lock. But if we think back to Mac in the ORL days, we saw a beast of a scorer, but a little bit of fools gold as to what kind of competitor he was, and to me, Durant smells the same way. Thats a heavy indictment considering his age, and yes, he has to be given more time to establish who he is. I get that. But just like you can look at his ability to gauge his future, you can do the same with his intangibles.
Beware crowning Durant the "next great ____" just because he scores so fluidly. Obviously, the game is far more complex than just that. That'll get you scoring titles, but winning also takes commitment and leadership.
I could give a crap less about his numbers to be honest, DC.
Dude competes.
Even with a dismal PG situation, tons of injuries, and Roy Hibbert being on the roster, no one had more close losses than Indy. A few bounces here and there, and he would have single-handedly dragged them into the playoffs. And again, he is the ONLY one on that list who you can use the term "lockdown" on with a straight face. You're right, his numbers may go down with more help...but I guarantee his wins and his star power will skyrocket.
Watch.I think you''re misreading Durant's competitiveness, Mac. It's something we're not going to agree on, and neither of us will be proven right or wrong until several years from now, but here is my take on Durant's mental game.
He's very, very competitive. He wants to win as bad as anyone else, and only cares about winning. His approach isn't demonstrative, but it more cerebral. He's like a small forward Tim Duncan. Durant is constantly correcting mistakes and improving his game. Last year he was overwhelmed by the physicality and timing of the game and still averaged 20ppg. This year he figured out NBA defenses in one phase, and that allowed him to raise his percentages. Time will tell what else he figures out.
The question marks I have about his game deal with how he problems solves and whether or not that extends to the team aspect. If he realizes the importance of defense and passing, he'll be as good as anyone we've ever seen.
I don't think he's similar to Tracy at all. Tracy is more "talented" than Durant. Durant's skills come largely from being in the gym by himself and perfecting technique. He's not bigger and stronger and faster than his opponents. He's more skilled. At 20 years old he already has elite offensive skills. Not talent. Skills.
He's going to need a coach or veteran player to help him see the game to maximize his abilities. He'll also need trainers to figure out what is his ideal NBA body as he continues to grow.
Regardless, the young man works too hard to dismiss as a guy jacking shots on a bad team. He takes as little joy in his numbers as you do, because of his focus on winning. I don't know how great he'll be, but he has a similar approach and mindset to other great players.Last edited by Bornindamecca; 03-14-2010, 03:48 PM.Comment
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Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...
I'll be the first to admit I was dead wrong about Durant.
He's a monster and a joy to watch. Can't wait to see him in the Playoffs.Indianapolis Colts
Indiana Pacers
Indiana Hoosiers
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...
I love Durant. I think I'm more critical of him than anyone else here. He is a great player, he's going to have an outstanding career. He's got so much work ethic, he buys into the team concept, he works hard on both sides of the court. I hope he stays here in OKC his entire career.
Better than Lebron?
No.
Eventually?
No..::..::::::::.:.:.:.:....:::.:.::::..:.:::....:::: ...:..::."When you're an assassin, you don't have a conscience"-Gilbert ArenasComment
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Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...
Yeah, street cred for you, haha.
It's interesting. There are a couple of people who were SPOT ON. And then there were a couple of people who were DEAD WRONG.
Shows that Durant is a polarizing figure for many folks. I wonder why that is. He's such an unassuming guy, it doesn't make sense for people to have hated on him the way they did/do.
Except for Portland fans. They needed to hate on him to maintain their sanity. I get it.Comment
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Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...
Man, McCoy is well respected around here, but that Shard comparison?
Yikes!Comment
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Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...
Obviously he's better than Shard, but both guys live on being tall enough to get a comfortable shot up in any situation, both thrive on being mismatched most of the time, and both are dominant off ball players. Durant is much better with the ball, and far more dynamic overall, while Shard may be a tiny bit better on the block...but don't act like those guys aren't at all similar, lol.Hank's Custom Collectibles 3D printer/painter extraordinaireComment
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Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...
Really? Here's what I got
1. LBJ
2. Kobe
3. Wade
4. Howard
Paul
Duncan
Dirk
Amare
Bosh
Carmelo
Deron
Roy
PP
KG
DURANT
Parker
Granger
Al Jefferson
Jamison
Billups
Butler
Yao
Nash
Joe Johnson
Just missed but could easily be swapped with named players:
David West
Carlos Boozer
Ray AllenOriginally posted by Edmund BurkeAll that is needed for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing.Comment
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Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...
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Re: Durant as good--or better?!?!--than...
It does.
But I've always said that I don't like splitting hairs between the cream of the crop. From the Summer I've said Durant is one of the top players in the league.
That post was in response to AlexBrady saying Durant was not a top 24 player. I was making the point that it was false statement.Comment
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